Why Iraq's great rivers are dying

Summary

The video explores the severe water crisis in Basra, Iraq, a city once known as the 'Venice of the Middle East.' With its canals choked by waste and polluted water, Basra reflects the broader issue facing Iraq: a lack of control over its vital water sources, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Due to dam constructions by neighboring countries, Iraq's water supply has drastically diminished, worsening the situation. Years of war, corruption, and infrastructure failures have further exacerbated the crisis. Despite efforts for reconstruction, Basra remains a symbol of Iraq’s struggle to recover and provide clean water to its citizens.

Takeaways

• 😀 Basra, once a symbol of prosperity in Iraq, now faces a severe water crisis due to both natural and man-made factors.
• 😀 The Shatt al-Arab, a vital river in Basra, is now polluted with debris, sewage, and garbage, leading to water-related illnesses.
• 😀 Iraq relies heavily on water from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, but 81% of this water is controlled by neighboring countries—Turkey, Syria, and Iran.
• 😀 The construction of dams in Turkey, Syria, and Iran has severely reduced the flow of water into Iraq, causing ecological and economic harm.
• 😀 Iraq's infrastructure, including water treatment plants, has been devastated by decades of war, making it difficult to restore clean water systems.
• 😀 The Gulf War (1990-1991) bombed Iraq’s water infrastructure, including dams and sewage treatment plants, worsening the water crisis.
• 😀 Saddam Hussein's diversion of water from the marshes in the 1990s resulted in ecological destruction and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
• 😀 Following the 2003 invasion, Iraq's water infrastructure continued to deteriorate, with 40% of the population lacking access to clean water.
• 😀 Reconstruction efforts post-2003 failed due to mismanagement, corruption, and ongoing instability, leaving many water projects incomplete.
• 😀 The rise of ISIS exacerbated the water crisis, with the group weaponizing water control by capturing dams and poisoning water supplies.
• 😀 Despite a $100 billion reconstruction plan announced in 2018, the water crisis in Basra remains unresolved, leading to protests and calls for political reform.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Shatt al-Arab river to Basra?

The Shatt al-Arab river was once a vital waterway for Basra, feeding numerous canals and earning the city the nickname 'The Venice of the Middle East.' It played a central role in Iraq's economic growth, providing water for drinking, agriculture, and trade.

How has the water crisis in Basra affected the city’s residents?

By the summer of 2018, the canals in Basra were filled with debris, sewage, and garbage, poisoning the water and causing water-related illnesses. Around 100,000 people were hospitalized due to contaminated water, and the city's once-thriving infrastructure became overwhelmed.

What is the main reason Iraq is running out of water?

Iraq is running out of water primarily because it does not control the flow of its two main rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates. These rivers originate in neighboring countries—Turkey and Iran—who have been building dams, reducing the water supply flowing to Iraq.

How much of Iraq’s water supply is controlled by other countries?

Around 81% of Iraq’s water comes from other countries. Turkey controls 71%, while Syria and Iran contribute another 10%. This has resulted in a significant reduction in water flow to Iraq.

What impact have the dams built by neighboring countries had on Iraq's water situation?

The dams constructed by Turkey, Syria, and Iran have drastically reduced the flow of water to Iraq. For example, only a quarter of the Euphrates' normal flow reaches Iraq, and the construction of dams on the Tigris has led to dangerously low water levels in Iraq.

What other factors have contributed to the water contamination in Iraq?

Lower water levels in the rivers have allowed pollutants like raw sewage and saltwater to accumulate. The reduced flow makes it harder to dilute these toxins, which causes severe contamination of the water supply, affecting agriculture and health.

How has war affected Iraq's water infrastructure?

Iraq’s water infrastructure has been severely damaged by wars, particularly the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and conflicts with ISIS. Bombings destroyed dams and sewage treatment plants, while the destruction of key facilities led to untreated sewage contaminating water supplies.

What role did the United States invasion of Iraq play in the country's water crisis?

The 2003 invasion of Iraq worsened the water crisis by further damaging critical infrastructure. Though a reconstruction plan was announced, it failed to deliver the expected results, and Iraq continued to struggle with inadequate water treatment and sewage systems.

How did ISIS contribute to the water crisis in Iraq?

ISIS weaponized water by controlling dams and water supplies. They cut water flow to pro-government towns and even poisoned water supplies with oil, making the water crisis even more severe in areas they occupied.

What efforts have been made to address Iraq's water crisis, and how successful have they been?

In 2018, Iraq launched a $100 billion reconstruction effort to address the water crisis. However, corruption, mismanagement, and the destruction of infrastructure have hindered progress, with Basra suffering from a lack of clean water and deteriorating conditions despite these efforts.