Updates: polution; hunting; animal slaughter; climate change

[Anthea]

Heat kills thousands of bees in Akre

“I have been a beekeeper for 25 years. I have never seen this type of catastrophe befall the bees,” said Hussein Abdullah. “Out of 110 bee hives, 100 have died off with only 10 remaining. All of them are here, and I bring them to this place every year. I did the same thing with them as every year, but due to the heat a harsh catastrophe has befallen us.”

In the villages of Gundki and Khardase, west of the town Akre, nearly 700 bee hives have died. Aqib Ismail, a young beekeeper, said most of his bees were lost and the rest are still at risk.

“Around 150 of my bee hives were here. I came and saw that around 100 of my hives, even more, have died. The remaining ones are also in danger right now, all of it because of the heat. I have not seen this type of heat any year,” he said. “We have kept our bees here every year and have never seen this type of loss hit us. It was something natural and unexpected. We hope the authorities help us.”

The hottest summer temperatures in Akre typically range from 40 to 47 degrees Celsius, with spikes during severe heat waves. The area’s elevation tends to somewhat moderate extremes.

Honey bees maintain the temperature in their hives between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius. If hive temperatures stay above this optimal range for several hours, developing larvae can die. Exposure to high temperatures can also quickly become fatal for adult bees.

Bees cool their hives by fanning their wings and bringing in water to evaporate, but during long heat waves these efforts can be overwhelmed, leading to brood loss and weakened colonies.

In very hot regions, beekeepers protect bees by placing hives in shade, providing shallow water sources, improving ventilation with screened bottoms or added vents, and splitting large colonies into smaller ones to reduce heat buildup.

The Kurdistan Region produces award-winning honey

Scorching summer temperatures are not new in Iraq, especially in the south where highs regularly top 50 degrees Celsius. With climate change, it is becoming increasingly hotter. A lack of basic services, such as water and electricity, makes it harder for people to cope with the heat.

Iraq is also facing a severe water shortage driven by reduced precipitation, rising temperatures, and mismanagement.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/010820251

[Anthea]

Millionaire US big game hunter gored
to death by buffalo he was stalking

It is not known if the team from Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, guiding their client on the estimated £7,500 hunt, shot the buffalo dead or if it escaped back to its nearby herd.

I HOPE IT ESCAPED

He had photos on his social media with a dead mountain lion, many deer and hundreds of wildfowl.

He also boasts of killing thousands of doves in just three days with seven friends in Argentina.

Although it is believed it had not yet been shot and was unwounded, the increasingly agitated bull turned on the hunter and launched a fatal attack as he closed in on it.

Cape buffalo, known as the Black Death, kill some 200 people in Africa a year. They are known to kill more game hunters than any other animal, including elephants, lions, rhinos or crocodiles.

The lifelong hunter who was raised and taught to shoot on Texas farms stood little chance as the buffalo took him and his safari team by surprise and gored him in a charge.

Millionaire ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was out on safari with a professional hunter and an animal tracker on the trail of a prized 1.3-ton specimen bull last Sunday

The dangerous animal charged out at 35mph and left the hunter with no chance as it slammed into and killed him almost instantly

Cape buffalo, known as the Black Death, kill some 200 people in Africa a year. They are known to kill more game hunters than any other animal

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... lking.html

[Anthea]

Dust Storm Reduces Visibility Across Kurdistan

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Visibility in parts of the Kurdistan Region has dropped significantly due to a dust storm sweeping in from central and southern Iraq, the head of the Kurdistan Region’s Earthquake and Meteorological Department said on Monday

“A wave of dust in central and southern Iraq has reduced visibility to less than four kilometers,” Fazil Ibrahim told Kurdistan24, warning that in some areas of Southern Kurdistan, it could fall below two kilometers.

Meteorologist Mohammed Kamal added that strong winds originating in southwestern Iraq have contributed to the storm and are expected to continue through Tuesday.

The storm is expected to bring hazardous conditions, particularly for drivers and outdoor workers, as the reduced visibility poses significant risks. Authorities have advised residents to take necessary precautions, such as staying indoors and wearing masks to protect against respiratory issues caused by the dust.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/85 ... tan-region

[Anthea]

Water Transmission and Green Belt Projects

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw affirmed on Wednesday that the city’s Rapid Water supply and green belt projects will usher the provincial capital into a pivotal stage, underscoring their strategic significance for both urban stability and environmental improvement

Speaking during his appearance on Kurdistan24’s Basi Roj program, Khoshnaw revealed that the first phase of Erbil Rapid Water supply project has been completed. He explained that over the past five years, 280 billion dinars have been allocated to address the city’s crises.

While some neighborhoods continue to face water shortages, he stressed that by November this year, the project will reach all districts, substantially reducing pressure on underground water resources and supporting the city’s expansion.

Khoshnaw noted that land prices across Erbil have risen significantly due to two main factors: the city’s overall stability and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) strategic projects. He urged landowners not to sell their plots at low prices, assuring them that upcoming service expansions will further increase their value.

On the province’s electricity initiatives, the governor described the Runaki project as one of the KRG’s landmark achievements. He stated that, at the Iraqi level, the Kurdistan Region is the only area capable of supplying residents with uninterrupted 24-hour power through this scheme.

Regarding the Erbil–Koya road dualization project, Khoshnaw confirmed that construction is advancing rapidly and will be fully completed by 2026.

Highlighting the green belt project, Khoshnaw said work has already begun on this transformative initiative, which spans two kilometers in width and stretches 70 kilometers in length. He explained that the project will beautify Erbil’s landscape, improve its climate, and protect lands within its scope by returning them to agricultural use, thereby safeguarding property rights.

Discussing other strategic government initiatives, the governor referred to an upcoming waste and sewage recycling project. He said a dedicated team is working on converting wastewater and sewage for reuse, with a total budget of €280 million allocated for these combined projects.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/85 ... r-the-city

[Anthea]

Kurdish Beekeeper Puts
Thousands of Bees on Children

A Kurdish beekeeper from Kurdistan has drawn widespread attention after sharing photos of himself and his young children covered in thousands of bees without being stung

Sami Haji Jawhar, widely known as Sami Smaquli the Beekeeper, has been working with bees for more than 25 years. The 50-year-old shared images on social media showing his five and seven-year-old sons calmly standing as swarms of bees settled on their bodies.

Speaking to BasNews, Jawhar explained the phenomenon, saying that when bees swarm, the queen leaves the hive, prompting the rest to gather around her in one location.

“Thanks to our expertise, we’ve made it so they don’t sting us, because we don’t disturb them. If we were to disturb them, they would sting,” he said.

Jawhar recalled instances where he carried as many as seven combs’ worth of bees on his body, with each comb holding over 3,000 bees.

“If one stings you, it releases a scent that signals the others to attack the same area. If you’re not careful, they could kill you,” he warned.

Both of Jawhar’s sons have now received certificates from the Kurdistan Beekeepers Network in recognition of their involvement.

Describing the process of attracting bees to one’s body, the beekeeper said: “First, the bees settle on a tree. You begin by smoking them, then place the queen in her special cage. If you want a ‘bee beard,’ you hang the cage around your neck, and the bees gradually gather on your body. As long as you don’t harm them, they won’t sting.”

Despite the striking images, Jawhar highlighted challenges facing beekeepers in the Kurdistan Region. He noted that this year’s honey production remains low, averaging 2.6 to 2.7 kilograms per hive, with stronger hives producing up to 5 kilograms.

“Last year, a hive produced only 1.2 kilograms, and the year before that, almost nothing. For three years, the honey yield has been poor, even though we migrate the bees between warm and cool areas,” he added.

Link to Article and several fantastic photos:

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/892253

[Anthea]

Iraq's Water Crisis:

Upstream Damming Puts 20 Million Lives at Risk, Officials Warn

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The very lifelines of Iraq, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, are receding at an alarming rate, prompting a dire warning from the Iraqi Parliament’s Agriculture Committee that the lives and livelihoods of an estimated 20 million citizens are now in jeopardy

Attributed primarily to the extensive damming of the rivers by neighboring countries, particularly Türkiye, the escalating water crisis is forcing villagers along the riverbanks to consider a mass exodus from their agricultural lands towards overburdened provincial centers, threatening to reshape the nation's demographic and economic landscape.

The stark reality of the crisis is visible to all who live by the rivers. The once-mighty Tigris is now a shadow of its former self, a situation that has developed over several years but has reached a critical point

"For five to six years, the water has been decreasing, and year after year the water level of the Tigris drops further," said Karrar Sami, a citizen observing the dramatic changes. "Especially this year, several islands have appeared in the middle of the river, which we have never seen before. In some places, you can even cross the river on foot."

This dramatic reduction in water flow has had a devastating impact on those who depend directly on the river for their survival. Fishermen, who have navigated these waters for generations, now find their profession imperiled.

Hassan Jabr, a local fisherman, conveyed the grim situation to Kurdistan24, pointing to the exposed riverbed as clear evidence of the problem. "The country of Türkiye has dammed the river's water, and this is the result. It is clear how much the water has dropped," he explained. "We used to go upstream to fish, but now the water has dropped by about three to four meters. Look at the middle of the river, its bed has been exposed."

Official data from the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources
substantiates these firsthand accounts with startling figures

The nation's water levels have plummeted from a historical average of 70 billion cubic meters to less than 40 billion cubic meters. The crisis is compounded by internal challenges, as the ministry also reported that while 21 billion cubic meters of water were stored during the past winter season, nothing of that reserve remains due to what is being described as mismanagement.

This combination of external pressures and internal inefficiencies has created a perfect storm for Iraq's water security.

In response to the growing emergency, the Agriculture Committee in the Iraqi Parliament has issued a formal statement underscoring the severity of the damages.

The committee affirmed that the drop in river water has placed the lives and economic stability of 20 million Iraqis at risk and acknowledged that, in some affected areas, villagers are being forced to migrate as their lands become unfarmable and their primary water sources dry up.

Faleh al-Khazali, the Head of the Agriculture Committee, has outlined a series of urgent demands directed at the federal government.

"We call on the federal government to speak with Türkiye to release more water, no less than 800 cubic meters of water per second, in order to revive the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for drinking water and agricultural use," he stated.

Al-Khazali also stressed the need for domestic action to preserve what little water remains, calling for the immediate demolition of "all unauthorized lakes and fish farms so that more water returns to the rivers."

Despite these calls for action, diplomatic efforts have so far failed to yield results.

Two months ago, the Iraqi Prime Minister announced a regional initiative aimed at protecting water security and formally called on neighboring countries to ensure a continuous release of water into the shared rivers.

However, according to reports, none of Iraq's neighbors have responded to the Prime Minister's initiative, leaving the nation in a precarious position as it faces a deepening environmental and humanitarian crisis with no immediate solution in sight.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/85 ... cials-warn

[Anthea]

KRG Shuts 85 Illegal Refineries in Erbil

Kurdistan’s Environmental Protection and Improvement Board has launched a major campaign targeting illegal oil refineries and private generators, leading to significant improvements in air quality across the capital

Board spokesperson Sanan Abdullah onTuesday, told Kurdistan 24, that most unlicensed refineries were operating in Erbil province, where authorities have shut down 85 facilities.

He warned that any remaining refineries without licenses from the Ministry of Natural Resources or failing to meet environmental standards would also face closure.

Alongside the refinery campaign, authorities have shut down between 30 to 40 percent of private generators in Erbil.

Abdullah noted that the move has eased pollution and noise, both of which had been serious public health concerns.

“Reducing generators has had a direct impact on cleaning the city’s environment,” Abdullah said, adding that citizens’ cooperation in responsible electricity and water use is vital for sustaining these improvements.

The Environmental Board emphasized that maintaining clean air and protecting natural resources will depend on both government measures and public awareness.

Link to Article - Photo:

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/892417

[Anthea]

Over 5,000 Dunams Burned in Halabja

Peshawa Hawramani, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Government (KRG) and representative of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, visited Halabja province on Wednesday to convey the Prime Minister’s condolences to the families of two men who lost their lives while battling a wildfire

In a press conference, Hawramani said PM Barzani and the KRG had been closely monitoring the situation from the outset of the blaze and were in constant contact with local authorities.

He added that Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed had coordinated with the Governor of Halabja to provide necessary resources and ensure the rights of a volunteer who was killed in the incident would be secured.

“We saw all the people of Halabja—women, men, children, and the elderly—united with the KRG’s institutions to contain the fire,” Hawramani said, expressing appreciation for volunteers, civil defense teams, and emergency services who risked their lives.

Halabja Governor Nukhsha Nasih, speaking at the joint press conference, confirmed that after three days of efforts by firefighting teams, civil defense, and volunteers, the fire was brought under control. However, she noted that more than 5,000 dunams of land had been burned.

Nasih also stressed the lack of adequate firefighting equipment in the province, revealing that the Council of Ministers had approved her request for 49 different types of equipment, pending implementation by the Ministry of Finance.

She added that police and civil defense have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, vowing legal action if it was deliberate.

The governor further announced that a committee would be formed to submit a formal request for compensation for those affected by the blaze.

The wildfire broke out in the grasslands and pastures of the villages of Chnar and Mordin in Halabja on the night of August 17–18. It claimed the lives of 28-year-old volunteer Ari Mukhtar and a police officer, while two others were injured.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/892506

[Anthea]

Over 11 Million Square Meters

Cleared of Landmines

The Kurdistan Government (KRG) said its ninth cabinet has made major strides in clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) across the Region, significantly reducing threats to public safety and helping displaced families reclaim their lands

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Media and Information said the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (IKMAA) has successfully cleared more than 11.3 million square meters of contaminated land, including the complete clearance of 52 minefields that have now been returned to their owners. Officials said the clearance work has improved community safety and revitalized livelihoods in areas once rendered uninhabitable.

The statement said IKMAA teams have destroyed more than 20,856 landmines and over 125,627 pieces of unexploded ordnance, remnants of past conflicts that posed serious risks to civilians and the environment. “These achievements demonstrate the government’s ongoing commitment to protecting citizens, supporting reconstruction, and safeguarding the environment,” it added.

Alongside clearance efforts, IKMAA has stepped up public education campaigns on the dangers of mines and war remnants. Awareness teams are deployed daily from Garmian to Zakho, visiting border communities and high-risk areas to provide information and guidance. Citizens are urged to call IKMAA’s free hotline, 182, if they encounter landmines, explosives, or suspicious objects.

Saddled with the legacies of multiple wars, the Kurdistan Region is one of the most heavily landmine-contaminated parts of Iraq. Decades of conflict, from the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s to the Anfal campaign and later battles with ISIS, left vast stretches of farmland and border terrain littered with mines. Local officials say clearance operations have not only prevented deaths and injuries but also allowed farmers to cultivate their land again, boosting the economy in rural areas.

International organizations, including the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), have long partnered with the KRG in mine clearance operations, though local authorities have shouldered much of the burden in recent years. Despite the progress, IKMAA estimates that thousands of minefields remain scattered across the Kurdistan Region, particularly along the borders with Iran and Turkey, where sporadic clashes and cross-border shelling have complicated demining work.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/893132

[Anthea]

Halabja First in Kurdistan
to Get 24-Hour Power

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani announced on Thursday that nearly 4 million people across the Kurdistan Region, along with over 115,000 businesses, now enjoy 24-hour electricity through the KRG’s Runaki program

“This represents more than 50% of the population, achieved in less than a year since the program was launched in October 2024,” PM Barzani said in a statement.

He added that, in line with public promises and ahead of schedule, 24-hour power has reached the city centers of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Halabja. “I’m pleased to announce that Halabja is the first province in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to switch entirely to 24-hour electricity,” he stated.

PM Barzani emphasized that Runaki is not just about reliable electricity but also about community well-being. “To date, over 3,200 neighborhood diesel generators have been shut down, making our neighborhoods cleaner, healthier, and safer for our children,” he said.

The program has also encouraged more efficient electricity usage. According to the KRG, households and businesses are consuming less energy, and nearly 80% of the public pay less under Runaki than they previously did to operate diesel generators.

“Our promise stands — every home and business will have 24-hour electricity by the end of 2026,” PM Barzani concluded

Omed Ahmed, spokesperson for the KRG Ministry of Electricity, added that starting Thursday, Sulaymaniyah city center has also switched entirely to 24-hour electricity. “This strategic project is part of the ninth cabinet’s agenda and PM Barzani’s efforts to resolve the electricity issue in the Kurdistan Region,” he said.

Residents expressed their gratitude for the milestone. Aram Khargelani, from Khargelani village in Biara district of Hawraman, said: “On behalf of the people of Halabja and Hawraman, we thank PM Masrour Barzani for his services and for making Halabja the first province in Iraq to have 24-hour electricity. Over the past 30 years, we worried about the lack and poor quality of electricity, but now an important turning point has occurred. Halabja now enjoys continuous electricity like the developed countries of the world.”

The Runaki program marks a major achievement in the Kurdistan Regional Government’s efforts to modernize the electricity sector, reduce reliance on diesel generators, and enhance the welfare of residents and businesses across the region.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/893204

[Anthea]

Iraq Accuses Turkey of Deception
Over Water Releases

Iraq's Green Observatory, a leading environmental watchdog, has issued a grave warning regarding the nation's water security, accusing Turkey of failing to uphold its promise to release sufficient water into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

The observatory stated that Sunday, August 31st, marked the end of Turkey's pledged water release period, leaving Iraq severely shortchanged.

Turkey had committed to releasing 400 cubic meters of water per second during July and August. However, the Green Observatory, in a statement widely reported by Iraqi media, revealed that Iraq received a mere 120 cubic meters per second – a figure it described as a "significant deception."

The shortfall has forced Iraqi authorities to deplete their own dams and water regulators, drawing down double the amount of water received from Turkey to meet immediate needs.

This unsustainable practice has led the Observatory to caution that Iraq faces an imminent and severe water shortage unless urgent negotiations with Ankara yield an extension of the water release period.

This development follows Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's announcement in early July that Turkey had agreed to increase water flows.

At the time, this was hailed as a vital relief for drought-stricken Iraqi communities, particularly in provinces like Basra, which are grappling with severe water scarcity, salinization, and environmental pollution.

However, experts familiar with Iraq's chronic water crisis quickly downplayed Turkey's initial commitment, viewing it as a temporary measure for a far deeper and threatening crisis that impacts every facet of Iraqi life – economic, social, political, and even security.

Critics have expressed frustration that Iraq continues to rely on Turkey's "charity" instead of asserting its constitutional right to a fair share of the Tigris and Euphrates waters under international law.

Behind Turkey's occasional cooperative gestures lies a complex web of self-interest, primarily revolving around security and economic ties with Baghdad.

Ankara seeks sustained Iraqi support in its ongoing conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a dynamic that has reportedly pushed the PKK towards considering disarmament. Economically, Turkey is keen to advance projects like the "Development Road" initiative.

The Turkish government, led by President Erdoğan, harbors ambitions beyond short-term gains, aiming to leverage these interests into a broader regional hegemony that could challenge Iran's entrenched influence in Iraq.

Meanwhile, this summer has seen numerous Iraqi regions endure acute water scarcity, affecting not only agricultural irrigation and livestock but also access to potable drinking water.

This has led to long queues for distributed water, fueling fears within Iraqi government circles that the escalating crisis could ignite new waves of popular unrest, mirroring previous protests sparked by water shortages.

Iraq has for years suffered from declining water volumes from its primary sources, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, as well as their tributaries, all originating in Turkey and Iran.

The crisis intensified as both upstream nations ramped up water exploitation and dam construction, notably Turkey's massive Ilisu Dam on the border of Mardin and Şırnak provinces.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/893510

They should never have built the Ilisu Dam, for many years we struggled to prevent the dam from being built and the destruction of Hasankeyf but sadly the HDP did nothing to prevent the destruction

[Anthea]

Duhok Enjoys 24-Hour Electricity

Duhok achieves 24-hour electricity for 120,000+ subscribers under KRG’s Runaki Program, completed in 4 months. The initiative has shut down 450 private generators, improved commerce, and reduced outages

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The residents of Duhok are enjoying uninterrupted electricity around the clock, following the successful completion of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ambitious Runaki Program.

The initiative, launched in March and completed in just four months, has brought continuous power to more than 120,000 subscribers in the city, enabling the shutdown of 450 private generators that once dominated neighborhoods and markets.

Officials and citizens alike say the Program has not only solved the chronic electricity shortages but also improved quality of life, revitalized commerce, and reduced household expenses.

In Sarheldan neighborhood, residents describe the shift as life-changing

“Electricity has not gone out in our home for more than three months,” said Shukri Haji, a Duhok resident. “This solved the electricity problem, and thank God, everything is now available. Without 24-hour power, we could not have endured the summer heat.”

His wife, Meslikhan Naqdal, echoed the sentiment: “We are very comfortable. We no longer suffer from outages. Before, we faced endless hardship, but now everything works and even paying bills is easier.”

Shop owners also report major improvements. Zaki Said, who runs a juice store, said, “All our equipment now works 24 hours a day. This has helped us a lot in our business. Before Runaki, we had outages lasting up to 23 or 24 hours, crippling work. Now the situation is far better.”

Hazem Mohammed, deputy director general of electricity in Duhok, confirmed that the Program exceeded expectations.

“The plan was to complete it within one year, but we delivered electricity to all of Duhok city in just four months,” he said. “Now the entire city center, its districts, sub-districts, and villages enjoy uninterrupted power.”

According to Mohammed, more than 450,000 people are directly benefiting, including over 120,000 subscribers on the private network.

The success in Duhok follows rapid progress in Sulaimani. On Aug. 24, Sirwan Mohammed, spokesperson for the city’s electricity directorate, announced that 80 percent of neighborhoods are already receiving 24-hour electricity. More than 200 neighborhoods are connected, with the remainder of the city center expected to be covered before year’s end.

The Program has also shut down more than 518 private generators in Sulaimani, cutting carbon dioxide emissions equal to 90,000 cars. Preparations are underway to extend coverage to Chamchamal and other districts.

The Runaki Program has attracted attention beyond the Kurdistan Region. On Sept. 3, Fares Mirkhan, acting director of production at the KRG Ministry of Electricity, told Kurdistan24 that nearly four million citizens—around 40 percent of the Kurdistan Region’s population—now benefit from 24-hour electricity.

He said electricity consumption has dropped by 30 percent since the Program began, reflecting increased efficiency and public awareness

Could the drop in consumption be due to the fact that the new system is more expensive and people cannot afford the extra cost!?! "Raising electricity prices from 18 dinars (about $0.012) per unit to 156 dinars (about $0.11) is a drastic jump that could overwhelm consumers,"

Mirkhan revealed that a delegation from Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity recently visited Erbil to explore how Baghdad could replicate the Program at the federal level. “This Program has drawn not only national but also international attention,” he noted.

Mirkhan emphasized that electricity production in the Kurdistan Region increased by 1,890 megawatts under the current cabinet, relying on gas, crude oil, water, and solar energy. For the first time, wasted gas from refineries is being utilized, powering the 160-megawatt Garmiyan plant.

A new Program using waste to generate electricity, led by a UAE-based company, is expected to be completed within a year. Meanwhile, solar initiatives are being prioritized, with 40 megawatts already planned, capitalizing on the region’s 300 sunny days per year.

Officials and citizens agree that the Runaki Program represents one of the most significant public service achievements in recent years. By delivering 24-hour electricity, shutting down thousands of generators, and paving the way for sustainable energy, the initiative is transforming both urban life and the economic landscape of Kurdistan.

As Duhok sets an example and Sulaimani nears full coverage, expectations are rising that the entire Kurdistan Region will soon share in this new era of uninterrupted power.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/86 ... daily-life

[Anthea]

Thousands of fish die in Eastern Sulaimani

Nearly 6,000 fish have died in a lake in the Kurdistan’s eastern Sulaimani province, local officials told Rudaw on Monday, attributing the incident to mismanagement at a fish farm

The incident unfolded at the Darbandikhan Lake southeast of Sulaimani.

Darbandikhan Mayor Sulaiman Mohammed stated that the mass fish deaths were not caused by illegal fishing, disease or the use of toxic substances, but rather by improper fish farm practices.

“The fish that died were small and entered the suspended cages of a fish farming pool. After growing, they were unable to get out into the lake. When the pool owner attempted to remove them, he mishandled them, which led to their deaths,” he said.

A “specialized team” which visited the lake to look into the incident “found that the dead fish weighed 50 to 60 grams and were of the Manger [Pike Barbel] type,” Mohammed said. He added that to prevent the spread of disease and foul odor from the dead fish, the Darbandikhan district administration disposed of the fish “in a scientific manner.”

In an early August episode of Lagal Ranj, Rudaw’s current affairs program, officials, veterinarians and fish farm operators warned of poor aquaculture practices. They highlighted the lack of awareness among fish farmers in the Kurdistan Region, including the use of banned chemicals. The panel attributed the problem to limited oversight, urging stricter government enforcement.

Earlier this year, Jassim al-Asadi, head of the Nature Iraq environmental group, claimed that Iraq has lost up to 95 percent of its fish population in the southern marshes due to climate change. He cited chronic water shortages caused by reduced rainfall and upstream damming in Turkey and Iran.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/02092025

[Anthea]

Drought destroys agricultural produce

Daunting drought and earlier this year's bad weather have destroyed the vast majority of agricultural yields in Erbil province's Soran administration, causing significant financial losses to farmers, warned a local official on Wednesday

Drought, reduced water levels, and devastating spring hail storm wreaked havoc on farming lands, said Kamaran Hussein, head of Soran’s Agriculture Department, warning that products have dropped by a staggering 80 percent.

“This year in general was a very bad year for agricultural yields,” Hussein said.

Hussein detailed that “a strong hail storm in early spring damaged gardens in Rawanduz, Balakayati, Mergasor, and Mazne district,” and as such fruit yields dropped as well.

To support domestic products, the government usually bans imports from neighboring countries when seasonal yields enter the market, but this year it was not the case, due to shortage.

“Last year, we had 7,154 tons of horticultural products, such as peaches, cabbage, watermelons and plums," Hussein said, noting this year about 3,000 tons of domestic produce ended up in the market."

"This led to the import of products to start early," he said.

Iraq is experiencing its worst drought since 1933, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative warned in early August

Farmland available for cultivation has been halved and rural families are being driven from their homes, Salah Haj told Rudaw, warning that the entire region has been affected by drought, but Iraq is bearing the brunt of the crisis.

FAO is working with the federal and Kurdistan Regional governments on water projects, including restoring a water-sensing system in Erbil to optimize irrigation times. Haj said the Kurdistan Region’s situation is better than the rest of Iraq’s.

Iraq heavily depends on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for its water supply - both of which originate in Turkey. However, major dam projects in the northern neighboring country, including the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), have significantly reduced the flow of water into Iraq, contributing to severe drought, desertification, and environmental degradation. Iraq is currently receiving less than 40 percent of its historical water share.

In early July, Turkey agreed to increase water releases into the Tigris and Euphrates rivers by 420 cubic meters per second, following a meeting in Ankara between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Speaker Mahmoud Mashhadani.

A statement from the Iraqi parliament at the time quoted Erdogan as “responding positively” to Iraq’s request, saying, “Turkey shares what God has bestowed upon it with its brothers in Iraq and will not withhold it from them.”

According to the World Resources Institute, Sulaimani and Duhok provinces in the Kurdistan Region are under the highest drought pressure and the risks and effects of climate change will be more pronounced in the next decade.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/business/030920251

[Anthea]

Sulaymaniyah Residents Hail Runaki
for Power and Cleaner Air

Residents of Sulaymaniyah have welcomed the arrival of uninterrupted 24-hour electricity through the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Runaki project, saying the initiative has not only improved living conditions but also drastically reduced air pollution by shutting down hundreds of private generators.

Choman Khasraw, a journalist and resident of Sulaymaniyah, told BasNews that the project had transformed the city’s environment. “Now, the environment of Sulaymaniyah has become clean thanks to the Runaki project.

Previously, when we came into Sulaymaniyah, because of the smell of generator fumes and the emission of all that poison, you would feel the city was very polluted. Now, more than 500 generators have been shut down in the center of Sulaymaniyah,” he said, adding that the new power supply was cheaper and more reliable.

Khasraw also accused political groups of trying to obstruct the initiative for partisan purposes. “All their efforts were to prevent the ninth cabinet from succeeding in providing 24-hour electricity, so that their market of political auctions would remain heated and they could use it as election propaganda,” he said.

Local residents echoed similar sentiments. “Sulaymaniyah has been illuminated thanks to the Runaki project. No longer are generator fumes and poison released into the air and spread over this city,” said Saman Faris, another resident.

He noted that households previously had to rely on three different power sources — national supply, neighborhood generators, and private lines — often paying two separate electricity bills each month while enduring noise and pollution.

Tarza Mohammed, a citizen and activist, also praised the initiative. “We thank the Prime Minister for this project that has illuminated Sulaymaniyah. For 30 years, Sulaymaniyah, like other cities in Kurdistan, has suffered from the lack of a national electricity supply. But now, Sulaymaniyah is proud to have 24-hour electricity, just like other cities in Kurdistan, at a time when in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, people have only 4 hours of national electricity a day,” she said.

The Runaki project officially began in Sulaymaniyah on March 6, 2025, as part of a wider KRG program to deliver continuous power across the Kurdistan Region by the end of 2026. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has described the project as a strategic investment aimed at reducing reliance on diesel generators, cutting costs for households, and modernizing infrastructure.

According to official figures, over 12 million people in Iraq face chronic electricity shortages, especially during the summer when demand surges. While the federal government in Baghdad continues to struggle with outdated grids and dependence on Iranian power imports, the KRG’s Runaki project has been promoted as a model for sustainable electricity provision in the region.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/894010