Halabja declares two days of mourning after wildfires claim two lives
Kurdistan Region's forests nearly halved by fires over 60 years: Official
KRG halts flights to Saudi Arabia as Umrah pilgrims remain stranded
Erbil court hands Duhok journalist new prison sentence
Plastic waste accounts for over a quarter of the Kurdistan Region's trash, experts warn
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Halabja declares two days of mourning over the tragic death of two citizens - a civilian and a member of the Kurdistan Region's Forest Police - in a wildfire that has been burning for a second consecutive day in the southeastern Halabja province, destroying large parts of the region's dense and mountainous forests in hard-to-reach areas.
The Halabja Civil Defense Department (HCDD) reported that the two casualties died while trying to extinguish the flames still burning through the Kokoyi region located in eastern Halabja since noon Sunday.
Speaking to Rudaw, Zanyar Omar, spokesperson for the HCDD, said 'the fire has not yet been brought under control due to the region's rugged terrain,' adding that the villages of Chnara, Nayjala and Mordin are most affected by the fires.
For her part, Halabja Governor Nuxsha Nasih declared two days of public mourning in the province, honoring the two victims as 'martyrs' of Halabja and the Kurdistan Region.
Speaking to Rudaw, Nasih stated that 'the fire is spreading widely due to strong seasonal winds,' and urged local residents and volunteers involved in firefighting efforts 'not to get very close to the blaze.'
'Your lives are more important,' Nasih affirmed.
Halabja governor also called for a stronger government response, specifically urging increased support in the form of more firefighters and improved equipment to better prepare the province for similar emergencies in the future.
Wildfires are a recurring concern in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, particularly during the summer months when extreme heat significantly increases the risk.
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Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Rudaw Net
Halabja declares two days of mourning after wildfires claim two lives
Also in Kurdistan Kurdistan Region's forests nearly halved by fires over 60 years: Official KRG halts flights to Saudi Arabia as Umrah pilgrims remain stranded Erbil court hands Duhok journalist new prison sentence Plastic waste accounts for over a quarter of the Kurdistan Region's trash, experts warn A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Halabja declares two days of mourning over the tragic death of two citizens - a civilian and a member of the Kurdistan Region's Forest Police - in a wildfire that has been burning for a second consecutive day in the southeastern Halabja province, destroying large parts of the region's dense and mountainous forests in hard-to-reach areas. The Halabja Civil Defense Department (HCDD) reported that the two casualties died while trying to extinguish the flames still burning through the Kokoyi region located in eastern Halabja since noon Sunday. Speaking to Rudaw, Zanyar Omar, spokesperson for the HCDD, said 'the fire has not yet been brought under control due to the region's rugged terrain,' adding that the villages of Chnara, Nayjala and Mordin are most affected by the fires. For her part, Halabja Governor Nuxsha Nasih declared two days of public mourning in the province, honoring the two victims as 'martyrs' of Halabja and the Kurdistan Region. Speaking to Rudaw, Nasih stated that 'the fire is spreading widely due to strong seasonal winds,' and urged local residents and volunteers involved in firefighting efforts 'not to get very close to the blaze.' 'Your lives are more important,' Nasih affirmed. Halabja governor also called for a stronger government response, specifically urging increased support in the form of more firefighters and improved equipment to better prepare the province for similar emergencies in the future. Wildfires are a recurring concern in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, particularly during the summer months when extreme heat significantly increases the risk.
Rudaw Net
01-08-2025
- Rudaw Net
Heat kills hundreds of bees in Akre
Also in Kurdistan Drought forces closure of 198-year-old Sulaimani mosque How one Barzani tragedy survivor fought back against the Baathist regime KRG phases out over 2,500 generators as 24-hour power initiative expands President Barzani, US coalition stress necessity of continuing fight against ISIS A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Hundreds of bees have died from extreme heat this year in Erbil province, local beekeepers say, describing a loss unlike anything they have seen before. '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 bees, 100 have died 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 bees 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 bees were here. I came and saw that around 100 of my bees, 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.
Rudaw Net
01-08-2025
- Rudaw Net
Drought forces closure of 198-year-old Sulaimani mosque
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A 198-year-old mosque in Sulaimani has closed its doors to collective prayers as drought and a deepening water crisis leave residents without water at homes and places of worship. A spring that used to feed the mosque in the Kaniskan neighbourhood has dried up. 'This spring used to be a water source, full of water, but now unfortunately there is no water left in it,' Hasan Tawfiq, an 86 year old who spent his whole life praying at the mosque, told Rudaw. Keeping the mosque open now depends on finding water. Over the past nine years, caretakers dug the mosque's well eight meters deeper in search of water, but to no avail. Before each of the five daily prayers, Muslims perform wudu, a ritual washing that is both a physical and spiritual act of purification. The practice involves washing the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, wiping the head, and washing the feet. Beyond cleanliness, wudu symbolizes readiness to stand before God in prayer, and its absence prevents communal prayer in mosques. 'Previously this well had eight meters of water in it, but now only one and a half meters remain, and it takes about a quarter of an hour for the water to accumulate again,' said Idris Hamid, the imam of Kaniskan mosque. Water from the mosque's spring and well once flowed to Azadi Park and Sulaimani's public gardens, but as the sources dried up, the city's green spaces have withered too. "This spring was full of water, but unfortunately this water shortage has killed us,' said Nawaro Sharif, the mosque's caretaker. He used to clean the mosque every two days, but now there is not even enough water to drink. Shops and markets in Kaniskan have been without water for a week, forcing owners to travel long distances to haul in supplies. The city's main sources of water, including the Dukan reservoir, have dwindled under severe drought, pushing Sulaimani into a deepening water crisis. Villagers in Sulaimani province's southern Garmiyan administration are also grappling with an escalating water crisis, as drought and extreme water shortages intensify. In addition to reduced rainfall, a major contributing factor is reduced water flow from neighboring Iran, which is retaining water that would otherwise feed into Dukan Lake. Once a vibrant tourist destination, the lake's levels have dropped dramatically.
