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Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Birdsong and solace: Iraqis turn to pet birds for joy and mental relief
Shafaq News In a country where urban stress and societal tension often weigh heavily on daily life, many Iraqi families are turning to an unexpected source of comfort: the melodic chirping and vibrant plumage of ornamental birds. The trend, once considered a niche hobby for collectors and older enthusiasts, is now gaining wide popularity among mothers, children, and even those living alone. The shift is more than decorative — it's psychological. Living Symphony 'I didn't expect birds to bring this much happiness into our house,' said Israa Sahib, a mother of four in Baghdad. Speaking to Shafaq News, she recounted how her children insisted on having birds after seeing homing pigeons at a relative's home. 'I chose smaller ornamental birds because they're easier to tame, don't need rooftop towers like pigeons, and stay quietly in their cages. They've made our home feel alive.' She described the transformation in her household: 'Their colors, their songs — they brought joy to the kids, and their happiness made me happy too.' This sentiment is echoed across Baghdad's famed Ghazil pet market, where bird sellers display a dazzling array of species: parakeets, lovebirds (including the brightly colored rosy-faced species), finches like the zebra-striped zebrata, melodious canaries, and sleek cockatiels — all more popular now than the traditional homing pigeon. From Pigeons to Pets The pigeon, once a cultural icon across Iraqi rooftops, has faded in popularity, especially among younger and urban residents. A bird seller in the Ghazil market told Shafaq News, 'Mothers, kids, teenagers — they all want ornamental birds now. Pigeons still have their loyal followers, mostly older men or professionals, but they're less practical for today's homes.' He added that homing pigeons carry many drawbacks: 'They're noisy, they leave droppings on rooftops and balconies, and they require space to fly and training to return.' Iraq's growing urban density and shrinking household space have only accelerated the shift toward smaller, indoor-friendly species. Prices for ornamental birds range from as little as 5,000 Iraqi dinars (under $4) to 150,000 dinars for imported canaries or jumbo species, making them accessible to a wide range of Iraqis. For many, these birds are more than a visual delight. They become companions. Ahmed Majid, a bachelor living in a small apartment in Baghdad, told Shafaq News, 'I live alone, and the birds give me peace. When I come back from work, I feel like someone is waiting for me.' He said their presence helps relieve the isolation and stress of solitary urban life. 'They distract me, comfort me. I don't feel alone anymore.' Psychologist Manahel Al-Saleh explained this phenomenon, noting, 'Many people find emotional relief in raising birds. These creatures are gentle and responsive — people feel they share their emotions, especially those who live alone.' She added that for some owners, the relationship with the birds becomes deeply personal, 'Some believe the birds sense their moods — joy, anger, sadness — and respond accordingly. This deepens the human–bird bond.' According to Al-Saleh, the attraction stems from the birds' role as living, responsive beings that evoke calm. 'In a chaotic world, people look for softness and peace. The birds' movements and chirping absorb stress and relax the mind.' Growing Hobby While no official statistics are available, anecdotal evidence from market sellers and pet supply vendors suggests the number of bird owners in Iraq has steadily increased since the 1980s — when choices were mostly limited to parrots and canaries. Today's enthusiasts have access to a wider range of species, including cockatiels, goldfinches, and hybrid breeds imported from abroad. What's driving the surge? Sellers point to a mix of affordability, aesthetic value, and the therapeutic effect birds have on their owners. Psychological studies globally support what Iraqi families are experiencing anecdotally. The act of caring for birds — feeding, observing, listening to them — is known to promote mindfulness, reduce anxiety, and increase feelings of connectedness. In Iraq, where communities continue to recover from conflict, displacement, and economic uncertainty, this growing hobby offers not just recreation, but a subtle, quiet form of emotional healing. As Al-Saleh put it, 'Sometimes, healing comes not through words, but through the flutter of wings and a soft, persistent song.'
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syria's Sweida fighting leaves over 60 casualties
Shafaq News – Damascus At least 60 people were killed or wounded in armed clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribesmen in Syria's southern Sweida province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Sunday. The violence erupted in al-Muqawwas neighborhood and spread to nearby areas as both sides exchanged gunfire and shelling. The Observatory confirmed that 17 Druze and 4 Bedouins were dead, while 50 others—including children and several in critical condition—were injured. #المرصد_السوري نزوح جماعي واشتباكات واسـ ـتـ ـهداف بلدات في تصعيد أمـ ـنـ ـي خطير في #السويداء.. وارتفاع عدد القـ ـتـ ـلى إلى 21 شخصا — المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان (@syriahr) July 13, 2025 Stemming from a spiral of retaliation, the escalation began after armed tribesmen allegedly beat, robbed, and abandoned a Druze youth near al-Masmiyya. In response, Druze fighters abducted tribal members, prompting counter-seizures and a blockade of the Damascus–Sweida highway. Similar clashes in April and May between Druze groups and security forces left dozens dead and led to de-escalation agreements aimed at integrating local fighters into state structures. In a separate incident in Damascus, unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle fatally shot a 60-year-old man from the Alawite community—the sect to which ousted President Bashar al-Assad belongs. #المرصد_السوري برصاص مسلحين.. مقـ ـتل سائق سيارة في العاصمة #دمشق — المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان (@syriahr) July 13, 2025 According to SOHR, at least 857 people—813 men, 29 women, and 15 children—have been killed across Syria since the start of 2025 in sectarian-driven assassinations.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Netanyahu: Hamas rejected latest hostage deal
Shafaq News - Middle East Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday dismissed accusations that his government is obstructing a hostage deal, insisting Israel had already endorsed the latest proposal. In a video message posted on X, Netanyahu condemned local media for 'echoing Hamas propaganda,' confirming, 'We accepted the [US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve] Witkoff deal, and then the version proposed by the mediators. We accepted it, Hamas rejected it.' He doubled down on Israel's war objectives, vowing to press on until both goals are achieved: the return of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas. 'That's what I'm doing. I will not abandon either mission.' עדכון חשוב ממני אליכם. צפו >> — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 13, 2025 Hamas has yet to comment on Netanyahu's allegations. Negotiations in Qatar between Hamas and Israeli delegations remain underway, centered on a phased framework that includes hostage releases, Israeli troop withdrawals, and steps toward a ceasefire. Hamas continues to demand a permanent halt to hostilities, a complete Israeli withdrawal, the reopening of Gaza's crossings, and a broad reconstruction effort. Netanyahu, however, remains adamant that Israel must retain the right to resume fighting after any temporary truce, including the currently proposed 60-day pause.
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
AANES: Syria dialogue marks new era for solution
Shafaq News – Qamishli On Sunday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) declared that its latest talks with the Syrian government represent a turning point toward a Syrian political settlement. In an official statement, AANES thanked the United States and France for their 'support for peace, stability, and democracy in Syria,' emphasizing that sustainable solutions can only be reached through responsible, inclusive dialogue. AANES reaffirmed its commitment to Syria's territorial unity as a 'non-negotiable principle' and rejected accusations of separatism, asserting that its calls for decentralization, social justice, gender equality, and inclusive constitutional guarantees align with the original goals of the 2011 uprising. Blaming decades of centralized rule for the country's repeated crises, the administration expressed readiness to integrate into national institutions on a democratic basis, contribute to drafting a new constitution, and called on all political forces to reject incitement and safeguard the dialogue process. Tensions persist between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian army units, despite a March agreement aimed at integrating the SDF into a restructured Syrian state. A core dispute remains over the SDF's demand to retain its autonomous command and territorial control in the northeast, while Damascus insists on full integration under a centralized military structure.
Shafaq News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi official: PKK disarmament must cover Sinjar
Shafaq News – Sinjar The disarmament agreement between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkiye should extend to Sinjar, an Iraqi military commander noted on Sunday, pointing to the presence of armed factions operating under the group's authority in the district. The PKK, classified as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, established a foothold in Sinjar after assisting the Yazidi community during ISIS's 2014 assault. Its presence remains a persistent source of friction between Baghdad, Erbil, and Ankara. 'There are several groups here that take orders from the PKK and remain loyal to it,' the commander told Shafaq News, requesting anonymity. 'They must be included in any comprehensive agreement.' Although no terms have outlined Sinjar's status, the official anticipated that the ongoing demilitarization process—expected to last about three months—could eventually encompass the area. 'This could lead to the withdrawal of the PKK and its affiliated groups from the district, if both sides reach a full understanding,' he remarked. Backed by both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the disarmament drive accelerated on May 12, when the PKK dissolved and renounced armed struggle after more than 40 years of conflict. Last Friday, fighters burned their weapons in a cave outside al-Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdistan Region, marking the group's shift toward political engagement with Turkiye. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed it as 'the dawn of a new era' and announced a parliamentary committee to draft the legal framework for disarmament.
