Heavy Metals, Ammonia Blamed for Iraq Carp Deaths

Thousands of dead carp wash up along the Euphrates River in Iraq (Reuters)
Thousands of dead carp wash up along the Euphrates River in Iraq (Reuters)
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Heavy Metals, Ammonia Blamed for Iraq Carp Deaths

Thousands of dead carp wash up along the Euphrates River in Iraq (Reuters)
Thousands of dead carp wash up along the Euphrates River in Iraq (Reuters)

The death of thousands of freshwater fish in the Euphrates river in Iraq was due to high levels of coliform bacteria, heavy metals and ammonia in the water, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

Thousands of tons of freshwater carp have washed up dead this month, leaving Iraqi fish farmers reeling from the significant loss of earnings, Reuters reported.

Carp is the country's national dish, commonly served barbecued.

Agriculture officials had ruled out deliberate poisoning. A joint investigation by the Iraqi health ministry and WHO also revealed the contamination was not toxic to humans.

"Testing on dead fish has revealed serious issues that warranted WHO to conduct a second investigation related to probable viral infection of fish causing the death of thousands in the river. Results of the second test are due next week," WHO said in a statement on Tuesday.

The incident illustrates worsening pollution problems in Iraq, which is struggling to provide a sufficient supply of clean water, especially in the south of the country, Reuters said.



Houthis in Yemen Say They Won’t End Support for Gaza

 Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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Houthis in Yemen Say They Won’t End Support for Gaza

 Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Houthi supporters chant slogans during a weekly anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

A top leader of the Iran-backed-Houthi militias in Yemen said they will keep up their support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip until Israeli “aggression stops, and the siege is lifted.”

“Our operations in support of Gaza will not cease, no matter the sacrifices,” said Mahdi al-Mashat in a statement Wednesday.

The Houthis are the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.

They have been firing long-range missiles at Israel in the months since it resumed the war in Gaza, setting off air raid sirens but generally causing few casualties. They have also been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.