FAO, WFP: Iraq One of the Countries Most Affected by Climate Change

Drought in one of Iraq’s marshes on October 8, 2022. (AFP)
Drought in one of Iraq’s marshes on October 8, 2022. (AFP)
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FAO, WFP: Iraq One of the Countries Most Affected by Climate Change

Drought in one of Iraq’s marshes on October 8, 2022. (AFP)
Drought in one of Iraq’s marshes on October 8, 2022. (AFP)

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) in Iraq issued a joint statement on the occasion of World Food Day on Monday on the future of Iraq’s agriculture and food security.

The statement was issued amid a drought wave hitting Iraq for the fourth consecutive year and an arbitrary water policy by upstream countries (Türkiye and Iran) towards Iraq.

The two agencies called for urgent action to address the root causes of today's food and water security crisis amid "limitless" challenges facing the world, including Iraq.

“Iraq has been experiencing increased drought for the past two years, brought about by the rising temperatures, reduced rainfall which is the lowest in 40 years in addition to reduced water flows in Tigris and the Euphrates rivers,” the statement said.

“This led to degradation of arable land, increased water, and soil salinity, which all contribute to serious loss of livelihoods and an increased pressure on the state national budget, which imports cereals to ensure enough food is available to the population.”

The statement quoted WFP Iraq Representative Ali Raza Qureshi as saying that Iraq remains one of the most affected countries globally by the adverse effects of climate change.

He warned that unless mitigation and adaptation are implemented, the future may not be promising for smallholder farmers and vulnerable groups in the country.

“We at WFP believe that food is the path towards peace and as such, serious action must be taken immediately by the government and the international community to adopt climate-smart food systems and long-term resilience building in order to ensure that Iraq and its people are able to navigate these testing times,” he said.

The statement noted that 20% of Iraq's workforce is engaged in the agricultural sector, which is the second largest contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) after the oil sector, accounting for 5% of the total GDP.

Thus, it stressed that the development of agriculture is critical to allow Iraq to achieve its vision of a more diversified economy, in addition to generating employment and boosting private sector engagement.

Iraq’s Ministry of Water Resources complains that it does not receive sufficient funds to modernize the irrigation system, which would reduce waste in the already scarce water.

It further slams the lack of response from the upstream countries (Türkiye and Iran) to its request to hold talks regarding the water issue and the drought Iraq has been facing.

The Ministry’s advisor, Aoun Dhiab, told Iraq’s News Agency INA on Sunday that the two neighboring countries haven’t responded to any request to hold discussions regarding the quantities of water entering Iraq.

He said the issue was raised at high-level meetings, the latest of which was during the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

Activists and specialists have recently launched a wide campaign to save swamplands threatened by drought.

According to the expert in water and marshes affairs, Jassim al-Asadi, the campaign aims to disclose the current conditions of marshes, such as drought, mismanagement of water, and the absence of government support.

Local officials in the marshlands underline the significant decline in these areas, in addition to the migration of dozens of families from rural areas to the city due to drought and lack of pastures, all of which have led to the deterioration of agriculture and the death of large numbers of buffaloes and cows.



Lebanese Parties Warn Against Hezbollah Keeping Light Weapons

Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
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Lebanese Parties Warn Against Hezbollah Keeping Light Weapons

Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)
Lebanese Shiite mourners gathered on Monday in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashura in a ceremony organized by Hezbollah (AFP)

A recent proposal circulating in Lebanon that would allow Hezbollah to retain its light weapons while surrendering heavy and medium arms has triggered widespread political backlash, with critics warning it poses a grave threat to state sovereignty and public safety.

The suggestion, floated amid long-running debate over the group’s arsenal, argues that other political parties and armed groups also possess light weapons for various reasons. But key political factions have rejected the idea outright, citing Lebanon’s bloody past and the potential for renewed violence.

Opponents of the proposal have pointed to the events of May 7, 2008, when Hezbollah fighters overran parts of Beirut and Mount Lebanon in a show of military force, underscoring the dangers of allowing any non-state group to keep arms.

“Classifying weapons as heavy, medium or light is useless,” said Kataeb Party leader Sami Gemayel in a post on X. “If heavy arms threaten Lebanon’s regional security, light weapons are even more dangerous to the foundations of the state.”

Gemayel reiterated that only the Lebanese army and legitimate security forces should bear arms, calling for the country to be entirely free of weapons held by non-state actors.

MP Ghada Ayoub, of the Lebanese Forces-led "Strong Republic" bloc, echoed that view, insisting the state must assert full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory and outlaw any form of armed presence outside the official security apparatus.

“There is only one armed group operating outside the state, and that is Hezbollah,” Ayoub told Asharq al-Awsat. “It must become a purely political party and clearly, unequivocally declare an end to its military activity.”

Ayoub also criticized recent remarks by Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, who vowed the group’s “resistance” would continue “without asking anyone’s permission.”

“The Lebanese state is responsible for enforcing a monopoly on the use of arms,” she said. “It must stop playing the role of a mediator or hiding behind the fear of war and internal strife. Time is not on Lebanon’s side.”

Ahmad Al-Kheir, a lawmaker with the “National Moderation” bloc, dismissed the proposal as “stillborn,” warning that light weapons have already been used to intimidate citizens and skew political dynamics.

“We saw yesterday how light arms were paraded through Beirut’s streets in a blatant attempt at provocation and coercion,” he said. “This is the real danger - using these weapons as leverage in political life, as we saw in the May 7 events and the occupation of downtown Beirut.”

“No one in Lebanon will accept this,” Al-Kheir added.

Additionally, critics warn that allowing any non-state entity to retain weapons threatens state authority and risks further destabilizing the country.

Al-Kheir urged Hezbollah and any other party in possession of light weapons to hand them over to the state, citing the recent example set by former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Jumblatt.

“Jumblatt announced that his party had surrendered its weapons weeks ago. This is the model to follow,” he told Asharq al-Awsat.

MP Waddah Al-Sadek, of the Change Coalition, said he had no objection to a phased disarmament process that begins with heavy and medium weapons, followed by light arms. He dismissed fears of civil war, saying only one side is armed.

“Armed conflict requires two sides. The army will not engage in internal fighting,” he said. “This talk of civil war is just fear-mongering unless Hezbollah resorts again to something like the May 7 scenario to avoid disarming.”

Al-Sadek stressed that Lebanon’s response to the US proposal - reportedly outlining phased disarmament - will be critical. “Does anyone really have an alternative to engaging with this proposal?” he asked.

Deputy head of the Free Patriotic Movement, Naji Hayek, said all weapons must be handed over, rejecting the idea that civilians or political groups should be allowed to keep light arms for self-defense.

“This theory no longer holds,” Hayek told Asharq al-Awsat, adding that training camps used to militarize society should be shut down. “Light and medium weapons are not only with Hezbollah - they exist with other parties that have military structures, and these too must be dismantled.”

Political analyst Qassem Qassir, who is close to Hezbollah’s thinking, said there is no internal consensus, nor any agreement with Hezbollah, to give up its heavy and medium arms while retaining light weapons.

“The party insists the issue is still the Israeli occupation and ongoing aggression,” he said. “For Hezbollah, no discussion on disarmament is possible until those threats end.”

Qassir warned that if a political solution to the weapons issue is not reached, “we will inevitably face military risks and internal conflict.”

Jumblatt announced in late June that his party had handed over its remaining weapons, including light and medium arms that were gradually accumulated after the May 7 clashes in 2008 during a period of heightened tension with Hezbollah.

He said the weapons had been centrally stored and fully turned over to the Lebanese state.