Iraq's historic marshes, left cracked and barren by years of severe drought, are now experiencing a remarkable revival as rising water levels draw buffalo herders and fishermen back to once-abandoned areas.
Revival of the Chibayish Marshes
In the southern Chibayish marshes, canoes once again glide through waterways that had recently dried up. Water buffalo wade through restored marshland, and patches of green pasture have reappeared. Haidar Qassem, a farmer in the central marsh, recounted the devastation: "Some time ago, all our livestock died and there was no water at all." He added, "Many of our people migrated because of the drought," but noted that water had returned this year, livestock numbers were recovering, and some families had come back.
Heavy Rainfall and Water Releases
This change follows heavy winter rainfall that boosted reservoir levels, enabling Iraq's water resources ministry to release increasing volumes into the marshes. Residents are still hoping for further water releases to sustain the recovery.
Recovery of the Ishan Hallab Area
Iraqi marshland expert Jassim al-Assadi stated that the Ishan Hallab area—part of Iraq's marshes, believed by some to be the biblical Garden of Eden and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2016—had dried up completely between 2021 and 2025, forcing herders to abandon it. In recent months, wetter conditions have helped restore the area, reviving pastureland and allowing some residents to return.
Increase in Submerged Marshland
Al-Assadi said the proportion of submerged marshland had risen to between 32% and 36%, compared with no more than 8% over the past five years—a view confirmed by Iraqi water resources officials.
Biodiversity and Traditional Livelihoods
The higher water levels are also supporting a gradual recovery in biodiversity, including fish stocks, vegetation growth, and reeds used by residents to build traditional homes. The marshes have been inhabited for thousands of years by the Marsh Arabs, whose livelihoods and traditions are closely tied to the water.
Improved Water Management
Mazin Wadai, a water resources official, said larger inflows, improved water management, and stronger seasonal rainfall had boosted reserves in dams and increased flows in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, allowing more water to reach the marshes. The water resources ministry said Iraq's strategic reserves have increased by about 6 billion cubic metres this year, giving authorities greater flexibility to manage supplies during the summer months.
Historical Context
Iraq's marshes, once stretching across more than 3,600 square miles (9,500 sq km), were heavily drained in the 1990s by Saddam Hussein, who accused the Marsh Arabs of treachery during the 1980–1988 war with Iran, in a bid to root out insurgents. Many residents fled, but since Saddam's overthrow in 2003, parts of the wetlands have been reflooded by the government, with around 250,000 Marsh Arabs gradually returning.
Personal Stories of Transformation
For residents like buffalo herder Raheem Abdul Zahra, the recent improvements have transformed daily life. "The land was dry, but now it's alive again," he said.
