Iraq's Chibayish marshes under threat - in pictures

Droughts and political disagreements have severely affected the wetlands

Water buffalo wade through the marshes of Chibayish, in southern Iraq. All photos: AP

The region is still recovering from the impact of back to back droughts that devastated livestock.

Fishermen collect reeds along the marshes of Chibayish.

In the marshes, fishing and rearing of water buffalo has been the way of life for generations.

Buffalo herders in the marshes of Chibayish collect reeds.

A boy tends to water buffalo.

Iraq relies on the Tigris-Euphrates river basin for drinking water, irrigation and sanitation for its entire population of 40 million.

Competing claims over the basin, which stretches from Turkey and cuts across Syria and Iran before reaching Iraq, have complicated Baghdad’s ability to make a water plan.

Experts believe droughts, spurred by climate change and invading salt, coupled with lack of political agreement between Iraq and Turkey, are endangering the marshes.

Boats enter a narrow waterway in the Chibayish marshes.

Girls head out to school on a boat in the marshes.

Razak Jabar makes tea inside his home in the marshes.

Feeding the water buffalo.

A bird perches on a water buffalo.

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