Drought forces Al-Samawah camel herders to abandon traditional grazing lands

AL-MUTHANNA — Camel herders in the Al-Samawah desert, located in Iraq’s Al-Muthanna governorate, are grappling with significant changes to their livelihoods due to a severe lack of rainfall. Traditionally, herders would graze their camels in the vast desert regions near the border with Saudi Arabia at this time of year. However, with little rain this season, grazing lands have become barren, forcing them to seek vegetation closer to the outskirts of the city.

Many herders now rely on desert shrubs like tamarisk and reeds to feed their camels, while others have been compelled to sell their herds due to rising fodder costs.

“I wake up at 4 a.m. and take the camels out to graze in the Jur’ah area. I return home at 10 a.m., then head out again at 2 p.m. and come back around 6 p.m.,” said camel herder Abdul Amir Al-A’ajibi in an interview with 964media.

“In previous years, we would be grazing near the Iraq-Saudi [Arabian] border around this time. But this season, those who attempted the journey had to return because of the lack of rain and absence of vegetation.”

Iraq is experiencing climate change-induced temperature rises and decreased rainfall, leading to severe droughts and water scarcity. The mean annual temperature has risen by approximately 0.7°C per century since the 1950s, intensifying water shortages and desertification. Rainfall patterns have become increasingly erratic, with a general decline in precipitation, particularly in southern and central regions.

Al-A’ajibi noted that many herders have sold their camels to cut losses and moved to urban centers, where they’ve built homes and abandoned traditional herding.

“Due to the scarcity of grass, we’ve been forced to rely on tamarisk trees and reeds near the city. But even camels are weakening because these plants aren’t their primary food source.”

Living closer to the city also brings new risks. “It’s dangerous for us and our camels, especially with large vehicles passing through the roads. There have been accidents caused by this.”