Source remains unidentified
Oil slicks contaminate Al-Mishkhab River in Najaf, causing fish death
NAJAF — Large oil slicks have been spotted floating on the Al-Mishkhab River in Najaf Governorate, causing fish deaths and raising environmental concerns. Residents reported a strong smell of oil and took to their boats to investigate, discovering extensive patches of oil contaminating the water.
“We noticed a strong smell of oil in the area, along with dead fish floating in the river,” local residents told 964media. “When we went out in our boats to check, we were shocked to find large amounts of oil slicks covering the water. The pollution stretches from the Dubainiya area to the Al-Mishkhab Barrage.”
964media reached out to Najaf’s Director of Environment, Jamal Abdul Zaid, who confirmed that an investigation team would be dispatched. “A technical team, accompanied by environmental police, will visit the site [today] to investigate the matter and work on a solution,” Abdul Zaid stated.
“We need someone from the area to help guide us to the exact location. A boat may also be necessary for access, and if you can identify the source of the pollution, it will greatly expedite our efforts,” he added.
The source of the oil spill remains unidentified, but its environmental impact is evident, marking yet another instance of such incidents in Iraq. On Nov. 11, 2024, an oil spill in the Tigris River flowed downstream toward central Tikrit, threatening to disrupt local water facilities.