Unregulated waste site uncovered in Baghdad’s Al-Zawraa district following citizen complaints

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Environment announced Thursday the discovery of an unregulated waste dump site in the Baawiya area of Baghdad’s Al-Zawraa district, following complaints from residents about serious environmental and health risks.

According to the ministry, the site is located near residential neighborhoods and showed evidence of waste scavenger activity and the open burning of garbage. Officials said the fires produced “noxious odors and dense smoke,” directly affecting nearby communities.

A joint team from the Service Activities Monitoring Division and the Environmental Protection Police in Al-Rusafa uncovered the site during a field inspection.

“The site is close to residential communities and has seen clear scavenger activity and random burning, resulting in foul smells and thick smoke with immediate environmental and health impacts,” said Sanan Jaafar Muhammad, director general of the Central Region Environmental Protection Directorate.

Hatem Sadiq Al-Moussawi, head of Baghdad’s environment office, said the initial investigation found that private-sector compactor trucks had been delivering waste to the site, in violation of environmental laws.

Al-Moussawi added that legal measures are underway, including notifying authorities to clear the site and pursue those responsible.

The Ministry of Environment called on the public to continue reporting environmental violations and said it would maintain surveillance to protect public health and the environment.