Nomadic camel drivers move to lush pastures in western Mosul after recent rains

MOSUL, January 4 — With the recent wave of heavy rains, camel owners in western Mosul are taking advantage of lush pastures in the desert.

Hadi Abu Badr’s camel caravans have moved from Rabia toward Hadar Island, where they will take a break at ‘Tawim and Majarin’ to the north before continuing the journey previously explored by the Ban Ru’athan caravans.

Regions such as Ba’aj, Rabia, Tal Abta, and Hadar in Nineveh governorate are renowned for camel breeding. They act as a corridor for the desert extending from Saudi Arabia, descending to the Euphrates Valley, offering extensive areas of plains and deserts with abundant trees and water, serving as a primary source of camel feed.

The winter journey is a traditional movement for camel and livestock owners. The torrents from the Saudi Arabian desert, flowing into the Euphrates Valley, ensure the growth of dense grass throughout winter and spring. When the Suhail star (Lambda Velorum) fades in the summer, they return to the outskirts of cities.

Hadi Abu Badr, Camel Driver:

“We are moving our camels to winter pastures and finished an observation tour across the entire island. Before me, the Ban Ru’athan caravan set out. Our seasonal migration to the desert has begun, and we will settle there throughout the winter. Our journey starts from the village of Karsour, heading to Tawim and Majarin, where we take our break, then continue to Hadar Island. We have water carriers accompanying us during the journey, and small vehicles bring us supplies of food and more. The desert is abundant with grass in the current season after heavy rains.”