[This is a monthly roundup of news articles and other materials related to environmental issues in the Middle East. It does not reflect the views of the Environment Page of Jadaliyya.]
Regional News
Oil Output To See Small Hike To Ease Energy Prices BBC (3 August 2022)
OPEC+ will add 100,000 barrels per day of oil to the global market beginning in September.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
UAE Property Company Accused of Causing Irrevocable Damage to Egypt's Coast Middle East Eye (11 August 2022)
The Emirati construction company Emaar has a series of luxury projects along the Northern Egyptian coast whose construction are degrading the coastline, raising concerns for the total erosion of Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
Keywords: Urban Planning, Water, Tourism
Iraq Extends Deal To Supply Fuel to Lebanon for Another Year Middle East Monitor (12 August 2022)
Iraq agrees to extend deal with Lebanon supplying fuel for power plants for another year.
Keywords: Energy
Middle East States in Line for $1.3tn Windfall from Extra Oil Revenues The Guardian (19 August 2022)
The IMF predicts the Middle East will earn $1.3 trillion in extra oil revenue over the next four years.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
Cloud Wars: Mideast Rivalries Rise along a New Front New York Times (28 August 2022)
Iran is worried that regional cloud seeding initiatives are depriving them of vital water sources.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Water
Algeria
Algeria: 11 Forest Fires Erupt in One Day Middle East Monitor (16 August 2022)
Algeria sees eleven forest fires erupt across six governorates in a single day. While official causes have not been determined yet, human factors and heat waves are considered potential catalysts.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
Algeria: Fires Ripped through UNESCO-Listed Reserve The New Arab (20 August 2022)
More than ten percent of El Kala Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-listed reserve, has been destroyed by forest fire.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Land
Death Toll from Algeria Wildfires Rises to Over 40 The New Arab (22 August 2022)
The death toll of wildfires in northern Algeria is up to forty-three, a figure that is expected to keep rising. Thirteen people have been arrested on charges relating them to the start of the fires.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Land
Algeria Wildfires: Diaspora in France Desperate To Help Middle East Eye (23 August 2022)
The Algerian Medical Network (AMN) is connecting with Algerian associations based in France in search of assistance for the wildfire victims in Algeria.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Health
Bahrain
Bahrain Lacks Land, So It's Building More: Lavish Artificial Islands National Geographic (31 August 2022)
The construction of two artificial islands off the coast of Bahrain have altered the seabed, disturbing local fish populations.
Keywords: Water, Wildlife, Land
Egypt
Egypt Discusses Nile Flood Scenarios, Raises Preparedness Alongside Filling of Renaissance Dam Middle East Monitor (2 August 2022)
An Egyptian meeting was held to discuss raising water readiness as the third filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam begins.
Keywords: Water, Infrastructure
Egypt: Birth Rate Declines by 30% since 2015 Middle East Monitor (2 August 2022)
The birth rate in Egypt has declined by thirty percent over the past seven years. The Health Ministry has stated that reducing the rate of population growth will help the country develop a comprehensive healthcare system for all citizens.
Keywords: Health
أزمة «مراسي».. لا مكان للبيئة في الاستثمار Mada Masr (4 August 2022)
Construction on the Marassi Marina has altered nearby beaches by disrupting the cycles of erosion and sedimentation.
Keywords: Tourism, Water, Urban Planning
Egypt Curbs Electricity so It Can Export more Natural Gas to Europe amid Russia War Middle East Monitor (10 August 2022)
Egypt will begin decreasing electrical usage to free up natural gas for export to Europe to generate foreign currency.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
Egypt: Police Arrest Seven People Protesting Home Demolitions in Strategic Nile Island Middle East Eye (16 August 2022)
Seven people were arrested on Warraq Island, the largest island on the Nile, in protest of a development plan which would remove current residents to construct Manhattan-style residential towers.
Keywords: Urban Planning, Historic Preservation
German Company Contracted To Manage, Operate High-Speed Electric Train in Egypt Middle East Monitor (17 August 2022)
The National Authority for Tunnels in Egypt, Elsewedy Electric, and Deutsche Bahn have signed a preliminary agreement to operate a high-speed electric train in Egypt.
Keywords: Infrastructure
Egypt’s Copts Want Changes to Law after Deadly Church Fire Al Jazeera (20 August 2022)
Following multiple church fires in Egypt, Copts are protesting for legal reform that will better allow churches to access building and renovation permits to maintain safe buildings for worship.
Keywords: Urban Planning
Egypt: Residents of Cairo’s Agricultural Islands Live under Threat of Displacement Middle East Eye (20 August 2022)
Following the demolition of historic Cairene houseboats and the quelling of protests on al-Warraq island, residents of agricultural islands along the Nile fear the impact government redevelopment plans could have on their homes and livelihoods.
Keywords: Urban Planning, Historic Preservation
Egypt: State Policies Usher In Big Fiefdoms and Debilitate Small Farmers As-Safir Al-Arabi (22 August 2022)
The project “Egypt’s Future,” initiated by President Abdel Fatah El-Sissi, has been marketed as creating a future of achieving food security. In practice, the project will create a new and more profitable agricultural pole concentrated in the hands of major companies and the army at the expense of small farmers.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Land
Egypt Deal for Indian Wheat Stands, but Not Shipped Yet Middle East Monitor (22 August 2022)
India has agreed to export 180,000 tonnes of wheat to Egypt, despite a ban on overseas sales, due to food security needs. There is no projected shipment date as of yet.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Egypt: Attacks on Medics Raise Concerns over Violence against Health Workers Middle East Eye (22 August 2022)
As assaults on Egypt’s medical workers have risen recently, a newly drafted law proposes the punishment and penalization of any attack on medical facilities and workers.
Keywords: Health
هكذا يُهدر قمح وخضروات وفاكهة بملايين الأطنان سنويًا Mada Masr (23 August 2022)
New data shows sixteen percent of food is wasted in Egypt.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Waste
Egyptian NGOs Complain of Being Shut out of COP27 Climate Summit The Guardian (24 August 2022)
A covert registration process of the COP27 Climate Summit in Egypt has prevented a number of civil society organizations critical of the Egyptian government from attending.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
رغم فشله في القمح.. التموين تلجأ إلى «التوريد الإلزامي» للأرز Mada Masr (25 August 2022)
The Egyptian Ministry of Supply is requiring farmers to turn over about a quarter of all rice yields to supply ration cards.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Egypt’s Jasmine Farmers Struggle through Economic Headwinds Middle East Monitor (30 August 2022)
High summer temperatures pose a risk to the fragile jasmine flower as the Egyptian jasmine industry is also struggling with disruptions caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Climate & Weather
موضة جديدة في الاقتصاد الأخضر الآن في مصر: شهادات كربون للبيع Mada Masr (31 August 2022)
A solar energy company is working with the Egyptian government to coordinate a cap and trade carbon program for carbon emissions.
Keywords: Pollution, Air
Iran
Internet Services Disrupted again in Iran Middle East Monitor (2 August 2022)
The Iranian Ministry of Information and Communications Technology blames power fluctuations and outdated infrastructure for repeated internet failures in Tehran.
Keywords: Infrastructure
Russia Launches Iranian Satellite into Space from Kazakhstan Base Al Jazeera (9 August 2022)
An Iranian satellite is launched on a Russian rocket from a Kazakh base. Iran has stated the satellite serves no military purpose and the information will not be shared with any other country, while Western intelligence officials claim the satellite will be used to assist Russia in the war in Ukraine.
Keywords: Space
Afghanistan: Taliban Reaches Agreement with Iran over Helmand River Rights Middle East Monitor (12 August 2022)
The Taliban government in Afghanistan will resupply Iran with water from the Helmand River, which had been interrupted by the Kamal Khan Dam.
Keywords: Water, Infrastructure
Iran: West Prevents Us Acquiring Nuclear Energy so We Are ‘Weak’ Middle East Monitor (22 August 2022)
The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has accused global powers of preventing the acquisition of nuclear energy over fears of it strengthening Iran, insisting nuclear energy has nothing to do with the nuclear bomb.
Keywords: Energy
Hundreds Protest Lack of Water in Iran's Drought-Hit West The New Arab (25 August 2022)
Central and southwestern Iran are seeing increasing protests as drying rivers create scarcity of drinking water that officials have not been able to solve.
Keywords: Water, Climate & Weather
Iraq
Workers in Iraq Get Day off as Temperatures Pass 50C BBC (4 August 2022)
Many state employees across Iraq are sent home as temperatures exceed 50C.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Labor
Iraqis Protest against Third Consecutive Day of Power Cuts amid Extreme Heat Middle East Monitor (9 August 2022)
Protestors gather in Basra following three consecutive days of power cuts in temperatures exceeding 50C.
Keywords: Energy, Climate & Weather
What Is the Legacy of Burn Pits? For Some Iraqis, It's a Lifetime of Problems NPR (12 August 2022)
The PACT Act has brought attention to the toxic exposures of United States veterans to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. The impacts of these incineration sites are even greater for Iraqi citizens who were exposed to the toxic fumes over the course of a decade. The PACT act does not address the harm inflicted upon these civilians.
Keywords: Pollution, Health, Waste
Frantic Rescue Effort under Way at Iraq Shrine Hit by Landslide Al Jazeera (21 August 2022)
A landslide reduced to rubble parts of the Qattarat al-Imam Ali shrine in central Iraq. At least four people are dead.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
Iraq: More Bodies Retrieved from Rubble of Collapsed Shrine in Karbala Middle East Eye (21 August 2022)
Seven people have been recovered from the rubble of the Qattarat al-Imam shrine following a landslide. Between six to eight people are still believed to be trapped in the debris.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
Jordan, Palestine, and Israel
Israel Accelerates Building of Joint Industrial Zone with Jordan Middle East Monitor (1 August 2022)
Israel approves a proposal for a joint industrial zone on the border with Jordan to support initiatives in trade, technology, and local industry between the two countries.
Keywords: Infrastructure
Israel Occupation Forces Shoot at Palestinian Farmers in Gaza Middle East Monitor (3 August 2022)
Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian farmers along the Gaza border.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Gaza Residents Hit by Heatwave and Lengthy Power Cuts Middle East Monitor (3 August 2022)
Gazans experience power cuts for up to ten hours a day amid a heatwave.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Energy
Gaza Sole Power Plant To Shut Down as Israel Tightens Siege for Third Day Middle East Monitor (5 August 2022)
Gaza’s only power plant faces closure if the Israeli blockade on the border is not lifted within two days.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
Israel Confiscates Palestinian Land, Uproots Olive Trees in Hebron Middle East Monitor (8 August 2022)
Israeli army bulldozers razed dozens of olive trees on three acres of land in the town of Tarqumiyah.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Land
Flights for West Bank Palestinians to Turkey To Start at End of August Middle East Monitor (9 August 2022)
Palestinians will be able to access flights to Turkey from Ramon Airport beginning at the end of August.
Keywords: Infrastructure
Israel: Russia-Iran Space Project May Reduce Our Ability To Spy Middle East Monitor (11 August 2022)
Israeli officials fear the partnership between Iran and Russia in space will allow Iran to increasingly monitor military targets and inhibit Israeli spying capacity.
Keywords: Space
500m Birds Begin Seasonal Journey from Europe to Palestine Middle East Monitor (16 August 2022)
400 species of European birds begin their three month journey to Jordan and Palestine, where they will remain until the spring.
Keywords: Wildlife
Israel: Palestinians Fly from Ramon Airport for the First Time Middle East Monitor (23 August 2022)
Palestinians flying to Cyprus from Ramon Airport in southern Israel become the first residents of the West Bank to use an Israeli airport without special permits or security checks.
Keywords: Infrastructure
US-Based Evangelical Christian Group Seizes Palestinian Land Middle East Monitor (26 August 2022)
The US evangelical group HaYovel is raising money to plant 3,000 trees on land seized from Palestinians in the West Bank through the “Make Israel Green” project.
Keywords: Land, Food & Agriculture
Power Cuts Melt Gaza’s Ice Cream Stocks as Heatwave Boosts Demand Middle East Monitor (28 August 2022)
Power cuts have melted the ice cream supply in Gaza. Vendors are now unable to provide the frozen dessert as demand rises due to a heatwave.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Energy, Climate & Weather
Israel Orders Removal of Electricity Network from Archaeological Town Middle East Monitor (29 August 2022)
Israel orders the removal of a 1,200 meter power grid built near the archaeological site of Sebastia in the West Bank.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
Withstanding Climate Change, Jordan’s Coral Reefs Struggle against Human Impact Jordan Times (30 August 2022)
Jordan’s coral reefs are endangered by human activity, including over fishing and littering. Jordan is applying for the Aqaba marine reserve to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Keywords: Tourism, Wildlife, Water, Pollution
Israel: Security Forces Uproot 100 Olive Trees in Occupied West Bank Middle East Monitor (30 August 2022)
Israeli forces removed 100 olive trees near Sair in the West Bank, in the shadow of the Israeli settlement of Asfar.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Land
Kuwait
Kuwait To Lay off 750,000 Egypt Workers Middle East Monitor (22 August 2022)
Kuwait is seeking to remove all non-national workers across sectors. They have announced the termination of 250,000 Egyptian workers next month, and another 500,000 are expected to lose their jobs over the next year.
Keywords: Labor
Lebanon
Lebanon: Parts of Beirut Port Grain Silos Collapse Middle East Monitor (1 August 2022)
Further deterioration of grain silos in Beirut Port results in collapse and casts a dust cloud over the capital.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Air, Pollution
First Grain Ship Out of Ukraine Cleared To Sail to Lebanon BBC (3 August 2022)
A grain ship with 26,000 tonnes of corn aboard has been cleared to sail to Lebanon from Ukraine.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Beirut Port Silos Partly Collapse on Second Anniversary of Blast New York Times (4 August 2022)
Remnants of the Beirut Port grain silos continue to gradually collapse two years after the initial blast.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Air, Pollution
Lebanese Woman in Coma for Two Years since Beirut Port Explosion Middle East Monitor (4 August 2022)
Victims of the 2020 Beirut Port explosion continue to face health challenges from the blast, like Lara Hayek who has been in a coma for the past two years.
Keywords: Health, Infrastructure
Slow and Silent Death of the Abandoned Residents near Lebanon’s Na’ameh Landfill Raseef 22 (17 August 2022)
Toxins from the Na’ameh-Ain Drafil landfill, in operation from 1998 to 2016, continue to cause life-threatening health complications for residents of nearby towns and villages despite the site’s closure.
Keywords: Waste, Pollution, Health, Infrastructure
Lebanon Receives Third Batch of Fuel Aid from Qatar To Help Collapsing Health Sector Middle East Monitor (17 August 2022)
A third installment of financial assistance from the Qatar Fund for Development was used to purchase fuel and oil necessary to run healthcare facilities.
Keywords: Energy, Health
Lebanon: New Drive To Light up Beirut's Power-Starved Streets Middle East Eye (22 August 2022)
Lebanese NGO Rebirth Beirut is working to bring lighting back to Beirut, whose streets have been largely dark since the beginning of the economic crisis due to electrical shortages.
Keywords: Energy
Beirut: Further Part of Grain Silos Collapses 2 Years after Blast BBC (23 August 2022)
Continued deterioration of the Beirut Port grain silos leads to collapse of the northern section.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Air, Pollution
Arabic Press Review: Lebanon To Probe 'Mysterious Deadly Virus' in Prison Middle East Eye (29 August 2022)
Three people are dead from a mysterious virus in a Lebanese prison.
Keywords: Health
Libya
What’s next for Libya’s Great Man-Made River Project? Middle East Institute (10 August 2022)
The Great Man-Made River Project is a massive engineering scheme designed to transport water from southern Libya to the northern coastal cities via underground pipes. Phases three and four of the project have yet to be completed.
Keywords: Water, Infrastructure
Libya Oil Production Numbers Updated Middle East Monitor (22 August 2022)
The Libyan National Oil Corporation announced oil production is up at 1.211 million barrels per day.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
Morocco
The Gold Rush for Morocco's Phosphate in the Ukraine War Aftermath Middle East Eye (7 August 2022)
Phosphate production in Morocco sees profits grow due to the war in Ukraine disrupting supply from Russia and China.
Keywords: Natural Resources
Qatar
Qatar: Doha Floods Months before World Cup Set To Begin Middle East Eye (28 July 2022)
Flooding in Doha submerges streets and cars throughout the capital city.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
Qatar Signs Deal To Connect Gulf Electricity to Southern Iraq Network Middle East Monitor (2 August 2022)
The Qatar Fund for Development will be constructing a new transformer substation in Kuwait to connect to the Gulf power interconnection system and the electricity network in southern Iraq.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
Saudi Arabia
Minister: Saudi Arabia Allocates $28 Billion for Water Projects Middle East Monitor (1 August 2022)
Saudi Arabia allocated new funding for improving the efficiency, quality, and sustainability of water systems.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Water
Saudi Arabia Submits Bid To Host 2029 Asian Winter Games at NEOM Middle East Eye (4 August 2022)
Saudi Arabia applied to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in NEOM amid plans to construct an all-year ski village in the Sarawat mountains.
Keywords: Tourism, Urban Planning
Your Price at the Pump Went up. So Did Saudi Aramco's Profits — to a New Record NPR (14 August 2022)
Aramco’s profits in the second quarter are up ninety percent from this time last.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
Saudi Arabia Welcomes Birth of 2 Arabian Leopards Middle East Monitor (23 August 2022)
Two endangered Arabian leopard cubs have been born in a captive-breeding program.
Keywords: Wildlife
Sudan
Sudan Flash Floods Kill 75 People Middle East Monitor (16 August 2022)
Extreme flooding has affected 136,000 across Sudan, destroying homes, stores, and agricultural land and killing seventy-five.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Water
Sudan Says It Won't Retaliate Over Ethiopia Dam Filling The New Arab (19 August 2022)
The Sudanese Irrigation and Resources ministry emphasized the need for cooperation with Egypt and Ethiopia as the third filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was completed, denying taking any action against Ethiopia.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Water
Sudan Floods: Army and Opposition in Blame Game as Scores Left Dead Middle East Eye (31 August 2022)
Critics of the Sudanese military leadership denounce response to torrential flooding across the country, claiming they did not prepare for the rainy season and have not appropriately responded to citizens now in crisis.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Water
Syria
Syria Regime, Iran Militias Seize Farmers’ Wheat To Sell it at Higher Price in Iraq Middle East Monitor (2 August 2022)
Security officers under Bashar Al-Assad have been confiscating wheat from farmers in eastern Syria and subsequently selling it at higher prices to Iraq.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Syria Regime Raises Price of Subsidised Petrol By 127% Middle East Monitor (8 August 2022)
Syrian regime raises fuel prices for the third time this year.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
Spiralling Fuel Costs Hit Damascus Drivers Middle East Monitor (17 August 2022)
Taxi and minibus drivers struggle to make a living amid soaring fuel prices.
Keywords: Labor, Energy
‘No Hope’: Suicides on the Rise in Northwestern Syria Al Jazeera (17 August 2022)
Suicide rates in northern Syria have increased from last year, attributed to the trauma of the war.
Keywords: Health
Syria: US-Iran Clash over Oil-Rich Areas Middle East Monitor (27 August 2022)
US troops clash with Iran’s proxies in Deir ez-Zur, an oil rich city of eartern Syria.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Energy
Tunisia
Code des Eaux : Entre les Lignes, le Spectre de la Privatisation As-Safir Al-Arabi (3 August 2022)
A new water code draft in Tunisia raises concerns for possible privatization in the future.
Keywords: Water
Tunisia Visited by Fewer Algerian Tourists than Expected Middle East Monitor (9 August 2022)
The number of Algerian tourists is lower than expected three weeks after the land border reopened.
Keywords: Tourism
High Hopes as Algerian Tourists Return to Tunisia after Two Years of Border Closure Middle East Eye (16 August 2022)
60,000 Algerians have visited Tunisia since the land border reopened on July 15 after closing in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Keywords: Tourism
British Company Plans To Invest $1.5bn in Clean Energy in Tunisia Middle East Monitor (17 August 2022)
A British company plans to establish a solar plant in the governorates of Gabe and Qibili.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
Blue Crabs and Fisherfolk: Turning a Curse into Opportunity Meshkal (23 August 2022)
Invasive blue crabs along the coast of Djerba that rapidly reproduce and eat local fish have become a main catch of local fishermen.
Keywords: Wildlife, Food & Agriculture
Food, Fuel Shortages Hit Tunisian Shops Middle East Monitor (28 August 2022)
Supply shortages of basic commodities have led stores to rationing stocks and long gas lines.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Energy
Türkiye
Turkey Expects Daily Departures from Ukraine after First Grain Ship Sails L’Orient Le Jour (2 August 2022)
Turkey expects about one ship to depart Ukraine each day carrying grain so long as UN brokered safe passage lasts.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Turkey's Rare Earth Find Attracts Interest and Scorn from Rival China Middle East Eye (3 August 2022)
Turkey discovers the world's second largest rare earth element deposit in Eskisehir.
Keywords: Natural Resources
Turkey Resumes Gas Exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean Al Jazeera (9 August 2022)
After two years, Turkey resumes hydrocarbon drilling operations in eastern Mediterranean waters disputed between Turkey, Cyprus, and Greece.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Energy
Cuba Seeks More Electricity Supply from Turkish Power Ships Middle East Monitor (31 August 2022)
Cuba is seeking a deal with the Turkish company Karpowership to double electrical production.
Keywords: Energy
United Arab Emirates
The UAE Has Banned Fishing of Rare Sharks and Rays. So Why Are They Appearing in Markets? Middle East Eye (28 August 2022)
Critically endangered shark species are for sale at fish markets despite being illegal to catch.
Keywords: Wildlife, Food & Agriculture
Yemen
Yemen's Displaced People Move from War to Flooding in Devastated Marib Middle East Eye (9 August 2022)
Flooding in central Yemen destroys homes and shelters of many who have already been displaced by war.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Water
Yemen: Historic Buildings Collapse in Sanaa after Heavy Rains Al Jazeera (10 August 2022)
Severe rains have caused the collapse of ten buildings in the Old City of Sanaa, a world heritage site.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Historic Preservation
Less than Two Percent of Yemenis Have Been Vaccinated against COVID-19 Middle East Eye (19 August 2022)
Limited access to the population, political challenges, and a failed healthcare system leave Yemen with one of the lowest COVID vaccination rates in the world, at less than two percent.
Keywords: Health