Desertification is the process of degradation or destruction of the Earth's biological productivity, which can ultimately lead to conditions similar to those of a desert. It is a manifestation of the widespread deterioration of ecosystems, resulting in the decline of the Earth's biological productivity—represented in plant and animal production—and consequently affecting the sustenance of human existence.
Iraq has suffered from the problem of desertification in recent decades, which is attributed to human activity and the absence of sound policies by successive Iraqi governments. This issue began to intensify in the early 1970s and worsened after water scarcity and the emergence of a new phenomenon—dust storms—following the Gulf War in 1991. This was due to the cutting off of irrigation to farmlands and military operations that broke the protective layer of the soil.
Climate change has also affected agricultural areas in Iraq by expanding the spread of desertification, weakening agricultural development, and eliminating livestock resources. This has led to the deterioration and disappearance of natural vegetation, which has negatively impacted both humans and the country's food security.
