dijlahpoint - A local environmental observatory revealed on Sunday (August 23, 2026) the detection of approximately 500 pollution sources threatening the Tigris River basin, warning of severe repercussions on public health, as well as water and food security in the country. The environmental report confirmed that the river is subjected to severe violations due to the direct discharge of sewage, along with medical and industrial waste, pointing to 23 critical pollution hotspots in the capital, Baghdad, alone. It explained that the Diyala River significantly contributes to transferring chemical and organic waste to the Tigris, leading to the concentration of hazardous chemical compounds that are difficult to treat. The report classified the provinces of Basra, Baghdad, Wasit, Maysan, and Dhi Qar as the most affected areas due to the accumulation of pollutants and declining water levels.