Baghdad Cleans Up 1,236 Violations as Pollution Drops by 50%

Baghdad has removed 1,236 environmental violations in operations launched to combat pollution, while officials said air quality has improved by up to 50%. The campaign comes amid heavy emissions from illegal workshops and factories in Baghdad and surrounding areas, making the issue a growing public-health and environmental concern. Officials said the illicit industrial sites were releasing dense exhaust smoke and toxic vapors. They also stressed that the pollution problem is not limited to unauthorized workplaces. Emissions from refineries, oil fields and some public institutions were also identified as contributors to the city’s air pollution. Authorities said these sources must be addressed together if the campaign is to produce lasting results. Responsible officials said a permanent solution requires the implementation of a comprehensive national environmental strategy. They argued that only a wider policy response can sustain the gains already recorded in Baghdad.