Baghdad Municipality Halts Encroachment on Southern Agricultural Lands

The Baghdad Municipality has stopped the illegal subdivision and destruction of agricultural lands in the southern districts of the capital to preserve vital farming areas. Officials stated that intensive coordination with security forces and the Federal Police has been implemented to enforce the protection of these zones. In the Al-Dur district, where agricultural land constitutes more than 60% of the area, authorities have established strict field monitoring to prevent the expansion-driven land degradation seen last year. New construction is now strictly prohibited across these protected zones. However, existing developments with a completion rate exceeding 80% will remain subject to previous Council of Ministers decisions. These measures follow previous protests by local residents in southern Baghdad who opposed the conversion of agricultural plots into residential housing projects.