A New water crime: iranian occupation deepens drought in Ahwaz by depriving it of water

In an ongoing environmental and humanitarian crime, official statistics released by the Water and Electricity Organization in Ahwaz reveal that the current water year is among the driest in the past six decades. This crisis is exacerbated by the continued Iranian occupation policies of looting water and diverting river courses into Persian territories.

According to the report, rainfall levels this year have decreased by 40% compared to normal averages, directly impacting the water levels of rivers and dams especially in lower river cities such as Abadan and Al-Muhammarah, which are facing a severe water shortage crisis.

The report also notes that Persian cities located upstream of Ahwaz’s rivers, which receive the largest share of water, have also experienced reduced rainfall.

However, the Iranian occupation has deliberately chosen to reduce the volume of water released from dams toward Ahwazi lands, worsening the suffering of the Arab population.

The organization highlighted that the most significant effects of the drought are seen in both the quality and quantity of drinking and agricultural water.

The impact is now evident in increased water salinity and a dangerous decline in agricultural yields.

Despite the occupation authorities’ announcement of “measures to manage these conditions,” Ahwazi activists affirm that these measures exclude justice for the people of Ahwaz.

Instead, discriminatory water policies continue through the diversion of the Karun River to other cities, constituting a systematic crime aimed at drying out Ahwaz and isolating it economically and agriculturally.

This catastrophe unfolds as many Ahwazi cities and villages lack access to clean drinking water and the necessary infrastructure to cope with drought amid blatant governmental neglect and intentional marginalization of Arab regions and deprivation of their natural resources.