Several Arab countries are witnessing a wave of unstable weather and climate warnings on Tuesday and Wednesday, from flash floods to hail and fog formation. This has resulted in casualties in Iraq, while the government in Gaza warned of a polar air depression threatening hundreds of thousands of displaced families in the sector over the next 72 hours.

In Iraq, two people were killed (a man in his seventies and a woman in her twenties), and five others were injured due to violent floods that swept through the city of Chamchamal in Sulaymaniyah province in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Floodwaters also inundated homes and closed main roads in Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk.

🌧️ Iraq Weather: Rain, floods, and a drop in temperatures in the coming days.
🌧️ Floods cause the closure of the Baghdad – Mosul road.

Civil defense teams managed to rescue two people trapped by floodwaters inside their car south of Kirkuk. A temporary recession of floods is expected on Wednesday, with rain returning on Thursday and Friday.

In Gaza, the government and civil defense issued an urgent warning of a deep polar air depression starting Wednesday and lasting for 3 days, bringing heavy rains and strong winds. This poses a real danger to hundreds of thousands of displaced people living in dilapidated tents and could lead to tents being flooded and water pooling in random displacement areas.

The government appealed for immediate global intervention to provide 300 thousand tents and shelter units amid the destruction left by the war.

Saudi Arabia | Heavy rain in Jeddah 🌧️

In Saudi Arabia, the National Center of Meteorology issued red and orange alerts for wide areas including the Northern Borders and Eastern regions, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall with floods, hail, and strong winds. Civil defense urged everyone to avoid valleys and areas of water accumulation.

Kuwait warned of thunderous rain and thick fog continuing until Wednesday. In Qatar, a warning was issued for thick fog and active winds. In Egypt, varying rainfall continues on the northern coasts and northern Nile Delta.

In Syria, the state of instability continues on Tuesday and Wednesday, then deepens on Thursday to include the entire territory. Lebanon is witnessing cloudy weather with scattered rains intensifying in the south and northeast, accompanied by lightning, thunder, snow above 2000 meters, and active winds continuing on Wednesday.

Official authorities in all these countries called on citizens to exercise maximum caution, stay away from valleys and low-lying areas, and follow safety instructions.

Chamchamal

Chamchamal is a city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, located southeast of Kirkuk. Historically, it has been an agricultural area and a crossroads for trade, with a population primarily of Kurdish ethnicity. In recent decades, it has been significantly affected by regional conflicts, including the Anfal campaign under Saddam Hussein’s regime and the later fight against ISIS.

Sulaymaniyah

Sulaymaniyah is a major city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, founded in 1784 by the Kurdish prince Ibrahim Pasha Baban. It has long been a cultural and intellectual center for Kurdish people, known for its poets, historians, and as the home of the University of Sulaimani. The city’s modern history is marked by its role in Kurdish national movements and its recovery following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Iraq

Iraq, historically known as Mesopotamia, is often called the “Cradle of Civilization” as it was home to ancient empires like Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria, which pioneered writing, law, and urban development. Today, it is a modern nation-state containing globally significant archaeological sites, such as the ruins of Babylon and the ancient city of Ur, though many have faced damage from recent conflicts. Its rich cultural heritage reflects millennia of contributions from diverse peoples, including Arabs, Kurds, and others, within the Tigris-Euphrates river system.

Gaza

Gaza is a historic coastal city in the Palestinian territories, with a history stretching back over 3,500 years, having been ruled by ancient Egyptians, Philistines, Romans, and Ottomans. Today, it is a densely populated urban center and the principal city of the Gaza Strip, known for its deep cultural heritage but also for being the site of prolonged conflict and a severe humanitarian crisis.

Kirkuk

Kirkuk is a historically significant city in northern Iraq, known for its ancient citadel and its immense oil reserves. It has been a contested multi-ethnic city for centuries, inhabited by Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, and Assyrians, and was a core part of the ancient Assyrian Empire. Its modern history has been marked by conflict over control and identity, particularly between the Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities.

Baghdad

Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, founded in the 8th century CE by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mansur. It flourished as a legendary center of the Islamic Golden Age, renowned for the “House of Wisdom” and its contributions to science, culture, and commerce. The city has faced significant destruction and rebuilding throughout its history, including from Mongol invasions in the 13th century and modern conflicts.

Mosul

Mosul is a historic city in northern Iraq, situated on the Tigris River, which served as a major hub on the Silk Road and was for centuries a vital center of trade, culture, and learning. Its history is deeply marked by its role as the capital of the Assyrian Empire in ancient times and later as a prominent city under various Islamic caliphates. In recent years, the city suffered extensive damage during the occupation by ISIS (2014-2017) but is now engaged in ongoing efforts to rebuild and restore its cultural heritage, including the iconic Al-Nuri Mosque.

Jeddah

Jeddah is a major port city on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, historically serving as the gateway for Muslim pilgrims traveling to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Its historic core, Al-Balad, is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its traditional coral stone houses and ornate wooden *rawasheen* balconies, reflecting centuries of trade and cultural exchange. While deeply rooted in its past, Jeddah is now a modern, cosmopolitan commercial hub.