The Environmental Effect of Military Actions in Iraq

Abstract

Military conflicts in Iraq that have occurred recently affected significantly the environment of this country and incurred irreparable damage to its nature. Fires on oilfields caused by military actions released dozens million cubic meters of gas and tons of soot into the atmosphere every day. Apart from this, the unburnt oil components also got into air. In general, the military actions in Iraq have led to large-scale oil pollution. Great damage was incurred to deserts that suffered much owing to military actions proper and as a result of extinguishing oil fires. Military actions had grave consequences: pollution of vast territories and water resources. As a result of the war many agricultural lands fell in disuse, some of them became unfit for further use. The air, soil, and water pollution have led to the growing sickness rate of people in Iraq. The recent decades were marked by the growing sickness of the adult population and children who had chronic diseases from their birth. Iraq became the world region where the negative impacts of military actions on environment and population have been displayed most vividly.