HILLA: Hundreds of Iraqis protested on Friday against severe water shortages worsened by the summer heat in the central province of Babylon.

The protest took place in the village of Al-Majriyeh near Hilla, where more than 300 protesters demanded that the government take action to resolve the long-standing water issue.

This comes a day after a similar protest was dispersed by police.

Protesters like Saadoun Al-Shammari, 66, and Kahtan Hussein, 35, emphasized the urgent need for water as it has been scarce for years and completely absent for the past 35 days.

The Iraqi Water Resources Ministry stated that 2025 is one of the driest years since 1933, with the country currently retaining only eight percent of its water reserves capacity.

The lack of cooperation from neighboring countries further exacerbates the crisis, threatening Iraq's water security.

In May, the water reserves were reported to be at their lowest in 80 years due to a dry rainy season.

Water shortages have also led to abandoned farmlands and reduced agricultural activities as authorities prioritize drinking water supplies.