2026-08-29T22:57:50+00:00
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Shafaq News- Al-Anbar
Iraq’s vast Al-Rutba district in western Al-Anbar province
is seeking to turn its abundant water, mineral and energy resources into
agricultural, industrial and logistics projects, building on improved security
and infrastructure in the remote desert region.
Al-Rutba, one of the country’s largest districts, covers
much of the western desert near international roads and border crossings with
Jordan. The area has groundwater, Horan Dam, large tracts of land, mineral
deposits, and electricity infrastructure that could provide a foundation for
new economic activity.
“The geographical location, vast areas and
environmental diversity give Al-Rutba important economic and development
advantages,” Al-Rutba district mayor Imad Al-Rishawi told Shafaq News.
Among the district’s main assets are groundwater wells and
agricultural land. Areas around Al-Kashat, Al-Asiyat and Ardam also contain
silica, phosphate, iron ore, pigments and other materials that could feed
industries such as brick and glass production.
The infrastructure is already in place to support some of
that activity. Al-Rutba has a 400-kilovolt electricity network, a power station
and high-capacity transmission lines, while its proximity to international
highways and border crossings could give it an important role in transport,
storage and logistics.
Improved security has also changed the prospects for
economic activity. Previous instability restricted movement and delayed
projects in the area, but conditions have improved considerably, Al-Rishawi
noted, citing continued coordination between local authorities and security
forces across the district.
For economic specialist Ahmed Al-Karbouli, the next step is
to move beyond extracting individual resources and build industries around
them. “Al-Rutba has economic and natural resources that can contribute to
diversifying the economy of western Al-Anbar, but this requires moving toward
an integrated economic system,” he told Shafaq News.
Read more: Al-Anbar opens for business: Gas draws new investment
Water and land could form the basis for modern agriculture
and livestock projects, particularly those that rely on water-efficient
irrigation. Local production could then feed food-processing facilities,
creating a link between agriculture and manufacturing rather than leaving raw
products to be shipped elsewhere.
The same approach could apply to the district’s mineral
wealth. Phosphate, iron ore, and other raw materials could support processing
industries, keeping more of their value within Al-Rutba instead of leaving the
district in unprocessed form.
Energy offers another avenue for investment. The district’s
large open spaces and high levels of solar radiation could support solar power
projects, while its border location could reinforce its potential as a
logistics and trade hub.
Beyond industry and trade, Al-Rutba’s landscape offers
opportunities in tourism. Wadi Horan, one of the region’s best-known landmarks,
runs across the desert and carries water in parts during the rainy season,
supporting wild vegetation.
About 70 km north of Al-Rutba, the Husayniyat Oasis and Dam
in Wadi Al-Husayniyat provide another natural attraction. Its water and
vegetation support birds and wildlife, giving the remote area potential for
nature-based tourism.
Groundwater sources, including those at Al-Thumaila, have
long supported desert communities, livestock grazing and movement across the
region. The wider area also draws campers and overland travelers during winter
and spring, while seasonal visitors search for desert truffles when they
appear.
“A development plan that links Al-Rutba’s water, land,
minerals, energy and transport networks to production and markets could create
jobs and strengthen the district’s role in the wider economy of Al-Anbar,”
Al-Karbouli said, stressing that reliable infrastructure, stable public
services and clearer administrative procedures would be key to attracting the
investment needed to turn that potential into projects.