1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war decima­ted groves of date palms on Iraqi soilBASRA, IRAQ: Sweet Iraqi dates adorn tables in homes across the country, but the fruit tree and national symbol has come under threat from conflict and crippling drought. The 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war decimated the groves of date palms on Iraqi soil, he said, dressed in a sky blue robe and white skullcap. Date palm valley project launchedIt’s a far cry from decades past. Palm groves have also been ripped up to make way for oil installations, the country’s biggest source of revenue. But Jubayli remains proud of the date palm’s “ancestral heritage” and its diverse uses.

Source: The Express Tribune September 28, 2018 14:48 UTC