• A young man uses a metal detector in Zardana, northwestern Syria, during a dust storm. AFP
    A young man uses a metal detector in Zardana, northwestern Syria, during a dust storm. AFP
  • A man walks past the Kuwait Towers shrouded in heavy dust in Kuwait City. EPA
    A man walks past the Kuwait Towers shrouded in heavy dust in Kuwait City. EPA
  • A displaced Syrian takes a picture of the sky during a dust storm in Dana. AFP
    A displaced Syrian takes a picture of the sky during a dust storm in Dana. AFP
  • Displaced children walk past tents in Dana as dust blows. AFP
    Displaced children walk past tents in Dana as dust blows. AFP
  • A heavy dust storm advances towards the shore in Kuwait City. EPA
    A heavy dust storm advances towards the shore in Kuwait City. EPA
  • Birds sit amid heavy dust in Kuwait City. EPA
    Birds sit amid heavy dust in Kuwait City. EPA
  • This picture taken on May 23, 2022 shows an aerial view of a massive dust storm advancing into Kuwait City. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
    This picture taken on May 23, 2022 shows an aerial view of a massive dust storm advancing into Kuwait City. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
  • A man rides a bicycle during a heavy dust storm in Kuwait City. EPA
    A man rides a bicycle during a heavy dust storm in Kuwait City. EPA
  • A man walks along a pedestrian bridge across the Euphrates river during a heavy dust storm in Nasiriyah. AFP
    A man walks along a pedestrian bridge across the Euphrates river during a heavy dust storm in Nasiriyah. AFP
  • Pedestrians cross a road amid a severe dust storm in Kuwait City. AFP
    Pedestrians cross a road amid a severe dust storm in Kuwait City. AFP
  • A dust storm engulfs parts of Iraq and neighbouring countries. AFP
    A dust storm engulfs parts of Iraq and neighbouring countries. AFP
  • A man walks among dust in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
    A man walks among dust in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA
  • Riyadh's Kingdom Centre skyscraper during a heavy dust storm. AFP
    Riyadh's Kingdom Centre skyscraper during a heavy dust storm. AFP
  • A fisherman sails his boat on the Shatt Al Arab during a sandstorm in Basra, Iraq. AP Photo
    A fisherman sails his boat on the Shatt Al Arab during a sandstorm in Basra, Iraq. AP Photo
  • Haze obscures Doha's skyline in Qatar. AFP
    Haze obscures Doha's skyline in Qatar. AFP
  • Cars drive along a street at the Shorja market shrouded in heavy dust in Baghdad. EPA
    Cars drive along a street at the Shorja market shrouded in heavy dust in Baghdad. EPA
  • An Iraqi woman wears a face mask and walks along a street shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad. EPA
    An Iraqi woman wears a face mask and walks along a street shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad. EPA
  • A traffic policeman directs traffic flow in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province. AFP
    A traffic policeman directs traffic flow in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province. AFP
  • A motorist drives a scooter along a bridge in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province during a heavy dust storm. AFP
    A motorist drives a scooter along a bridge in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province during a heavy dust storm. AFP
  • A patient suffering from breathing problems and suffocation arrives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Baghdad. AFP
    A patient suffering from breathing problems and suffocation arrives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Baghdad. AFP

MENA

Dust storms across the Mena region in 2022 — in pictures

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is being observed today as countries focus on making deserts green and improving food security

The National

June 17, 2022

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Updated: June 17, 2022, 7:57 AM
Photography