A historic sandstorm is currently raging in the Jordanian and Syrian deserts and is heading towards Iraq.

Arab Weather - The eastern Mediterranean basin and the Levant region were affected by a Khamsin low-pressure system on Sunday, May 3, 2026. This led to strong southeasterly winds blowing towards the region, with wind speeds reaching 100 km/h in some areas of the Jordanian desert.

As a result, a dense wave of dust formed and moved from the Syrian and Jordanian desert towards Iraq, according to satellite images, leading to a decrease and loss of horizontal visibility in large areas.

The sandstorm is expected to spread to wider parts of Iraq in the coming hours, with visibility remaining low and daily life continuing to be disrupted. This sandstorm is among the most severe the region has seen in recent years, negatively impacting international road traffic and the link between Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.