Iraq's historic marshes, left cracked and empty by years of drought, are now witnessing a remarkable revival as rising water levels draw buffalo herders and fishermen back to once-abandoned areas. In the southern Chibayish marshes, canoes once again glide through waterways that had recently dried up, while water buffalo wade through restored marshland and patches of green pasture have reappeared. Haidar Qassem, a farmer in the central marsh, recounted the devastation: "Some time ago, all our livestock died and there was no water at all." He added: "Many of our people migrated because of ⁠the drought," adding that water had returned this year, livestock numbers were recovering, and some families had come back. This change in the region's fortunes follows heavy winter rainfall that boosted reservoir levels, enabling Iraq’s water resources ministry to release growing volumes into the marshes. Residents are still hoping for further water releases.…