Iraq

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia and in the geopolitical region known as the Middle East. With a population of over 46 million, it is the 30th-most populous country. It is a federal parliamentary republic that consists of 18 governorates. Iraq is bordered by Turkey to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west. The capital and largest city is Baghdad. Iraqi people are diverse; mostly Arabs, as well as Kurds, Turkmen, Yazidis, Assyrians, Armenians, Mandaeans, Persians and Shabakis with similarly diverse geography and wildlife. Most Iraqis are Muslims – minority faiths include Christianity, Yazidism, Zoroastrianism, Mandaeism, Yarsanism and Judaism. The official languages of Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish; others also recognized in specific regions are Turkish, Suret, and Armenian.
iraq

Some of the key events about Iraq

  • 762 AD
    The city of Baghdad was founded, becoming a major center of learning and culture
  • 813 AD
    The House of Wisdom was established in Baghdad, serving as a major intellectual center
  • 1258
    The Mustansiriya Madrasah, one of the oldest universities in the world, was founded in Baghdad
  • 1792 BC
    The Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known legal codes, was created in Babylon
  • 1921
    Iraq gained independence from British mandate
  • 1958
    Iraq transitioned from a monarchy to a republic
  • 1980
    The Iran-Iraq War began, resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties
  • 1988
    Chemical weapons were used against Kurdish civilians in Halabja
  • 1990
    Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to international condemnation and conflict
  • 1991
    The Gulf War resulted in widespread destruction of Iraqi infrastructure
  • 1991
    A Shiite uprising in southern Iraq was violently suppressed
  • 1991
    UN sanctions were imposed on Iraq, causing severe economic hardship
  • 2003
    The US-led invasion of Iraq began, toppling the government
  • 2005
    Iraq held its first free parliamentary elections in half a century
  • 2006
    The bombing of the al-Askari Mosque sparked increased sectarian violence
  • 2014
    The Islamic State (ISIS) seized control of large parts of northern Iraq
  • 2017
    Iraq declared victory over ISIS, reclaiming all territory previously held by the group
  • 2017
    A devastating earthquake struck near the Iran-Iraq border, killing hundreds
  • 2350 BC
    The world's first empire, the Akkadian Empire, was established in Mesopotamia
  • 3000 BC
    The world's first writing system, cuneiform, was developed in ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

Iraq Latest news

Syrian rebels strike back: Old alliances cant help Assad this time

Syrian rebels strike back: Old alliances cant help Assad this time

Recent rebel attacks in northern Syria break years-long military deadlock. With Russia tied up in Ukraine and Iran under pressure‚ Assadʼs regime faces its biggest test since the early war days

Society, Politics • November 30 2024 , 05:23 AM  •  1503 views
UK sends crime-fighters to Iraq: New plan targets Channel crossing networks

UK sends crime-fighters to Iraq: New plan targets Channel crossing networks

British officers heading to Iraq under fresh security deal to fight people-smuggling groups. Agreement includes joint operations deportation plans and tech-support for border control systems

Politics • November 28 2024 , 07:53 PM  •  529 views
London anti-terror raids lead to fierce street protests and multiple arrests

London anti-terror raids lead to fierce street protests and multiple arrests

Police detained six people linked to PKK group in north London raids‚ which triggered protests near Kurdish center. Four more protesters got arrested after clashes with law-enforcement officers

Society, Politics • November 27 2024 , 06:40 PM  •  415 views
New US missile delivery raises questions about Pacific defense strategy

New US missile delivery raises questions about Pacific defense strategy

Northrop Grumman delivers its first Stand-in Attack Weapon to US Air Force‚ designed for close-range air defense missions. However technical limitations might affect its use in Pacific region operations

Business, Politics, Science • November 21 2024 , 05:16 PM  •  93 views
Fox News host gets unexpected nomination for top Pentagon position

Fox News host gets unexpected nomination for top Pentagon position

Former military officer and Fox personality Pete Hegseth receives nomination for Defense Secretary role A mix of praise and doubt follows this pick as Trump builds his future cabinet.

Society, Politics • November 13 2024 , 09:58 AM  •  864 views
Iran hints at nuclear weapons plan as middle east situation heats up

Iran hints at nuclear weapons plan as middle east situation heats up

Senior Iranian official states country can make nuclear weapons despite current religious ban. Recent military exchanges with Israel and damaged defense systems create new reality in middle-east relations

Politics • November 4 2024 , 04:09 PM  •  30 views
Three shocking court cases expose UK's deportation system flaws

Three shocking court cases expose UK's deportation system flaws

Recent legal decisions block removal of three foreign nationals despite serious concerns. Cases highlight how current laws make it hard to deport people who entered UK illegally or committed crimes

Society, Politics • October 31 2024 , 08:01 PM  •  612 views