Iraq

Iraq

Introduction

Background

Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I

in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A “republic” was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait’s liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US forces remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate through 2009 and under a bilateral security agreement thereafter, helping to provide security and to train and mentor Iraqi security forces. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) in December 2005. The CoR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq’s first constitutional government in nearly a half century. InJanuary 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all provinces except for the three provinces comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and Kirkuk province. Iraq held a national legislative election in March 2010, and after nine months of deadlock the CoR approved the new government in December 2010.

Geography

Location

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait

Geographic coordinates

33 00 N, 44 00 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 438,317 sq km
country comparison to the world: 59 land:437,367 sq km
water:950 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly more than twice the size of Idaho

Land boundaries

total: 3,650 km
border countries:Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km

Coastline

58 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf:not specified

Climate

mostly desert

mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers

northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq

Terrain

mostly broad plains

reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas

mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:unnamed peak

3,611 m

note – this peak is neither Gundah Zhur 3,607 m nor Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur

Land use

arable land: 13.12%
permanent crops:0.61%
other:86.27% (2005)

Irrigated land

35,250 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

96.4 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 42.7cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%)
per capita:1,482cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

dust storms

sandstorms

floods

Environment – current issues

government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers

a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced

furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area’s wildlife populations

inadequate supplies of potable water

development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey

air and water pollution

soil degradation (salination) and erosion

desertification

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification

Geography – note

strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Iraqi(s)
adjective:Iraqi

Ethnic groups

Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5%

Languages

Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian

Religions

Muslim (official) 97% (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
note:while there has been voluntary relocation of many Christian families to northern Iraq, recent reporting indicates that the overall Christian population may have dropped by as much as 50 percent since the fall of the Saddam HUSSEIN regime in 2003, with many fleeing to Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon

Population

30,399,572 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Age structure

0-14 years: 38% (male 5,882,682/female 5,678,741)
15-64 years:58.9% (male 9,076,558/female 8,826,545)
65 years and over:3.1% (male 435,908/female 499,138) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 20.9 years
male:20.8 years
female:21 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.399% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

Birth rate

28.81 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Death rate

4.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Urbanization

urban population: 66% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

BAGHDAD (capital) 5.751 million

Mosul 1.447 million

Erbil 1.009 million

Basra 923,000

As Sulaymaniyah 836,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.88 male(s)/female
total population:1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

75 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 83

Infant mortality rate

total: 41.68 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 62 male:45.93 deaths/1,000 live births
female:37.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.55 years
country comparison to the world: 145 male:69.15 years
female:72.02 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.67 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 33

Physicians density

0.69 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 115

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 130

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 91% of population
rural: 55% of population
total: 79% of population
unimproved:
urban: 9% of population
rural: 45% of population
total: 21% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 76% of population
rural: 66% of population
total: 73% of population
unimproved:
urban: 24% of population
rural: 34% of population
total: 27% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
note:highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country

it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

7.1% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 72

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:74.1%
male:84.1%
female:64.2% (2000 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years
male:11 years
female:8 years (2005)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Iraq
conventional short form:Iraq
local long form:Jumhuriyat al-Iraq
local short form:Al Iraq

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Capital

name: Baghdad
geographic coordinates:33 20 N, 44 23 E
time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

18 governorates (muhafazat, singular – muhafazah) and 1 region*

Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah), An Najaf, Arbil (Erbil), As Sulaymaniyah, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala’, Kirkuk, Kurdistan Regional Government*, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit

Independence

3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

note – on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government

National holiday

Republic Day, July 14 (1958)

note – the Government of Iraq has yet to declare an official national holiday but still observes Republic Day

Constitution

ratified 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum)

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005)

Vice Presidents Tariq al-HASHIMI and Khudayr Musa Jafar Abbas al-KHUZAI
head of government:Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006)
cabinet:Council of Ministers consists of ministers appointed by the Presidency Council plus the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by Council of Representatives (parliament) to serve a four-year term (eligible for a second term)

election last held on 11 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results:President Jalal TALABANI reelected on 11 November 2010

parliamentary vote count on second ballot – 195 votes

Nuri al-MALIKI reselected prime minister

Legislative branch

unicameral Council of Representatives (325 seats consisting of 317 members elected by an optional open-list, proportional representation system and 8 seats reserved for minorities

members serve four-year terms)

note – Iraq’s Constitution calls for the establishment of an upper house, the Federation Council
elections:last held on 7 March 2010 for an enlarged 325-seat parliament (next to be held in 2014)
election results:Council of Representatives – percent of vote by coalition – Iraqi National Movement 25.9%, State of Law coalition 25.8%, Iraqi National Alliance 19.4%, Kurdistan Alliance 15.3%, Goran (Change) List 4.4%, Tawafuq Front 2.7%, Iraqi Unity Alliance 2.9%, Kurdistan Islamic Union 2.3%, Kurdistan Islamic Group 1.4%

seats by coalition – Iraqi National Movement 91, State of Law Coalition 89, Iraqi National Alliance 70, Kurdistan Alliance 43, Goran (Change) List 8, Tawafuq Front 6, Iraqi Unity Alliance 4, Kurdistan Islamic Union 4, Kurdistan Islamic Group 2, seats reserved for minorities 8

Judicial branch

the Iraq Constitution calls for the federal judicial power to be comprised of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission and other federal courts that are regulated in accordance with the law

Political parties and leaders

Badr Organization [Hadi al-AMIRI]

Da’wa al-Islamiya Party [Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI]

Da’wa Tanzim [Hashim al-MUSAWI branch]

Da-wa Tanzim [Abd al-Karim al-ANZI branch]

Fadilah Party [Hashim al-HASHIMI]

Hadba Gathering [Athil al-NUJAYFI]

Iraqi Charter Assembly [Ahmad Abd al-Ghafur al-SAMARRAI]

Iraqi Constitutional Party [Jawad al-BULANI]

Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Salih al-MUTLAQ]

Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Usama al-TIKRITI]

Iraqi Justice and Reform Movement [Shaykh Abdallah al-YAWR]

Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]

Iraqi National Accord or INA [former Prime Minister Ayad ALLAWI]

Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq or ISCI [Ammar al-HAKIM]

Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Kurdistan Regional Government President Masud BARZANI]

National Gathering [Deputy Prime Minister Rafi al-ISSAWI]

National Movement for Reform and Development [Jamal al-KARBULI]

National Reform Trend [former Prime Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI]

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]

Renewal List [Vice President Tariq al-HASHIMI]

Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-SADR]

Sahawa al-Iraq [Ahmad al-RISHAWI]

Tawafuq Front
note:numerous smaller local, tribal, and minority parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Sunni militias

Shia militias, some associated with political parties

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Samir Shakir al-SUMAYDI
chancery:3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:[1] (202) 742-1600
FAX:[1] (202) 333-1129

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY
embassy:Baghdad
mailing address:APO AE 09316
telephone:1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635

note – Consular Section
FAX:NA

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black

the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning “God is great”) in green Arabic script is centered in the white band

the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)

the Council of Representatives approved this flag in 2008 as a compromise temporary replacement for the Ba’athist Saddam-era flag
note:similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band

National symbol(s)

golden eagle

National anthem

name: “Mawtini” (My Homeland)
lyrics/music:Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL
note:adopted 2004

following the ousting of Saddam HUSSEIN, Iraq adopted “Mawtini,” a popular folk song throughout the Arab world, which also serves as an unofficial anthem of the Palestinian people

Economy

Economy – overview

An improved security environment and an initial wave of foreign investment are helping to spur economic activity, particularly in the energy, construction, and retail sectors. Broader economic improvement, long-term fiscal health, and sustained increases in the standard of living still depend on the government passing major policy reforms and on continued development of Iraq’s massive oil reserves. Although foreign investors viewed Iraq with increasing interest in 2010, most are still hampered by difficulties in acquiring land for projects and by other regulatory impediments. Iraq’s economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides over 90% of government revenue and 80% of foreign exchange earnings. Since mid-2009, oil export earnings have returned to levels seen before Operation Iraqi Freedom and government revenues have rebounded, along with global oil prices. In 2011 Baghdad probably will increase oil exports above the current level of 1.9 million barrels per day (bbl/day) as a result of new contracts with international oil companies, but is likely to fall short of the 2.4 million bbl/day it is forecasting in its budget. Iraq is making modest progress in building the institutions needed to implement economic policy. In 2010, Bagdad signed a new agreement with both the IMF and World Bank for conditional aid programs that will help strengthen Iraq’s economic institutions. Some reform-minded leaders within the Iraqi government are seeking to pass laws to strengthen the economy. This legislation includes a package of laws to establish a modern legal framework for the oil sector and a mechanism to equitably divide oil revenues within the nation, although these and other important reforms are still under contentious and sporadic negotiation. Iraq’s recent contracts with major oil companies have the potential to greatly expand oil revenues, but Iraq will need to upgrade its oil processing, pipeline, and export infrastructure to enable these deals to reach their potential. The Government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy to gain additional foreign investment in Iraq’s economy. This includes an amendment to the National Investment Law, multiple international trade and investment events, as well as potential participation in joint ventures with state-owned enterprises. Provincial Councils also are using their own budgets to promote and facilitate investment at the local level. However, widespread corruption, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient essential services, and antiquated commercial laws and regulations stifle investment and continue to constrain the growth of private, non-energy sectors. The Central Bank has successfully held the exchange rate at approximately 1,170 Iraqi dinar/US dollar since January 2009. Inflation has decreased consistently since 2006 as the security situation has improved. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard pressed to translate macroeconomic gains into improved lives for ordinary Iraqis. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. Reducing corruption and implementing reforms – such as bank restructuring and developing the private sector – would be important steps in this direction.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$113.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66 $112.4 billion (2009 est.)
$107.9 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$82.15 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

0.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177 4.2% (2009 est.)
9.5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$3,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160 $3,900 (2009 est.)
$3,800 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 9.7%
industry:60.5%
services:29.8% (2010 est.)

Labor force

8.5 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 21.6%
industry:18.7%
services:59.8% (2008 est.)

Unemployment rate

15.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151 15.2% (2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

25% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Budget

revenues: $59.42 billion
expenditures:$55 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

72.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

5.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81 -2.8% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37 8.83% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141 7% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$44.12 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47 $31.88 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$51.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68 $38.84 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$21.94 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76 $10.16 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.6 billion (31 July 2010)
country comparison to the world: 95 $2 billion (31 July 2009)
$1.878 billion (31 March 2008)

Agriculture – products

wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton

cattle, sheep, poultry

Industries

petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing

Industrial production growth rate

4.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Electricity – production

46.39 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Electricity – consumption

52 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

5.6 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

2.408 million bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12

Oil – consumption

694,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26

Oil – exports

1.91 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Oil – imports

231,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44

Oil – proved reserves

115 billion bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

Natural gas – production

1.149 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63

Natural gas – consumption

1.149 billion cu m
country comparison to the world: 88 note:1.48 billion cu m were flared (2009 est.)

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137

Natural gas – proved reserves

3.17 trillion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Current account balance

$3.105 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43 -$2.178 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$51.76 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53 $39.43 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

crude oil 84%, crude materials excluding fuels, food and live animals

Exports – partners

US 24.3%, India 16.7%, China 12.1%, South Korea 8.2%, Italy 6.9%, Japan 6.6% (2010)

Imports

$43.92 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $38.44 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

food, medicine, manufactures

Imports – partners

Turkey 24.2%, Syria 18.6%, China 14.4%, US 6.6% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$48.61 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32 $43.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$52.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 $73 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Iraqi dinars (IQD) per US dollar -
1,170 (2010)
1,170 (2009)
1,176 (2008)
1,255 (2007)
1,466 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

104 (2010)
country comparison to the world:56

Airports – with paved runways

total: 75
over 3,047 m:20
2,438 to 3,047 m:36
1,524 to 2,437 m:5
914 to 1,523 m:6
under 914 m:8 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 29
over 3,047 m:3
2,438 to 3,047 m:4
1,524 to 2,437 m:3
914 to 1,523 m:13
under 914 m:6 (2010)

Heliports

21 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 2,447 km

liquid petroleum gas 918 km

oil 5,104 km

refined products 1,637 km (2010)

Railways

total: 2,272 km
country comparison to the world: 66 standard gauge:2,272 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 44,900 km
country comparison to the world: 82 paved:37,851 km
unpaved:7,049 km (2002)

Waterways

5,279 km (the Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are the principal waterways) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 23

Merchant marine

total: 2
country comparison to the world: 148 by type:petroleum tanker 2
registered in other countries:2 (Marshall Islands 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr

Military

Military branches

Counterterrorism Service Forces: Counterterrorism Command

Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF)

Ministry of Defense Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Army Aviation Directorate, former National Guard Iraqi Intervention Forces, and Strategic Infrastructure Battalions), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force, includes Iraq Marine Force), Iraqi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Iraqiya) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-40 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 7,767,329
females age 16-49:7,461,766 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 6,591,185
females age 16-49:6,421,717 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 332,194
female:322,010 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

8.6% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 5

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

coalition forces assist Iraqis in monitoring internal and cross-border security

approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan, and lesser numbers to Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey

Iraq’s lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf

Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in Iraq

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 10,000-15,000 (Palestinian Territories)

11,773 (Iran)

16,832 (Turkey)
IDPs:2.4 million (ongoing US-led war and ethno-sectarian violence) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Iraq is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor

Iraqi women and girls are subjected to conditions of trafficking within the country and in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia for forced prostitution and sexual exploitation within households

women from Iran, China, and the Philippines reportedly may be trafficked to or through Iraq for commercial sexual exploitation

Iraq is also a destination country for men and women who migrate from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Pakistan, Georgia, Jordan, and Uganda and are subsequently subjected to involuntary servitude as construction workers, security guards, cleaners, handymen, and domestic workers
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the government did not demonstrate evidence of significant efforts to punish traffickers or proactively identify victims

it also did not enact its draft anti-trafficking legislation and has reported no other efforts to prosecute or punish traffickers (2011)