IRAQ

Iraq country report:



 * Development indicators, MDGs** Naguib


 * GDP: $103.9 billion. (After PPP)
 * GDP per Capita: $3,700
 * Unemployment rate: 18.2%
 * Population: 28,945,657
 * Inflation rate: 6.8%
 * Debt: $67.74 Billion
 * Life expectancy: 69.94
 * Fertility rate: 3.86
 * Literacy: 74.1%
 * Oil - production: 2.385 million barrels (#14)
 * Sex ratio at birth (males per 100 females): **105.0**

[[image:http://www.mdgmonitor.org/images/goals/goal2_sm.gif/bmi_orig_img/goal2_sm.gif]] GOAL 2: ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION

 * Net enrolment ratio in primary education (% both sexes): **88.6**
 * Percentage of pupils starting Grade 1 and reach Grade 5 (% both sexes): **70.1**

[[image:http://www.mdgmonitor.org/images/goals/goal3_sm.gif/bmi_orig_img/goal3_sm.gif]] GOAL 3: PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN

 * Gender parity Index in primary level enrolment (ratio of girls to boys): **0.8**
 * Literacy rates of 15-24 years old (% both sexes): **84.8**
 * Seats held by women in national parliament (%): **25.5**
 * **Women in ministrial positions: 10%**
 * **Year women received right to vote: 1980**
 * **Year women received right to stand for election: 1980**

[[image:http://www.mdgmonitor.org/images/goals/goal4_sm.gif/bmi_orig_img/goal4_sm.gif]] GOAL 4: REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY

 * Mortality rate of children under 5 years old (per 1,000 live births): **46**
 * 1-year-old children immunized against measles (%): **60**

[[image:http://www.mdgmonitor.org/images/goals/goal5_sm.gif/bmi_orig_img/goal5_sm.gif]] GOAL 5: IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH

 * Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 births): **300**

[[image:http://www.mdgmonitor.org/images/goals/goal6_sm.gif/bmi_orig_img/goal6_sm.gif]] GOAL 6: COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES

 * People living with HIV,15-49 yrs old (%): N/A
 * Prevalence of tuberculosis (per 100,000 people): **78**

[[image:http://www.mdgmonitor.org/images/goals/goal7_sm.gif/bmi_orig_img/goal7_sm.gif]] GOAL 7: ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

 * Land area covered by forest (%): **1.9**
 * Carbon dioxide emissions per capita (metric tons): **2.9739**
 * Access to improved drinking water sources (% of total population): **77**

[[image:http://www.mdgmonitor.org/images/goals/goal8_sm.gif/bmi_orig_img/goal8_sm.gif]] GOAL 8: DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT

 * Internet users (per 100 people): **0.2**

Additional Info on [|Iraq's economy]


 * Colonial History** Zineb

-Iraq is a country with a very rich historic background. - It was a home for many civilizations. During the 16th century, Iraq became a part of the Ottoman Empire. -Iraq was controlled by the Ottoman Empire for a very large period of time (1533-1918). -After World War I; dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. The French and the British divided this area between them. -Iraq, or more precisely the cities of Baghdad and Basra were attributed to the United Kingdom and became a British colony. - Iraq was independent in 1935 and was ruled by the King Faisal. - After King Faisal’s death, King Ghazi ruled the country. -1st April 1941: Rashid Ali ALGaylani and other members of the Golden Squared staged a coup d’état. The United Kingdom then invaded Iraq again by fear that the government would cut oil supplies to the Western nations. - Occupation of the British ended in 1947.


 * Recent History** Albert

1958 14 July - The monarchy is overthrown in a military coup led by Brig Abd-al-Karim Qasim and Col Abd-al-Salam Muhammad Arif. Iraq is declared a republic and Qasim becomes prime minister.

1963 18 November - The Baathist government is overthrown by Arif and a group of officers.

1966 17 April - After Arif is killed in a helicopter crash on 13 April, his elder brother, Maj-Gen Abd-al-Rahman Muhammad Arif, succeeds him as president.

1968 17 July - A Baathist led-coup ousts Arif and Gen Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr becomes president.

1970 11 March - The Revolution Command Council (RCC) and Mullah Mustafa Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), sign a peace agreement.

1972 - A 15-year Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation is signed between Iraq and the Soviet Union.

1972 - Iraq nationalises the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC).

1980 4 September - Iran shells Iraqi border towns (Iraq considers this as the start of the Iran/Iraq war).

2002 November - UN weapons inspectors return to Iraq backed by a UN resolution which threatens serious consequences if Iraq is in "material breach" of its terms.

2003 20 March - American missiles hit targets in Baghdad, marking the start of a US-led.

A bronze statue of Saddam Hussein is pulled down in central Baghdad after US forces enter the city Baghdad, 9 April 2003: A symbol of Saddam's power tumbles

2003 9 April - US forces advance into central Baghdad.

2003 May - UN Security Council backs US-led administration in Iraq and lifts economic sanctions.

2003 14 December - Saddam Hussein captured in Tikrit.

2004 June - US hands sovereignty to interim government headed by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.

2005 30 January - An estimated eight million people vote in elections for a Transitional National Assembly.

Saddam Hussein prepares to face trial

2005 August - Draft constitution is endorsed by Shia and Kurdish negotiators, but not by Sunni representatives.

2005 December - Iraqis vote for the first, full-term government and parliament since the US-led invasion.

2006 February onwards - A bomb attack on an important Shia shrine in Samarra unleashes a wave of sectarian violence in which hundreds of people are killed.

2006 7 June - Al-Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is killed in an air strike.

2006 November - Saddam Hussein is found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death.

More than 200 die in car bombings in the mostly Shia area of Sadr City in Baghdad, in the worst attack on the capital since the US-led invasion of 2003.

2006 30 December - Saddam Hussein is executed by hanging.

UN says more than 34,000 civilians were killed in violence during 2006; the figure surpasses official Iraqi estimates threefold.

2008 March - Unprecedented two-day visit by Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to Iraq.

2008 November - The Iraqi parliament approves a security pact with the United States under which all US troops are due to leave the country by the end of 2011.

2009 March - US President Barack Obama announces withdrawal of most US troops by end of August 2010. Up to 50,000 of 142,000 troops now there will stay on into 2011 to advise Iraqi forces and protect US interests, leaving by end of 2011.

Commander of UK forces in southern Iraq hands over to a US general, marking the beginning of Britain's official withdrawal.

2009 April - Parliament elects Ayad al-Samarrai of Sunni Arab Alliance as speaker.

2009 June - US troops withdraw from towns and cities in Iraq, six years after the invasion.

2009 October - Prime Minister Al-Maliki announces the formation of a new political grouping of 40 parties, called the State of Law, after a split in the broad Shia United Iraqi Alliance that won the 2005 elections.

Two car bombs near the Green Zone in Baghdad kill at least 155 people, in Iraq's deadliest attack since April 2007.


 * Religious Issues** Helmy
 * 97% Muslims if which (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), and 3 % of Christian or other religions
 * religion is the reason of the conflicts between the different sects of Islam --> Shia and Sunni; and the different followers in these different sects are fighting over power amongst them
 * during Saddam Husseins rule the Sunni's had more power in the country than the Shia's and many may believe this is true because Saddam Hussein was a Sunni Muslim himself
 * after the U.S. entered Iraq and led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, the Sunni's started to lose power as the Shia's were gaining it
 * Now, with the Shia's having more power in the parliment although the Iraqi prime minister is Sunni. the conflict is sill going on
 * Many issues caused because of this conflict is that the Sunni's and Shia's are bombing each other back and forth for different reason and at different times to show their power (Sunni's usually bomb Shia territories during their holidays and festivals so that it plays a bigger impact on the people whereas the Shia's usually bomb at random times attempting to kill more Sunni's; and this goes back and forth)
 * Many of the strength and weapons given to the Shia Muslims is through the Iranis.
 * Main difference between the Shia's and Sunni's leading to the two different sects:
 * the Shia's believe the prophet Mohamed's successor (Caliph) should have been prophet Mohamed's cousin, Ali, as he not only married the prophets daughter but also fought in all the Muslim battles, slept in the bed of the Prophet during his Pilgrimage 'Higra' and he was loved very much by the prophet.
 * Economic (Economic Development & Iraq's Economy)** Pieter
 * ======Reducing corruption and implementing structural reforms, such as bank restructuring and developing the private sector, will be key to Iraq's economic success.======
 * ======Decreasing insurgent attacks and an improving security environment in many parts of the country are helping to spur economic activity.======
 * ======In March 2009 Iraq concluded a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF that details economic reforms.======
 * ======Some foreign entities have expressed interest in reinvigorating Iraq's industrial sector======
 * ======The government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy to gain foreign participation in joint ventures with State-owned enterprises.======
 * ======18.2% unemployment rate======
 * ======$67.78 billion of debt======
 * ======Currency: Iraqi Dinar. 1 USD = 1,153 IQD======
 * ======Iraq Economic Development Group (IEDG) private company based in the UK that encourages western businesses to invest in Iraq. Founded in 2008. It is an expansion of the IEDIG (and Investment Group).======
 * ======Labour force: 7.4 million======
 * ======Inflation rate: 4.1%======
 * ======Revenues $42.3 billion======
 * ======Expenses $48.4 billion======
 * ======Importation of foreign workers and increased entry of women into traditionally male labour roles have helped compensate for agricultural and industrial labour shortages caused by the war======
 * ======Mirco-finance: 132,000 micro-loans worth a combined value of $300 million since the start of U.S. government microfinance assistance to Iraq in 2004======
 * ======Iraq has been trying to start up a 5 year national development plan with the aid of USAID======
 * ======Services:======
 * ======Private Security, in 2005 over 25 companies offered private security because of the continuous danger======
 * ======Tourism was completely shattered after 2003 despite the country's interesting sites======
 * ======During 2003-8, mobile phone subscriptions had expanded over hundredfold to 10 million nationwide======
 * ======Banking: In 2004 three foreign banks received licenses to do business in Iraq.======
 * ======Oil: Oil sector dominates the Iraqi economy======
 * ======has the world’s third largest proven petroleum reserves after Saudi Arabia and Canada======
 * ======crude oil export revenues represented over 75 percent of GDP and 86 percent of government revenues in 2008======

Sites: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTIRAQ/Resources/IRAQ-ENG-2009AM.pdf http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTIRAQ/Resources/AAG-IQAM09.pdf http://siteresources.worldbank.org/IRFFI/Resources/IraqMonthlyDatasheetMar2009rev.pdf


 * US invasion** Fady
 * The invasion began in 2003 (specifically from march 20th till May 1st 2003)
 * Mainly lead by the US backed by the UK, and small forces from Australia, Poland, Denmark, and Spain
 * The troop count was United States (248,000), United Kingdom (45,000), Australia (2,000), and Poland (194)
 * The reason given for the invasion was to disarm Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and to disable the rule of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, as well as to free the Iraqi people
 * The invasion is the prelude to the current ongoing Iraq war in the country, and despite a published report by the CIA Saying that there were no WMDs in Iraq the invasion still took place
 * First strike--- on March 19th the first strike was sent on Dora Farms where the US believed Saddam was visiting his children, however the missiles missed their targets, and instead injured civilians, then later it was discovered that Saddam hadn't visited the farm since 1995
 * Baghdad fell to the invading troops in April of 2003
 * End of invasion--- On May 1, 2003, Bush landed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, and declared to the troops and the US that he was officially ending all major combat operations in Iraq which is seen as the end of the invasion (officially)

[] []

Sites: [] [] (has all the reports, updates and resolutons to do with UNAMI) []
 * UN importance in Iraq** Leila
 * most important is the UN mission specifically for Iraq, United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) set up in 2003 (resolution 1500) and follows the mandae in UNSCR 1546. mandate: ([])
 * annual security council resolutions are passed on Iraqs situation, stability, occupation etc, i.e. 1883, 1619, and 1770
 * constant humanitarian and human rights updates/reports as well as several reports on Iraq by the UN secretary general
 * UNAMI also works on the reconstruction and development in Iraq and there are constant reports on that as well
 * the UNAMI was established after the UN sanctions were lifted in 2003
 * UNDP has been working in Iraq since 1976 to help create a more stable, peacefull and democratic government
 * the UNDP is working to better several things such as: aid management and coordination, civil aviation, the consitution, elections, environment, employment, national diologue and interactions, and human rights

Ever since its independence in 3rd October 1932, Iraq has made relations with many of the nations around the world. The nations which Iraq interacts with are part of many regions some of which are Asia and the Middle East. Countries which Iraq has formed relations, or has a progressing relation with are:
 * Foreign Relations -** Ziad
 * **Egypt**: Relations with Egypt reached a stage of conflict in 1997, when the two nations broke ties after the criticism of Anwar Sadat. Since 1983 Iraq has called for a restoration of the ties with Egypt, in 1990 the ties broke after Egypt joined the coalition that forced Iraq out of Iran. Ties between the countries have improved in recent years and Egypt is now one of Iraq's main trade partners.
 * **Lebanon**: Iraq and Lebanon have a healthy tie, they relate to each other in their views on the Palestine/Israel conflict in which both nations support Palestine and refuse to recognize Israel. The two countries have maintained ties since 1943.
 * **Iran:** The two nations are in a state of progress. Despite the conflict regarding the war that ended in 1988. Since then the relations between Iraq and Iran have remained cool and have been seen to improve since 2008 where Ahmadinejad went on a visit to Iraq.
 * **Israel** Iraq, having participated in the Arab-Israeli wars of 1948, 1967 and 1973. Today, Iraq has a strong anti-Israel stance and opposes all means to reach a peaceful agreement.
 * **Jordan:** Relations between Iraq and Jordan since 1980, when Jordan claimed to support Iraq in the Iraq-Iran and gulf wars. Jordan is one of the few Arab nations having sent an ambassador to Iraq.
 * **Kuwait:** Since it invaded Kuwait in 1990, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and many other Persian Arab states have cut off ties with Iraq. Since the removal of Saddam, relations have improved greatly. Kuwait is also one of the donor countries for the re-construction of Iraq.
 * **Sudan:** Iraq has an embassy in Khartoum and Sudan has an embassy in Baghdad. Both countries remain very close since Suduan supported Iraq in the gulf war. Iraq has also established Khartoum as a primary center for Iraqi intelligence.
 * **Syria:** Both bordering countries, and Syria are united by historical, cultural, political and social means. Although the two countries have seen difficulties in the past, their relation remains strong until now.
 * Countries with Iraq has relations with in Europe include: Bulgaria, Czech republic, Denmark, France (were enemies after the war, ties are slowly progressing as of 2003), Italy, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
 * **Brazil**: Diplomatic relations began in 1967. Was the first Latin American nation to have an ambassador in Iraq since 1991 gulf war.
 * **Cuba:** Both countries have ambassadors, Ties between both countries are very close and support each other.
 * Other nations include: India, Pakistan, Singapore.
 * **USA:** Relations between Iraq and the USA among many western nations are said yet to be determined, Governmental and Nongovernmental aid is of course offered but the fact that the countries will begin interacting is yet to be seen.


 * Current Government** Fahim


 * Head of Government: Prime Minister
 * Current Prime Minister: Nouri al-Maliki
 * President: Jalal Talabani


 * The president only serves as a figurehead


 * Vice Presidents: Tariq al-Hashimi & Adel Abdul Mehdi
 * Adel Abdul Mehdi is also the deputy leader of SCIRI, the largest party in the Iragi National Assembly
 * Permanent 275-member Council of Representatives elected in December 2005
 * General Elections to be held in January 2010

The president only serves as a figurehead and the prime minister is the one who is actually in control. Iraq will have its first general election in 2010, which is a major step forward in regards to moving towards democracy. The current government was put into power under the authority of the US government and should only serve as a temporary government until the Iraqi population can elect its own government.

The Environmental situation in Iraq is need of great care. in There is an absence of clean water supply and adequate sanitation systems. It is even worse in the southern parts of the country. The amount of water available has fallen by at least half the amount, and much of the water doesn’t reach the person consuming it because of leakages. Rivers are what Iraqis rely on the most for their water which has increased in contamination with sewage and water treatment plants. There is an estimated amount of 5 million people, which are 19% of the total population who are at a risk of lacking access to proper safe water and sanitation. The Tigris and Euphrates River are the two major rivers for Iraqis. Both rivers rise in Turkeys Mountains in the east and enter Iraq from its northwestern borders. Both rivers combine downstream and form the Shatt Al – Arab waterway. The Shatt Al-Arab is what forms the borders between Iraq and Iran. Waste and sewage treatment systems, and industrial waste are being discharged into water bodies, largely in the Tigris River in Baghdad, which is the city’s only water source. Since the Banning of Chlorine imports under the UN sanctions for dual uses of substances, water has not been treated well. Chlorine is needed for water treatment, which has led to various illnesses. Groundwater has also been found in two regions in Iraq due to acceptability of low sanity levels. In northeastern mountains and the Euphrates River. Both water sources do not exceed the 1.0 mg/1 sanitary levels. There is a concern for groundwater for they may be oil-contaminated and possibly exposed to hazardous substances due to the military conflict. Management is a poor function in the environment in Iraq. There are poor or function systems needed for treatment and disposal of all types of waste. There are risks to human health from the domestic and clinical waste. There are large quantities of military waste and possible contamination in former chemical, and nuclear facilities. About an estimated 1% of agricultural land is lost each year through soil erosion and salinization. The oil industry produces a range of hazardous wastes including: o Bottom **sludge** (wet, thick, soft mud) from oil storage tanks o Oiled mud from the drilling of wells o Contaminated soils from oil spills, o Waste oil from pumps and other machinery o Chemical wastes and low-level **radioactive** waste. (Emissions of ionizing particles)
 * Environmental issues** Hana

For Further information: [|www.nationsencyclopedia.com/.../Iraq-ENVIRONMENT.html] [] [] postconflict.unep.ch/publications/Iraq_DS.pdf **Human Rights issues** Charlotte

The human rights situation in Iraq remains chaotic, with sectarian (a body of persons adhering to a particular religious faith) violence causing the majority of abuses. Bombings and suicide attacks have become common acts. Violations by armed groups are marked by disregard for civilian lives and the basic rules of international humanitarian law. The catastrophic security situation has led to mass movement of civilians, resulting in almost 2 million refugees fleeing to neighboring countries and over 2 million internally displaced persons. Reports of torture, ill treatment and lack of judicial process at the hands of Iraqi authorities continue. Adequate safeguards against torture and ill treatment are not in place in Multinational Force detention facilities, and thousands continue to be held without charge or trial. []

Reports of widespread torture and other abuse of detainees in detention facilities run by Iraq's defense and interior ministries and police continue to emerge. Detainees interviewed by Human Rights Watch at Iraq's Central Criminal Court in May recounted abuse by police and military personnel in initial detention; the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) previously reported widespread allegations of abuse in pretrial detention. Iraq's presidency council in August ratified parliament's approval for Iraq to become a party to the UN Convention against Torture. The number of detainees in Iraqi government custody (excluding the northern Kurdish region) stood at approximately 24,000 in August, according to a Human Rights Ministry official. Judicial authorities reported in August over 100,000 approved amnesty applications but as of September diplomats tracking amnesty implementation estimated releases stood at only 5,000-8,000; estimates from Iraqi officials in October suggested a lower figure. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in August reported some easing of overcrowding at al-Tobchi juvenile detention facility-where detainees had told UNAMI of sexual abuse in custody in 2007-following the release of hundreds of detainees under the amnesty. []

(this has all the resolutions/human rights updates from the UN mission in Iraq UNAMI)[| http://www.uniraq.org/docsmaps/undocuments.asp#HUpdates] This paper outlines 5 basic principles that should guide the conduct of the war to ensure protection of human rights []

**Social Issues** As with its deteriorating human rights issues, Iraq’s social issues are also of concern. The worsening humanitarian crisis fuelled by the refugee crisis is a leading problem since many are deprived of basic needs such as water and sanitation. In terms of food security, four millions people (15% of the population) are considered to be food insecure by a UNHCR humanitarian crisis report. Moreover, according to the WFP 32% of Iraqis are categorized as poor and in terms of IDP’s, access to food is a priority for 71% of them. Additionally, in terms of education Iraq has an 88.6% enrollment rate into primary schools for both sexes; however, this is counterbalanced by the fact that in 2007 only 28% of Iraq’s graduation-age population sat for their final exams in the central and southern regions of the country. In the end, of those who sat for their exams only 40% passed which was a 33% decrease from the previous year, where 60% of the students passed. Furthermore, Iraq is looking to improve the protection of its citizens, as it is currently a major issue. According to a UNHCR report, the military situation greatly hinders the right to life of many citizens through attacks, excessive use of force, and etc. Abuse during operations, denial of freedom of movement, as well as forced displacements, are amongst the other security/protection problems that plague Iraq. In the end, the Iraqi population continues to live with these conditions due to poor basic assistance and protection. In conclusion, Iraq’s many social issues can readily be improved; however, the humanitarian crisis and most importantly the ongoing conflict within the country must first be resolved. [] [|__http://www.mdgmonitor.org/country_popup.cfm?c=IRQ__]
 * Social issues**, **refugees** Tedi

**Refugees** The issue regarding Iraqi refugees has become a special problem, especially through these past five years, due to the U.S. military intervention in Iraq. Although this issue has been present for a while as a result of the Iran-Iraq war, Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, First Gulf War, and other conflicts/internal troubles, the more recent and pressing needs in terms of refugees lies as a consequence of the invasion and occupation. From the start of the U.S. mission in Iraq in March 2003, the UNHCR has estimated that about 2 millions Iraqi refugees are seeking shelter outside the country in the neighboring countries of Syria and Jordan, and that there are about 2.7 internally displaced persons within Iraq. These figures ultimately make this humanitarian crisis in Iraq the worst in the Middle East since 1948. More recently, according to reports from Refugee International, the great majority of these refugees are living in increasingly desperate circumstances and therefore a failure to meet the needs of these Iraqi refugees, both internal and external, will ultimately result in grave security concerns within the country. Moreover, in further accordance with Refugee International, the Iraqi Government, with its access to fairly large sums of money, lacks the capacity and the political will to use all of its resources in order to meet the humanitarian needs. As a result, militias ultimately fill in for the government and thus play a major role in providing support and social services in certain neighborhoods and towns under their control. It is then possible to see that the government’s failures result in the empowerment of these militia groups. In the end, the necessary conditions for return to Iraq and reestablishment of all Iraqi refugees does not properly exist and therefore returns and reestablishments must not be encouraged until the violence lessens and/or stops and the people can receive basic services and protection. [] [] []

=**Iran Iraq war** Nazim= The Iran-Iraq War permanently altered the course of Iraqi history. It strained Iraqi political and social life, and led to severe economic dislocations. Viewed from a historical perspective, the outbreak of hostilities in 1980 was, in part, just another phase of the ancient Persian-Arab conflict that had been fueled by twentieth-century border disputes. Many observers, however, believe that Saddam Hussein's decision to invade Iran was a personal miscalculation based on ambition and a sense of vulnerability. Saddam Hussein, despite having made significant strides in forging an Iraqi nation-state, feared that Iran's new revolutionary leadership would threaten Iraq's delicate SunniShia balance and would exploit Iraq's geostrategic vulnerabilities--Iraq's minimal access to the Persian Gulf, for example. In this respect, Saddam Hussein's decision to invade Iran has historical precedent; the ancient rulers of Mesopotamia, fearing internal strife and foreign conquest, also engaged in frequent battles with the peoples of the highlands.
 * Military involvement** Mo
 * 1980-1888**
 * Overview:**

The Iran-Iraq War was multifaceted and included religious schisms, border disputes, and political differences. Conflicts contributing to the outbreak of hostilities ranged from **centuries-old Sunni-versus-Shia and Arab-versus-Persian religious and ethnic disputes, to a personal animosity between Saddam Hussein and Ayatollah Khomeini**

Although Iraq hoped to take advantage of revolutionary chaos in Iran and attacked without formal warning, **they made only limited progress into Iran and within several months were repelled by the Iranians who regained virtually all lost territory by June, 1982. For the next six years, Iran was on the offensive.** Despite calls for a ceasefire by the United Nations Security Council, hostilities continued until 20 August, 1988. The last prisoners of war were exchanged in 2003.


 * 1984-1988 was a stale mate, became a War of Attrition.**
 * 1988 Ended by Ceasefire, no borders changed, nothing gained for both sides. Half a million lost on both sides.**

Iraq also used chemical weapons on Iranian civilians, killing many in villages and hospitals. Many civilians suffered severe burns and health problems, and still suffer from them. Furthermore, 308 Iraqi missiles were launched at population centers inside Iranian cities between 1980 and 1988 resulting in 12, 931 casualties. With more than 100,000 Iranian victims of Iraq's chemical weapons during the eight-year war, Iran is one of the countries most severely afflicted by " weapons of mass destruction ".
 * Use Of Chemical Weapons:**

__//**LEGACY**//__

 * Destruction and Land Mines**

The indigenous Ahwazi Arabs continue to suffer the effects of war. The worst affected areas are the Arab border towns of Dasht-Azadgan, Khorramshahr, Abadan, Shush (Susa) and Ahwaz City. Around 30,000 Ahwazi Arabs, who fled the Iran during the Iran-Iraq War, are currently living in refugee camps in Iraq. Many of them were forced from their homes during the 2003 Iraq War and have little access to public services, such as education and healthcare.

Millions of land mines from the Iran-Iraq war remain in Khuzestan. People are killed and maimed by landmines and unexploded ordnance every day. Most of the victims are Ahwazi Arab farmers. The army estimates that in Khuzestan, Kermanshah, Ilam and Kurdistan provinces 1.5 to 1.8 million hectares are still infested with Iraqi landmines. Colonel Amir Mohamadi, second-in-command of the Iranian army, has said that “Khuzestan is the most (landmine) infested area” in the country.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/images/img005.gif
 * Oil**

The financial loss was also enormous, at the time exceeding US$600 billion for each country (US$1.2 trillion in total). But shortly after the war it turned out that the economic cost of war is more profound and long-lasting than the estimates right after the war suggested. Economic development was stalled and oil exports disrupted. These economic woes were of a more serious nature for Iraq that had to incur huge debts during the war as compared to the very small debt of Iran, as Iranians had used more bloody but less financially costing tactics during the war, in effect substituting soldiers lives for lack of financial funding during their defense. This left Saddam still at rivalry with Iran, in a very difficult situation with his allies during the war, as by then Iraq was under more than $130 billion of international debt, excluding the interest in an after war economy with a retarded GDP growth.
 * Economically**

A more important issue than geography was religion. Both nations are [|Muslim], with the leaders of Iraq primarily from the Sunni branch, and the Iranians, the [|Shiite]. Prior to the Iranian revolution, the distinction between the countries was less religious than ideological. The ruling Ba'ath Party in Iraq was socialist and pro-Soviet, whereas the Iranian shah was anti-socialist (though certainly not democratic) and pro-Western. The essentially secular Iraqi leadership became more of an issue after the Iranian revolution, when Ayatollah Khomeini, who had spent part of his exile in Iraq (he was expelled in October 1978), began encouraging his former colleagues to overthrow [|Saddam Hussein] in Iraq because his regime was anti-Islamic. This was part of Khomeini's broader strategy of spreading the Islamic revolution throughout the Middle East. Saddam responded as he did to any challenge by a ruthless crackdown on Shiite fundamentalists and by sending aid to Arab separatists in Iran.
 * Religious Tensions, resulting in internal religious divides**

[] [] Iraq is currently in a state of political turmoil. The overthrowing of alleged Political dictator Saddam Hussein led to a long period of time of political instability. Iraq’s current, seemingly nonexistent political system fails to accomplish the main objective of a government, and that is serving the people. Although the political instability of Iraq is the key issue, the leaders of Iraq fail to gain control of the people due to religious violence, specifically extremist organizations, which cause a power shift from governmental system to unorthodox, and unofficial religious organization. This shifting of power is cause sectarian violence, when the current political system struggle for power against extremist organizations. Thus, the current Political Situation in Iraq is fragile at best, and is vulnerable to falling deeper into the hole of problems that is currently finds itself in. While some progress has been made, the extremists organization and sectarian violence but be eradicated before the nations leaders have a chance at rebuilding Iraq. It's built on a "house of cards" as described by the United States Council of Foreign Relations. Additionally, the military presence of the U.S.A. and other coalition members are resulting in greater and more widespread fear of attack and awareness. While this may not necessarily by political, it is a major obstacle towards restoring power and authority to the Iraqi government.
 * Current political situation** Saad

According to a resolution proposed by the Bush administration in 2004, Coalition forces would remain in Iraq until the new government could establish security and stabilization. On 8 June, Security Council resolution 1546 was adopted unanimously, calling for "the end of the occupation and the assumption of full responsibility and authority by a fully sovereign and independent Interim Government of Iraq by 30 June 2004." On 28 June 2004, the occupation was nominally ended by the CPA, which transferred limited power to a new Iraqi government led by Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. The multinational military alliance continued to assist the Allawi government in governing the Iraqis. The purpose of the Occupation of Iraq was, according to U.S. President George W. Bush, purely to bring about a transition from post-war anarchy to full Iraqi sovereignty. A further step in sovereignty was achieved with the creation of a democratically-elected administration on 6 April 2005 including Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and President Jalal Talabani following the Iraqi elections of January 2005. Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1790, the mandate of the multinational force in Iraq was extended until 31 December 2008, after which there is no justification for foreign militaries to remain in the country. On 6 June 2008, the Independent reported that the United States was applying pressure to the government of Iraq to sign a “strategic alliance” (not a “treaty”, which would require approval of the US senate), giving US forces broad freedom in continuing to operate in Iraq
 * US occupation of Iraq** Sherif

Resources:
Newspapers: http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/iraq.htm http://www.world-newspapers.com/iraq.html http://www.azzaman.com/english/


 * [|MDG Monitor Iraq]
 * __[|CIA Factbook Iraq]__
 * __http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/293631/Iraq__
 * __http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/737483.stm__
 * http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/middle_east/2002/conflict_with_iraq/default.stm In depth BBC site on Iraq
 * [] good information (country report)
 * __Military Capabilities (M.Beitelmal):-__**

__Military branches__: Iraqi Armed Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Iraqi Special Operations Force, Iraqi Intervention Force), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force), Iraqi Air Force (former Iraqi Army Air Corps) (2005)

__Military service age and obligation__: 18-49 years of age for voluntary military service (2008)

__Manpower available for military service__: Males age 16-49: 7,086,200 Females age 16-49: 6,808,954 (2008 est.)

__Manpower fit for military service__: Males age 16-49: 6,203,425 Females age 16-49: 6,065,009 (2009 est.)

__Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually__: Male: 313,500 Female: 304,923 (2009 est.)

__Military expenditures__: 8.6% of GDP (2006) Country comparison to the world: __4__8.6% of GDP (2006) Country comparison to the world: [|4] []

Defined enemies in Iraq:
 * Rejectionists. ** By far the largest group, these are ordinary Iraqis - mostly Sunni Arabs - who miss the privileged status they had under Saddam Hussein's regime. They reject an Iraq in which they are no longer the dominant group.
 * Saddamists Or Former Regime Loyalists. ** This smaller, but more determined, group includes former regime loyalists who held positions of power under Saddam Hussein and seek to return to power.
 * Terrorists Affiliated With Or Inspired By Al-Qaida. ** This is the smallest, but most lethal, group. Many are foreign fighters believed to be responsible for most of the suicide bombings, beheadings, and other atrocities seen on television.

[]

Iraqi Army: The General Headquarters (GHQ) was the highest military echelon. Controlled by the Army, it integrated army, air force, navy, and popular army operations. While the GHQ was primarily a staff element, it could deploy a forward command post to the front. GHQ controled both regular army corps and a corps-level strategic reserve designated the Republican Guard Forces Command (RGFC).

Ministry of Defense: The Ministry of Defense was combined with the Ministry of Military Industrialization to be called the Ministry of Defense and Military Industrialization, later changed to Ministry of National Security and Defense. It had both a civilian and military component. The civilian component is responsible for buying equipment and overall military funding. The military is responsible for manpower and liaisons. The Iraqi people run and lead their military with the purpose of defending Iraq.

New Iraqi Army: A professional Iraqi army is being created to replace Saddam's army with a professional force for maintaining peace and stability. The New Iraqi Army's primary responsibilities would be for border protection, securing roads and installations, and clearing mines and unexploded bombs left over from the war. Only a small number of officers would be employed in the new army, as plans called for it to be much smaller than that of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's. The US administration in Iraq envisions the new army to be purely for defense and wholly separate from the civil police force unlike during the Hussein regime.

Iraqi Navy: As of 2005, the Iraqi Navy Training Department currently conducted all of its own training, assisted by the M&R AST. All members of the Iraqi Navy received their initial training in Kirkush. Following basic training, they were trained on mission-focused technical skill sets: ship handling, marlin spike seamanship, navigation, engineering, weapons handling, small boat operations, shipboard damage control, etc.

Iraqi Air Force: As of July 2005, the Iraqi Air Force was conducting operational missions while equipping and training. The Iraqi Air Force’s counterinsurgency missions focused on aerial observation /surveillance and air transportation. The Air Force had over 100 personnel and had a fleet of 9 helicopters (4 UH-1H and 5 Jet Ranger), 3 C-130s, and 8 single-engine propeller-driven observation airplanes (6 CompAir turboprop aircraft and 2 Seeker piston aircraft). An additional 12 UH-1H helicopters, part of the 16 given by the Jordanian government are not operational while they await an upgrade to Huey II configuration to enhance their functioning in Iraq's climate. The Jet Rangers, CH2000s and CompAir planes all need logistics support. []