Governorates of Iraq explained

Governorates of Iraq

Alt Name:Muḥāfażah

Category:Federated state
Territory:Republic of Iraq
Current Number:18 governorates (19 including partially recognized Halabja)
Area Range:204.2order=flipNaNorder=flip (Baghdad) – 53476order=flipNaNorder=flip (Al Anbar)
Government:Governorate
Subdivision:Districts

Iraq consists of 18 recognized governorates (Arabic: محافظة|[[Muhafazah|muḥāfażah]]; پارێزگا |parêzgeh), also known as "provinces" and 1 partially recognized governorate (Halabja). Per the Iraqi constitution, governorates can form a federal region.[1] Four governorates, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Halabja and Duhok, constitute the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. Baghdad (which is the most populous) and Basra are the oldest governorates. The second most-populous one, Ninawa (or Nineveh) is in the upland region and has a cooler climate of the north-west.

There have been numerous calls to recognize Halabja Governorate since 1999.[2] It was recognized as an official governorate of the Kurdistan Region in 2014,[3] and the Council of Ministers approved a bill twice in 2013,[4] [5] and 2023.[6] However, the only legislature in Iraq that can implement new governorates is the Council of Representatives of Iraq, which has had delayed hearings regarding Halabja numerous times.[7] [8] [9] [10]

Throughout early 2014, the Council of Ministers of Iraq approved proposals to add the three newly proposed governorates:[11]

In 2013, activists and political parties called for the conversion of Hawija from a District into a governorate, but the Kirkuk government blocked the proposal.[15]

Shortly after the approval of the proposals, the Islamic State attacked the cities, towns and villages of the Nineveh Plains. Upon the eventual withdrawal of ISIS, the initial decision by the Council of Ministers was dishonored by Kurdistan, Baghdad and Iranian-connected political entities, as they began pushing security forces into different parts of the Nineveh Plains to try and lay claim to different parts of the territory, asserting that the demographics had changed due to ISIS and that the original inhabitants could no longer be representatives of their indigenous land.[16] Part of the reason for the demographic shift was that squatters were encouraged to occupy Christian homes. Without enough paperwork to prove ownership, some of those homes became extremely challenging to reclaim. Initiatives are underway to help reclaim families' homes.[17]

Another proposal exists to add a 19th governorate: Fallujah, from part of the Al Anbar. This largely did not occur due to the ISIS insurgency. Following the defeat of ISIS in the Battle of Fallujah (2016), the proposal may resurface or Al-Anbar may remain undivided.

Governorates

Governorates of Iraq
GovernoratePostal
code 		ISO
code		Total area
in miles2		Total area
in km2		Population
1 July 2018[18] 		Population
Density
in miles		Population
Density
in km		Capital
Al-Anbar31AN53,476138,5011,771,65629.111.2Ramadi
Babil51BB1,9765,6032,065,042921.4324.9Hillah
Baghdad10BG78.8204.28,126,7554,620.091,548.8Baghdad
Basra61BA7,36019,0702,908,491344.0132.7Basra
Dhi Qar64DQ5,00012,9002,095,172367.2142.3Nasiriyah
Al-Qādisiyyah58QA3,1488,1531,291,048360.3139.1Al Diwaniyah
Diyala32DI6,82817,6851,637,226211.381.6Baqubah
42DA2,5306,5531,292,535445.5172.2Dihok
44AR5,82015,0741,854,778277.0106.9Erbil
Karbala56KA1,9445,0341,218,732548.6211.8Karbala
Kirkuk36KI3,7379,6791,597,876373.4144.1Kirkuk
Maysan62MA6,20516,0721,112,673156.560.4Amarah
Muthanna66MU19,98051,740814,37135.913.8Samawah
Najaf54NA11,12928,8241,471,592115.544.5Najaf
Ninawa41NI14,41037,3233,729,998226.987.6Mosul
Salah Al-Din34SD9,55624,7511,595,235147.356.8Tikrit
Sulaymaniyah46SU6,57317,0232,053,305285.8110.3Sulaymaniyah
Wasit52WA6,62317,1531,378,723182.770.5Kut

Former governorates

GovernorateToday part of
MosulNinawa Governorate
Duhok Governorate
DiwaniyaAl-Qādisiyyah Governorate
Muthanna Governorate
Najaf Governorate
Dulaim (−1962)
Ramadi (1962–1976)		Al Anbar Governorate
Muntafiq (−1976)Dhi Qar Governorate
Amara (−1976)Maysan Governorate
Kut (−1976)Wasit Governorate
BaghdadBaghdad Governorate
Saladin Governorate
Kirkuk (−1976)
At-Ta'mim (1976–2006)		Kirkuk Governorate
Kuwait Governorate(Military occupation between 1990 and 1991)State of Kuwait

Flags

FlagUseDescription
Flag of Al Anbar Governorate[19] Ratio: 2:3
Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Baghdad Governorate[20] [21] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Basra Governorate[22] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Diyala Governorate[23] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Dhi Qar GovernorateRatio: 2:3
Flag of Duhok GovernorateRatio: 2:3
Seal of Erbil Governorate[24] Ratio: 2:3
Emblem of Karbala GovernorateRatio: 2:3
Seal of Maysan Governorate[25] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Muthanna GovernorateRatio: 2:3
Seal of Najaf Governorate[26] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Nineveh Governorate[27] White flag charged with the emblem of the governorate. The emblem depicts the leaning minaret of the Great Mosque of al-Nuri, Mosul surrounded by olive branches.
Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Saladin Governorate[28] [29] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Kirkuk Governorate[30] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate[31] Ratio: 2:3
Flag of Sulaymaniyah Governorate[32] Ratio: 1:2
Ratio: 2:3

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Iraq's Constitution of 2005 . Constitute Project . 13 October 2021 . 15 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190515162844/https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iraq_2005.pdf?lang=en . live .
  2. Web site: Halabja: City of Peace becomes Kurdistan's fourth province . 2024-01-17 . www.rudaw.net . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117121512/https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/08022015 . live .
  3. Web site: Iraqi Kurdistan government announces Halabja as its fourth province . 2024-01-17 . www.ekurd.net . 15 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140515035159/http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2014/3/state7824.htm . live .
  4. Web site: Iraq Ministers Agree Turning Halabja into Province . 2024-01-17 . www.rudaw.net . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207224046/http://rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/020120141 . live .
  5. Web site: Council of Ministers decisions in Session 54 in 31/12/2013 . 31 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140206180826/http://www.cabinet.iq/ArticleShow.aspx?ID=4130 . 2014-02-06 . dead . 13 August 2016.
  6. Web site: Halabja on the cusp of ascension to province on 35th anniversary of chemical attack . 2024-01-17 . www.rudaw.net . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117121514/https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/150320232 . live .
  7. Web site: Iraqi parliament postpones vote on Halabja's ascension to province . 2024-01-17 . www.rudaw.net . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117121512/https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/300920233 . live .
  8. Web site: Again, Iraqi parliament postpones voting on the establishment of Halabja governorate . 2024-01-17 . Shafaq News . en . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117121513/https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq-News/Again-Iraqi-parliament-postpones-voting-on-the-establishment-of-Halabja-governorate . live .
  9. Web site: Halabja Governorate Push: Local Leader Renews Call for Official Recognition . 2024-01-17 . Shafaq News . en . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117121513/https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Halabja-Governorate-Push-Local-Leader-Renews-Call-for-Official-Recognition . live .
  10. Web site: البرلمان يؤجل مجددا التصويت على استحداث محافظة حلبجة . 2024-01-17 . شفق نيوز . ar . 17 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117124646/https://shafaq.com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A-%D8%AC%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%AF%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AB-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AC%D8%A9 . live .
  11. Web site: Resolutions of Council of Ministers For Session No. 3 on 21/1/2014 . 21 January 2014 . 13 August 2016 . 30 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161030211901/http://www.cabinet.iq/ArticleShow.aspx?ID=4226 . live .
  12. News: Iraqi Council of Ministers approved new provinces of Tuz Xurmatu and Tal Afar . Kurd Net . 21 January 2014 . 23 August 2014 . 14 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200714221201/https://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2014/1/kurdsiniraq218.htm . live .
  13. Web site: BetBasoo 1 and Kino 2 . Peter 1 and Nuri 2 . 22 January 2014 . Assyria: Nineveh Plain To Become Iraqi Province . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140126071528/http://www.aina.org/releases/20140122133822.htm . 26 January 2014 . UNPO – Underrepresented Nations & Peoples Organization.
  14. Web site: Network . Esta Media . 13 March 2023 . Iraq recognizes Halabja as its 19th governorate . 2024-01-18 . Esta Media Network . en-US . 18 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118092402/https://esta.krd/en/235327/ . live .
  15. Web site: Iraq: What is the strategic importance of Hawija? . 2024-01-18 . Al Jazeera . en . 23 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223011314/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/5/iraq-what-is-the-strategic-importance-of-hawija . live .
  16. Web site: Lucente . Adam . 26 April 2020 . In post-Islamic State northern Iraq, demographic changes raise concerns . Middle East Eye . 19 June 2023 . 19 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230619193823/https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/northern-iraq-communities-divided-over-demographic-change-summary . live .
  17. Web site: 8 September 2008 . Iraq: Government cracks down on squatters . live . Refworld . https://web.archive.org/web/20210127044012/https://www.refworld.org/docid/48ce1d70c.html . 27 January 2021.
  18. Original PDF. 2021-05-10. 10.15438/rr.5.1.7. 19 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519204819/http://dx.doi.org/10.15438/rr.5.1.7. live.
  19. Web site: Anbar governor Ali Farhan al-Dulaimi speaks to AFP at his office in . 7 October 2021 . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205808/https://www.gettyimages.ae/detail/news-photo/anbar-governor-ali-farhan-al-dulaimi-speaks-to-afp-at-his-news-photo/1235737369 . live .
  20. Web site: Baghdad Governorate (Iraq) . 11 January 2024 . 18 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230718151032/https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/iq-b.html . live .
  21. Web site: محافظ بغداد يؤكد اتخاذ اجراءات مشددة على المولدات الاهلية لمنع رفع الاسعار . 15 June 2021 . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205815/https://www.alrasheedmedia.com/2021/06/15/322563/ . live .
  22. Web site: Gulf 25 inspection team concludes its tour of Basra, holds a press conference – اتحاد كأس الخليج العربي لكرة القدم . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205813/https://agcff.com/en/3833/ . live .
  23. Web site: Deputy governor of Diyala contracts COVID-19 . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205825/https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq-News/Deputy-governor-of-Diyala-contracts-COVID-19 . live .
  24. Web site: IRAQ: Ramy Noori appointed mayor of Ankawa District by Erbil Provincial Council . 13 May 2022 . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205817/https://syriacpress.com/blog/2022/05/13/iraq-ramy-noori-appointed-mayor-of-ankawa-district-by-erbil-provincial-council/ . live .
  25. News: A Sadrist Governor is a Folk Hero to Iraqis . The New York Times . 4 May 2013 . Arango . Tim . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205801/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/04/world/middleeast/a-sadrist-governor-is-a-folk-hero-to-iraqis.html . live .
  26. 29 June 2022 . محافظ النجف الاشرف الدكتور المهندس ماجد الوائلي يستعرض اهم المشاريع في قضاء الكوفة . najaf media . YouTube . 21 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826110851/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdHVUpR4ot8 . 26 August 2022 . live.
  27. Web site: Mosul, Iraq. 2nd July, 2019. New governor of Nineveh Mansour al-Mar'eed speaks to Xinhua in an interview at his office in Nineveh province, Iraq, July 2, 2019. The governor of Iraq's northern province of Nineveh called on the Chinese companies to take part in the reconstruction of its capital Mosul. TO GO WITH: Iraqi governor calls on Chinese companies to take part in reconstruction of Mosul. Credit: Khalil Dawood/Xinhua/Alamy Live News Stock Photo – Alamy . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205808/https://www.alamy.com/mosul-iraq-2nd-july-2019-new-governor-of-nineveh-mansour-al-mareed-speaks-to-xinhua-in-an-interview-at-his-office-in-nineveh-province-iraq-july-2-2019-the-governor-of-iraqs-northern-province-of-nineveh-called-on-the-chinese-companies-to-take-part-in-the-reconstruction-of-its-capital-mosul-to-go-with-iraqi-governor-calls-on-chinese-companies-to-take-part-in-reconstruction-of-mosul-credit-khalil-dawoodxinhuaalamy-live-news-image259794862.html . live .
  28. Web site: Saladin (Salah ed-Din) Governorate (Iraq) . 11 January 2024 . 12 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812082222/https://crwflags.com/FOTW/FLAGS/iq-s.html . live .
  29. Web site: Chaos prevails in Saladin as two governors lock horns over who runs the governorate . 11 January 2024 . 15 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231015205806/https://shafaq.com/en/Report/Chaos-prevails-in-Saladin-as-two-governors-lock-horns-over-who-runs-the-governorate . live .
  30. News: Iraq fires Kirkuk governor in Kurdish referendum stand-off . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/709caa8a-9954-11e7-a652-cde3f882dd7b . 2022-12-10 . subscription . live . Financial Times . 14 September 2017 .
  31. Web site: الموقع الرسمي لمحافظة الديوانية – النائب الثاني لمحافظ الديوانية يتراس اجتماع غرفة عمليات الطاقة في المحافظة . 11 January 2024 . 12 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812035138/https://diwaniya.gov.iq/index.php/permalink/3480.html . dead .
  32. slemani.gov . SlemaniGov . 1536612064646647808 . 14 June 2022 . رەوشی مافەكانی مرۆڤ تاووتوێ‌ دەكرێت https://t.co/iT3fPt3Tui https://t.co/P9ZVqR5vDv https://t.co/xutgAlQztV https://t.co/7M8B9ip87O https://t.co/3JrqGjKZZU https://t.co/xL8fxXDw6I . The human rights situation will be discussed. . ckb . 21 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826121053/https://twitter.com/SlemaniGov/status/1536612064646647808 . 26 August 2022 . live.

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