Ar Rutba - Ar Rutba

Ar Rutba is a city in the Iraqi Desert. It is the westernmost town of any real size. Ar Rutba is a Sunni-majority city and was most notably the site of a large part of the old Iraqi air defense warning system, housing a number of military personnel there. The warning station was destroyed in the 1990-91 Gulf War. It was seized by ISIS in 2014, but has since been liberated by Iraqi Security Forces.

Get in

• Highway 11

Get around

It is recommended that you travel in an armored car due to the risk of terrorism.

See

• Fort Rutba was the site of the Battle of Fort Rutba during the Anglo-Iraqi War, but it is unclear if it still exists due to the current conflict.
• Remnants of ISIS rule are likely still present in the city, as are ruins from the ensuing battles.
• The deserts surrounding Ar Rutba are similar to those of the western United States, but are likely littered with landmines.

Do

Buy

Ar Rutba is home to a traditional Iraqi market, but its present state is unclear.

Eat

• Levant Restaurant

Drink

Work

There are oil fields near Ar Rutba.

Go next

The border with Jordan is nearby.