Iraqi Desert - Iraqi Desert

The Iraqi Desert is the western and southwestern part of Iraq, spanning an enormous but barely populated region of desert.

Cities

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Map of Iraqi Desert
  • 1 Anah Anah on Wikipedia
  • 2 Al-Qa'im Al-Qa'im (town) on Wikipedia
  • 3 Ar Rutba – home to a destroyed Iraqi Army installation
  • 4 Hit Hit, Iraq on Wikipedia
  • 5 Nukhayb Nukhayb on Wikipedia

Other destinations

Understand

Al Anbar Province is in this region. If you are coming from Jordan, this will be the first province you enter. Al Anbar's terrain is similar to parts of the western United States of Wyoming and Utah. The climate in Al Anbar is similar to other high desert regions of the world.

The majority religious group in Al Anbar Province is Sunni, although there is a mix of religious groups in the Ar Ramadi area which leads to lots of street battles in that city. Ar Ramadi is a modern day recreation of an old west, gunslinging cow town. There is almost constant shooting and explosions from rocket propelled grenades, car bombs, road side bombs, etc.

Get in

From Syria, the easiest way to get in is through the Since 1 Al-Qaim border crossing Al-Qa'im border crossing on Wikipedia which has been open since September 2019. Keep in mind however that reaching touristic points of interest in the area from the Syrian border requires a lengthy journey through the desert, so prepare accordingly. It's advisable to stock up on supplies in border town Husaybah.

Get around

Al Anbar Province's roads are in the worst condition of the country. Constant roadside bombs and mujahideen digging up the asphalt to plant mines and bombs make the Al Anbar highways extremely unsafe for curious travelers. Even trucks wait at the borders until there are enough of them to make the drive. The idea is there is safety in numbers – if one truck is hit, at least the others could stop to help.

See

Do

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

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This region travel guide to Iraqi Desert is an outline and may need more content. It has a template , but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow !