--- title: Iraq — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 3 description: Wikipedia's «Iraq», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, historically known in the west as Mesopotamia, is a country in West Asia. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/page/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Iraq # Iraq · page 3 From Wikipedia, [«Iraq»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/page/7/) ### Post-invasion Iraq Main article: [Occupation of Iraq (2003–2011)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupation_of_Iraq_%282003–2011%29), [Iraq War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War), [History of Iraq (2011–present)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Iraq_%282011–present%29) After the [11 September 2001 attacks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks), [U.S. President](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States) [George W. Bush](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush) began planning the overthrow of Saddam in what is now widely regarded as a [false pretense](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationale_for_the_Iraq_War).[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[182](../../182/ "tree and pragmatics") Saddam's Iraq was included in Bush's "[axis of evil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axis_of_evil)".[183](../../183/ "tree and pragmatics") The [US Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Congress) passed a [joint resolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorization_for_Use_of_Military_Force_Against_Iraq_Resolution_of_2002), which authorised the use of armed force against Iraq.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[184](../../184/ "tree and pragmatics") In November 2002 the [UN Security Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council) passed [resolution 1441](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1441).[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[185](../../185/ "tree and pragmatics") On 20 March 2003, the US-led coalition invaded Iraq, as part of the [global war on terror](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_war_on_terror).[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[186](../../186/ "tree and pragmatics") Within weeks, coalition forces occupied much of Iraq, with the Iraqi Army adopting guerrilla tactics to confront coalition forces.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") Following the [fall of Baghdad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_%282003%29) in the first week of April, Saddam's regime had completely lost control of Iraq.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") A [statue of Saddam was toppled](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firdos_Square_statue_destruction) in Baghdad, symbolising the end of his rule.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") The US-created Coalition Provisional Authority introduced the current political system of the country.[\[113\]](../../page/7/#ref-113 "note 113")[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Insurgency and Civil war The [Coalition Provisional Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_Provisional_Authority) [disbanded the Iraqi military](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coalition_Provisional_Authority_Order_2) and [expelled Ba'athists from the new government.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-Ba%27athification)[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") The insurgents fought against the coalition forces and the newly installed government.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") Saddam was captured and executed.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") The Shia–Sunni civil war took place from 2006 to 2008.[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") The coalition forces were accused of war crimes such as the [Abu Ghraib torture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Ghraib_torture_and_prisoner_abuse), the [Fallujah massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallujah_killings_of_April_2003), the [Mahmudiyah rape and killings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmudiyah_rape_and_killings) and the [Mukaradeeb wedding party massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukaradeeb_wedding_party_massacre).[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") Following the [withdrawal of US troops](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_U.S._troops_from_Iraq_%282007–2011%29) in 2011, the occupation ceased and war ended.[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") The war in Iraq has resulted in [between 151,000 and 1.2 million Iraqis being killed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Iraq_War).[\[112\]](../../page/7/#ref-112 "note 112")[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") The subsequent efforts to rebuild the country amidst sectarian violence was galvanised by continuing discontent over [Nouri al-Maliki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouri_al-Maliki)'s government, which led to [protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012–2013_Iraqi_protests).[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2013, taking advantage of the ensuing chaos and popular discontent against the Iraqi government, Ba'athist and other Sunni militants ([Al Qaida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Qaida) and [ISIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State)) launched a number of attacks against the government during what is known as the [Anbar campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anbar_campaign_%282013–2014%29).[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") What followed, was a large scale [offensive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Iraq_offensive_%28June_2014%29) by ISIS in [Mosul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosul), which marked the beginning of the rapid [territorial expansion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territory_of_the_Islamic_State) of the group, initiating [full-scale war in Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Iraq_%282013–2017%29).[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") Sunni insurgents belonging to the Islamic State group seized control of large swathes of land including several major cities, like [Tikrit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikrit), [Fallujah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallujah) and Mosul, creating hundreds of thousands of [internally displaced persons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internally_displaced_persons) amid reports of atrocities by ISIS fighters.[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") An estimated 500,000 civilians fled from Mosul.[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") Around 5,000 Yazidis were killed in the genocide by ISIS, as a part of the war.[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") In June 2014, Iraq's leading Shii Grand Ayatollah, [Ali al-Sistani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_al-Sistani) issued a [Fatwa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatwa) calling on able-bodied men to join the Armed Forces to fight against ISIS.[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") Even though the Fatwa specifically instructed Iraqis to join the official Armed Forces of the country (such as the Army or the Police), it nevertheless resulted in the creation of the [Popular Mobilisation Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_Mobilisation_Forces).[\[114\]](../../page/7/#ref-114 "note 114")[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") During that time, the government of Iraq, headed by [Haider al-Abadi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haider_al-Abadi) requested the international community to assist Iraq against ISIS, resulting in the creation of the [American-led Coalition against ISIS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American-led_intervention_in_Iraq_%282014–2021%29).[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile, in an attempt to counter US influence, [Khomeinist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khomeinism) anti-US militias prompted [Iranian intervention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_intervention_in_Iraq_%282014–present%29), which resulted in the latter expanding its influence.[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") The Iraqi armed forces, supported by the US-led coalition, as well as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, [Peshmerga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peshmerga) and other allied anti-ISIS militias then initiated a counter-offensive to retake and liberate ISIS-held territory.[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") In December 2017, when ISIS had lost all its territory in Iraq, the government declared victory.[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") #### 2019-2021 protests Main article: [2019–2021 Iraqi protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019–2021_Iraqi_protests) One of the main causes for popular discontent in Iraq is the lack of reliable electricity infrastructure and clean water.[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") The electrical grid faces systemic pressures due to climate change, fuel shortages, and an increase in demand.[\[115\]](../../page/7/#ref-115 "note 115")[\[116\]](../../page/7/#ref-116 "note 116")[\[117\]](../../page/7/#ref-117 "note 117")[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") Corruption remains endemic throughout Iraqi governance while the United States-endorsed sectarian political system has driven increased levels of violent terrorism and sectarian conflicts.[\[118\]](../../page/7/#ref-118 "note 118")[\[119\]](../../page/7/#ref-119 "note 119")[\[117\]](../../page/7/#ref-117 "note 117")[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") Climate change is driving wide-scale droughts while water reserves are rapidly depleting.[\[120\]](../../page/7/#ref-120 "note 120")[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") Nationwide protests erupted in Iraq in October 2019, demanding systemic reform, and the end of the party-based quota system as well as the disarmament of non-state militias and end to foreign interference.[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite heavy repression, hundreds of deaths, and widespread injuries, the movement remained united around calls for institutional reform and increased accountability.[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2020, the sitting prime minister [Adil Abdul Mahdi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adil_Abdul_Mahdi) resigned in the face of popular demand.[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") He was succeeded by prime minister [Mustafa al-Kadhimi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustafa_al-Kadhimi), whose tenure coincided with the onset of the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic).[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") The subsequent macroeconomic shock caused a severe decline in oil prices, critically impacting Iraq's oil-dependent economy.[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") The country has been in a [prolonged drought](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Iraq) since 2020 and experienced its second-driest season in the past four decades in 2021.[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") Water flows in the [Tigris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris) and [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates) were down 30-40% in 2023.[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") Half the country's farmland is at risk of [desertification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertification).[\[117\]](../../page/7/#ref-117 "note 117")[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") Nearly 40% of Iraq "has been overtaken by blowing desert sands that claim tens of thousands of acres of arable land every year".[\[121\]](../../page/7/#ref-121 "note 121")[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Period of stability (2022–present) Since 2022, Iraq has experienced a period of relative political, security, and economic stabilisation.[\[122\]](../../page/7/#ref-122 "note 122")[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") Government officials have cited increased regional diplomacy, improved international relations, and economic diversification initiatives such as the [Iraq–Europe Development Road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq–Europe_Development_Road) project as key indicators of recovery.[\[123\]](../../page/7/#ref-123 "note 123")[\[124\]](../../page/7/#ref-124 "note 124")[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") In August 2023, the [Iraq Development Fund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_Fund_%28Iraq%29) was established whose purpose is to strengthen the private sector and finance projects of crucial social and environmental value.[225](../../225/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2024, Iraq experienced unprecedented rainfall that —according to the [Ministry of Water Resources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Water_Resources_%28Iraq%29)— boosted Iraq's strategic water reserves by 10%, significantly easing the drought crisis.[\[125\]](../../page/7/#ref-125 "note 125")[226](../../226/ "tree and pragmatics") In February 2025, the Iraq Development Fund had gained $7bn in [foreign direct investments](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_direct_investments), and signed Memoranda of Understanding with a number of countries including the [United Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom) [corpus](../../../United_Kingdom/ "in our corpus") and [Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan) [corpus](../../../Japan/ "in our corpus").[227](../../227/ "tree and pragmatics") In May 2025, Iraqi [Ministry of Planning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Planning_%28Iraq%29) announced that the unemployment rate in Iraq had dropped from 17% in 2022 to 13% in 2025.[\[126\]](../../page/7/#ref-126 "note 126")[228](../../228/ "tree and pragmatics") A report published on 24 July 2025 and submitted to the [United Nations Security Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council), assessed that ISIS "is at its weakest" in Iraq since its emergence.[\[127\]](../../page/7/#ref-127 "note 127")[229](../../229/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2025, the [UNDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNDP) announced that Iraq had reached a [Human Development Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index) score of 0.712, surpassing the Arab states average.[230](../../230/ "tree and pragmatics") With reform and investment into the country's human capital, Iraq could reach the ranks of countries with 'very high human development' (HDI 0.800 and above) by 2035.[\[128\]](../../page/7/#ref-128 "note 128")[231](../../231/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Geography Main article: [Geography of Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Iraq) Iraq lies between latitudes [29°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/29th_parallel_north) and [38° N](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_parallel_north), and longitudes [39°](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/39th_meridian_east) and [49° E](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49th_meridian_east) (a small area lies west of 39°).[232](../../232/ "tree and pragmatics") Spanning 437072 km2, it is the 58th-largest country in the world.[233](../../233/ "tree and pragmatics") It has a coastline measuring 58 km on the northern [Persian Gulf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf).[\[129\]](../../page/7/#ref-129 "note 129")[234](../../234/ "tree and pragmatics") Further north, but below the main headwaters only, the country easily encompasses the [Mesopotamian Alluvial Plain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris–Euphrates_river_system).[235](../../235/ "tree and pragmatics") Two major rivers, the [Tigris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris) and [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates), run south through Iraq and into the [Shatt al-Arab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shatt_al-Arab), thence the Persian Gulf.[236](../../236/ "tree and pragmatics") Broadly flanking this estuary (known as arvandrūd: اروندرود among Iranians) are marshlands, semi-agricultural.[237](../../237/ "tree and pragmatics") Flanking and between the two major rivers are fertile [alluvial plains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alluvial_plains), as the rivers carry about 60000000 m3 of [silt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silt) annually to the [delta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_delta).[238](../../238/ "tree and pragmatics") The central part of the south, which slightly tapers in favour of other countries, is natural vegetation marsh mixed with rice paddies and is humid, relative to the rest of the plains.[239](../../239/ "tree and pragmatics") Iraq has the northwestern end of the [Zagros mountain range](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagros_Mountains) and the eastern part of the [Syrian Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Desert).[240](../../240/ "tree and pragmatics") Rocky deserts cover about 40 percent of Iraq.[241](../../241/ "tree and pragmatics") Another 30 percent is mountainous with bitterly cold winters.[242](../../242/ "tree and pragmatics") The north of the country is mostly composed of mountains; the highest point being at 3611 m. Iraq is home to seven terrestrial ecoregions: [Zagros Mountains forest steppe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagros_Mountains_forest_steppe), [Middle East steppe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East_steppe), [Mesopotamian Marshes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamian_Marshes), [Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Mediterranean_conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf_forests), [Arabian Desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_Desert), [Mesopotamian shrub desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamian_shrub_desert), and [South Iran Nubo-Sindian desert and semi-desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Iran_Nubo-Sindian_desert_and_semi-desert).[\[130\]](../../page/7/#ref-130 "note 130")[243](../../243/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Climate Main article: [Geography of Iraq § ClimateClimate of Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Iraq#ClimateClimate_of_Iraq) Much of Iraq has a hot [arid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arid) climate with [subtropical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtropical) influence.[244](../../244/ "tree and pragmatics") Summer temperatures average above 40 °C for most of the country and frequently exceed 48 °C. Winter temperatures infrequently exceed 15 °C with maxima roughly 5 to 10 °C and night-time lows 1 to 5 °C. Typically, precipitation is low; most places receive less than 250 mm annually, with maximum rainfall occurring during the winter months.[245](../../245/ "tree and pragmatics") Rainfall during the summer is rare, except in northern parts of the country.[246](../../246/ "tree and pragmatics") The northern mountainous regions have cold winters with occasional heavy snows, sometimes causing extensive flooding.[247](../../247/ "tree and pragmatics") [Iraq is highly vulnerable to climate change](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Iraq).[\[131\]](../../page/7/#ref-131 "note 131")[248](../../248/ "tree and pragmatics") The country is subject to rising temperatures and reduced rainfall, and suffers from increasing [water scarcity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_scarcity) for a human population that rose tenfold between 1890 and 2010 and continues to rise.[\[132\]](../../page/7/#ref-132 "note 132")[\[133\]](../../page/7/#ref-133 "note 133")[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") The country's electrical grid faces systemic pressures due to climate change, fuel shortages, and an increase in demand.[\[115\]](../../page/7/#ref-115 "note 115")[\[116\]](../../page/7/#ref-116 "note 116")[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") Corruption remains endemic throughout all levels of Iraqi governance while the political system has exacerbated sectarian conflict.[\[118\]](../../page/7/#ref-118 "note 118")[\[119\]](../../page/7/#ref-119 "note 119")[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") Climate change is driving wide-scale droughts across the country while water reserves are rapidly depleting.[\[120\]](../../page/7/#ref-120 "note 120")[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") The country has been in a [prolonged drought](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Iraq) since 2020 and experienced its second-driest season in the past four decades in 2021.[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") Water flows in the [Tigris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigris) and [Euphrates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates) are down between 30 and 40%.[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") Half of the country's farmland is at risk of [desertification](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desertification).[\[117\]](../../page/7/#ref-117 "note 117")[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") Nearly 40% of Iraq "has been overtaken by blowing desert sands that claim tens of thousands of acres of arable land every year".[\[121\]](../../page/7/#ref-121 "note 121")[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") However, in 2023, [Mohammed Shia al-Sudani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Shia%27_Al_Sudani) announced that government was working on a wider "Iraqi vision for climate action".[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") The plan would include promoting clean and renewable energy, new irrigation and water treatment projects and reduced industrial gas flaring, he said.[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") Sudani said Iraq was "moving forward to conclude contracts for constructing renewable energy power plants to provide one-third of our electricity demand by 2030".[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") In addition, Iraq will plant 5 million trees across the country and will create green belts around cities to act as windbreaks against dust storms.[\[134\]](../../page/7/#ref-134 "note 134")[\[135\]](../../page/7/#ref-135 "note 135")[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") In the same year, Iraq and [TotalEnergies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TotalEnergies) signed a $27 billion energy deal that aims to increase oil production and boost the country's capacity to produce energy with four oil, gas and renewables projects.[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") According to experts, the project will "accelerate Iraq's path to energy self-sufficiency and advance Iraq's collective climate change objectives".[\[136\]](../../page/7/#ref-136 "note 136")[\[137\]](../../page/7/#ref-137 "note 137")[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Biodiversity Main article: [Wildlife of Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_Iraq) The wildlife of Iraq includes its [flora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora) and [fauna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna) and their natural [habitats](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitats).[\[138\]](../../page/7/#ref-138 "note 138")[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") Iraq has multiple and diverse biomes which include the mountainous region in the north to the wet [marshlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh) along the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, while western part of the country comprises mainly [desert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert) and some semi-arid regions.[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") Many of Iraq's bird species were endangered, including seven of Iraq's [mammal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammal) [species](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species) and 12 of its [bird](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird) species.[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Mesopotamian marches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesopotamian_Marshes) in the middle and south are home to approximately 50 species of birds, and rare species of fish.[\[139\]](../../page/7/#ref-139 "note 139")[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") At risk are some 50% of the world's [marbled teal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbled_teal) population that live in the marshes, along with 60% of the world's population of [Basra reed-warbler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basra_reed-warbler).[\[139\]](../../page/7/#ref-139 "note 139")[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Asiatic lion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asiatic_lion), in the present-day extinct in the region, has remained a prominent symbol of the country throughout history.[\[140\]](../../page/7/#ref-140 "note 140")[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") [Draining of the Mesopotamian Marshes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draining_of_the_Mesopotamian_Marshes), during the time of Saddam's government, caused there a significant drop in biological life.[\[141\]](../../page/7/#ref-141 "note 141")[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") Since the 2003–2011, flow is restored and the ecosystem has begun to recover.[\[141\]](../../page/7/#ref-141 "note 141")[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") Iraqi corals are some of the most extreme heat-tolerant as the seawater in this area ranges between 14 and 34 °C.[\[142\]](../../page/7/#ref-142 "note 142") Aquatic or semi-aquatic wildlife occurs in and around these, the major lakes are [Lake Habbaniyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Habbaniyah), [Lake Milh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Milh), [Lake Qadisiyah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Qadisiyah) and [Lake Tharthar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tharthar).[\[143\]](../../page/7/#ref-143 "note 143")[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Government and politics Main article: [Politics of Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Iraq), [Federal government of Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_government_of_Iraq), [Elections in Iraq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Iraq) The Republic of Iraq is defined under the current [constitution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Iraq) as a [democratic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_in_Iraq), [federal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation) [parliamentary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system) [republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic).[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") The system of government is composed of the [executive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_branch), [legislative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_branch), and [judicial](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_branch) branches, as well as numerous independent commissions.[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") Iraq is administratively divided into subnational [federal regions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_regions_of_Iraq), [governorates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governorates_of_Iraq), districts and subdistricts with jurisdiction over various matters as defined by law.[\[44\]](../../page/7/#ref-44 "note 44")[\[144\]](../../page/7/#ref-144 "note 144")[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") The president is the ceremonial head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces with direct executive authority over general state policy.[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") The constitution provides for two deliberative bodies, the [Council of Representatives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Representatives_of_Iraq) and the Council of Union.[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") The judiciary is free and independent of the executive and the legislature.[\[144\]](../../page/7/#ref-144 "note 144")[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Iraq/) 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