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|latd=32 |latm=54 |latNS=N
|latd=32 |latm=54 |latNS=N
|longd=41 |longm=36 |longEW=E
|longd=41 |longm=36 |longEW=E
|population_as_of = 2003
|population_as_of = 1999
|population_total = 1,230,000
|population_total = 1,432,717
|population_footnotes = {{Fact|date=July 2008}}
|population_footnotes = <ref>http://hhcom1.co.cc/english/anbar.html</ref>
|blank_name=Main language(s)
|blank_name=Main language(s)
|blank_info= [[Arabic language|Arabic]]
|blank_info= [[Arabic language|Arabic]]
|density_km2 = 8.7
|density_km2 = 8.7
|area_total_km2 = 137808
|area_total_km2 = 138501
}}
}}
'''Al Anbar''' ({{lang-ar|الأنبار}}; {{unicode|al-’Anbār}} or '''Anbar''') is the largest [[Governorates of Iraq|province in Iraq]] geographically. Encompassing much of the country's western territory, it shares borders with [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], and [[Saudi Arabia]]. Al Anbar is overwhelmingly [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] [[Arab]]. Its capital is [[Ar Ramadi]].
'''Al Anbar''' ({{lang-ar|الأنبار}}; {{unicode|al-’Anbār}} or '''Anbar''') is the largest [[Governorates of Iraq|province in Iraq]] geographically. Encompassing much of the country's western territory, it shares borders with [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], and [[Saudi Arabia]]. Al Anbar is overwhelmingly [[Sunni Islam|Sunni Muslim]] [[Arab]]. Its capital is [[Ar Ramadi]].


The name of the province originally comes from [[Persian]]. ''Anbār'' (انبار) is a [[Persian]] word meaning "arsenal", originally from the [[Middle Persian]] ''Ambarag''. Through the assimilation of Persian words into the [[Arabic language]] during the [[Islamic Conquest of Iran]], the word came to mean "[[Granary|granaries]]" in Arabic. The province was named as such because it was the primary [[entrepôt]] on the western borders of the [[Lakhmids|Lakhmid Kingdom]].
The name of the province is from the Arabic انبار, ''’Anbār'', which means "[[Granary|granaries]]," in [[Arabic]] as this region was the primary [[entrepot]] on the western borders of [[Lakhmids|Lakhmid Kingdom]].


The province was known as '''Dulaim''' until 1962 when it was changed to '''Ramadi'''. In 1976 it was renamed '''Al Anbar'''.
Before 1976 the province was known as '''Ramadi'''; before 1962, it was known as '''Dulaim'''.


All the inhabitants of the province are [[Sunni]] Muslims and mostly from the [[Dulaim tribe]].<ref name="Al-Anbar">[http://hhcom1.co.cc/english/anbar.html Al-Anbar]</ref>
Al Anbar was set to be the first Sunni-majority governorate of Iraq to have security duties transferred to [[Provincial Iraqi Control]]; however, the transfer ceremony was delayed due to a sandstorm.<ref>{{cite news
<ref name="MNFI">[http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1482 Multi-National Force Iraq - Al-Anbar]</ref>
==Iraq War events in Al Anbar==
The city of [[Fallujah]] is also in Anbar. The Iraqi resistance was widely considered to be stronger in this province than in any other in Iraq, and was the most hostile against American forces.<ref name="MNFI" />

In late 2003 to 2007, a series of operations by US forces, was not successful in driving resistance from Anbar. Additionally, in early 2006, several clans — some including resistance groups raids against Americans forces in the area, the increase of sectarian violence in [[Baghdad]](that pushed many of the Sunni Dulaimi clans back into alliances with militants) and the continued resistance control of several cities in Anbar showed that fighting in the region was far from over. Reports in March 2006 suggested that the Anbar capital Ramadi had largely fallen under resistance control along with most of the region, as a result the [[United States|US]] sent an additional 3,500 Marines to re-establish control of the region.<ref>{{cite news
| last =Knickmeyer
| first =Ellen
| coauthors =
| title =U.S. Will Reinforce Troops in West Iraq
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher =[[Washington Post]]
| date =2006-05-30
| url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/29/AR2006052901172_pf.html
| accessdate = 2007-06-18}}</ref>

The Iraq war website casualties has reported that 1,142 Iraqi soldier and 2,220 US Soldier and 7,542 [[Mercenary]] were killed in action in Anbar province between the start of 2004 and the end of February 2006. Many of these died in and around Fallujah and Ramadi.

Anbar, with [[Ramadi]] and [[Haditha]] and [[Hīt]] and [[Al Qa'im]] and [[Fallujah]] and [[Haqlaniyah]] and [[Al Khaldiya|Khaldiya]] in particular, is known for its inhabitants' strong tribal
and religious traditions. Allegedly, former President [[Saddam Hussein]] was constantly
wary of the volatile nature of the area. All the inhabitants of the province are [[Sunni]] Muslims from the [[Dulaim]] tribe.

The Washington Post reported on [[September 11]], [[2006]] that, according to a recent [[U. S. Marine Corps]] secret report, "The prospects for securing that country's western Anbar province are dim and there is almost nothing the U.S. military can do there. Reporting that there are no functioning Iraqi government institutions in Anbar, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by the Resistance groups, which has become the province's most significant political force. Another person familiar with the report said it describes Anbar as beyond repair; a third said it concludes that the United States has been defeated in Anbar."<ref>{{cite news
| last =Ricks
| first =Thomas E
| title =Situation Called Dire in West Iraq
| publisher =[[Washington Post]]
| date =2006-09-11
| url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091001204.html?nav=rss_email/components
| accessdate =2007-06-18}}</ref>
[[image:Anbar ceremony 2008-09-01.JPG|thumb|right|Maj. Gen. John Kelly and Gov. Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani sign provincial Iraqi control documents on Sep. 1, 2008.]]
After five years of fighting the American Army, the United States negotiated with Anbar tribal leaders and agreed on establishing Iraqi police in Anbar.

The Anbar police took over on the province through 30 days.

In June 2008, it was announced that Anbar would be the tenth province to transfer to Provincial Iraqi Control. Al Anbar was set to be the first Sunni-majority governorate of Iraq to have security duties transferred to Iraqi police; however, the transfer ceremony was delayed due to a sandstorm.
<ref>{{cite news
|first=Tim
|first=Tim
|last=Cocks
|last=Cocks
Line 40: Line 78:
|publisher = AP via Yahoo News
|publisher = AP via Yahoo News
|date = 2008-08-01
|date = 2008-08-01
|accessdate = 2008-08-02}}</ref> After these delays, though, the transfer has now taken place, making Anbar the 11th governorate to be handed over to Provincial Iraqi control.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7591111.stm]
|accessdate = 2008-08-02}}</ref> After these delays, though, the transfer has now taken place, making Anbar the 11th governorate to be handed over to the Anbar Police.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7591111.stm]


==Geography of Al Anbar==
==Geography of Al Anbar==
[[Geographically]], Anbar province consider part of the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. Characterized by desert climate, and low rainfall and high variation heat between day and night. Where summer temperatures rise to 42 degrees Celsius, in the winter down amounted to 9 degrees Celsius. the northwesterly winds and south-west sometimes amounting to a maximum speed of 21 m / sec. Average rainfall in winter to 115 mm.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}


[[Geographically]], Anbar province consider part of the [[Arabian Peninsula]]. Characterized by desert climate, and low rainfall and high variation heat between day and night. Where summer temperatures rise to 42 degrees Celsius, in the winter down amounted to 9 degrees Celsius. the northwesterly winds and south-west sometimes amounting to a maximum speed of 21 m / sec. Average rainfall in winter to 115 mm.
The most important agricultural crops in Al-Anbar are wheat, potatoes, autumn, barley, maize and vegetables and fodder. The is also a large number of orchards and has 2.5 million palm trees. Agriculture depends on perfusion or through the rivers and the wells and the rains.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}


the most important agricultural crops in Al-Anbar are wheat, potatoes, autumn, barley, maize and vegetables and fodder. and containing large number of orchards and has 2.5 million palm trees. Agriculture depends on perfusion or through the rivers and the wells and the rains.
[[Image:Al Anbar-English.svg|thumb|right|301px|'''Al Anbar''']]The [[Euphrates River]] flows diagonally from the north to the southeast, passing through six of the eight districts:
[[Image:Al Anbar-English.svg|thumb|right|301px|'''Al Anbar''']]

The [[Euphrates River]] flows diagonally from the north to the southeast, passing through six of the eight districts:


*[[Al-Qa'im (district)|Al-Qa'im district]]
*[[Al-Qa'im (district)|Al-Qa'im district]]

*[[Anah (district)|Anah district]]
*[[Anah (district)|Anah district]]

*[[Haditha (district)|Haditha district]]
*[[Haditha (district)|Haditha district]]

*[[Hīt (district)|Hīt district]]
*[[Hīt (district)|Hīt district]]

*[[Ramadi (district)|Ramadi district]]
*[[Ramadi (district)|Ramadi district]]

*[[Fallujah (district)|Fallujah district]]
*[[Fallujah (district)|Fallujah district]]


*[[Ar Rutba (district)|Ar Rutba district]] forms the majority of the Governorate's area, occupying the large desert area in the southwest.
*[[Ar Rutba (district)|Ar Rutba district]] forms the majority of the Governorate's area, occupying the large desert area in the southwest.



== Cities and The Population ==
== Cities and The Population ==
In the 1920s, Baghdad province had 250,000 people and Dulaim province (Anbar) had also 250,000 from a total population in Iraq of 2 million, today Baghdad province has 7 million people.<ref>Marvellous Mesopotamia, The world's wonderland, by Toseph T.Parfit M.A, Page 15</ref>
{{cleanup-rewrite|2=section}}
===Historical population===
In the 1920s, the province had 250,000 people from a total population in Iraq of 2 million. It is believed that the total population of Anbar was between 2 to 6 million people in the 1960s but there are no precise statistics because Anbar was dangerous area at that time and the majority of the residents lived on the banks of the [[Euphrates River]] outside the cities and the towns, However there were between 1.9 million and 2.9 million inhabitants in the other districts of Al Anbar.<ref>{{cite book |last= Parfit
|first= Joseph T.
|title=Marvellous Mesopotamia, The world's wonderland
|year=1920
|url=http://www.archive.org/details/marvellousmesopo00parfrich
|publisher= S. W. Partridge & co., ltd
|location= London
|isbn=
|pages=15}}</ref>


Al-Anbar province inhabited by 1,432,717 people according to government statistics in 1999.<ref name=Al-Anbar />
According to statistics of the Ministry of Commerce in 1999, there were about 1.5 million inhabitants in seven major cities in Al Anbar province.
According to The United Nations World Food Programme in 2004 Al-Anbar has 1,328,775 people.<ref name=iraqitic> [http://hhcom1.co.cc/english/anbar.html]</ref> According to the Iraqi government in 2005 number of the population in Al-Anbar is 1,460,130.
Number of the population is unknown, and there are no precise statistics Include all of the cities and towns and villages and the people of Anbar.


According to the former regime{{Fact|date=July 2008}}, the cities of [[Fallujah]] (650,000) and [[Ramadi]] (700,000) had a population of over 1.3 million people.
According to the former regime in 2003 just the city of [[Fallujah]] (650,000) and [[Ramadi]] (700,000) exceed 1.3 million people.<ref>According to the former regime,<br>
[[Fallujah (district)|Fallujah district]] 926,000<br>
[[Ramadi (district)|Ramadi district]] 780,000 <br>
[[Abu-Ghraib (district)|Abu Ghraib district]] 750,000<br>
[[Hīt (district)|Hīt district]] 500,000 <br>
[[Al-Qa'im (district)|Al-Qa'im district]] 270,000 <br>
[[Haditha (district)|Haditha district]] 150,000 <br>
[[Ar Rutba (district)|Ar Rutba district]] 120,000 <br>
[[Anah (district)|Anah district]] 53,000.</ref>


According to the election for the iraqi government, The largely Sunni province is one of the most violent Against the occupation in Iraq and turnout was very low. Of the total population of some 2 million only 3775 voted.
According to [[UN]] statistics in 2003 the population of Al Anbar is 1,230,169.<ref name=un>[http://www.iraqcoalition.org/regions/south-central/provinces/english/anbar.html UN Data 2003]</ref> But the governor of Al Anbar [[Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani]] says "The UN statistics are incorrect and there no statistics included all the cities and towns in Al Anbar".{{Fact|date=July 2008}}


=== The most important cities ===
During the [[Al-Anbar governorate council election, 2005|election for the provincial councils in 2005]], turnout in the largely Sunni province was very low. Of the total population of some 2 million only 3775 voted.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
*[[Ramadi]] (483 thousand) <ref name=iraqitic /> — capital of Anbar

*[[Fallujah]] (473 thousand) <ref name=iraqitic />
===Current population===
*[[Al-Qaim]] (170 thousand) <ref name=iraqitic />
There are no precise estimates of the population which include all of the cities and towns and villages in Anbar. According to a 2003 estimate by the NGO Coordination Committee in Iraq, the population was 1,230,140.<ref>[http://www.ncciraq.org/IMG/xls/NCCIIRQ039_-_Iraq_Population_Jan_03-2.xls NCCI 2003 population estimates by district]</ref>
*[[Hīt, Iraq|Hīt]] (115 thousand) <ref name=iraqitic />

*[[Haditha]] (100 thousand)
Most of the inhabitants are [[Sunni]] Muslims from the [[Dulaim tribe]].
*[[Anah]] (52 thousand)
<ref name="MNFI">[http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1482 Multi-National Force Iraq - Al-Anbar]</ref>
*[[Rawah]] (35 thousand)

=== List of cities and towns in Al-Anbar ===
*[[Ramadi]] — capital of Anbar
*[[Fallujah]]
*[[Al-Qa'im (town)|Al-Qaim]]
*[[Hīt, Iraq|Hīt]]
*[[Haditha]]
*[[Anah]]
*[[Rawah]]
*[[Kabisa]]
*[[Kabisa]]
*[[Anbar (town)|Anbar]]
*[[Anbar]]
*[[Khan Al-Baghdadi|Al Baghdadi]]
*[[Khan Al-Baghdadi|Al Baghdadi]] (35 thousand)
*[[Nukhayb|Al-Nukhaib]]
*[[Nukhayb|Al-Nukhaib]]
*[[Akashat]]
*[[Akashat]]
*[[Tarbil]]
*[[Tarbil]]
*[[Husaibah Al Sharqiah]]
*[[Husaibah Al Sharqiah]]
*[[Amiriyah Fallujah]]
*[[Amiriyah Fallujah]] (110 thousand)
*[[Saqulauiah]]
*[[Saqulauiah]] (50 thousand)
*[[Al Nasr Wal Salam|Al Nasr Wal Salam]] (150 thousand)
*[[Abu Ghraib|Abu Ghurayb]] (189 thousand)
*[[Al Sharqiah]]
*[[Al Sharqiah]]
*[[Al Waleed (Iraq)|Al Waleed]]
*[[Al Waleed (Iraq)|Al Waleed]]
Line 109: Line 150:
*[[Al Enaimih]]
*[[Al Enaimih]]
*[[Al Rummaneh]]
*[[Al Rummaneh]]
*[[Al Asarjirah]]
*[[Al Sajariyah]]
*[[Al Hamariyah]]
*[[Al Sujr]]
*[[Al Sujr]]
*[[Al Jabhah]]
*[[Al Jabhah]]
*[[Al Rihaniah]]
*[[Al Rihaniah]]
*[[Al furaat]]
*[[Al Furaat]]
*[[Al Mhamady]]
*[[Al Mhamady]]
*[[Al zawiah]]
*[[Al Zawiah]] (6 thousand)
*[[Al Karablah]]
*[[Al Karablah]] (100 thousand)
*[[Al Ubaidi]]
*[[Al Ubaidi]] (32 thousand)
*[[Baroana]]
*[[Baroana]] (20 thousand)
*[[Al Khaldiya]]
*[[Al Khaldiya]] (40 thousand)
*[[Al Habanyah]]
*[[Al Habanyah]] (80 thousand)
*[[Al Karmah]]
*[[Al Karmah]] (116 thousand)
*[[Al Haqlaniyah]]
*[[Al Haqlaniyah]] (30 thousand)
*[[Al Rahaliyah]]
*[[Al Rahaliyah]]
*[[Ar Rutba]]
*[[Ar Rutba]] (125 thousand)

==Provincial Government==
*Governor: [[Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani]]
*Deputy Governor: [[Aref Mukhbar Saiad al-Alwani]] <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Muftis-muddled-call-sets-the-hares-running/2005/05/12/1115843314492.html
|title=Mufti's muddled call sets the hares running
|accessdate=2008-07-08
|last=McGeough
|first=Paul
|date=2005-05-13|publisher=}}</ref>
*Deputy Governor: [[Othman T. Hamady]] <ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.idb.org/docs/Trade%20and%20Investment%20in%20Iraq%20A%20Choppin.pdf
|title=Trade and Investment In Iraq |accessdate=2008-07-08
|last=Choppin |first=Adam |date=2006|publisher=Institute for Defense and Business}} </ref>
*Provincial Council Chairman (PCC): [[Abdulsalam Abdullah]]

==History==
{{Expand|section|date=July 2008}}
Anbar is known for its inhabitants' strong tribal and religious traditions. Allegedly, former President [[Saddam Hussein]] was constantly wary of the volatile nature of the area.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

===Post-invasion===

[[image:Anbar ceremony 2008-09-01.JPG|thumb|right|Maj. Gen. John Kelly and Gov. Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani sign provincial Iraqi control documents on Sep. 1, 2008.]]

The Iraqi resistance was widely considered to be stronger in this province than in any other in Iraq, and was the most hostile against American forces. The independent website [[iCasualties.org]] has reported that 1,298 U.S. soldiers have been killed in action in Anbar since the invasion. Many of these died in and around Fallujah and Ramadi.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://icasualties.org/oif/ProvinceMap.aspx
|title=Iraq Coalition Casualty Count - Death by provinces map
|accessdate=2008-07-07
|publisher=icasualties.org
|date=2008-07-07}}</ref>

In late 2005, a series of operations by U.S. forces was relatively successful in driving resistance from Anbar.<ref name="MNFI" /> Additionally, in early 2006, several clans — some including former insurgent groups, began efforts to drive out Al Qaeda militants. However, subsequent insurgent raids against Americans forces in the area, the increase of sectarian violence in [[Baghdad]] (that pushed many of the Sunni tribes back into alliances with militants) and the continued insurgent control of several cities in Anbar showed that fighting in the region was far from over. <ref name="MNFI" />

Reports in March 2006 suggested that the Anbar capital Ramadi had largely fallen under resistance control along with most of the region, as a result the [[United States|US]] committed its reserve force, 3,500 soldiers from the 2nd brigade, [[1st Armored Division (United States)|1st Armored Division]], to re-establish control of the region.<ref>{{cite news
| last =Knickmeyer
| first =Ellen
| coauthors =
| title =U.S. Will Reinforce Troops in West Iraq
| work =
| pages =
| language =
| publisher =[[Washington Post]]
| date =2006-05-30
| url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/29/AR2006052901172_pf.html
| accessdate = 2007-06-18}}</ref>. This resulted in the [[Battle of Ramadi (2006)]], led by the 1st brigade of the 1st Armored Division.

The Washington Post reported on [[September 11]], [[2006]] that, according to a classified [[U.S. Marine Corps]] report, "The prospects for securing that country's western Anbar province are dim and there is almost nothing the U.S. military can do there. Reporting that there are no functioning Iraqi government institutions in Anbar, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by the insurgent group Al Qaeda in Iraq, which had become the province's most significant political force. Another person familiar with the report said it describes Anbar as beyond repair; a third said it concludes that the United States has been defeated in Anbar."<ref>{{cite news
| last =Ricks
| first =Thomas E
| title =Situation Called Dire in West Iraq
| publisher =[[Washington Post]]
| date =2006-09-11
| url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/10/AR2006091001204.html?nav=rss_email/components
| accessdate =2007-06-18}}</ref>

In November 2006, another part of the same U.S. military report was filed, confirming the earlier warning that Anbar was falling under insurgent control. The report stated that "the social and political situation has deteriorated to a point that U.S. and Iraqi troops are no longer capable of militarily defeating the insurgency in al-Anbar," and that "nearly all government institutions from the village to provincial levels have disintegrated or have been thoroughly corrupted and infiltrated by Al Qaeda in Iraq, or a smattering of other resistance groups." leaving the insurgency and Al Qaeda in Iraq as the "dominant organization of influence in al-Anbar," <ref>{{cite news
|coauthors=Dafna Linzer and Thomas E. Ricks
|title=Anbar Picture Grows Clearer, and Bleaker
|publisher=Washington Post
|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/27/AR2006112701287.html
|date=2006-11-28
|accessdate=2008-07-07
}}</ref>

In late 2006 the United States changed strategies in Anbar. It negotiated with tribal leaders including [[Ahmed Abu Risha|Sheikh Abu Risha]] and agreed on establishing Iraqi police in Anbar. U.S. forces would also withdraw from cities of Anbar and would release Sunni detainees.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}

A New York Times article in April 2007 described Anbar as "undergoing a surprising transformation. Violence is ebbing in many areas, shops and schools are reopening, police forces are growing." It continued, "Yet for all the indications of a heartening turnaround in Anbar, the situation, as it appeared during more than a week spent with American troops in Ramadi and Falluja in early April, is at best uneasy and fragile,", citing a lack of municipal services, weak local government, and failure to stop all the insurgent attacks. Still, "There are some people who would say we've won the war out here. I'm cautiously optimistic as we're going forward." <ref>{{cite news
|first=Kirk
|last= Semple
|title= Anbar province revitalized as it tames insurgents
|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003685559_iraqramadi29.html
|publisher=Seattle Times
|date= 2007-04-29
|accessdate=2008-07-07
}}</ref> This "turnaround" with alliance of local tribesmen would later become known as the "[[Anbar Awakening]]."

A changed U.S. strategy in early 2007 brought about astonishing changes so that by summer of 2008 Al Anbar was almost completely pacified. Civilian governments had been established in all important cities and the insurgency had degenerated to the status of criminal gangs. While Al Qaeda in Iraq could continue to mount terrorist attacks against civilian targets, they and the insurgency in general were broken as a significant fighting force.{{Fact|date=August 2008}}

In June 2008, it was announced that Anbar would be the tenth province to transfer to [[Provincial Iraqi Control]], the first Sunni Arab region to be handed back. This handover was delayed due to bad weather, as well as an Al Qaeda in Iraq attack on a meeting between Sunni Sheikhs and U.S. Marines in Karmah which killed at least 23, including three Marines on June 26.<ref>{{cite news
|first=Tim
|last=Cocks
|title=U.S. handover of Iraqi province delayed
|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1549095220080627
|publisher=Reuters
|date=2008-06-27
|accessdate=2008-07-07
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
|first = Sameer
|last = Yacoub
|title= Insurgents linked to US Marine deaths caught
|url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iraq;_ylt=ArvSjyR.MPRKKX8p4hX.hAdX6GMA
|publisher = AP via Yahoo News
|date = 2008-08-01
|accessdate = 2008-08-02}}</ref>
The handover did occur on September 1, 2008.<ref>{{cite http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/01/content_9750436.htm}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Provincial Government (Anbar)|Provincial Government]]
*[[First Battle of Fallujah]]
*[[Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani]] (The governor of Al Anbar)
*[[Operation Phantom Fury]]
*[[Battle of Haditha]]
*[[Euphrates River]]
*[[Al-Anbar governorate council election, 2005]]
*[[Euphrates River]]
*[[Syrian Desert]]


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=842_1201346980 The Battle of Fallujah]
*[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=23d_1214481689 Ansar Al-Suunah in the city of ramadi]
*[http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=afe_1202211273 Arrest 3 soldiers from the death squads (national guard)]
*[http://abcnews.go.com/images/US/how_to_win_in_anbar_v4.pdf US Army Captain Travis Patriquin presentation, "How to win in Al-Anbar"] ''<small>(Captain Patriquin USA, and Major Megan McClung USMC were both Killed by an IED, while escorting press in Anbar (one of whom was [[Oliver North]])''<ref>[http://www.iraqwarheroes.com/patriquin.htm Travis L Patriquin - Iraq War Heroes]</ref><ref>[http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2006/12/a_second_bad_da.html A Second Bad Day - The World Newser]</ref></small>
*[http://abcnews.go.com/images/US/how_to_win_in_anbar_v4.pdf US Army Captain Travis Patriquin presentation, "How to win in Al-Anbar"] ''<small>(Captain Patriquin USA, and Major Megan McClung USMC were both Killed by an IED, while escorting press in Anbar (one of whom was [[Oliver North]])''<ref>[http://www.iraqwarheroes.com/patriquin.htm Travis L Patriquin - Iraq War Heroes]</ref><ref>[http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2006/12/a_second_bad_da.html A Second Bad Day - The World Newser]</ref></small>


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[[ar:محافظة الأنبار]]
[[ar:محافظة الأنبار]]
[[bn:আল আনবার প্রদেশ]]
[[bg:Ал Анбар]]
[[bg:Ал Анбар]]
[[cy:Al Anbar]]
[[cy:Al Anbar]]

Revision as of 11:11, 12 September 2008

Al Anbar Governorate
Template:Lang-ar
Governorate
Location of Al Anbar Governorate
CountryIraq
CapitalRamadi
Area
 • Total138,501 km2 (53,476 sq mi)
Population
 (1999)[1]
 • Total1,432,717
Main language(s)Arabic

Al Anbar (Template:Lang-ar; al-’Anbār or Anbar) is the largest province in Iraq geographically. Encompassing much of the country's western territory, it shares borders with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Al Anbar is overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim Arab. Its capital is Ar Ramadi.

The name of the province is from the Arabic انبار, ’Anbār, which means "granaries," in Arabic as this region was the primary entrepot on the western borders of Lakhmid Kingdom.

Before 1976 the province was known as Ramadi; before 1962, it was known as Dulaim.

All the inhabitants of the province are Sunni Muslims and mostly from the Dulaim tribe.[2] [3]

Iraq War events in Al Anbar

The city of Fallujah is also in Anbar. The Iraqi resistance was widely considered to be stronger in this province than in any other in Iraq, and was the most hostile against American forces.[3]

In late 2003 to 2007, a series of operations by US forces, was not successful in driving resistance from Anbar. Additionally, in early 2006, several clans — some including resistance groups raids against Americans forces in the area, the increase of sectarian violence in Baghdad(that pushed many of the Sunni Dulaimi clans back into alliances with militants) and the continued resistance control of several cities in Anbar showed that fighting in the region was far from over. Reports in March 2006 suggested that the Anbar capital Ramadi had largely fallen under resistance control along with most of the region, as a result the US sent an additional 3,500 Marines to re-establish control of the region.[4]

The Iraq war website casualties has reported that 1,142 Iraqi soldier and 2,220 US Soldier and 7,542 Mercenary were killed in action in Anbar province between the start of 2004 and the end of February 2006. Many of these died in and around Fallujah and Ramadi.

Anbar, with Ramadi and Haditha and Hīt and Al Qa'im and Fallujah and Haqlaniyah and Khaldiya in particular, is known for its inhabitants' strong tribal and religious traditions. Allegedly, former President Saddam Hussein was constantly wary of the volatile nature of the area. All the inhabitants of the province are Sunni Muslims from the Dulaim tribe.

The Washington Post reported on September 11, 2006 that, according to a recent U. S. Marine Corps secret report, "The prospects for securing that country's western Anbar province are dim and there is almost nothing the U.S. military can do there. Reporting that there are no functioning Iraqi government institutions in Anbar, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by the Resistance groups, which has become the province's most significant political force. Another person familiar with the report said it describes Anbar as beyond repair; a third said it concludes that the United States has been defeated in Anbar."[5]

Maj. Gen. John Kelly and Gov. Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Alwani sign provincial Iraqi control documents on Sep. 1, 2008.

After five years of fighting the American Army, the United States negotiated with Anbar tribal leaders and agreed on establishing Iraqi police in Anbar.

The Anbar police took over on the province through 30 days.

In June 2008, it was announced that Anbar would be the tenth province to transfer to Provincial Iraqi Control. Al Anbar was set to be the first Sunni-majority governorate of Iraq to have security duties transferred to Iraqi police; however, the transfer ceremony was delayed due to a sandstorm. [6][7] After these delays, though, the transfer has now taken place, making Anbar the 11th governorate to be handed over to the Anbar Police.[2]

Geography of Al Anbar

Geographically, Anbar province consider part of the Arabian Peninsula. Characterized by desert climate, and low rainfall and high variation heat between day and night. Where summer temperatures rise to 42 degrees Celsius, in the winter down amounted to 9 degrees Celsius. the northwesterly winds and south-west sometimes amounting to a maximum speed of 21 m / sec. Average rainfall in winter to 115 mm.

the most important agricultural crops in Al-Anbar are wheat, potatoes, autumn, barley, maize and vegetables and fodder. and containing large number of orchards and has 2.5 million palm trees. Agriculture depends on perfusion or through the rivers and the wells and the rains.

Al Anbar

The Euphrates River flows diagonally from the north to the southeast, passing through six of the eight districts:

  • Ar Rutba district forms the majority of the Governorate's area, occupying the large desert area in the southwest.


Cities and The Population

In the 1920s, Baghdad province had 250,000 people and Dulaim province (Anbar) had also 250,000 from a total population in Iraq of 2 million, today Baghdad province has 7 million people.[8]

Al-Anbar province inhabited by 1,432,717 people according to government statistics in 1999.[2] According to The United Nations World Food Programme in 2004 Al-Anbar has 1,328,775 people.[9] According to the Iraqi government in 2005 number of the population in Al-Anbar is 1,460,130.

Number of the population is unknown, and there are no precise statistics Include all of the cities and towns and villages and the people of Anbar.

According to the former regime in 2003 just the city of Fallujah (650,000) and Ramadi (700,000) exceed 1.3 million people.[10]

According to the election for the iraqi government, The largely Sunni province is one of the most violent Against the occupation in Iraq and turnout was very low. Of the total population of some 2 million only 3775 voted.

The most important cities

See also

References

  1. ^ http://hhcom1.co.cc/english/anbar.html
  2. ^ a b Al-Anbar
  3. ^ a b Multi-National Force Iraq - Al-Anbar
  4. ^ Knickmeyer, Ellen (2006-05-30). "U.S. Will Reinforce Troops in West Iraq". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-06-18. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Ricks, Thomas E (2006-09-11). "Situation Called Dire in West Iraq". Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  6. ^ Cocks, Tim (2008-06-27). "U.S. handover of Iraqi province delayed". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  7. ^ Yacoub, Sameer (2008-08-01). "Insurgents linked to US Marine deaths caught". AP via Yahoo News. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  8. ^ Marvellous Mesopotamia, The world's wonderland, by Toseph T.Parfit M.A, Page 15
  9. ^ a b c d e [1]
  10. ^ According to the former regime,
    Fallujah district 926,000
    Ramadi district 780,000
    Abu Ghraib district 750,000
    Hīt district 500,000
    Al-Qa'im district 270,000
    Haditha district 150,000
    Ar Rutba district 120,000
    Anah district 53,000.
  11. ^ Travis L Patriquin - Iraq War Heroes
  12. ^ A Second Bad Day - The World Newser
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