28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Displacement of Iraqis; changes in entry policies ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23527]

"At least 4.2 million Iraqis were displaced. These included 2.2 million who were displaced within Iraq and some 2 million refugees, mostly in Syria (around 1.4 million) and Jordan (around half a million). In the last months of the year both these neighbouring states, struggling to meet the health, education and other needs of the Iraqi refugees already present, introduced visa requirements that impeded the entry of Iraqis seeking refuge. Within Iraq, most governorates barred entry to Iraqis fleeing sectarian violence elsewhere."

Document(s): Open document

30.05.2005 - Source: Kurdistan Regional Government

Travelling to and in Iraqi-Kurdistan ("original document (English)") [ID 10030]

"THE ROUTE VIA TURKEY

Flight from country of origin to Istanbul then on to Diyarbakir
Diyarbakir is a mainly Kurdish city in Turkey and the nearest large city to the Turkish-Iraqi Kurdistan border. You will need to fly to Istanbul and change for an internal (domestic) flight. Flights from Istanbul to Diyarbakir are about 2 hours long. Also, you will need to retrieve your baggage from the International Terminal and check it back in at the Domestic Terminal.

IMPORTANT: To enter Turkey you will need to obtain a visa at the airport before you can go through Passport Control. The Visa, valid for 3 months, will cost £10 ( Sterling ) Make sure you are taking this amount with you, and get your visa before you join the Passport Control queue.

From Diyarbakir airport , you will need to take a taxi to the border town called Ibrahim Khalil/Habur. Taxis are all operated by Kurds and are readily available outside the terminal. It is recommended that you begin your overland journey in the early morning, staying overnight in Diyarbakir if necessary. To book a hotel in Diyarbakir
http://www.icemtour.com/diyarbakir

The average price for a taxi is $120 (max. 3 people) but you should try to haggle and definitely agree the price at the start of your journey. The journey to the border will take approximately 3 hours.

Although 3 hours long this is a stunning scenic drive with many interesting features and historic sites along the way. Ask your driver to point out the landlocked salt lake and Mount Judi , which is thought to be where Noah's ark came to land.

At the border , the taxi will take to the Turkish Border Control to have your passport stamped then across the border into Iraqi-Kurdistan where you will be issued with a visa for Iraq . At this point you pay the driver and pick up a different taxi to take you to your destination within the region; Dohuk is a 1-hour drive, Erbil about 3 hours and Suleimani between 5 and 6 hours. Daylight travel is recommended, but not necessary. To book a hotel in Diyarbakir click here

THE ROUTE VIA SYRIA

Country of Origin - Damascus - Qamishli (the nearest city to the Syrian -Iraqi Kurdistan border). After arriving, you should take a taxi to the border to request a visa. IMPORTANT: As the permits take a few days, usually not more than three, you will need to stay in a hotel and organise travel to the border. The KDP office can assist you in finding such accommodation and transport. Once you have crossed the border and into Iraqi-Kurdistan again through Ibrahim Khalil/Habur, Kurdish custom officials will issue you a visa and further information on your destination. Tip: When purchasing goods or services in Syria , they will expect you to negotiate the price. It is very common for them to quote much more than the original price.

TRAVEL VIA IRAN
Country of Origin - Teheran - Ormiya
From Teheran, the route you take to the border will depend on your final destination. If you are travelling to the Dohuk/Erbil area, you will need to take a taxi to Shinu near the Haji Omeran crossing. If you are travelling to the Suleimani region, you will need to take a taxi to Khana Sardest"

Document(s): original document (English)

05.05.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Baghdad-Amman flights cancelled ("original document (English)") [ID 10031]

"Baghdad-Amman flights cancelled
(Al-Ittihad) Iraq's civil aviation authority has cancelled flights between Baghdad and Amman until further notice. Officials said this was for security reasons but gave no further information. A source at Royal Jordanian Airlines said Baghdad airport had informed them of the cancellation without telling them the reason. Adnan al-Hadeed, technical manager at Iraq's national carrier, said it might be possible to resume flights on May 4.
(Al-Ittihad is published daily by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.)"

Document(s): original document (English)

07.03.2005 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Iraqi government closed Iraqi-Syrian border for security reasons ("original document (English)") [ID 10032]

"The Iraqi government has practically closed the border for security reasons, alleging that Syrian officials were not stopping insurgents from entering the country, which they say worsened after the killing of the former prime minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri on 14 February. Damascus agreed on Monday to withdraw Syrian troops from the country."

Document(s): original document (English)

19.01.2005 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Iraq: Borders closed, no movement between the provinces inside Iraq ("original document (English)") [ID 10033]

"(Al­Mada) ­ Supreme Electoral Commission spokesman Farid Ayar said the land borders with the neighbouring states will be closed from January 29­31. He added that there will be no movement between the provinces inside Iraq from 6.00pm on January 29 until 6.00pm on January 31. He denied having a curfew in Baghdad or other parts of Iraq. There would be no restrictions on the movement of journalists, supervisors, or ambulances on Election Day, he added."

Document(s): original document (English)

19.11.2004 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

IRAQ TO ESTABLISH 24 POLICE STATIONS ALONG IRANIAN BORDER ("original document") [ID 10034]

"IRAQ TO ESTABLISH 24 POLICE STATIONS ALONG IRANIAN BORDER. The Iraqi border forces announced this week that they will build 24 police stations along the 130-kilometer border with Iran, Al-Sharqiyah television reported on 14 November. An unnamed source at the border police said that the Border Guard Directorate would be reestablished in the Diyala Governorate with modern communications systems. The source said that Iraqi border forces in the Diyala, Wasit, and Maysan governorates arrested 180 foreigners who had illegally entered Iraq via Iran in the past two weeks. The arrested were carrying weapons and unspecified banned materials. (Kathleen Ridolfo)"

Document(s): original document

15.11.2004 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Tourism picks up despite violence ("original document") [ID 10035]

"Even with banditry on the highways, Iraqis want to travel. Tired of the violence and power shortages in their country, those who are working and can afford it are traveling to places they haven't been to in more than 30 years. (...)

They go to northern Iraq, controlled by Kurdish leaders, to Syria, Iran, Jordan or Turkey. Those who have government jobs, estimated to be more than 10,000 in the capital alone, saw huge increases in salary when the interim government took back power from US-led administrators on 28 June."

Document(s): original document

08.11.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Closure of Iraqi-Syrian borders: thousands headed to border with Jordan ("original document") [ID 10036]

"(Al-Sabah al-Jadeed) - Following closure of the Iraqi-Syrian borders by the Americans, thousands of Iraqis headed to the border with Jordan which reportedly was ready to receive additional numbers of Iraqis. Within the past four days, more than 7,000 Iraqis have left for Jordan in the biggest displacement since the start of the war. There are many other Iraqis living in tents in the desert.
(Al-Sabah al-Jadeed is an independent daily paper.)"

Document(s): original document

19.10.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Border police arrest Iranians, Afghans and Pakistani ("original document") [ID 10037]

"(Azzaman) - Border police of Diala province have arrested 241 Iranian, Afghan, and Pakistani elements who last week infiltrated Iraq illegally through Iran. They were carrying light weapons with them, and were sent to specialist authorities for interrogation. Border police chief Waleed Abdul Salam said it was not the first arrest of infiltrators into Iraq. He added that the border will be intensively controlled by having patrol stations equipped with vehicles and means of communications. The Basra border office has declared that no more infiltrators have entered through the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border due to collaboration between the two sides.
(London-based Azzaman is issued daily by Saad al-Bazaz.)"

Document(s): original document

14.10.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

New equipment tightens control at the country's 111 border posts ("original document") [ID 10038]

"(Baghdad) - The leadership of borders forces in Wasit province has started patrolling the whole border line with Iran. They are using 57 new vehicles which carry modern equipment and means of communications to enhance the work at the country's 111 border posts. After the fall of the former regime, the border areas have witnessed considerable insecurity. Dozens of Iranians, Afghans and other nationalities have infiltrated Iraq to execute terrorist operations and drug trafficking. Police patrols at Wasit have succeeded in arresting many smugglers and saboteurs of different nationalities.
(Baghdad is a daily newspaper issued by the Iraqi National Accord.)"

Document(s): original document

27.09.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

BORDERS NOW BEING TIGHTENED UP ("original document") [ID 10039]

"BORDERS NOW BEING TIGHTENED UP

(Baghdad) - The Ministry of Interior has started applying plans to stop the infiltration of Arab and foreigners into Iraq from neighbouring states. Ministry officials have started to build border complexes and connect them with well-paved roads. The project's executive manger Tariq al-Dulaimi said the first phase of the project between Qaim and Rutba cities has been finished. Observers said building border complexes is a good step to close all exits and to prevent the entry of those violating Iraqi security and stability.
Baghdad is a daily newspaper issued by the Iraqi National Accord.)"

Document(s): original document

02.07.2004 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Immediate steps to facilitate passage of Iraqi civilians through Jordanian checkpoints ("original document") [ID 10040]

"JORDANIAN KING ORDERS BORDER GUARDS TO FACILITATE IRAQI TRAVEL. Jordan's King Abdallah II announced on 29 June that immediate and practical steps are to be taken to facilitate the passage of Iraqi civilians through Jordanian checkpoints, the Jordanian news agency Petra reported. Abdallah reportedly issued directives to provide services to those civilians and businessmen crossing the Jordan-Iraq border. To this end, the kingdom has begun to construct a number of temporary structures to house travelers' facilities, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reported on 30 June. Those structures will reportedly eventually be replaced by permanent buildings."

Document(s): original document