Iraq has quite a controversial recent history with Saddam as a leader however after the invasion of Iraq by the US and the attempt at creating a democratic government had failed, the country has been plunged into troublesome time. Islamic terrorists such as ISIS have caused havoc in the country.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Iraq are required to have a valid passport. There are no nationals which are exempt from visas. All visitors are required to have a visa however citizens of Turkey and some Arab nations enjoy the ability to obtain a visa on arrival. Visitors who wish to drive in Iraq must have both their national driving permit and an international driving permit. Drivers must beware that IDP does not substitute for the original driving permit and both must be with the driver at all times.

Traveling hazards

Vehicular travel in Iraq can be extremely dangerous. There have been attacks on civilian vehicles as well as Iraqi military and security convoys on roads and highways throughout Iraq, both in and outside metropolitan areas. Attacks occur throughout the day, but travel at night is more dangerous and should be avoided. Such attacks have been random and unpredictable, and have involved small arms fire and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) capable of destroying the average vehicle. Travel throughout the country by road involves the significant potential for attacks. While Baghdad has seen the majority of insurgent activity over the past year, significant incidents have also occurred in outlying cities, indicating a high risk to travelers on roadways. Anyone traveling by vehicle through Iraq should consider the risk of IED attacks carefully and plan accordingly. Buses run irregularly and frequently change routes. Poorly maintained city transit vehicles are often involved in accidents. Long distance buses are available, but are often in poor condition and drive at unsafe speeds. Jaywalking is common. Drivers usually do not yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and ignore available traffic lights, traffic rules, and regulations. Roads are congested. Some cars do not use lights at night and urban street lights may not be functioning. Some motorists drive at excessive speeds, tailgate, and force other drivers to yield the right of way.

Environmental hazards

Despite the rampant militias and many other dangers in Iraq, there are some potentially dangerous animals inhabiting the country. Brown bears can be found in Iraq. These animals are generally not aggressive however surprising a bear or approaching it might result in a defensive attack. Beware that these animals are easily capable of killing people. Wolves are present in Iraq however their population is not large and are a rare sight. Their most common interaction with humans happens when wolves prey on livestock. There are several venomous snakes, some of which are capable of delivering deadly bites. Bites are not as dangerous as long as the victim receives antivenom. Survival of bites often depends on the proximity of the nearest hospital or the response of the emergency services. Iraq has a very small patch of land which grants access to the international waters. There have been numerous shark attacks reported in Iraq however none have been reported since the 1970s. Despite that such incidents cannot be ruled out.
Iraq faces a variety of natural hazards and risks due to its varied climate, including drought and desertification, floods, sandstorms, and earthquakes.

Health hazards

There is no risk of yellow fever in Iraq. The government of Iraq requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Apart from the yellow fever vaccination requirement, there are no other required vaccines. There are however several recommended vaccines which will ensure a disease-free journey. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccines. There is a risk of contracting MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) which can cause severe respiratory problems. Many who contracted the disease and developed symptoms have died. There is currently no available vaccine or treatment against MERS. The decades of war and instability have caused Iraqi healthcare to suffer greatly. This has caused a severe drop in Iraq GDP and consequently greatly decreased funding for the healthcare sector. Further on shortages in electricity and drinkable water make the situation more difficult. Specialist left the country en masse due to the ISIS terrorism which has vast swaths of the country under its control and was capable of striking anywhere. Private clinics and hospitals had little room to exist however those that do mostly take care of childbirth or surgeries and do not provide general care.
In case of an emergency dial 911/112. Beware that the emergency services are not available in all parts of the country.

Crime

The in-country fighting between the Government of Iraq (GOI) and ISIS has negatively affected the economy of Iraq, and street and organized crime appear to have increased. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) have recaptured all territory held by ISIS and, in December 2017, the GOI declared ISIS defeated. However, large swaths of northern and western Iraq lay in ruins from the extensive fighting. The lack of secure transportation, disruption in public services and local governance, and a decrease in international oil prices since 2014 have severely impacted Iraq’s economy. Crime stats from Iraq are irregular or underreported. What information is available, however, suggests street and organized crime is a serious and continuing threat. Terrorism in Iraq is critical. Visitors, particularly western visitors are targeted by various terrorist groups. Crime is also directed at visitors, particularly crime related to economic gain as westerners are perceived as lucrative targets. Kidnapping is a common tactic of various terrorist groups operating in Iraq. Kidnapping is one of many ways of funding their organization. Primary targets are Iraqi government officials or westerners in Iraq. Drug laws in Iraq are very strict and possession for personal use may lead to as much as 15 years in prison.

Summary

Iraq is the birthplace of many incredible ancient civilizations and numerous incredible antiquity sites as well as museums and much more. It is truly a shame that hostilities within the country disrupt the potential flow of tourists who could witness the greatness of many landmarks such as the Ziggurat of Ur, the gate of Ishtar, the ruins of Babylon or Nineveh. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/middle-east/iraq/passport-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/iraq