Iraqi soldiers at Qasr-e Shirin, Iran, June 1981
Courtesy Photri/Lehtikuva

Internal Developments and Security

In maintaining internal security, the Baath regime focused on three main sources of opposition--the Kurds, living primarily near the borders of Iran and Turkey, the ICP and its splinter factions, and Shia revival movements not in sympathy with Baath socialism. In dealing with these groups, the government tended either to provide them with benefits so as to coopt them into the regime, or to take repressive measures against them.

Data as of May 1988

NOTE: The information regarding Iraq on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Iraq Internal Developments and Security information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Iraq Internal Developments and Security should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA.