Iraq Flag

The red represents valor and the blood of martyrs, white stands for a bright future, and black honors clashes past. The green inscription invokes Islam and links to the Abbasid and Umayyad caliphates. The absence of the three green stars (removed in 2008) marks a shift from early Pan-Arab aspirations toward a more unified national focus.

Since the 1958 revolution, Iraq’s flag has evolved with political regimes. Beginning with the Arab Liberation tricolor in 1963, three green stars were added—symbolizing unity with Egypt and Syria. The takbīr was added in Saddam’s handwriting style in 1991 during the Gulf War. In 2004–08 the stars were removed, and in 2008 the current design was officially adopted by parliament, signaling a move toward consensus and Islamic symbolism post-Saddam and post-occupation.

Three horizontal bands of equal width—red, white, black—form the base. Centered on the white band, in bold green Kufic text, is 'Allāhu akbar'. The script faces right (since Arabic reads right to left). The standard flag is 2:3 ratio. Tone and font of green script are precisely defined to ensure uniformity.

Iraq mandates respectful flag treatment: it must be clean, intact, and flown from sunrise to sunset. The inscription requires hoisting on proper pole hoist with the script readable. During official mourning, it’s lowered to half-mast. Flags are used in state ceremonies, military contexts, border crossings, and diplomatic missions. Desecration is punishable under law, and worn flags must be replaced or properly disposed.