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Al-Karkh

settlement, Baghdad, Iraq

Quick Summary

Al-Karkh is a district located on the west bank of the Tigris River in Baghdad, Iraq. It is an older quarter of the city and was historically significant as a center for political offices and regime security services, particularly during the Ba'athist era. The city of Baghdad itself was founded in 762 CE by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur as his capital, Madinat al-Salam, also known as the "Round City". Al-Karkh district developed outside the original city walls as merchants established bazaars and houses around the southern gate. Today, Al-Karkh is one of several residential areas on the west bank, with some upper middle-class districts featuring villas and gardens.12

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