Arbat(عەربەت)/(Erbet) is a town in Sulaymaniyah District,

Sulaymaniyah Governorate Sulaymaniyah Governorate (; ; ) or Sulaymaniyah Province is a Governorates of Iraq, governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Its largest city is Sulaymaniyah. Halabja Governorate was formerly the Halabja District, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Hal ...

Kurdistan Region Kurdistan Region (KRI) is a semi-autonomous Federal regions of Iraq, federal region of the Iraq, Republic of Iraq. It comprises four Kurds, Kurdish-majority governorates of Arabs, Arab-majority Iraq: Erbil Governorate, Sulaymaniyah Governorate ...

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

., It's Sub-district is called "Arbat" which is also known as Tanjero Sub-district or the "City of Three Gates" (شاری سێ دەروازە), Arbat was established as a sub-district in 1925 during the reign of King

Faisal I of Iraq Faisal I bin Hussein bin Ali Al-Hashemi (, ''Fayṣal al-Awwal bin Ḥusayn bin ʻAlī al-Hāshimī''; 20 May 1885 – 8 September 1933) was King of Iraq from 23 August 1921 until his death in 1933. A member of the Hashemites, Hashemite family, ...

by the administrators and authorities of that era. This town served as the administrative center of Tanjero Sub-district until August, 23,2025 when the name of Tanjero Sub-District was officialy changed to (Arbat Sub-District)

Geography

Tanjero Sub-district encompasses 71 villages and shares borders with several neighboring sub-districts: to the north with Siruchik Sub-district and Sitak Sub-district, to the south with Zarayen Sub-district and Central Qaradagh District, to the east with Saeed Sadiq Sub-district, and to the west with Bakrajo Sub-district. Arbat is situated in a mountainous region surrounded by the

Zagros Mountains The Zagros Mountains are a mountain range in Iran, northern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey. The mountain range has a total length of . The Zagros range begins in northwestern Iran and roughly follows Iran's western border while covering much of s ...

range. The climate of the area is generally

Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea ( ) is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the east by the Levant in West Asia, on the north by Anatolia in West Asia and Southern ...

, with hot summers (30-45°C) and cold, rainy winters (0-10°C). The annual rainfall ranges between 500-700 millimeters. Due to its geographical location, the soil in the area is fertile and suitable for agriculture.

Villages

Arbat consists of 71 villages: * Arbat "Sub-district" (center) * Bakhcha, Tanjero * Bader * Barika, Arbat * Bardakar, Tanjero * Bestan Suri Bchuk * Bestan Suri Gawra * Pushen * Chaqlawa * Chanakhchiyan * Chuartaq * Haris Awa * Hamai Baram * Khak u Khol, Tanjero * Khraba * Kharajian * Darbarula, Tanjero * Darash * Darbandfoqara * Damarkan * Dai Ali * Dai Baram * Dai Ramazan * Raziana, Tanjero * Zargwez * Zargwezala * Zerinjoy Kharwu * Zerinjoy Sarwu * Zhalai Kharwu * Zhalai Sarwu * Sadubist, Tanjero * Samawat * Sulakan * Shama * Sheikh Awla * Sheikh Omar * Sheikh Waisawa * Arifawa * Farajawa * Kazhaw * Qarga * Qisrti Kharwu * Qisrti Sarwu * Qaratoghan * Qarali * Karez, Tanjero * Kazhawi Hamasalah * Kani Shaswar * Kani Hanjir, Tanjero * Kani Wais * Kamalani Kharwu * Kamalani Sarwu * Kozaraqa * Kolabi * Komalagai Barika * Komalagai Tanjero * Gameshawan * Gadan * Galbakh * Gurgachia, Tanjero * Gomaw, Tanjero * Nawgrdan, Tanjero * Namal * Niskajo * Hanjira, Arbat * Hwana * Welaka Kharwu * Welaka Sarwu * Weladar * Yasin Tapa * Yakhimali * Yakmala

Climate (1992-2024)

Temperature and Precipitation Data (1992–2024) Arbat Town, like other industrial towns in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG), has experienced significant climatic shifts over the past three decades.Kurdistan Regional Government, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2023. The graph shows stable temperature patterns but a marked decline in precipitation from 1992 to 2024.Sulaymaniyah Meteorological Directorate, Annual Climate Reports, 1992–2024. Despite nearly steady temperature trends, rainfall dropped sharply, indicating changes in the local hydrological cycle. Such precipitation decline could impact agriculture, water availability, and local biodiversity.UNEP Iraq Environmental Assessment, 2022.

Climate Trends in Arbat Town (1992–2024)

The average annual temperature rose from 18.2°C in 1992 to 23.0°C in 2024 (+4.8°C). Average high temperatures increased from 24.6°C to 29.6°C (+5.0°C). Average low temperatures rose from 11.8°C to 16.4°C (+4.6°C).World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Iraq Climate Data Set, 2024. Precipitation dropped from 573mm in 1992 to 359mm in 2024—a 37.3% decrease. Early data (1992–2000) is sourced from regional Sulaymaniyah weather stations due to limited local records.Sulaymaniyah Governorate Climate Archives, 1992–2000.

History

Arbat was established as a sub-district in 1925 during the reign of King

Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...

period and was known for the Tanjero River. However, in the early twentieth century, due to migration of people from surrounding villages to this area, the population increased, which led to economic growth in the region. During the 1970s, due to

Arabization Arabization or Arabicization () is a sociology, sociological process of cultural change in which a non-Arab society becomes Arabs, Arab, meaning it either directly adopts or becomes strongly influenced by the Arabic, Arabic language, Arab cultu ...

policies and village relocations, many residents of surrounding villages were forced to move to Arbat and settle there. After the

1991 uprising The 1991 Iraqi uprisings were ethnic and religious uprisings against Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime in Iraq that were led by Shia Arabs and Kurds. The uprisings lasted from March to April 1991 after a ceasefire following the end of th ...

and the establishment of the

Kurdistan Regional Government The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is the official executive body of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. The cabinet is selected by the majority party or list who also select the prime minister of the Iraqi Kurdish poli ...

, Arbat experienced significant development and became one of the most important towns in the Sulaymaniyah area. On March 8, 1991, the uprising began in

Chamchamal Chamchamal (, ) is a town located in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. it is the town which is nearest located to the disputed territories of Northern Iraq. Chamchamal is home to the Gorani language, Gorani-speaking Kurds, Kurdish ...

Halabja Halabja (, ) is a city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the capital of Halabja Governorate, located about northeast of Baghdad and from the Iranian border. The city lies at the base of what is often referred to as the greater Hewraman re ...

, Arbat, and military camps (Zarayen, Sumud, Nasr, Barika, Piramagroon, and Allai). The uprisings of Râperîn

1991 Iraqi uprisings The 1991 Iraqi uprisings were ethnic and religious uprisings against Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime in Iraq that were led by Shia Arabs and Kurds. The uprisings lasted from March to April 1991 after a ceasefire following the end of th ...

. The name "Arbat" in

Kurdish language Kurdish (, , ) is a Northwestern Iranian languages, Northwestern Iranian language or dialect continuum, group of languages spoken by Kurds in the region of Kurdistan, namely in southeast Turkish Kurdistan, Turkey, northern Iraqi Kurdistan, Ira ...

means "place of family" or "resting place". Some historical sources indicate that the name comes from the word "Araba" or "Arabana", which was a means of transportation in ancient times.

Demographics

The majority of Arbat's residents speak the

Sorani Central Kurdish, also known as Sorani Kurdish, is a Kurdish dialect or a language spoken in Iraq, mainly in Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as the provinces of Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and West Azerbaijan in western Iran. Central Kurdish is one of the ...

dialect, which is part of the

. Most of the population are

Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

s with other beliefs existing. According to the latest census (2021), Arbat's population is approximately 30,000 people.

Economy

Arbat's economy relies on several main sectors:

Agriculture

Due to fertile soil and suitable climate, agriculture is one of the main sources of income for the area's residents. The main products include wheat, barley, vegetables, and fruits. The agricultural land area in the region is approximately 3,000 hectares.

Commerce

Due to proximity to

Sulaymaniyah Sulaymaniyah or Slemani (; ), is a city in the east of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and is the capital of the Sulaymaniyah Governorate. It is surrounded by the Azmar (Ezmer), Goizha (Goyje) and Qaiwan (Qeywan) Mountains in the northeast, Bara ...

city, trade and commerce are important economic activities in the area. Arbat's central market includes approximately 300 shops and more than two malls commercial establishments.

Small Industry

In recent years, several small factories have been established in the area, providing employment for local residents. Arbat's industrial zone was established in 2012 and contains approximately 50 factories.

Administration

The town of Arbat administratively falls under Arbat Sub-district, which belongs to Sulaymaniyah District,

. The sub-district consists of Arbat town as the center and 71 surrounding villages. The sub-district administrator is Daban Arif, appointed by the

Culture and important sites

Several historical and tourist sites exist in the area, the most important being: * Arbat Grand Mosque: Built in 1945 and renovated in 2005. * Arbat Hill: A historical site dating back to the Assyrian period (~1000 BC) where archaeological research has been conducted. * Arbat Spring: A natural spring rich in

sulfur Sulfur ( American spelling and the preferred IUPAC name) or sulphur ( Commonwealth spelling) is a chemical element; it has symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms ...

that some people from other places visit for therapeutic purposes, believing it has medicinal properties.

Infrastructure

Arbat serves as a significant hub for oil infrastructure. Arbat Airport is the largest agricultural airport in Iraq. The town hosts the Phoenix Refinery, which specializes in producing

bitumen Bitumen ( , ) is an immensely viscosity, viscous constituent of petroleum. Depending on its exact composition, it can be a sticky, black liquid or an apparently solid mass that behaves as a liquid over very large time scales. In American Engl ...

and various related products. Additionally, Arbat features a substantial oil storage and blending terminal with a 170,000 cubic meter capacity for various fuel types. A significant environmental concern is associated gas flaring at the Phoenix

Refinery A refinery is a production facility composed of a group of chemical engineering unit processes and unit operations refining certain materials or converting raw material into products of value. Types of refineries Different types of refineries ...

, contributing to

air pollution Air pollution is the presence of substances in the Atmosphere of Earth, air that are harmful to humans, other living beings or the environment. Pollutants can be Gas, gases like Ground-level ozone, ozone or nitrogen oxides or small particles li ...

and warming.These oil activities are integrated into the Kurdistan Region's broader

hydrocarbon In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are examples of group 14 hydrides. Hydrocarbons are generally colourless and Hydrophobe, hydrophobic; their odor is usually fain ...

landscape, facing challenges from regional disputes and export suspensions. The town of Arbat possesses basic infrastructure, including services for its local population and the significant refugee presence. Infrastructure development in Arbat has accelerated, partly in response to the needs of the refugee population, which has strained existing services like water and sanitation. The town's growing importance is also influenced by the presence of

oil refinery An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial processes, industrial process Factory, plant where petroleum (crude oil) is transformed and refining, refined into products such as gasoline (petrol), diesel fuel, Bitumen, asphalt base, ...

and

food industry The food industry is a complex, global network of diverse businesses that supplies most of the food consumed by the world's population. The food industry today has become highly diversified, with manufacturing ranging from small, traditional, ...

companies. Despite these developments, still in some parts the region continues to rely on traditional sectors such as

farming Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...

agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...

poultry Poultry () are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of harvesting animal products such as meat, Eggs as food, eggs or feathers. The practice of animal husbandry, raising poultry is known as poultry farming. These birds are most typ ...

, and

dairy farming Dairy farming is a class of agriculture for the long-term production of milk, which is processed (either on the farm or at a dairy plant, either of which may be called a dairy) for the eventual sale of a dairy product. Dairy farming has a h ...

Transportation

The Arbat Agricultural Airport is a significant facility located in the Arbat district of Sulaymaniyah Governorate. It was established in 2005 and has primarily served civil and agricultural purposes. In 2018, the airport underwent a significant expansion, with its runways extended to 45 meters in width and 2 kilometers in length. This expansion made it the largest agricultural airport in Iraq. Today, the airport also functions as a training center, offering continuous piloting courses for aviation students. This training provides hands-on experience in aircraft operations and pilot training, contributing to the demand for skilled aviation professionals in the Kurdistan Region. The town is connected to Sulaymaniyah via paved roads, making it accessible by car and public transportation. Its proximity to Sulaymaniyah provides residents with access to the services and facilities of the larger city.

Notable people

Several well-known Kurdish personalities are from Arbat or have lived there: * Karwan Mohammed (1984–): Kurdistan national football team player and former captain of Sulaymaniyah FC. * Rewaz Fayeq: Kurdish female politician and former speaker of the

Kurdistan Parliament The Kurdistan Regional Parliament, also known as Kurdistan Parliament – Iraq (; ), or simply Perleman, is the parliament of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. It is made up of representatives from the various parties, lists or slates that are elec ...

. *

Mahir Hassan Mahir Hassan (Kurdish: ماهیر حەسەن, Mahîr Hassan; born on January 10, 1963) in Arbat Town. is a Kurdish actor and playwright, known for the film ''Star Rebellion''. Early life He completed his primary, secondary and high school educ ...

: Well-known Kurdish actor and theater artist.

Cultural references

The name "Arbat" appears in several classical and old Kurdish poems and proverbs, whether for humor or philosophical and advisory (wisdom) purposes.

Piramerd Tawfeq Mahmoud Hamza known as Piramerd () (1867 – 19 June 1950) was a Kurdish poet, writer, novelist and journalist. He was born in the ''Goija'' neighborhood of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region. In 1926, he became the editor of the Kurdish n ...

(Muhammad Tofiq Mahmud Bey Hamdi, 1867–1950), the great Kurdish poet and writer, mentioned "Arbat" in several of his poems and proverbs,https://books.vejin.net/ck/text/35363 including:

References

{{Reflist

External links

UNHCR Iraq

Kurdistan Regional Government
* Dr. Abdullah Ghafur. "Index of Villages in South Kurdistan" (PDF) (in Kurdish). * UNHCR Iraq

* Piramerd, "Diwan of Piramerd", 5/11/1939.

* Kurdistan Regional Government - Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Climate Monitoring Division. "Annual Climate Assessment Report (2022)"

https://krg.gov.iq/en/ministry-of-agriculture-water-resources/climate-monitoring/annual-reports/2022) * Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology. "Historical Climate Database of Iraq (1992-2024)"

https://www.imos.gov.iq/en/climate/historical-database) *Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring. "Climate Change in Kurdistan Region: Three Decades of Data (2023)"

https://sulaymaniyah.gov.krd/climate/reports/three-decades-data) * World Meteorological Organization. "Climate Data for Northeastern Iraq (Compilation Reports 2000-2024)"

https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/ccl/data/iraq/northeastern-region) *NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "Global Historical Climatology Network-Monthly (GHCN-M) v4.0.1"

https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/global-historical-climatology-network-monthly) Populated places in Sulaymaniyah Province