Southern Iraq

• — the major city of the south, a large port town on the Shatt-al-Arab River just northwest of the Persian Gulf.

The entirety of Karbala Province is located here, and is notable as the place of Martyr Imam Husain, where he fought war with Yazid, then Emperor or caliph of muslims, who had support of sunnis, and was thus proclaimed Caliph. The place has the tomb Imam as well as his armies Commander-in-chief and brother Abbas Allambardar. The Imam Husain's army had 96 warriors including women's and children were called Ahlebait. The total deaths in Ahlebait was 72. The place has the tomb of all the martyrs. It is considered a sacred place for Shi'a Muslims.

By plane

The main international gateway in the region is (BSR) in Basra. A smaller airport exists in Najaf while the airport in Karbala is under construction as of late 2019.

By train

There are overnights trains from Baghdad to Basra, calling in many cities in the region on its way.

Southern Iraq is home to a mixed world heritage site, The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities, comprising four marshland areas and three Sumerian archaeological sites:

• Huwaizah Marshes
• Central Marshes
• East Hammar Marshes
• West Hammar Marshes
• Uruk Archaeological City
• Ur Archaeological City
• Tell Eridu Archaeological Site

Southern Iraq is much safer than the rest of Iraq, but even here it is important to remain vigilant at all times and ensure you are well protected.