Erbil (Hawler), Kurdistan region of northern Iraq

These photos were taken from Sept 7-Sept 11, 2006 in the Kurdish region of Iraq, also known as Iraqi Kurdistan. I went there for a conference organized by the Kurdish Institute in Paris and Salaheddin University. Erbil has a population of about 1 million people and is the capital of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Although Erbil has experienced a couple of major suicide bombings, it is largely secure, in part due to the Kurdish army's security checkpoints that are set up throughout the country's road system and at the entrance to major public areas and buildings.

Kilims and carpets at a cultural museum in Erbil.	The Kurdish flag flies from the Citadel in Erbil. No Iraqi flags are being flown.
A man at a tea house in Erbil.
A view of the Citadel in Erbil.	The Kurdistan National Assembly meets here. Its regular building (just next to this one) is being rennovated.
Breadmakers (great bread!) in Suleymaniye, another major city in the region.	The bazaar in Suleymaniye.
Gilles and the Bishop. Erbil is home to a large Christian population. Many thousands more have come here to escape the fighting in the rest of Iraq.	Another view of the Citadel in Erbil.