Original Item: Only One Available. The flag of Iraq includes the three equal horizontal red, white, and black stripes of the Arab Liberation flag, with the phrase "God is the greatest" in Arabic written in Kufic script in the center.

This basic tricolor has been in use since its adoption on 31 July 1963, with several changes to the green symbols in the central white stripes; the most recent version adopted on 22 January 2008 bears the takbīr rendered in dark green and removes the three green stars present since 1963.

The autonomous Region of Kurdistan emerged as an autonomous area within Iraq with its own government and parliament, President and Army. The Kurdistan Regional Government uses a separate flag known as the flag of Kurdistan which was adopted in 1992.

This lovely example is the type that was flown and used from 1991-2004. It is in wonderful condition and shows no signs of any real use or wear. This was more than likely recovered from an abandoned post before it had time to be used, or it could very well have been purchased from a Bazaar and then brought back to the United States by a service member.

On 13 January 1991, the flag was modified by Flag Law No. 6 of 1991. At the instigation of President Saddam Hussein, the takbīr (the phrase Allahu akbar, meaning "God is the greatest" in Arabic) was added in green between the stars. The form of the takbīr was said to be Saddam's own handwriting. Many interpreted the addition of the sacred Islamic text as an attempt to garner wartime support from previously outlawed religious Iraqi leaders, to stop the disrespect of the Iraqi flag in Iraqi-occupied Kuwait, and to bolster the Iraqi government's Islamist credentials in the period immediately preceding the Persian Gulf War.

As with other flags inscribed with Arabic script, the hoist is to the right of the obverse (front) of the flag.

A lovely example that comes more than ready for further research and display.