Erbil | ھەولێر Capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq

Postcard

Erbil (also known as Arbil, Irbil or Hewlêr) is the largest city and capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. Until recently one of the more peaceful regions in Iraq.

(Reuters) - The British government told its citizens to leave parts of Iraqi Kurdistan, including the regional capital Arbil, on Friday as the sweeping advance of Islamist militants brought them closer to Kurdish territory.

The government said the security situation could deteriorate quickly after fighting in the last two days to the southwest of Arbil, where many Western oil workers and executives are based, so British citizens in the regional capital of 1.5 million people should leave immediately.

This follows attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on towns to the Southwest of Erbil (Arbil) on 6-7 August.

Thx Steve!