A Kurdish man beats a statue of Saddam Hussein with his shoe, on the day that Kirkuk fell. US and British troops invaded Iraq on 20th March with the aim of overthrowing the regime of Saddam Hussein. B...

Kurdish Peshmergas guard the edge of the city, along the highway to Iraqi-controlled Mosul.

Kurdish shepherds lead their sheep along the highway, passing a road sign at the edge of town.

The last Kurdish checkpoint along the highway to Iraqi-controlled Mosul. A rifle hangs alongside a portrait of Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

Kurdish petrol smugglers load fuel from one truck to another.

A statue guards the Citadel of Erbil.

Kurdish petrol smuggler selling fuel at the side of the road.

Journalists take cover during an Iraqi mortar attack. They were travelling with Kurdish peshmerga fighters and US special forces who were attacking Iraqi positions in the village of Khazar. US and Br...

Kitsch carpets for sale next to the Citadel of Erbil.

Kurdish men avidly read newspapers to find out the latest news in the build-up to the second Gulf war.

Kurdish commander of the 17th army Serbest Baberi directs his peshmerga fighters. Together with US special forces, they attacked Iraqi positions in the village of Khazar. US and British troops invade...

Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), speaks at a press conference.

US special forces soldiers take a break during a lull in the fighting. Together with Kurdish peshmerga fighters they were attacking Iraqi positions in the village of Khazar. US and British troops inv...

Julian Manyon, a reporter with the British TV company ITN, takes cover during an Iraqi mortar attack. He was travelling with Kurdish peshmerga fighters and US special forces who were attacking Iraqi p...

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani (right) and Patiotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Jalal Talabani (left) meet to negotiate a truce between the two competing factions.

A man wielding a knife runs away with a bag of money after looting a branch of the Central Bank of Iraq in Mosul. After the Iraqi army abandoned the town, a vacuum developed and law and order broke do...

American soldiers, paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne brigade, pass local shepherds as they make their way to the front line. US and British troops invaded Iraq on 20th March with the aim of overthrow...

American soldiers, paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne brigade, pass local shepherds as they make their way to the front line. US and British troops invaded Iraq on 20th March with the aim of overthrow...

Kurdish youths wave the American and Kurdish flags to celebrate the fall of Baghdad that day. US and British troops invaded Iraq on 20th March with the aim of overthrowing the regime of Saddam Hussei...

Kurds beat a picture of Saddam Hussein with their shoes, on the day that Kirkuk fell. US and British troops invaded Iraq on 20th March with the aim of overthrowing the regime of Saddam Hussein. By the...

US special envoy for Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad speaks at a press conference.

Ramazan Durmus waits for a fare in his boat in the southern port of Mersin. Customers are scarce since the embargo against Iraq means that few ships dock here.

Father and son next to a crowd of women celebrating the Shia Islamic festival of Ashura.

Ramazan Durmus waits for a fare in his boat in the southern port of Mersin. Customers are scarce since the embargo against Iraq means that few ships dock here.

American soldiers, paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne brigade, pass local shepherds as they make their way to the front line. US and British troops invaded Iraq on 20th March with the aim of overthrow...

Peshmergas of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) watch a smoke ring in the sky after the demolition of UXO (unexploded ordnance) left behind by the fleeing Iraqi army, who abandoned their position t...

Wajid Barzani, head of the Kurdish special forces and brother of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani. He was injured in a friendly fire incident by American forces the following da...

Iraqi army deserters who are starting to pour into Kurdistan are housed in several tented camps around Diyana. US and British troops invaded Iraq on 20th March with the aim of overthrowing the regime...

Kurdish children attending primary school. Due to the United Nations embargo against Iraq and an Iraqi blockade against Kurdistan, the economic situation in the region was terrible. The school was bei...

Pilgrimage of the Yazidi (Yezidi), a pre-Islamic religious sect.

Kurdish fighters playing volleyball, about six months after the failed Kurdish uprising against President Saddam Hussein. Kurdistan.

A Kurdish fighter guards an American Black Hawk helicopter. In the aftermath of the Gulf War, the US and its allies created a no-fly zone over Northern Iraq. The helicopter was undertaking a mission u...

Smugglers enter into Kurdistan with propane gas from Iraq. Due to the United Nations embargo against Iraq and an Iraqi blockade against Kurdistan, the economic situation was disastrous and smuggling w...

A beggar walks past a newspaper stand. Due to the United Nations embargo against Iraq and an Iraqi blockade against Kurdistan, the economic situation in the region was terrible. Kurdistan.

Children play in a car wreck on the outskirts of Erbil. Due to the United Nations embargo against Iraq and an Iraqi blockade against Kurdistan, the economic situation in the region was terrible. Kurdi...

Smugglers enter into Kurdistan with propane gas from Iraq. Due to the United Nations embargo against Iraq and an Iraqi blockade against Kurdistan, the economic situation was disastrous and smuggling w...

Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Kurdistan.

Jalal Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Kurdistan.

A Kurdish farmer smoking. He says he has fled from the Iraqi army six times in his life, each time having to rebuild his home from scratch. Kurdistan.

A member of the Yazidi (Yezidi), a pre-Islamic religious sect.

A Kurdish father looking after his daughter who was shot in the abdomen when fighters entered the house looking for opponents. Factions including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Uni...

Kurdish man who lost his wits after his whole family was killed in front of his eyes during the Kurdish uprising against President Saddam Hussein. He is looked after by other villagers. Kurdistan.

Kurdish refugees from Halabja have set up camp in old car wrecks and makeshift tents. Factions including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had been fighting o...

Kurdish refugees from Halabja living in a derelict building. Kurdish factions had been fighting over control of the Kurdish Autonomous Region in Northern Iraq. Kurdistan.

Fighters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) patrol the streets of Erbil. Peace negotiations were being held in the town between the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The two faction...

A Kurdish farmer working in his field. Every now and then, he unearths live mortar grenades. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former front line in the Iran/Iraq war, still kill...

A Kurdish girl who lost her leg after she stepped on a landmine while collecting firewood. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former front line in the Iran/Iraq war, still killin...

Young Kurdish children collect copper and aluminium by chopping it from unexploded ordnance in an old ammunition bunker. They sell it for ten cents per kilo. Millions of landmines litter the former fr...

Young Kurdish children collect copper and aluminium by chopping it from unexploded ordnance in an old ammunition bunker. They sell it for ten cents per kilo. Millions of landmines litter the former fr...

A shepherd who lost both legs after he stepped on a Valmara VS69 landmine. He now uses a wheelchair and false limbs, helped by his sons. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former...

A worker from the Mines Advisory Group, a British-based NGO, prepares a pit for the destruction of mortar grenades. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former front line in the Ir...

Young Kurdish children collect copper and aluminium by chopping it from unexploded ordnance in an old ammunition bunker. They sell it for ten cents per kilo. Millions of landmines litter the former fr...

A worker from the Mines Advisory Group, a British-based NGO, defuses a Valmara VS69 landmine. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former front line in the Iran/Iraq war, still kil...

A Kurdish child looking after a baby after they fled from fighting in Halabja. Factions including the Islamic Movement of Kurdistan (IMK) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had been battling f...

A Kurdish family rebuilding their home after it was destroyed by the Iraqi army in 1988. Kurdistan.

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) guerilla fighters preparing to attack Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) positions at The Dukan Dam power plant. The KDP claimed they had captured the Armoured Personn...

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) guerilla fighters celebrate their victory on the road to Sulaimaniya. Factions including the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) had been fighting over cont...

The tomb of Sheikh Adi, founder of the Yazidi (Yezidi) religion, a pre-Islamic sect.

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani discussing strategy with his commanders. Kurdistan.

A Kurdish family in their home. Charcoal production is the primary income of the village. One family can produce about 150 kilos per month, which is worth $3 to them. Kurdistan.

Kurdish charcoal workers. Charcoal production is the primary source of income for the village. One family can produce about 150 kilos per month, which is worth $3 to them. Deforestation is becoming a...

A Kurdish woman with her children. She has barely enough money to feed them. Her husband was killed during the Kurdish uprising after the Gulf war. Kurdistan.

A Kurdish woman working in charcoal production, which is the primary income of her village. One family can produce about 150 kilos per month, which is worth $3 to them. Deforestation is becoming a big...

A Kurdish family stands behind the fence outside their home, which is made of recycled war materials. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former front line in the Iran/Iraq war, s...

Dangerous games: Kurdish children break open ammunition and set fire to the gunpowder inside. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former front line in the Iran/Iraq war, still kil...

A shepherd herds his sheep through the minefields of Choman Valley. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former front line in the Iran/Iraq war, still killing and maiming Kurdish p...

The killing fields, known locally as Death Valley, contain the corpses of Iraqi soldiers who could not be retrieved due to heavy mining. Millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance litter the former...

Young Kurdish boy on crutches. Displaced from Kirkuk, his community is now living in very poor conditions after being driven from their homes by the Iraqi army. They now live in the torture chambers o...

Displaced Kurdish people from Kirkuk living in very poor conditions after being driven from their homes by the Iraqi army. They now live in the torture chambers of the former Iraqi Muhabarat building,...

Displaced Kurdish people from Kirkuk living in very poor conditions after being driven from their homes by the Iraqi army. They now live in the torture chambers of the former Iraqi Muhabarat building,...

Displaced Kurdish people from Kirkuk living in very poor conditions after being driven from their homes by the Iraqi army. They now live in the torture chambers of the former Iraqi Muhabarat building,...

Kurdish people paying their respects to their great leader, Mullah Mustafa Barzani. Barzani was the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the 1970s. He died in exile in Washington DC in 19...

Kurdish people paying their respects to their great leader, Mullah Mustafa Barzani. Barzani was the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the 1970s. He died in exile in Washington DC in 19...

Recruits marching at the Kurdish Military Academy. The academy was formed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to create a regular army and help to get inter...

Recruits marching at the Kurdish Military Academy. The academy was formed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to create a regular army and help to get inter...

Armed forces of the Iraqi National Congress (INC) guard the Shireen Hotel where the leaders of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) were holding peace negotiatio...

A woman sitting with her child in the headquarters of the armed forces of the Iraqi National Congress (INC). Moments later the compound was overrun by Iraqi agents. The INC is a coalition of all oppos...

Captain Haji Muhammed, Commander of the armed forces of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), inspecting his men. The INC is a coalition of all opposition to President Saddam Hussein, including Kurdish g...

Weapons training for the armed forces of the Iraqi National Congress (INC). The INC is a coalition of all opposition to President Saddam Hussein, including Kurdish groups, and is based in Northern Ira...

The armed forces of the Iraqi National Congress (INC). The INC is a coalition of all opposition to President Saddam Hussein, including Kurdish groups, and is based in Northern Iraq. The goal of this C...

Captain Haji Muhammed, Commander of the armed forces of the Iraqi National Congress (INC). The INC is a coalition of all opposition to President Saddam Hussein, including Kurdish groups, and is based...

Kurdish refugees return from Turkey to the designated United Nations Safe Haven in Northern Iraq. They arrived in their home town to find their homes destroyed by the Iraqis. Following the end of the...

Kurds collecting water, having recently returned from Turkey to the designated United Nations Safe Haven in Northern Iraq. They arrived in their home town to find their homes destroyed by the Iraqis....

A Kurdish mother sits by her son’s hospital bed. They had just returned from Turkey to the designated United Nations Safe Haven in Northern Iraq. They arrived in their home town to find their homes de...

Kurdish refugees return from Turkey to the designated United Nations Safe Haven in Northern Iraq. They arrived in their hometown to find their homes destroyed by the Iraqis. Following the end of the G...

Kurds arriving in a refugee camp, fleeing the Iraqi Army following the Kurdish uprising against President Saddam Hussein. The revolt occurred at the end of the Gulf War when the Iraqi army was thought...

Kurds arriving in a refugee camp, fleeing the Iraqi Army following the Kurdish uprising against President Saddam Hussein. The revolt occurred at the end of the Gulf War when the Iraqi army was thought...

An aid worker delivering blankets to a refugee camp wards off desperate Kurds with a whip. They had fled the Iraqi Army following the Kurdish uprising against President Saddam Hussein. The revolt occu...

Kurds crowded into a refugee camp, having fled the Iraqi Army following the Kurdish uprising against President Saddam Hussein. The revolt occurred at the end of the Gulf War when the Iraqi army was th...

Kurds arriving in a refugee camp, fleeing the Iraqi Army following the Kurdish uprising against President Saddam Hussein. The revolt occurred at the end of the Gulf War when the Iraqi army was thought...