Ar-Rutbah
Ar-Rutbah (Arabic: الرطبة ar-Ruṭba, also Romanized Rutba, Rutbah) is an Iraqi town in western Al Anbar province, completely inhabited with Sunni Muslims. The population is approximately 28,400. It occupies a strategic location on the Amman–Baghdad road, and the Kirkuk–Haifa oil pipeline. Considered a "wet spot", it receives 114.3 mm (4.5 inches) of rain annually, and is located on a high plateau. It has been described as "the most isolated town of any size in Iraq."
Ar-Rutbah, Iraq
Arabic: الرطبة | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Ar-Rutbah | |
A rooftop view of Ar-Rutbah on 1 January 2009 | |
Ar-Rutbah, Iraq | |
| Coordinates: 33°2′17″N 40°17′4″E | |
| Country | Iraq |
| Province | Al-Anbar |
| District | Al-Rutbah |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Imad al-Dulaimi |
| Population (2018) | |
| • Total | 28,400 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (GMT+3) |
| Postal code | 31011 |
Ar-Rutbah began as a rest stop for Imperial Airways flights in the early 20th century, and also served as a water stop for the Nairn Transport Company. In December 1934, sixteen kilometers south of Ar-Rutbah, the famous Dutch plane Uiver crashed, with all onboard killed. During the Anglo-Iraqi War in 1941, Ar-Rutbah was the site of a clash between British forces, including the Arab Legion, and forces loyal to Rashid Ali al-Gaylani.