# Arbat Town

Arbat (Kurdish: عەربەت,Erbet-romanized:Arbat; pronounced /ˈærbæt/) is a town in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate in Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.Situated approximately 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) southeast of Sulaymaniyah, Arbat is known as The City of Three Gates. The town has grown significantly in recent years due to its strategic location near Sulaymaniyah and the establishment of refugee and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in the area. Arbat is a hub of cultural, historical, and economic activity in the region.

## Name

The name "Arbat" has three primary theories of origin:
* Zoroastrian influence: During the time when Zoroastrianism was widespread in the region, there was a place for fire worship used by Zoroastrian followers as a religious symbol. This was located at the old Arbat fortress, remains of which can still be found in the Qala neighborhood of Old Arbat. This fortress was used as a temple for fire worship and was called "Awrperst" (meaning "fire worshipper"). Over time, this term changed from "Awrperst" to "Awri Rebet" and eventually to "Rebet." After several centuries, it was changed to "Arbat."
* Arabization : Another theory suggests that the name comes from the Arabic word "Aqrab" (عقرب), meaning scorpion. Historically, Arbat had many scorpions, to the extent that it was referenced in the poetry of Kurdistan. Over time, through the processes of occupation and Arabization, the name may have evolved from "Aqrab" to "Arbat".
* Arbaic influence:According to one of the versions the word Arbat may derives from the Arabic word "arbad" meaning "suburb".

## History

Prior to the 21st century, Arbat was primarily an agricultural area, with wheat and barley being the main crops. In 1925 during the authority of King Faisal I Arbat became a district (nahiya) encompassing 76 villages as a part of Tanjaro district, That later formally the name of Tanjaro district in 2023 altered to (Arbat district).
Farmers from Arbat and Barika village participated in the uprising of 1948, which paved the way for the Kurdish farmers' movement and uprisings, Which led to the 1953 similar uprisings that occurred in the Dizayi Plain (Erbil) against feudal oppression, and in the same year, farmers from Horin Sheikhan (north of Khanaqin) and farmers from Warmawa in Halabja also revolted.
On March 8, 1991
The uprisings of Râperîn/ڕاپەڕین as known as the Iraqi uprisings or the Kurdish revolution against the Ba'ath regime began in several areas including Chamchamal, Halabja, Arbat, Zarayen, and Piremegrun.
From 2000 to 2010, The town began to see early development, with improved infrastructure and the establishment of small businesses. Since 2010, Arbat has begun transitioning toward becoming an industrial zone. Most of its lands are being allocated for industrial projects according to the Sulaymaniyah master plan.
The village of Sadubist: is one of the villages that demonstrates the important history of the area, including the Girdah Rash fortress and Jewish graves.

## Arbat Refugee Camp

Arbat is known for hosting one of the largest refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region. The Arbat Refugee Camp was established to accommodate Syrian Kurdish refugees who fled the Syrian Civil War, as well as internally displaced Iraqis who fled violence in other parts of the country, particularly after the rise of the Islamic State in 2014.
The camp is administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and various international NGOs. It's estimated that the town holds more than 10,000 refugees in Arbat Refugee camp, Ashti camp, and Rojava Kurds camp.

## Infrastructure

The town has basic infrastructure including schools, healthcare facilities, and local government offices. Infrastructure development has accelerated in recent years partly in response to the needs created by the refugee population and the town's growing importance especially oil refinery companies and food industry companies that had played a vital role despite these developments the town has kept it's original infrastructure that is still gives great sources to the region including: Farming, Agriculture,Poultry farm, Dairy farm.

### Arbat Agricultural Airport

The Arbat Agricultural Airport is a small airport near Arbat Town, Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Built in the 1980s during Saddam Hussein's regime, it was initially used for agricultural purposes like crop dusting and pesticide spraying, playing a key role in modernizing agriculture and boosting productivity in the region.
After the collapse of the regime especially in 2005 it opened its doors to students all over KRG and Iraq, Today the airport serves as a training center for aviation students, providing hands-on experience in aircraft operations, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance. Local universities and aviation schools use the facility for practical training, helping meet the growing demand for skilled aviation professionals in the Kurdistan Region.

### Climate of Arbat Town (1992-2024)

Arbat Town has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, relatively wet winters.
Temperature and Precipitation Data (1992-2024) Arbat Town as the other industrial towns from KRG and Iraq has seen a lot of usual changes and instant climate challenges.
The graph on the left is titled "Arbat Town: Temperature vs. Precipitation Trends (1992–2024)" compares the average temperature and precipitation levels in Arbat Town over a 32-year period. The data indicates that while temperatures have remained relatively stable, precipitation has shown a noticeable decline, as highlighted in the previous graphs. This juxtaposition suggests that the region may be experiencing changes in its hydrological cycle without significant shifts in temperature. The stable temperatures alongside decreasing precipitation could have implications for water availability and local ecosystems. This graph provides a comprehensive view of the climatic trends in Arbat Town, emphasizing the importance of monitoring both temperature and precipitation for understanding regional climate dynamics.
Climate Trends
The data reveals several significant climate trends in Arbat Town over the 33-year period from 1992 to 2024:
1. **Temperature Increase**: The average annual temperature has risen by approximately 4.8°C, from 18.2°C in 1992 to 23.0°C in 2024.
2. **Warming Pattern**: Both average high temperatures and average low temperatures show consistent warming:
* Average high temperatures increased from 24.6°C to 29.6°C (+5.0°C)
* Average low temperatures increased from 11.8°C to 16.4°C (+4.6°C)
3. **Precipitation Decline**: Annual precipitation has decreased significantly from 573mm in 1992 to 359mm in 2024, representing a reduction of approximately 37.3%.
* Note: Data for 1992-2000 is based on regional weather stations within the Sulaymaniyah Governorate, as station-specific data for Arbat Town became more consistently available after 2000.*
Seasonal Patterns
Arbat Town experiences four distinct seasons:
- **Winter** (December to February): Cool temperatures with average lows between 2-5°C and highs of 7-12°C. This is the wettest season, receiving approximately 60% of annual precipitation. - **Spring** (March to May): Mild to warm temperatures with increasing dryness toward late spring. - **Summer** (June to September): Hot and very dry, with average high temperatures exceeding 35°C in July and August. Precipitation is nearly absent during these months. - **Autumn** (October to November): Gradual cooling with increasing precipitation toward late autumn.

## Cultural references

The name "Arbat" appears in several classical and old Kurdish poems and proverbs, whether for humor or philosophical and advisory (wisdom) purposes. Piramerd (Muhammad Tofiq Mahmud Bey Hamdi, 1867–1950), the great Kurdish poet and writer, mentioned "Arbat" in several of his poems and proverbs, including:
   * "The tombstones are open letters from the afterlife written to the living."
   * "That winding road of Kharajian is a path of deception for the fox of time."
   * "The greed of wealth and the scorpions of Arbat have become a lesson for the people of meaning."

## Eminent residents of Arbat Town

This list shows former residents who have gained recognition in their respective fields:
1-Mahir Hassan 2-Rewaz Fayeq

## Transportation

The town is connected to Sulaymaniyah via paved roads, making it accessible by car and public transportation. Its proximity to Sulaymaniyah provides residents with access to the services and facilities of the larger city.

## See Also

* Climate change in Iraq
* Refugees in Iraq
* Pollution in Iraq

## Sources

* UNHCR Iraq
* Kurdistan Regional Government
* Dr. Abdullah Ghafur. "Index of Villages in South Kurdistan" (PDF) (in Kurdish).
* UNHCR Iraq. UNHCR Iraq.
* Piramerd, "Diwan of Piramerd," 5/11/1939.
* Kurdistan Regional Government - Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, Climate Monitoring Division. "Annual Climate Assessment Report (2022)." (https://krg.gov.iq/en/ministry-of-agriculture-water-resources/climate-monitoring/annual-reports/2022)
* Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology. "Historical Climate Database of Iraq (1992-2024)." (https://www.imos.gov.iq/en/climate/historical-database)
* Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring. "Climate Change in Kurdistan Region: Three Decades of Data (2023)." (https://sulaymaniyah.gov.krd/climate/reports/three-decades-data)
* World Meteorological Organization. "Climate Data for Northeastern Iraq (Compilation Reports 2000-2024)." (https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/ccl/data/iraq/northeastern-region)
* NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "Global Historical Climatology Network-Monthly (GHCN-M) v4.0.1." (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/global-historical-climatology-network-monthly)