Both of these countries are heavily mined. After the Gulf War, the Iraqui Kurds were encouraged by the then US President, George Bush, to revolt against Sadam Hussain, but received no support when they were attacked. There was much suffering and loss of life and a mass exodus mainly to Iran and Turkey. After pressure from the then UK Prime Minister, John Major, a Kurdish safe-haven was established in northern Iraq by the United Nations. There are many political parties, the PUK and PDK each control part of the country.
Living is hard as there is no industry and much of the agricultural land is mined.
There are no banks, no postal service and no public funding for reconstruction until UN Resolution 986 was implemented. Sulaymaniyah is a city of about 750,000 people. Many buildings have been destroyed and the larger ones are occupied by refugees who live in squalor. Food is plentiful but too expensive for some local inhabitants, until UN Resolution 986, since when free food has been supplied. If shooting occurs one stays indoors.