Minorities groups speak Turkic, Armenian, and Persian. Iraq's true resource potential may be greater than expected, as deeper oil-bearing formations located mainly in the Western Desert region could yield additional resources, but have not been explored. Oil pipelines to Persian Gulf and new spur line from Basra area to Saudi Arabia's Petroline. There is a Pipeline from Baiji to Baghdad and from Baghdad to Khanaqin. Another line runs from between Baiji and Turkish Mediterranean port of Dortyol and has been expanded on.
Small pipelines distribute refined products to major consuming areas.
Iraq has been a party to many wars, the most recent being the Gulf war with America. The Iran-Iraq War, which began in 1980, lasted for eight years and had a crippling effect on the economy of both countries. Then in 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait and the UN Security Council condemned the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, and demanded a complete withdrawal by 15th January 1991. When this did not occur, America invaded. Iraq was again crippled by the war, as it had not yet recovered from the Iran-Iraq war.