Al-Khalidiya, Iraq

Al-Khaldiya
الخالدية
Al-Khaldiya
Al-Khaldiya
Coordinates: 33°23′4″N 43°31′31″E / 33.38444°N 43.52528°E / 33.38444; 43.52528
Country Iraq
GovernorateAl Anbar
Population
  Total
29.986
Time zoneUTC+3 (GMT+3)
Postal code
31010

Al-Khalidiya (Arabic: الخالدية, also Al-Khaldiya, Khalidiya, Khalediya) is a city in Al-Anbar Province, in central Iraq, on the southern banks of river Euphrates. It was founded in 1969 as a settlement for Assyrian Christian families who were displaced as a result of the closure of RAF Habbaniya, though it is now predominantly populated by Sunni Arabs. The city was named after Khalid Shakar, deputy of Iraqi Baath party founder Fuad al-Rikabi. North of Al-Khaldiya, on the northern banks of Euphrates river, the peninsula of Khalidiya Island is located.

Al-Khalidiya was captured by ISIL militants in 2014. Although the city was recaptured by Iraqi security forces, only four buildings remained after intense fighting between ISIL militants and security forces.