Armenians everywhere are united through their common language.  They speak Armenian, an Indo-European tongue that varies depending on the region.  Typically, Armenians from Transcaucasia and Iran speak an eastern dialect, whereas Armenians from Turkey and the West speak a western dialect.[1]  Religiously, Armenians tend to be classified into one of three groups: Gregorian Christians, Roman Catholic or Protestant Armenians.[2]  Middle Eastern Armenians tend to be city-dwellers and many live in clusters in order to preserve their customs and traditions. 

While Armenians have been spread throughout the Middle East since the 4th century, the biggest wave of Armenian immigration came as a result of the Armenian Genocide that began in 1915.[3]  It is estimated that the Ottoman Turkey massacred nearly 1.5 million Armenians during this tragic episode.  Surviving Armenians either fled or were forcibly resettled outside of Turkey, contributing to the large displacement of Armenians in the early 20th century.[4]  Ever since, Armenians everywhere have worked hard to preserve their culture, religion and customs in their new homes.   

Demography

There has been little data produced on the population of the Armenians in Iraq.  Having always been a minority group, there are no significant historical records that give statistics on their population throughout time.  Still, while the exact number of Armenians in Iraq is difficult to determine, the estimated current population is somewhere in the vicinity of 30,000.[5]

Geographic Distribution

The estimated 30,000 Armenians are currently residing in several towns, including Zakhu, Al-Basrah, Mosul, and Kirkuk.  Additionally, there is a large population based in Baghdad.  Each cluster resides near a priest and is focused around a church as a city center.[6]

Historic Hardship

Armenians in Iraq have long abstained from participating in public politics; like most Iraqis, they suffered immensely under Baathist rule.  Armenians, however, bore the added burden, though, of ethnically-motivated targeting.  In 1973, Armenian church property was confiscated, and the church was barred from teaching Armenian language and history.  (These practices were continued later in secret.)[7]

An Armenian Embassy was established in Iraq in 2000 in order to better meet the needs of Armenian society, and create a business framework within the United Nations Oil-for-Food Program.  However, it was closed in 2003 amid looming threats of violence and regional instability.

Ongoing Hardship

Today, many Armenians reside hesitantly in Iraq.  Many others, however, have left in hopes of better prospects elsewhere.  Particularly detrimental has been the departure of many young entrepreneurs that were major contributors to the Armenian community within Iraq.  Additionally, some say that certain members of the Armenian population assisted Saddam Hussein’s regime in return for protection.  These speculations have caused a great deal of mistrust among the small, closely-bonded communities.[8] 

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