Iraq Mosul History: An Overview of the City's Ancient and Modern History
Iraq's city of Mosul has a long and storied history that spans centuries and millennia. Located in the northern part of the country, Mosul has been a strategic center of trade and culture for centuries, with its ancient history going back to the Assyrian Empire and the city's modern history beginning in the 19th century.
The ancient history of Mosul dates back to the Assyrian Empire, which ruled the region from around 900 BC to 605 BC. During this time, Mosul was a major trading center and a hub for religious and cultural activity. The city was also a major stronghold for the Assyrian military, and it served as the capital of the Assyrian Empire for a brief period.
The city's modern history began in the 19th century, when it was annexed by the Ottoman Empire in 1834. The Ottomans held Mosul for nearly a century before it was captured by British forces in 1918. The British then occupied the city until 1932, when it was returned to Iraq.
Since then, Mosul has been an important part of Iraq's history. During the Iraq-Iran War in the 1980s, the city was a major battleground between the two countries. In 2003, the city was captured by US forces during the invasion of Iraq, and it has since become a major center of operations for the US-led coalition forces.
Today, Mosul is a bustling city of more than 1.5 million people. It is a major center for trade and industry, and it is home to some of Iraq's most important cultural and religious sites. Despite its turbulent history, Mosul is a vibrant and thriving city that is an important part of Iraq's history and culture.