Iraq’s national flag is a horizontal red-white-black tricolour with the Arabic phrase Allahu Akbar, meaning “God is greatest,” written in green across the central white band.

What does the Iraqi flag look like?

The three equal bands are red, white and black. The green inscription sits in the middle. The current version does not include the three green stars seen on older Iraqi flags.

History of the design

Red, white, black and green belong to the wider Pan-Arab color tradition. Iraq adopted a red-white-black flag with stars in 1963. The phrase Allahu Akbar was added in 1991, and later governments altered its calligraphy and removed the stars. The present starless form was introduced in 2008.

Iraq flag facts

• Colors: red, white, black and green
• Inscription: Allahu Akbar
• Stars removed: 2008
• Color tradition: Pan-Arab