Why this marshy Iraqi peninsula became the most contested ground in the Persian Gulf

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Al-Faw peninsula is a quiet, marshy delta in southeast Iraq, yet it has been the site of intense global conflict for decades. Controlling the gateway to the Shatt al-Arab waterway and vital oil infrastructure, this small strip of land has repeatedly drawn major powers into high-stakes military operations.

Located 20 kilometers from Basra, the Al-Faw peninsula serves as a strategic bottleneck. It sits at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, acting as the primary gatekeeper for Iraq’s maritime access to the Persian Gulf. Because it houses critical oil export facilities, including the massive Khor al-Amaya and Mina al-Bakr terminals, the peninsula is a focal point for any conflict involving Iraqi economic stability or regional naval power.

During the Iran-Iraq War, the peninsula became a brutal battlefield. In February 1986, Iranian forces launched a surprise offensive, overrunning poorly trained Iraqi conscripts to secure their first occupation of Iraqi soil. The occupation lasted until April 1988, when Iraq launched Operation Ramadan Mubarak. By deploying over 100,000 Republican Guard troops against 15,000 Iranian soldiers—and utilizing sarin nerve gas—Iraq reclaimed the territory in just 35 hours. This victory was later commemorated as a national holiday under Saddam Hussein.

The peninsula’s strategic importance persisted into the 21st century. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Coalition forces prioritized the area to prevent the sabotage of oil infrastructure and to open the port of Umm Qasr for humanitarian aid. British, American, and Polish troops executed an amphibious assault to seize the terminals and secure the region. By 2007, the British military presence at Camp Driftwood concluded, marking the transition of the peninsula back to Iraqi control.

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