The Kurdistan Region (Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok) is considered the safest area in Iraq, rated as very high safety with 450,000 international tourists in 2024 (50% of Iraq's total). It's considered one of the safest regions in the Middle East, with independent travel completely safe, modern infrastructure, and English widely spoken. Baghdad has medium safety with a heavy but reassuring security presence in central areas. The holy cities of Karbala and Najaf have high safety with strict security around shrines and 220,000 international tourists in 2024. Basra has medium safety and serves as a starting point for visiting the Marshes. Mosul is rated as low to medium safety and should only be visited with expert guides as part of specialized tours. For more: Iraq Safety: 2025 Travel Guide