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Kut
Arabic: 'al-kawt
City in eastern Iraq with 370,000 inhabitants (2005 estimate) on Tigris river, on the junction between the river and the distribution canal Shatt al-Gharraf. Close to the city, lies the Kut Barrage, which distributes river water into irrigation canals.
The economy of Kut is based upon the rich agriculture of the region, of which Kut is the main trade and administrative centre. Products include rice, creals, vegetables and dates.
Kut is remembered from the World War 1, for the battle where the British forces were defeated by Ottoman troops.
History
1916 April: British forces are defeated by Ottoman troops after 5 months siege. The war results in the leveling of the town.
1917 February: The British forces recaptures Kut.
1999 May: Fights between the Special Republican Guard (see Iraq: Defence) and local resistance in the region of Kut.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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