Basra has undergone radical transformations through a series of wars and conflicts, starting with the Iran-Iraq War and ending with the Kuwait War, leaving profound effects on its economic and social fabric. Once a thriving commercial center, the city was transformed into a rear-line of confrontation, leading to a change in its geographical and economic nature.

"Saad Square" became the beating heart of the city, and a center for the military transport network, while the fertile agricultural lands of Shatt al-Arab turned into devastated combat zones. Although the Iran-Iraq War did not destroy the city's infrastructure thanks to government investments, the Kuwait War was the final blow. With the Iraqi withdrawal and the destruction of military assets, the process of dismantling the infrastructure began, launching the spark of the "last war" early in Basra in 1991, before the fall of the regime in 2003. These violent transformations undermined the foundations of the urban Basra society, leaving the city suffering from the effects of marginalization and destruction.

For more information, you can see the complete paper