Al-Khalidiya, Iraq

Al-Khalidiya (Arabic: الخالدية, also Al-Khaldiya, Khalidiya, Khalediya) is a city in Al-Anbar Province, in central Iraq, on the southern banks of river Euphrates. It was founded in 1969 as a settlement for Assyrian Christian families who were displaced as a result of the closure of RAF Habbaniya, though it is now predominantly populated by Sunni Arabs.^[1] The city was named after Khalid Shakar, deputy of Iraqi Baath party founder Fuad al-Rikabi. North of Al-Khaldiya, on the northern banks of Euphrates river, the peninsula of Khalidiya Island is located.

Al-Khaldiya الخالدية
City
Etymology: Named after Khalid Shakar, deputy of Iraqi Baath Party founder Fuad al-Rikabi
Al-Khaldiya Location in Iraq
Coordinates: 33°23′4″N 43°31′31″E
Country	Iraq
Governorate	Al Anbar
Founded	1969
Founded by	Iraqi government (resettlement of Assyrian Christians)
Population
• Total	29,986
	Predominantly Sunni Arabs, originally settled by displaced Assyrian Christians
Time zone	UTC+3 (GMT+3)
Postal code	31010
Severely damaged in 2014 conflict with ISIL; only four buildings remained after liberation

Al-Khalidiya was captured by ISIL militants in 2014. Although the city was recaptured by Iraqi security forces, only four buildings remained after intense fighting between ISIL militants and security forces.^[2]