What was Iraq before the war and sanctions

Iraq lives in a state of almost incessant conflict and under international sanctions since 1980, when the war began in neighbouring Iran. After the brutal decades of Saddam Hussein and the chaos that followed the us invasion in 2003, it is very difficult to imagine this country in a flourishing oasis, or at least more tolerable place to live.

But before the war and the totalitarian regime, Iraq was a rapidly modernizing country. The British company guardian documentary archives recently shared a Pathé newsreel in which visible beauty and diversity of Iraqi life in the 1950-ies.

(19 photos)

Source: Business Insider

The port city of Basra in southern Iraq.

Girls play with each other.

Women are engaged in Handicrafts.

Wash.

The harvest on the palm.

Fisherman.

The Channels Of Basra.

At the races in Baghdad.

Policeman regulates the traffic of transport in Baghdad.

The Iraqi police service.

A craftsman makes a vessel out of the copper market in Baghdad.

Baghdad was rapidly growing and modernizing city.

Men relaxing on the porch.

A public swimming pool.

Schoolgirls play volleyball.

Water.

Mother and son, 1960.

Photos published Iraq Pictures (@iraqpics) Sept 2 2014 at 3:51 am PDT

Photos published Iraq Pictures (@iraqpics) Sept 2 2014 at 3:51 am PDT

King Faisal II at the opening of the television Baghdad in 1956. It was the world's first TV channel in Arabic language.

Photos published Iraq Pictures (@iraqpics) May 1, 2014 at 3:53 PDT

Photos published Iraq Pictures (@iraqpics) May 1, 2014 at 3:53 PDT

The city of Basra, once called the "Oriental Venice" due to numerous rivers and canals.

Full video with newsreel about Iraq 1950-ies from the British archives: