Almost 80 percent of crude oil from the Basra region and more than 30 percent of oil from Kirkuk went to the United States in 2001, according to the energy administration.

Muslim engineers employed water wheels as early as the 7th century, excavation of a canal in the Basra region discovered remains of a water wheel dating from this period.

The two canals were the basis for the agricultural development for the whole Basra region and used for drinking water.

Aid workers said the aid could not yet be distributed in much of the Basra region because of the daily firefights and skirmishing that have prevented British forces from rendering the area safe.

The towns in the Basra region reportedly in disarray are also those where fleeing Iraqi troops have overloaded civil amenities.

A major outbreak occurred in the Basra region in 1991 after the first Persian Gulf war.

The FWCUI's members have led a number of strikes, and are particularly strong around the Basra region.

Mr. Hussein was also said to have replaced several crucial governors, including in the southern Basra region, with officers from his security forces to bolster discipline against defections and betrayal.

Most of the 230 fighters being trained here are from the Basra region in southern Iraq.

Iran bombarded targets in the Basra region in southern Iraq.