Editing History of Iraq (section)

== Ottoman and Mamluk rule ==
{{Further|Ottoman Empire|Baghdad Eyalet|Mosul Eyalet|Basra Eyalet|Mamluk dynasty (Iraq)}}
[[File:Map Safavid persia.png|thumb|Map of the Safavid Iran. The area of Mesopotamia, permanently [[Ottoman–Safavid War (1623–1639)|lost to the Ottomans]] in 1639 is shaded.]]
During the late 14th and early 15th centuries, the [[Qara Qoyunlu]], or Black Sheep [[Turkmens]], ruled the area now known as Iraq. In 1466, the [[Aq Qoyunlu]], or White Sheep, defeated the Qara Qoyunlu and took control. From 1508, as with all territories of the former White Sheep Turkmen, Iraq fell into the hands of the Iranian [[Safavids]]. With the [[Treaty of Zuhab]] in 1639, most of the territory of present-day Iraq came under the control of the Ottoman Empire as the [[eyalet of Baghdad]] as a result of [[Ottoman-Persian Wars|wars]] with the neighboring rival, [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid Iran]]. Throughout most of the period of Ottoman rule (1533–1918), the territory of present-day Iraq was a battle zone between rival regional empires and tribal alliances. Iraq was divided into three [[vilayets]]:
*[[Mosul Province, Ottoman Empire|Mosul Province]]
*[[Baghdad Province, Ottoman Empire|Baghdad Province]]
*[[Basra Province, Ottoman Empire|Basra Province]]

In the 16th century, the Portuguese commanded by [[António Tenreiro]] crossed from Aleppo to [[Basra]] in 1523, attempting to make alliances with local lords in the name of the Portuguese king. In 1550, the local kingdom of Basra and tribal rulers relied on the Portuguese against the Ottomans, leading to threats of invasion and conquest by the Portuguese. From 1595, the Portuguese acted as military protectors of Basra, and in 1624, they helped the Ottoman pasha of Basra repel a Persian invasion. The Portuguese were granted a share of customs revenue and exemption from tolls. From approximately 1625 to 1668, Basra and the Delta marshes were in the hands of local chiefs independent of the Ottoman administration in Baghdad. In the 17th century, frequent conflicts with the Safavids sapped the strength of the Ottoman Empire and weakened its control over its provinces. The nomadic population swelled with the influx of [[bedouin]]s from [[Najd]], leading to raids on settled areas that became difficult to curb.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/iraq/18.htm |title=Iraq – The Ottoman Period, 1534–1918 |publisher=Countrystudies.us |access-date=19 June 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Conquest_of_Mosul_by_Mustafa_Pasha_in_1631,_a_Turkish_soldier_in_the_foreground_holding_a_severed_head.jpg|alt=|thumb|Conquest of [[Mosul]] (Nineveh) by [[Kara Mustafa Pasha|Mustafa Pasha]] in 1631, a Turkish soldier in the foreground holding a severed head. L., C. (Stecher), 1631–1650.]]
During the years 1747–1831, Iraq was ruled by a [[Mamluk dynasty (Iraq)|Mamluk dynasty]] of [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] origin, who succeeded in obtaining autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. They suppressed tribal revolts, curbed the power of the [[Janissaries]], restored order, and introduced a program of modernization in the economy and military. In 1802, [[Wahhabism|Wahhabis]] from Najd [[Wahhabi sack of Karbala|attacked Karbala]] in Iraq, killing up to 5,000 people and plundering the [[Imam Husayn Shrine]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Bowen |first=Wayne H. |title=The History of Saudi Arabia |year=2008 |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, CT |isbn=978-0313340123 |page=153 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S6J2Q3TlJpMC&q=1805+saudi+karbala&pg=PA73 |oclc=166388162 }}</ref> In 1831, the Ottomans managed to overthrow the Mamluk regime and imposed their direct control over Iraq. The population of Iraq, estimated at 30 million in 800 AD, was only 5 million at the start of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.valerieyule.com.au/poprus.htm |title=Population crises and cycles in history A review of the book ''Population Crises and Population cycles'' by Claire Russell and W.M.S. Russell. |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-9504066-5-7 |publisher=valerieyule.com.au |access-date=17 August 2016}}</ref>