In pics: Samarra Archaeological City in Iraq

This photo taken on March 3, 2025 shows the spiraling minaret of Abu Dulaf Mosque on the outskirts of Samarra, in Salahuddin province, Iraq. Samarra Archaeological City, located about 130 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, contains the remains of an iconic Islamic city that during most of the 9th century served as the capital of the Abbasid Empire, and has been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)

This photo taken on March 3, 2025 shows the spiraling minaret of Abu Dulaf Mosque on the outskirts of Samarra, in Salahuddin province, Iraq. Samarra Archaeological City, located about 130 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, contains the remains of an iconic Islamic city that during most of the 9th century served as the capital of the Abbasid Empire, and has been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)

This photo taken on March 3, 2025 shows the spiraling minaret of the Great Mosque in Samarra, Salahuddin province, Iraq. Samarra Archaeological City, located about 130 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, contains the remains of an iconic Islamic city that during most of the 9th century served as the capital of the Abbasid Empire, and has been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)

This photo taken on March 3, 2025 shows the spiraling minaret of the Great Mosque in Samarra, Salahuddin province, Iraq. Samarra Archaeological City, located about 130 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, contains the remains of an iconic Islamic city that during most of the 9th century served as the capital of the Abbasid Empire, and has been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)

This photo taken on March 3, 2025 shows the spiraling minaret of Abu Dulaf Mosque on the outskirts of Samarra, in Salahuddin province, Iraq. Samarra Archaeological City, located about 130 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, contains the remains of an iconic Islamic city that during most of the 9th century served as the capital of the Abbasid Empire, and has been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)

This photo taken on March 3, 2025 shows the spiraling minaret of Abu Dulaf Mosque on the outskirts of Samarra, in Salahuddin province, Iraq. Samarra Archaeological City, located about 130 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, contains the remains of an iconic Islamic city that during most of the 9th century served as the capital of the Abbasid Empire, and has been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)

This photo taken on March 3, 2025 shows the spiraling minaret of the Great Mosque in Samarra, Salahuddin province, Iraq. Samarra Archaeological City, located about 130 km north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, contains the remains of an iconic Islamic city that during most of the 9th century served as the capital of the Abbasid Empire, and has been on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger since 2007. (Xinhua/Duan Minfu)