Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. 23rd Feb, 2026. ERBIL, IRAQ - FEBRUARY 23 2026 Kurdish shepherd Mohamad Hashim rests with his prayer beads and traditional wooden staff as his goats graze on a grassy patch in the heart of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In the background, modern high-rise residential buildings and busy city traffic highlight the stark contrast between the region s rapid urban expansion and its deep-rooted pastoral traditions. Despite the city s transformation into a modern hub, some locals continue to practice traditional livestock herding within the urban

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