Qayara

Qayara, also transliterated Qayarah, is a town and a qadaa (district) in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. It lies to the southwest of Mosul in the Nineveh Plain and sits along road networks that connect Mosul with Tal Afar and routes toward the Iraqi–Syrian border. The district encompasses the town of Qayara and a number of rural villages, with an economy primarily based on agriculture and related activities.

Historically, Qayara has been affected by regional instability and conflict in the 21st century. During the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014, Qayara and the nearby air base were captured by ISIS militants and used as a base for operations in the Mosul region. The Qayara Air Base, a former Iraqi military installation near the town, changed hands during the conflict and became a focus of military operations. In 2016–2017, Iraqi security forces, with coalition support, conducted operations to retake the area, including the air base, as part of the broader Mosul offensive. By the end of these campaigns, the district had largely been liberated, though security concerns and reconstruction needs persisted.

In the post-conflict period, the area has undergone stabilization and reconstruction efforts, with attention to restoring infrastructure, services, and livelihoods for residents who experienced displacement. Qayara remains strategically located near Mosul, contributing to the region’s transportation links and agricultural productivity.