Saudi Arabian–Iraqi neutral zone

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The Saudi Arabian–Iraqi neutral zone also known as the neutral territory (NT) or neutral territory zone (NTZ), was a kite-shaped region of 7,044 km2 (1,741,000 acres) on the border between Saudi Arabia and Iraq within which the border between the two countries had not been settled. The neutral zone came into existence following the Uqair Protocol of 1922 that defined the border between Mandatory Iraq and the Sultanate of Nejd (Saudi Arabia's predecessor state). An agreement to partition the neutral zone was reached by Iraqi and Saudi representatives on 26 December 1981, and approved by the Iraqi National Assembly on 28 January 1982. The territory was divided on an unknown date between 28 January and 30 July 1982. Notice was given to the United Nations in June 1991. Since there was no significant infrastructure or urban development in the zone, the population remained sparse and mainly ethnic Bedouin throughout the neutral zone's existence. The people living there were typically scattered...

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