three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band
the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white)
the Council of Representatives approved this flag in 2008 as a compromise replacement for the Ba'thist SADDAM-era flag
note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script
Yemen, which has a plain white band
and that of Egypt, which has a golden Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band