Homs is the 3rd largest city in Syria. Before the start of the Syrian Civil War, it was the center for industry.

Capital of the Kurdish region of Iraq, Erbil is one of the most ancient cities in the world dating back to at least 2300 BC.

Located in the Nineveh planes about 40 miles west of Mosul, Tel Afar is inhabited by majority Turkmen peoples who are both Sunni and Shia.