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Qarmat Ali
Town in Basra, Iraq

Qarmat Ali

Qarmat Ali, known locally as Al-Qarmah and historically as Nahr Adi, is an Iraqi town located in Al-Hartha District, Basra.

The river that gives it its name runs through it, and it is the largest river in Basra. It is connected to the Marshes and flows into the Shatt al-Arab, and on it is a bridge connecting the north of Basra to its south, and another bridge connecting it to Al-Maqal. Some government institutions are located on its banks, including the University of Basra.

How locals move

Getting around Qarmat Ali the local way

  • Get inA river ferry is available from nearby Khorramshahr, across the border in Iran, taking just 45 minutes to complete the journey.
  • Get inThe ferry is run by Valfajar Shipping Company and there are multiple sailings each week.

From Wikivoyage: Basra, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-04.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.