| FERTILECRESCENT | Ancient arc of civilisation running from Iraq to Palestine (7,8) |
| ZAGROS | Mountain range in southwestern Iran, extending northwest-southeast from the border areas of eastern Turkey and northern Iraq to the Strait of Hormuz. Its highest point is Mount Dena. (6) |
| ANI | What to add to "Iraq" to make it adjectival |
| AIDS | Helps leaders of Arab Israeli dispute central to Palestine (4) |
| PALESTINIAN | Of, or relating to, Palestine (11) |
| MESOPOTAMIAN | Cruel to imprison thus and shoot foreign friend from Iraq area (12) |
| TRIPOLI | Mediterranean seaport in Lebanon, terminus of an oil pipeline from Iraq (7) |
| ARMYMOM | Recipient of letters from Iraq, often (2 wds.) |
| BLONDEL | 12c French minstrel who according to legend accompanied Richard I to Palestine on the Crusades (7) |
| SKIP | Travel over snow to Palestine initially for Passover (4) |
| REALISE | See most Israeli ground given back to Palestine |
| ALES | And went to Palestine for some drinks (4) |
| SCHAMA | Presenter of Civilisations, A History of Britain and Power of Art, the latter exploring masterpieces by the likes of Bernini, Caravaggio, David, Picasso, Rembrandt, Turner and others (6) |
| MAYA | It put a finish to a month of civilisation (4) |
| SUMMER | Season Mike spent in ancient seat of civilisation (6) |
| INTROS | End of civilisation amid terrible riots could lead to new beginnings (6) |
| MESOPOTAMIA | Ancient "cradle of civilisation" in the Fertile Crescent |
| LAWANDORDER | Draw near to old, strange characteristic of civilisation (3,3,5) |
| ARABS | Shift Basra natives from Iraq (5) |
| DOSSIER | Good-for-nothing gathering tip from Iraq for this report? (7) |
