History

The Order of the Two Rivers (Wisam al-Imtiaz-i-Rafidain) was established by King Faisal Ghazi I of Iraq in 1922 or 1927. The Order was named after the two great rivers of Iraq, the Tigris, and the Euphrates, and is awarded in 4 Classes to both civil and military personnel in recognition of exceptional or meritorious services to the state. Other foreigners may also be eligible for the award. The Order also has an associated Medal (see IRQ117). Despite the fall of the Iraqi Hashemite dynasty following the 1958 Iraqi Coup de'etat, the Order was retained and modified during the Iraqi Republic (see IRQ119).

The Commander is conferred as the second highest Class of the Order and is worn from a neck ribbon. It is uncertain if the Commander Class is also issued with a Breast Badge. More research is necessary.

The Commander features an Arabic inscription on the obverse which translates to "The Iraqi Kingdom Loving the Country is Faith" and the reverse translates to "Justice is the Basis for the Kingdom Faisal I 1345 A.H."

The Commander is presented in both a military and civil version. Commanders awarded to military personnel are suspended from a suspension device which features crossed sabres superimposed onto a wreath, while Commanders awarded in recognition of civil service feature a wreath suspension devoid of crossed sabres.