Erbil's Iskan Street draws evening crowds in summer heat

ERBIL, Iraq — As temperatures rise in Erbil, Iskan Street has become a popular gathering place at night, with families and young people heading there to cool off and spend time outdoors. A grill restaurant owner on the street said business picks up after sunset and that nighttime activity has increased by 50 percent. Visitors said the heat makes staying at home difficult, while one described Iskan Street as the only place in the city center to get some relief. A longtime visitor said the street is no longer just a place with restaurants, but a social meeting point for different groups in the city. The area also drew many tourists from Iraq's central and southern cities during Eid al-Adha, according to the report.