Cockfighting still popular in Iraq

Roosters taking part in a cockfight at a popular cafe in Iraq’s southern city of Basra recently. Photo: AFP

Two vicious roosters circle a filthy carpet in southern Iraq, facing off for a cockfight that has drawn dozens to a dimly lit cafe in the port city of Basra.

"This practice has been around since I was born in 1949,” said referee Riad Ali, whose father introduced him to cockfighting when he was around 10.