Iraq News
Economy

China's deal to build 1,000 schools in Iraq sparks worries about long-term consequences

2022-01-19

China's deal to build 1,000 schools in Iraq sparks worries about long-term consequences

While China's deal with Iraq to build desperately needed schools appears to be a positive step, Iraqis fear China will exploit the situation to gain a bigger foothold in the Iraqi economy.

Deir Ezzor activists 'name and shame' IRGC collaborators Protests

2022-01-19

Deir Ezzor activists 'name and shame' IRGC collaborators

Deir Ezzor activists 'name and shame' IRGC collaborators

Via grassroots and online campaigns, Deir Ezzor activists are working to expose the identity of local residents who collaborate with the IRGC.

Arab coalition strikes Sanaa in retaliation for Houthis' attack on UAE Security

2022-01-18

Arab coalition strikes Sanaa in retaliation for Houthis' attack on UAE

Arab coalition strikes Sanaa in retaliation for Houthis' attack on UAE

Retaliation came after three people died and six were injured in a Houthi-claimed attack on Abu Dhabi with ballistic missiles and armed drones.

Hizbullah digs in near Syria's Sayyida Zainab shrine
Politics

2022-01-17

Hizbullah digs in near Syria's Sayyida Zainab shrine

The Iran-backed party has built concrete fortifications and weapons storage facilities above and below ground near the Damascus shrine.

Glorification of slain Iranian general Soleimani rankles Afghans
Security

2022-01-14

Glorification of slain Iranian general Soleimani rankles Afghans

Slain IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani is responsible for thousands of Afghan deaths and should not be honoured as a hero, Afghans say.

Former Syrian military officer gets life sentence in historic torture trial
Crime & Justice

2022-01-13

Former Syrian military officer gets life sentence in historic torture trial

Prosecutors say he oversaw rape and sexual abuse, 'electric shocks', beatings with 'fists, wires and whips' and 'sleep deprivation' at the prison.

Do you support a boycott of the upcoming Beijing Olympics due to China's repression of Muslims in Xinjiang?

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Pro-Iran groups fingered in attacks on coalition bases in Iraq, Syria

The attacks by Iran-backed groups undermine the international effort to eradicate the threat of ISIS in the region, and prove to be more dangerous to civilians than to soldiers.

Pro-Iran groups fingered in attacks on coalition bases in Iraq, Syria
Iran demands maritime security while engaging in piracy, smuggling
Security

2022-01-12

Iran demands maritime security while engaging in piracy, smuggling

A confidential UN report has concluded that thousands of weapons and rocket launchers seized in the Arabian Sea by the US Navy in recent months likely originated from the Iranian port of Jask.

USAID helps al-Raqa women farmers revive their lands
Economy

2022-01-12

USAID helps al-Raqa women farmers revive their lands

USAID is providing more than 150 women with the technical know-how and the tools to rehabilitate their dormant, war-damaged fields and become self sufficient.

Chinese projects in Iraq provoke increasing resentment among locals
Economy

2022-01-11

Chinese projects in Iraq provoke increasing resentment among locals

A recent attack on a Chinese oil services company in Dhi Qar is a manifestation of public unease over China's economic incursion.

Iran-aligned gunmen wound anti-Soleimani protesters
Security

2022-01-10

Iran-aligned gunmen wound anti-Soleimani protesters

Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr denounced the pro-Iran militias ahead of inaugural parliament meeting, saying there is no room left for them in Iraq.

Iran-backed militias, Syrian forces seize private homes in Daraya
Security

2022-01-10

Iran-backed militias, Syrian forces seize private homes in Daraya

The regime and its allied militias are using legislation, money and force to seize properties around Damascus in a push to create a major demographic change.

Fate of Iraq's forcibly disappeared still a mystery
Security

2022-01-07

Fate of Iraq's forcibly disappeared still a mystery

Many blame Iran-aligned militias for the disappearance of dozens of activists and journalists and for their detention in secret prisons, where some died under torture.

Statue of Qassem Soleimani torched in Iran hours after unveiling
Crime & Justice

2022-01-07

Statue of Qassem Soleimani torched in Iran hours after unveiling

The torching of the statue is a sign of growing discontent with the regime prioritising foreign expansionist plans over the well-being of its own citizens.

Pro-Iran groups fingered in attacks on coalition bases in Iraq, Syria
Security

2022-01-06

Pro-Iran groups fingered in attacks on coalition bases in Iraq, Syria

The attacks by Iran-backed groups undermine the international effort to eradicate the threat of ISIS in the region, and prove to be more dangerous to civilians than to soldiers.

Global Imams urge Muslims to boycott Beijing Olympics
Religion

2022-01-05

Global Imams urge Muslims to boycott Beijing Olympics

Islamic leaders of all denominations have told Muslims not to attend or participate in the games over China's ongoing oppression, torture and sexual abuse of Muslims in Xinjiang.

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Hizbullah digs in near Syria's Sayyida Zainab shrine

Glorification of slain Iranian general Soleimani rankles Afghans

Chinese projects in Iraq provoke increasing resentment among locals

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US calls on Iraq to dismantle armed groups

Virtual reality game explores Mosul relics, promotes message of peace

Kawtharani 'unwelcome' in Iraq, activists say

Multiple drone attacks against coalition forces in Iraq foiled on Soleimani anniversary
Security

2022-01-04

Multiple drone attacks against coalition forces in Iraq foiled on Soleimani anniversary

The attacks come as Tehran and its allies across the Middle East commemorate the second anniversary of the killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

Iran's push for war, instability abroad deepen domestic discontent
Politics

2022-01-03

Iran's push for war, instability abroad deepen domestic discontent

The regime's insistence on upholding the legacy of slain IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani comes at the expense of the Iranian people, who are getting more and more impatient.

Clerics back US stance against China's repression of Muslim minorities
Human Rights

2021-12-30

Clerics back US stance against China's repression of Muslim minorities

The United States is punishing China economically and diplomatically for its 'genocide' of Muslims in Xinjiang, and leaders in the Islamic world say more countries should follow suit.

Militia threat to US forces in Iraq deemed a stunt to cover up election embarrassment
Security

2021-12-29

Militia threat to US forces in Iraq deemed a stunt to cover up election embarrassment

The recently confirmed election result in Iraq, which saw Iran-linked militias suffer major losses, is the reason for the uptick in violent rhetoric against coalition forces in the country, observers say.

Iran's diversion of water resources away from Iraq 'a form of war'
Human Rights

2021-12-28

Iran's diversion of water resources away from Iraq 'a form of war'

Iran has blocked more than 12 major rivers that flow into the Tigris, depriving a large number of farmers of irrigation water and turning their fields into barren lands.

Shadow of Fatemiyoun militia looms over Afghanistan's future
Security

2021-12-26

Shadow of Fatemiyoun militia looms over Afghanistan's future

Iranian leaders are keeping their much touted Afghan-comprised Fatemiyoun militia ready in Syria as they await political and security developments in Afghanistan.

ISIS attacks fell in 2021, but Al-Azhar warns of group's 'drone' strategy
Terrorism

2021-12-23

ISIS attacks fell in 2021, but Al-Azhar warns of group's 'drone' strategy

The extremist group is exploiting technological advances to find new ways to inflict harm, experts caution, calling for ongoing vigilance.

Russian settlement bursts with activity in the heart of Syria
Security

2021-12-21

Russian settlement bursts with activity in the heart of Syria

In Palmyra, Wagner Group mercenaries, phosphate miners and oil and gas field workers are flooding in to pursue influence and profit, creating a 'totally Russian area'.

Iran's envoy to Houthis evacuated to Tehran with COVID-19
Protests

2021-12-20

Iran's envoy to Houthis evacuated to Tehran with COVID-19

The controversial envoy left on an Iraqi flight organised at the Houthis' request, agreed to by Saudi authorities with Iraqi and Omani mediation.

Baghdad sees cultural revival, despite lingering shadows
Society

2021-12-20

Baghdad sees cultural revival, despite lingering shadows

As the country begins to find its footing after ISIS and confronts new challenges, Iraqis are looking to art to alleviate the stress of their daily lives.

Jordan under increasing pressure from water scarcity
Environment

2021-12-20

Jordan under increasing pressure from water scarcity

Population growth, the refugee influx and climate change have put pressure on water resources in one of the world's driest countries.

Brutal killing of Syrian special needs teen by Russian troops sparks outrage
Crime & Justice

2021-12-17

Brutal killing of Syrian special needs teen by Russian troops sparks outrage

Russian troops shot the 16-year-old and then ran over his body. They say they thought he was a terrorist, but the young man was known to the soldiers, and the brutality of the killing is suspect.

Iraqi wars' deadly legacy: unexploded ordnance
Security

2021-12-16

Iraqi wars' deadly legacy: unexploded ordnance

In a country that has one of the world's highest UXO contamination rates, almost one in four people is exposed to risk from unexploded ordnance.

IRGC draws women into Syrian militias in soft power push
Security

2021-12-14

IRGC draws women into Syrian militias in soft power push

The move comes at a time of heightened competition for influence and control in the eastern regions of Syria between the Iranians, Russians and the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad.

SDF, international coalition take out ISIS cell in eastern Syria raid
Security

2021-12-14

SDF, international coalition take out ISIS cell in eastern Syria raid

The raid followed a string of attacks on the Syrian Democratic Forces and demonstrates a joint commitment to 'deal ISIS a lasting defeat'.