Iraq News
Economy

Militia leaders' kids flaunt wealth as ordinary Iraqis scrape by

2022-06-30

Militia leaders' kids flaunt wealth as ordinary Iraqis scrape by

As ordinary Iraqis face poverty, unemployment and food and energy shortages, the pampered sons of militia leaders are living a life of luxury.

Iraq at perilous crossroads after al-Sadr's withdrawal Analysis

2022-06-29

Iraq at perilous crossroads after al-Sadr's withdrawal

Iraq at perilous crossroads after al-Sadr's withdrawal

Iran has sought over the past months to obstruct the emergence of a strong government that constrains its interests and its detrimental interference in Iraq.

US strike kills al-Qaeda affiliated leader in Syria Security

2022-06-28

US strike kills al-Qaeda affiliated leader in Syria

US strike kills al-Qaeda affiliated leader in Syria

Hurras al-Deen leader Abu Hamzah al-Yemeni was killed in a drone strike as he travelled alone on a motorcycle on the eastern edge of Idlib city.

Syrians tell of torture, rape, detention at hands of IRGC and Hizbullah
Human Rights

2022-06-28

Syrians tell of torture, rape, detention at hands of IRGC and Hizbullah

Years after their incarceration in Syrian prisons operated by Iran and its allies, former inmates still bear physical and psychological scars.

Russia-backed militias in Syria feel the pinch as focus shifts to Ukraine
Politics

2022-06-27

Russia-backed militias in Syria feel the pinch as focus shifts to Ukraine

As funding and support dry up amid the Ukraine war, members of Russia-backed militias have defected, some joining Iran-aligned groups.

US, Bahraini and Israeli commanders extol benefits of international maritime co-operation
Security

2022-06-24

US, Bahraini and Israeli commanders extol benefits of international maritime co-operation

'Our shared commitment to protecting regional waterways and the free flow of commerce unites us all.'

Are you feeling the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on your wallet?

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Southern Syria central to Hizbullah's regional drug smuggling operations

The Iran-backed party is smuggling Captagon across the region from the southern provinces of Sweida and Daraa, near the Jordan border.

Southern Syria central to Hizbullah's regional drug smuggling operations
'Blackmail': Russia threatens world famine with blockade of Ukraine
Economy

2022-06-23

'Blackmail': Russia threatens world famine with blockade of Ukraine

Moscow is demanding sanctions be scrapped in exchange for re-opening Ukrainian seaports. At the same time, Russian forces are looting and selling Ukrainian grain, observers say.

Assad regime helps Russia, Iran corral vulnerable Syrian mercenaries
Politics

2022-06-22

Assad regime helps Russia, Iran corral vulnerable Syrian mercenaries

Aided by the regime of Bashar al-Assad, Russian and Iranian recruiters are lining up mercenaries to fight in their wars in Ukraine and Yemen, preying on desperate Syrian youth.

Iran's Baghdad embassy funneled millions to IRGC: reports
Crime & Justice

2022-06-21

Iran's Baghdad embassy funneled millions to IRGC: reports

Former Iranian ambassador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi reportedly transferred large sums of money meant for the Iranian public to the IRGC Quds Force.

Kuwaiti diesel bust exposes Iran's widening smuggling efforts
Security

2022-06-20

Kuwaiti diesel bust exposes Iran's widening smuggling efforts

Oil, diesel fuel, drugs and guns -- the Iranian regime and its IRGC appear to have no limits on the extent of their illicit smuggling activity in the region.

Iraq exhumes mass graves from 4 decades of violence
Crime & Justice

2022-06-17

Iraq exhumes mass graves from 4 decades of violence

Forensic experts are working to identify the remains of the victims of ISIS, Iran-backed militias and others found in mass graves across Iraq.

US bombers conduct 3rd 'presence patrol' of 2022 across Middle East
Security

2022-06-17

US bombers conduct 3rd 'presence patrol' of 2022 across Middle East

The US Air Force conducted a 'presence patrol' mission over the Middle East to demonstrate continued commitment to regional stability.

US airborne raid nets top ISIS operative in Syria
Security

2022-06-16

US airborne raid nets top ISIS operative in Syria

In a swift nighttime operation, the international coalition captured an 'experienced bomb maker and operational facilitator' in an Aleppo village near Turkish border.

China's drone carrier hints at aggressive territorial ambitions
Security

2022-06-15

China's drone carrier hints at aggressive territorial ambitions

China's Zhu Hai Yun drone carrier is an imposing and provocative threat in the Pacific Ocean, where Beijing aims to cement territorial claims, analysts say.

Argentina seizes passports of grounded plane's Iranian crew
Politics

2022-06-14

Argentina seizes passports of grounded plane's Iranian crew

Authorities are probing crew members' possible links to Iran's IRGC, after finding 'things that were not logical' during a routine check.

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Russia-backed militias in Syria feel the pinch as focus shifts to Ukraine

US strike kills al-Qaeda affiliated leader in Syria

Syrians tell of torture, rape, detention at hands of IRGC and Hizbullah

Most Commented

Iraqis reject new Iran-backed political movement

Intermittent access to internet suggests Tehran may fear new uprising

Iraqi security forces on alert as Iranian proxies eye upcoming election

Syria citadel ISIS occupied slowly regains its status
Security

2022-06-13

Syria citadel ISIS occupied slowly regains its status

The ancient fortress of Qalaat Jaabar on the banks of Lake Assad in al-Raqa province is once again drawing visitors for boat rides and picnics.

Aleppo's displaced watch helplessly as Iranian militias occupy their homes
Politics

2022-06-10

Aleppo's displaced watch helplessly as Iranian militias occupy their homes

Forced off their land by the Syrian regime and its allies, displaced Aleppo residents can only watch online as Hizbullah and Iran-aligned militias live in their homes and sell off their possessions.

Iran disconnects nuclear site cameras, plans to enrich more uranium after censure
Politics

2022-06-09

Iran disconnects nuclear site cameras, plans to enrich more uranium after censure

The move comes after an International Atomic Energy Agency vote to censure Iran for its lack of co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Financier of Russian mercenary group fails to dodge culpability
Human Rights

2022-06-07

Financier of Russian mercenary group fails to dodge culpability

A top EU court rejected Yevgeny Prigozhin's bid to overturn sanctions amid growing evidence of war crimes committed by Russian mercenaries in conflicts around the world.

China moves in on Iran as it seeks to extend its hegemony into Middle East
Politics

2022-06-07

China moves in on Iran as it seeks to extend its hegemony into Middle East

The regime in China seeks economic influence and a slice of the region's energy resources, while Iran looks East for support as it faces Western sanctions.

Iraq intercepts aircraft carrying illicit narcotics from Iran
Crime & Justice

2022-06-06

Iraq intercepts aircraft carrying illicit narcotics from Iran

Responding to a tip-off, Iraqi forces forced down a microlight aircraft carrying one million Captagon pills that was apparently destined for Kuwait.

Suspicious death of 2nd IRGC colonel highlights 'mafia-like' Quds Force
Crime & Justice

2022-06-03

Suspicious death of 2nd IRGC colonel highlights 'mafia-like' Quds Force

Loyalty to Ali Khamenei is critical for survival within the IRGC, as those suspected of espionage, critical of Khamenei, or proven disloyal in any way are likely to be assassinated.

Southern Syria central to Hizbullah's regional drug smuggling operations
Crime & Justice

2022-06-03

Southern Syria central to Hizbullah's regional drug smuggling operations

The Iran-backed party is smuggling Captagon across the region from the southern provinces of Sweida and Daraa, near the Jordan border.

Reward money being offered for tips on drones
Security

2022-06-02

Reward money being offered for tips on drones

The reward programme is being used as a potential avenue to reduce the use of drones in the region that are increasingly causing destruction and instability.

Conflicts exacerbate drought that threatens millions in Syria, Iraq
Environment

2022-06-01

Conflicts exacerbate drought that threatens millions in Syria, Iraq

The Syrian regime's extended war on its own people and Iran's river diversions have exacerbated the regional drought, posing a serious threat to food security and the environment.

Russia reasserts presence in southern Syria as Iran makes inroads
Politics

2022-05-31

Russia reasserts presence in southern Syria as Iran makes inroads

Russia has stepped up its patrols in Daraa as Iran-backed militias attempt to expand their footprint, taking advantage of Moscow's preoccupation with the Ukraine war.

Iraq battles illicit drug networks facilitated by IRGC, militias
Crime & Justice

2022-05-27

Iraq battles illicit drug networks facilitated by IRGC, militias

Iraq's war against drugs includes raids and border security crackdowns, which have led to the seizure of huge quantities of illicit narcotics.

IRGC oil smuggling network linked to Russian government hit with sanctions
Crime & Justice

2022-05-27

IRGC oil smuggling network linked to Russian government hit with sanctions

The Russian government helped facilitate the shipment of Iranian oil to companies in Europe on behalf of the Quds Force, an arm of the IRGC responsible for instability across the Middle East.

Iraqi forces on high alert to stop increase in ISIS attacks
Terrorism

2022-05-26

Iraqi forces on high alert to stop increase in ISIS attacks

Pre-emptive plans are being implemented in close co-ordination between the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga forces, and with support from tribesmen and local residents.

Iran's domestic drone programme has spawned a regional fleet
Security

2022-05-26

Iran's domestic drone programme has spawned a regional fleet

Iran has pursued its ambition to become the dominant regional power through the manufacture and export of drones to its proxies, while trying to evade direct responsibility for attacks.