Iraq

Anbar tribes key to security, political backing ahead of Iraq's October vote

Following the introduction of a new electoral law and with many of the region’s population still looking more toward their tribes for protection than the central government, Iraq’s Sunni-dominant Anbar province is likely to be highly affected by tribal relations and figures in the October elections.

Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Apr 22, 2021

Iraqis attend a conference gathering Shiite and Sunni tribal leaders and clerics on November 8, 2014, in the capital, Baghdad, to discuss support to Sunni tribes in their fight against the Islamist State (IS) in Anbar province, west of Baghdad.

No plans for full US withdrawal from Iraq, top general says

The United States may be leaving Afghanistan but troops will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future, the CENTCOM commander told Congress.

Jared Szuba | Iraq | Apr 21, 2021

Iran welcomes Iraqi mediation with Gulf states

No clear results yet, said Tehran's ambassador in Baghdad after reports of Saudi-Iran dialogue.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Apr 21, 2021

HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia, Iran held direct talks in bid to ease tensions

Talks between the two countries were organized by Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Apr 19, 2021

In this handout provided by the EU Delegation in Vienna, Representatives of the European Union, Iran and others attend the Iran nuclear talks at the Grand Hotel on April 15, 2021, in Vienna, Austria.

Kataib Hezbollah controls access points to key Iraqi border city

Iran-linked armed groups have over the past year tightened and consolidated their grip on a key border area between Iraq and Syria, preventing journalists from entering and local residents from farming their land.

Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Apr 17, 2021

Members of the Popular Mobilization Units wave the faction flag during a symbolic funeral ceremony in the central holy city of Karbala, on the anniversary of the airstrikes by US planes on several bases belonging to the Hezbollah brigades near al-Qaim, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2020.

Despite Baghdad-Erbil agreement, Iraq fails to pass federal budget bill

Disagreements over the dollar exchange rate and foreign loans have blocked the parliament from passing the country's budget bill for a fifth time.

Joe Snell | Iraq | Mar 31, 2021

Iraqi protesters take part in a demonstration at Tahrir Square in Baghdad on December 21, 2020.

Ukrainians held hostage by PKK militants in Iraqi Kurdistan over arms trafficking scam

Al-Monitor sheds light on how two Ukrainian men were taken hostage by a Kurdish militant group that was scammed by Ukrainian crooks in a million dollar plus arms trafficking deal.

Amberin Zaman | Iraq | Mar 30, 2021

Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels man a security checkpoint on Oct. 28, 2009 near a PKK base in the Qandil mountains, near Rania province, in northern Iraq.

Pro-Iran parties launch smear campaign against Iraq's intelligence service

A political campaign targeting the Iraqi National Intelligence Service poses new challenges for the state’s key institutions.

Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Mar 29, 2021

Qais al-Khazali (C) commander of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq pro-Iran faction attends the funeral procession of slain Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and eight others at the Imam Ali Shrine in the shrine city of Najaf in central Iraq on Jan. 4, 2020.

House committee votes to repeal Iraq war military authorization

The resolution will next head to the full House for a vote. Bipartisan support for repealing the authorization pertaining to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq gained steam following the February US airstrikes in Syria, which the president approved without consulting Congress.

Adam Lucente | Iraq | Mar 26, 2021

Representative Gregory Meeks, (D-NY), and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington, March 10, 2021.

Iraq, US to resume new round of strategic dialogue

Iraq and the US have agreed to resume strategic talks over their mutual relationship and further US troop withdrawals.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Mar 24, 2021

Intel: US, Iraq to renew talks over troop presence in April

The Biden White House accepted Baghdad's request to kickstart strategic dialogue

Jared Szuba | Iraq | Mar 23, 2021

Lt. Col. Jace Neuenschwander signs a document in Mosul

Iraq's PM calls for national dialogue

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is calling for a comprehensive national dialogue among all of the country’s forces ahead of the election, seizing the opportunity after Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq.

Adnan Abu Zeed | Iraq | Mar 19, 2021

Iraqis stand outside parliament building, or Council of Representatives, in Baghdad's Green Zone on February 27, 2020. (Photo by SABAH ARAR / AFP) (Photo by SABAH ARAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq's Yazidis call for autonomy as conflict flares between army, PKK affiliates

Ongoing tensions due to regional interference to settle scores among rivals threaten new acts of violence, menacing the Yazidi minority concentrated in the area.

Saman Dawod | Iraq | Mar 18, 2021

Displaced Iraqis from the Yazidi community, who fled violence between Islamic State (IS) group jihadists and Peshmerga fighters in the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar, sit in a field near a camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) in the Sharya area some 15 kilometres from the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk on May 20, 2015.

Iraq gives visa on arrival to citizens of 30 countries

The list includes the United States, China and other large economies in a bid to attract investment to Iraq; most foreigners need to apply for a visa before traveling to Iraq.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Mar 16, 2021

An Iraqi Airways Boeing 747 cargo aircraft is pictured on the tarmac of Baghdad's international airport following its reopening on July 23, 2020, after a closure since March forced by the coronavirus pandemic restrictions, aimed at preventing the spread of the deadly COVID-19 illness in Iraq. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Flurry of Sunni Triangle ops sparks questions over Islamic State

Several large military operations conducted in Sunni-majority areas of Iraq in recent weeks and mass killings have raised questions over whether a much-debated IS resurgence is actually in the making or whether the roots of the problem lie elsewhere.

Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Mar 15, 2021

Iraq

Anbar tribes key to security, political backing ahead of Iraq's October vote

No plans for full US withdrawal from Iraq, top general says

Iran welcomes Iraqi mediation with Gulf states

Saudi Arabia, Iran held direct talks in bid to ease tensions

Kataib Hezbollah controls access points to key Iraqi border city

Despite Baghdad-Erbil agreement, Iraq fails to pass federal budget bill

Ukrainians held hostage by PKK militants in Iraqi Kurdistan over arms trafficking scam

Pro-Iran parties launch smear campaign against Iraq's intelligence service

House committee votes to repeal Iraq war military authorization

Iraq, US to resume new round of strategic dialogue

Intel: US, Iraq to renew talks over troop presence in April

Iraq's PM calls for national dialogue

Iraq's Yazidis call for autonomy as conflict flares between army, PKK affiliates

Iraq gives visa on arrival to citizens of 30 countries

Flurry of Sunni Triangle ops sparks questions over Islamic State

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