Islamic State escalates violence across Baghdad Belt Terrorist attacks increase as Iraq continues government formation process. Week in Review | Iraq | Jan 22, 2022 Mourners carry the casket of one of eleven Iraqi soldiers, killed in an overnight attack by the Islamic State (IS) group against a base in eastern Iraq, through a street in the central holy shrine city of Najaf, on Jan. 21, 2022.
Islamic State wipes out entire army outpost in Iraq’s Diyala The latest major Islamic State attack in Iraq left 11 dead, including soldiers and their commanding officer, at an army outpost in a restive area northeast of Baghdad. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Jan 21, 2022
Iraqi army boots PKK-linked leader’s statue from Sinjar, arrests fighters The Iraqi army has arrested several fighters from a PKK-linked Yazidi faction operating in Sinjar as part of an attempt to get them to abide by an accord signed in 2020 for greater stability and security. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Jan 21, 2022
Iraq moves forward with building pilgrim route to Saudi Arabia The Iraqi government is showing interest in completing the pilgrim route linking Iraq and Saudi Arabia, which will facilitate the arrival of religious visitor convoys between the two countries and will enhance trade and political relations. Adnan Abu Zeed | Iraq | Jan 21, 2022
Islamic State stages Syria prison break, kills 11 soldiers in Iraq The Islamic State attacked an Iraqi army barracks and a prison holding jihadists in Kurdish-run northeast Syria overnight. Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Jan 21, 2022
Iraq's credit rating lifts with final reparations payment to Kuwait Iraq paid Kuwait a final installment of war reparations more than 31 years after the invasion of Kuwait, which may free up funds for new domestic projects. Adnan Abu Zeed | Iraq | Jan 12, 2022
Protests challenge local Iraqi authorities The popular protests erupted in rejection of local administrations since parliamentary blocs in Iraq neglected to hold provincial elections. Omar Sattar | Iraq | Jan 11, 2022
Conservative groups seek to shut down concerts in Iraq Iraqis fear that Islamic parties and armed religious groups are trying to impose their fundamentalist views on social and personal freedoms. Mustafa Saadoun | Iraq | Jan 11, 2022
Iraq's speaker re-elected with backing of Muqtada al-Sadr Mohammed al-Halbusi is Iraq's speaker of parliament for a second term despite opposition from Shiite parties aligned with Iran. Hassan Ali Ahmed | Iraq | Jan 10, 2022
Kataib Hezbollah member’s family massacred in Baghdad An assassination attempt on a member of the Popular Mobilization Units and the massacre of his wife and children have raised questions about security in the Iraqi capital amid continuing US-Iran geopolitical tension in the region. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Jan 7, 2022
Coalition hits back at Iran-backed groups A sharp uptick in drone and rocket attacks allegedly by Iran-backed groups have targeted bases housing US-led coalition forces in both Syria and Iraq as part of a push to force all US troops to leave the region. Shelly Kittleson | Iraq | Jan 6, 2022
Babil massacre increases demand to reform Iraqi security forces Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi refers to the "heartbreaking massacre" and reinforces his commitment to security reform after 20 family members are killed based on specious charges. Hassan Ali Ahmed | Iraq | Jan 6, 2022
Iraq records first omicron cases Five cases were confirmed in Dohuk province and an unknown number of infections were recorded among foreign diplomats in Baghdad. Al-Monitor Staff | Iraq | Jan 6, 2022
Attacks on US in Iraq meant to send ‘harsh’ message — without spilling blood On the anniversary of the death of former IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani and with the resumption of the nuclear talks in Vienna, Iran stakes out a hard line. Ali Hashem (Iran Pulse) | Iraq | Jan 6, 2022
The Takeaway: Iraq’s elections: What comes next? Updates from our correspondents in Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Egypt and New York; Multimedia reporting on Kurds, Tel Aviv, Egypt and Sharjah! Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Iraq | Jan 5, 2022
Egyptian archaeologists unwrap Amenhotep I mummy, rewrite history Mohamed Saied | Culture | Jan 8, 2022
Sultan Qaboos’ environmental legacy hits economic roadblock in Oman Sebastian Castelier | Gulf | Jan 7, 2022
Erdogan hopes fence-mending trip to Saudi Arabia eases financial woes Fehim Tastekin | Turkey | Jan 7, 2022
Attacks on US in Iraq meant to send ‘harsh’ message — without spilling blood Ali Hashem (Iran Pulse) | Iraq | Jan 6, 2022
Mourners carry the casket of one of eleven Iraqi soldiers, killed in an overnight attack by the Islamic State (IS) group against a base in eastern Iraq, through a street in the central holy shrine city of Najaf, on Jan. 21, 2022.
