Iraq wrangling with $26.6 billion budget deficit

The parliament is studying Iraq’s controversial 2017 budget this week, with the main challenges coming from a significant deficit and disagreements over allocations.

Iraq

IS cells lurking in Iraq's Anbar continue to strike liberated areas

Perhaps in retaliation for its successive defeats by the Iraqi army and despite wide efforts to maintain security, the Islamic State is still bombing areas recently liberated from its control.

Iraq

Kurdish soldiers bring own weapons to fight IS in Mosul

As the Kurdish peshmerga complain about the shortage of US support, some tend to buy weapons with their own money to attend the battle against the Islamic State.

Iraq

Islamic State turns to cigarette smuggling to fund itself

As the Islamic State loses its financial resources, it turns to fund the organization through other resources such as cigarette smuggling.

Iraq

Sunni town, Shiite PMU join forces in fight against IS

Hundreds of civilians flee daily from the Islamic State-controlled areas toward Sunni areas under control of the predominantly Shiite Popular Mobilization Units.

Iraq

After Mosul battle, is Syria next for PMU?

As the liberation of Mosul nears, the Popular Mobilization Units announced that they have received an invitation from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to fight in Syria.

Iraq

Iraq seeks to merge PMU militias under new image

Popular Mobilization Units leaders are meeting with Western politicians and diplomats regularly, trying to improve the group's reputation in the West.

Iraq

Millions of Iranians enter Iraq for Shiite ritual

Millions of Iranian pilgrims flock to Iraq to join the marking of Arbaeen, the anniversary of the 40th day of mourning after the killing of the third Shiite Imam, Hussein bin Ali.

Iraq

Would Trump back Turkish military escalation in Iraq, Syria?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan weighs risks and benefits of military interventions as Donald Trump transition signals possible Turkish tilt; Will Iraq's Baathists return after liberation of Mosul?

Iraq

Militias make use of Iraqi universities to spread their influence

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units finds that universities provide a perfect recruitment platform.

Iraq

Iran, Turkey fight over Tal Afar

As the predominantly Shiite Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), with the support of Iran, expand their control over the recently liberated area of Tal Afar, which has a Turkmen majority, the tension between the PMU and Turkey has increased.

Iraq

Will Iraq's Sinjar become new base for PKK?

While the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party are competing over Sinjar, the Yazidis dismiss fears of the PKK making it a "second Qandil."

Iraq