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Iraq

March 11, 2026

Baghdad 2:53 am

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The sun sets behind burning gas flares at the Dora Oil Refinery Complex in Baghdad on Nov. 24, 2025.

Exclusive

Baghdad, US turn to Iraqi Kurds for oil exports as Iran war hits supplies

Baghdad wants Kurdish pipelines to move up to 200,000 barrels per day to global markets, but Erbil is demanding relief from a dollar embargo and greater autonomy over trade.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters affiliated with PAK train on Jan. 18, 2026, near Erbil, Iraq.

Why Israel's looking to Kurds to make gains against Iran regime

Israeli-Kurdish relations are rooted in a common struggle against Islamic extremism and the Kurds’ strategic presence across Turkey, Syria and Iran.

Osama Al Maqdoni / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

CIA, Mossad bolster Iran’s Kurds as US, Israel seek to ignite military revolt

Israel hopes Iran’s Kurds, and other minorities, will mobilize to help bring down the Iranian regime.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

A picture from the formation of the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan on Feb. 22, 2026.

Which 6 Kurdish groups could join the war in Iran?

Iranian Kurdish groups that recently formed an alliance could soon join the United States and Israel in their campaign against the Islamic Republic, Al-Monitor has learned.

Latest News

Exclusive

US-backed Kurdish forces poised to enter Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan 'within days'

A member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) participates in a military drill in an outpost near Erbil, Kurdistan region of Iraq on Jan. 15, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

Kurds see opening yet remain wary as Trump seeks help to oust Iran regime

An Iranian Kurdish Peshmerga member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) inspects damage sustained at the Azadi Camp of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) following an Iranian cross-border attack in the town of Koye (Koysinjaq), in the east of Erbil district in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq on March 3, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with the killing of Iran's supreme leader and the Islamic republic retaliated with barr

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Turkey to repatriate its ISIS fighters from Iraq as jihadis escalate Syria attacks

Women and children seen inside al-Hol camp, amongst them some 6,200 women and children from around 40 nationalities, and including relatives of suspected Islamic State jihadists in the desert region of Hasakah province on Jan. 25, 2026 in Al Hasakah, Syria.

Here is what to know about Kuwait-Iraq maritime dispute

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

Pentagon ‘comfortable’ with troop levels in Middle East ahead of review

Whether the United States pulls forces from the Middle East to counter China may well depend on the success of Biden's diplomacy with Iran

Pope Francis holds the Holy Book of Prayers as he celebrates Mass for the Epiphany on January 6, 2021 at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. (Photo by REMO CASILLI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by REMO CASILLI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope’s schedule in Iraq reveals two missions

In the first-ever papal visit to the country, Pope Francis plans to highlight the plight of Iraq's dwindling Christian population and promote interfaith dialogue.

An aerial view shows the Mandili crossing between Iraq and Iran on July 11, 2020. - Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi launched a new campaign against corruption at the country's borders, saying millions of dollars were being lost by not properly taxing imported goods. (Photo by Thaier Al-SUDANI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by THAIER AL-SUDANI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraqi border crossings better protected as cells attempt desert attacks

The prime minister’s decision to send military reinforcements to Iraq's border ports last year seems to have made officials feel safer and reduced revenue-siphoning corruption.

Islamic State officials behind Baghdad bombing killed, prime minister says

The strike follows the killing of IS' top official for Iraq near Kirkuk last week.

Iraq mourns the first set of remains of Yazidi genocide victims

More than six years after the massacre, before their burial in Sinjar on Feb. 4, Iraqis held a funeral for Yazidis who were murdered en masse by the Islamic State in 2014.

An Iraqi cleric walks on a US flag painted on the ground as people gather to pay respects by the grave of slain commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at the Wadi al-Salam ("Valley of Peace") cemetery in the holy city of Najaf, on January 4, 2021, marking the first anniversary of his killing alongside Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike. (Photo by Ali NAJAFI / AFP) (Photo by ALI NAJAFI/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran says 'best response' for US forces to leave Iraq

Officials in Tehran renewed calls for an end to the American military presence in neighboring Iraq as a response to the US killing of Iran’s top commander Qasem Soleimani.

Gulf states prepared to support Iraqi sovereignty, fight terrorism: GCC Secretary General

Strengthened Iraq-GCC relations could bolster stability in the country and lessen Baghdad's dependence on Iran.

Pope Francis dismisses uncertainty over upcoming Iraq trip

Francis' visit to the country next month will mark the first time a pope has visited Iraq.

A member of the Iraqi federal police forces sits inside an armoured vehicle at a checkpoint in a street in the capital Baghdad on January 29, 2021, during tightened security measures, a day after a man identified as the top Islamic State (IS) group figure in the country was killed. - Iraq's premier announced yesterday that the military had killed the man, a week after an IS attack in Baghdad killed more than 30 people.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi said IS's Iraq "wali", or governor, Abu Yasser al-Issaw

Iraq, coalition partners had been on trail of IS commander a 'long time'

Iraq announced Jan. 28 that its US-trained Counterterrorism Services in coordination with national intelligence had conducted an operation leading to the killing of the commander of Islamic State remnants in the country, in an "insurgent-infested" valley of the oil-rich, disputed southern Kirkuk province.

Iraqi security forces kill senior Islamic State commander

Iraq's military said Abu Yaser al-Issawi was killed in a counterterrorism operation outside Kirkuk.

Pope Francis, Shiite leader al-Sistani to meet in historic Iraq trip

Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani are scheduled to meet in the Iraqi city of Najaf during the first papal visit to the country.

Iraq is planning to host Gulf Cup soccer tournament

Adnan Dirjal, Iraq's minister of youth and sports, has gotten the ministry to promote health and fitness and is spearheading the nation's bid to host the 25th Arab Gulf Cup in Basra.