Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iraq's Zaidi cancels Riyadh visit after US-Saudi strikes Netanyahu lauds 'excellent' Trump meeting; Turkey detains another opposition mayor; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Zaidi cancels Riyadh trip after US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq The move comes after Riyadh joined Washington in targeting Iraqi militias, dealing a setback to Baghdad's efforts to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab states. Iraq
Explainer Erdogan hosts Zaidi, touts ‘historic step’ in Turkey-Iraq energy ties The Turkish president outlined Ankara’s priorities with the new Iraqi government during the Iraqi leader’s first visit to Turkey: security, energy cooperation and the Development Road. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel’s Netanyahu to discuss Iran, Lebanon with Trump Oman proposes Hormuz management plan; Iraq's Zaidi pays first visit to Turkey; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Assassination of Iraqi activist sparks protests in Karbala The murder of a prominent activist in Karbala has triggered protests and calls for answers. Iraq
Islamic State takes border station in Iraqi desert with 'drug smuggling wali' A recent incident along Iraq’s western border and alleged connections between drug smuggling and Islamic State cells in the area have raised concern. Iraq
Iraqi president confirms Baghdad hosted Saudi-Iranian talks 'more than once' President Barham Salih said the first round of talks occurred in early April, which he described as 'important and significant.' Iraq
Iraq announces 10-day lockdown amid virus surge Iraq, which is struggling to vaccinate its population, recently topped 1 million coronavirus cases. Iraq
Iraqi authorities nab Islamic State 'governor' of Fallujah Abu Ali al-Jumaili's arrest comes as Kurdish-led forces captured another IS official across the border in Syria. Iraq
Iraqi political parties woo celebrities for election campaign Some of Iraq’s political parties seek to bring mass media celebrities on board for the upcoming legislative elections. Iraq
Turkey to establish new military base in Iraqi Kurdistan Ankara has announced that Turkey will establish a military base in the mountainous area of Metina, near the Turkish border, in what critics consider a step toward controlling Iraqi Kurdistan. Turkey
Turkish forces in fresh offensive against PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan The latest Turkish military operation against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan comes at a time when Ankara finds itself increasingly under strain, both on the domestic front and in its frosty ties with Washington. Turkey
Mosul women fight Islamic State legacy with sports, arts events Mosul women seek to erase their painful memories of IS by holding various activities for women. Iraq
Baghdad airport hit in latest Iraq rocket strike, no injuries The strike follows a drone attack on a coalition site at Erbil Air Base last week. 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. Iraq
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. Iraq