Iraq

Iraqi officials have dismissed reports of fatalities during Monday’s anti-government protests in the holy city of Karbala, saying certain media outlets have been fabricating news. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Karbala Governor Nassif al-Khattabi said viral footage of security forces shooting at protesters were fake and meant to …

Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has expressed strong concerns over the fresh demonstrations in Iraq, urging both the security forces and protesters to avoid violence and exercise “maximum restraint.” Thousands of people in capital Baghdad and other major cities have taken back to the streets since Friday morning, …

Funerals for protesters killed after a day of violent protests on Friday were held by grieving relatives in Baghdad and Najaf. Across the country, at least 40 protesters died, as demonstrators vented their frustration at political elites who they say have failed to improve their lives after years of conflict …

The Iraqi parliament has failed to hold its scheduled session on Saturday to discuss the repercussions of the large protests that swept the country. A parliamentary source said that the parliament failed to hold its scheduled meeting today, due to lack of quorum. The number of injured among the demonstrators …

Iraqi security forces fired tear gas on Saturday to push back protesters who tried to remove blast walls erected on a bridge in central Baghdad to prevent anti-government rallies from reaching a heavily fortified government area, a day after violence claimed the death of 42, and more than 2000 wounded. …

The Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier Khalid al-Muhanna said on Thursday that the ministry’s agencies will enter a state of high alert in preparation for the protection of next Friday’s demonstrations, to secure the means of movement and security of citizens and the protection of public and private institutions and property. …

The Iraqi government is seeking international help after US troops withdrawing from Syria entered western Iraq without authorization, with Baghdad now taking legal action against the uninvited presence. Baghdad did not give permission for US forces to stay in Iraq, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi reaffirmed on Wednesday. US Defense Secretary …

The Iraqi Minister of Defense, Najah al-Shammari said on Wednesday that U.S. troops withdrawing from northeast Syria to Iraq would leave the country within four weeks. Al-Shammari’s statements came after meeting in Baghdad with his U.S. counterpart, Mark Esper, who arrived as Iraqi leaders were inspecting reports that the United …

Daesh terrorists have killed a distinguished security official in Iraq’s north-central province of Salahuddin as army troopers, backed by the Popular Mobilization Forces, are trying to flush the last remnants of the extremist outfit out of the crisis-hit country. Iraqi Interior Minister Yassin al-Yasiri told the official Iraqi News Agency …

  An Iraqi government committee investigating a wave of unrest found that 149 civilians were killed because security forces used excessive force and live fire to quell protests, according to its report, seen by AlghadeerTV The report, which said more than 70% of the deaths were caused by shots to …

US forces leaving northern Syria have reportedly crossed into Iraq, where they will continue their seemingly endless military presence in the region. Donald Trump had insinuated that the soldiers would be returning home. More than 100 armored vehicles were spotted entering Iraq from the Sahela border crossing in Dohuk province, …

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban, on Sunday, the International Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to issue a decision to lift the suspension of Iraq’s membership in the initiative. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Extractive Industries Initiative in Iraq Thamer Ghadhban …

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper says all of the American troops pulling out of northeastern Syria will move to western Iraq. “The US withdrawal continues apace from northeastern Syria… we’re talking weeks not days,” Esper told reporters en route to the Middle East late on Saturday, noting that the process …

The number of Arbaeen pilgrims has so far hit 18 million people, an informed official said on Saturday. He said that five million non-Iraqi pilgrims from other countries participated in the event. The official added that 1,100 Mawkebs (makeshift tents to provide the pilgrims with emergency services) have been erected …

Millions of pilgrims have gathered in Iraq’s holy city of Karbala to commemorate Arba’een, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, the third Shia Imam. Among the pilgrims, which usually number 20 million from around the world every year, many arrive in Karbala after trekking about 70 …

Iraqi President Salih met today at the Presidential Office in Baghdad, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and the delegation accompanying him. The President stressed the need to intensify efforts to support Iraq in maintaining its security and stability, emphasized that terrorist gangs must not be given a chance …

The Iraqi cabinet has sacked 61 officials over recent protests that killed more than 100 people and injured thousands earlier this month. Leaked documents obtained by media showed that the decision was taken during a cabinet meeting on Oct. 14. Protests rocked the capital Baghdad and southern provinces earlier this …

France’s foreign minister will travel to Iraq on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation in northeastern Syria and the impact a Turkish invasion has had on the fight against Islamic State, France’s Prime Minister said. Speaking to the Senate Edouard Philippe said Jean-Yves Le Drian would discuss with Iraqi and …

President Barham Salih forwarded an invitation of meeting to the Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, Speaker of Iraqi Parliament Muhammed al-Halboosi and the president of High Judicial Council, Judge Faeq Zidan. During the meeting, they discussed the political and security meeting of the current critical time and the recent updates …

The Baghdad Provincial Council on Monday elected a new governor, one week after his predecessor was sacked over protests in the Iraqi capital. Mohammed Jaber al-Atta will replace Falah al-Jazairi, who was removed from his post by the 58-member council last week amid demonstrations against high unemployment and government corruption. …