Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s two main backers have agreed to work to remove him from office as protests against his government gained momentum in Baghdad and much of the Shi’ite south only to be met with violence. Populist Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who leads parliament’s largest bloc, had …
Read More »Iraq’s Umm Qasr port operations hit as protesters block entrance.
Iraq’s Umm Qasr commodities port near Basra was operating at only around 20% of the normal level on Tuesday after protesters blocked its entrance, port employees and local officials said. “Port operations were reduced to 20 percent because the replacement workers couldn’t join the work,” said a port manager. Thousands …
Read More »Iraqi Parliament votes to host PM Abdul Mahdi today.
The Iraqi parliament voted on Tuesday to host Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi. Parliament decided to host, Abdul Mahdi during the session and keep the session continues until his presence. The Speaker of the Parliament, Mohammed al-Halbousi has directed the General Secretariat of the Council, to contact the Prime Minister …
Read More »Iraq: No deaths during Karbala protests: Governor.
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 …
Read More »UN Urges Iraqi Forces, Protesters to Exercise “Maximum Restraint”
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, …
Read More »Funerals held for Iraqi protesters killed in clashes
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 …
Read More »Iraqi parliament fails to hold its session.
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 …
Read More »Death toll raised to 42 in Iraq as Protests continue.
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. …
Read More »The Ministry of Interior issues a statement on the upcoming Friday demonstrations.
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. …
Read More »Iraq pleads with UN to kick unauthorized US forces out of country.
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 …
Read More »Iraq announces the stay duration of the new U.S. forces.
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 …
Read More »High-profile Iraqi police Cmdr. killed in Daesh attack.
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 …
Read More »US forces move 1,500 Daesh women from Syria to Iraq amid Turkish offensive: Report
US military forces have reportedly transferred more than 1,500 female members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group from Syria to neighboring Iraq in the wake of a ground offensive by Turkish troops and their allied Takfiri militants against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria. Syria’s official news agency SANA reported that …
Read More »More than 100 armored vehicles cross into Iraq as US troops withdraw from northern Syria.
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, …
Read More »Official: 18m Pilgrims Participate in Arbaeen Ceremony in Iraq.
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 …
Read More »Millions of Arba’een pilgrims from around the world gather in Karbala.
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 …
Read More »Iraqi President Receives France’s Le Drian.
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 …
Read More »61 Iraqi officials sacked over protests.
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 …
Read More »French foreign minister heads to Iraq for Islamic State talks: PM.
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 …
Read More »Trump blames Europe after Isis prisoners escape Syria camp.
Donald Trump lashed out at Europe after hundreds of Isis prisoners escaped during the Turkish offensive in northern Syria. The US president said that the UK and other EU countries “should have taken back” the captured fighters and their families instead of leaving them in camps guarded by Kurdish forces. …
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