The Latest Breaking News from Baghdad

Sadr Eyes Taking Down Iranian Financial Cartel Operating in Iraq

In Baghdad, advertisement is rife for private banks safeguarded by concrete walls and security detail. But it is hard to find a single customer using these banks for any financial transactions. These newly formed institutions hide part of a complex financial “cartel” for smuggling and money laundering. On February 17,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 24, 2022

How the First Saudi State Posed Real Threat to the Ottomans, Persian Influence

Thousands of foreign documents, uncovered by a Saudi researcher specialized in Saudi history, revealed important aspects that characterized the first central state in the Arabian Peninsula, which was founded by Imam Muhammad bin Saud. With King Salman’s announcement that February 22 will be known as Founding Day, commemorating Saudi heritage…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 23, 2022

UN ends Iraq's requirement to pay victims of Kuwait invasion

The U.N. Security Council  has voted unanimously to end Iraq’s requirement to compensate victims of its 1990 invasion of Kuwait, with Baghdad having paid out $52.4 billion to 1.5 million claimants

The Independent UK · Feb 23, 2022

Iraq's $27 Billion Total Deal Stuck Over Contract Wrangling

A $27-billion deal between France’s Total and Iraq, that Baghdad hoped would reverse the exit of oil majors from the country, has stalled amid disputes over terms and risks being scrapped by the country's new government. Iraq has struggled to attract major fresh investments into its energy industry since signing…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 14, 2022

ISIS Likely to Pick Battle-Hardened Iraqi as Next Leader, Say Officials, Analysts

The next leader of ISIS is likely to be from a close circle of battle-hardened Iraqi extremists who emerged in the aftermath of the 2003 US invasion, two Iraqi security officials and three independent analysts said. The group of potential successors to Abu Ibrahim al-Quraishi, who blew himself up during…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 9, 2022

Anbar Tribes Warn Head of Iraq's PMF against Undermining Security

The tribes of Iraq's al-Anbar warned on Sunday against attempts to destabilize the province. Earlier, a military convoy of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) rode into the province, prompting the warning. Ahmed Abu Risha, head of the Awakening (Sahwa) National Council, warned PMF leader Faleh Fayad that the Anbar tribes…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 7, 2022

Kuwait Airways resumes flights to Iraq’s Najaf

Kuwait Airways is resuming commercial flights to Iraq’s Najaf city starting from Saturday, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported. The Gulf state’s flag carrier suspended its flights to Iraq last month after several rockets landed in Iraq’s Baghdad International Airport compound, damaging at least one disused civilian airplane. Six rockets…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Feb 5, 2022

Iraqi militia attack on UAE a ‘message from Iran’

Analysts say drone strikes intended to put UAE on notice for its involvement in Yemen and Israel ties.

Al Jazeera · Feb 4, 2022

Kuwait suspends flights to Iraq after Baghdad airport attack

Move comes after six rockets were fired at Iraqi capital’s airport, causing damage to one runway, two civilian planes.

Al Jazeera · Jan 30, 2022

Iraqi airstrikes kill 9 IS militants, including 4 Lebanese

Officials say airstrikes north of Baghdad in retaliation for an attack by the Islamic State group on an Iraqi army barracks earlier this month killed nine suspected IS fighters, Among those killed in Sunday's strkes were four Lebanese

The Independent UK · Jan 30, 2022