The Latest Breaking News from Iraq

Iran closes its borders with Iraq, halts flights amid violence - State TV

Iran has closed its borders with Iraq and urged its citizens to avoid travelling there, a senior official said on Tuesday, amid an eruption of violence after powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said he would quit politics.

Reuters · Aug 30, 2022

Kuwait, UAE Advise Against Travel to Iraq

Kuwait has urged its citizens in neighboring Iraq to leave the country. The state-run KUNA news agency also encouraged those hoping to travel to Iraq to delay their plans over the eruption of violent street clashes between rival Shiite groups in the country. The Gulf sheikhdom of Kuwait shares a…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 30, 2022

Iran Closes Border to Iraq, Flights Stop amid Violent Unrest

Iran closed its land borders to Iraq as flights to the country halted Tuesday amid violence in Baghdad following influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's announcement he would resign from politics. The death toll rose to 22 Iraqis on Tuesday after the unrest erupted the previous day, according to two medical…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 30, 2022

Moqtada al-Sadr supporters heed call to end violence which left at least 30 dead

‘This is not a revolution,’ says the cleric

The Independent UK · Aug 30, 2022

UN Chief Calls for 'Restraint' in Iraq

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday called for "restraint" in Iraq and asked all parties to "take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation" as Baghdad's Green Zone descended into chaos, according to his spokesman. The secretary-general "has been following with concern the ongoing protests in Iraq today, during which demonstrators…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 30, 2022

Reaction to deadly clashes in Iraq after al-Sadr quits politics

Iran closes its border with Iraq and Turkey issues a travel advisory as concern grows over deadly violence in Baghdad.

Al Jazeera · Aug 30, 2022

Powerful Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim cleric al-sadr announces hunger strike - state media

Powerful Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is said to have announced a hunger strike until the violence and use of weapons stops, Iraq's state news agency INA and state TV reported late on Monday.

Reuters · Aug 29, 2022

Kuwait urges its citizens in Iraq to leave the country

The Kuwaiti Embassy in Iraq urged its citizens in Iraq to leave the country, Kuwait's state news agency (KUNA) reported late on Monday.

Reuters · Aug 29, 2022

White House calls for 'dialogue' after 'disturbing' unrest in Iraq

The White House said on Monday that unrest in Iraq after powerful Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr quit politics was "disturbing" and called for "dialogue" to ease the country's political problems.

Reuters · Aug 29, 2022

Iraq sets nationwide curfew after protesters storm government palace

There have been clashes involving riot police outside Baghdad’s Green Zone

Evening Standard · Aug 29, 2022