UN urges Iraq to deliver on reforms and combat corruption -- and backs it fight against terrorism
May 31, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council encouraged Iraq’s recently formed government to deliver on reforms and combat corruption in a resolution adopted unanimously Tuesday that backs the country’s ongoing fight against the Islamic State, al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.
IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister on Saturday announced plans for a $17 billion regional transportation project intended to facilitate the flow of goods from Asia to Europe.
The announcement was made at a one-day conference in Baghdad that convened transport ministers and representatives from Iraq, the Gulf countries, Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Jordan.
Belgium arrests Iraqi suspected of terror attack involvement
May 5, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian authorities said Friday they have arrested an Iraqi on charges of murder, war crimes and crimes against humanity over bombings that took place in Baghdad more than a decade ago.
UN criticizes Iraq’s hasty closing of camp for displaced
April 19, 2023 GMTIRBIL, Iraq (AP) — The United Nations expressed concern Wednesday over the Iraqi authorities' swift closure this week of a displacement camp that had housed more than 300 families with alleged ties to the militant Islamic State group.
Iraq, Syria’s Kurdish leader condemn attack on airport
April 8, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — The commander of the main U.S.-backed force in Syria and Iraq’s presidency Saturday condemned what they say was a Turkish attack on an airport in northern Iraq.
The condemnation came as the U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed Saturday that its chief commander, Mazloum Abdi, was at the airport in northern Iraq at the time of the attack but withheld information until he returned home safely.
Blast at north Iraqi airport raises tension in Kurdish area
April 7, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — An explosion struck next to the Suleimaniyah International Airport in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region Friday, local officials said.
The blast came days after Turkey closed its airspace to flights to and from the airport, citing an alleged increase in Kurdish militant activity threatening flight safety.
Thousands still missing from 20 years of Iraq’s turmoil
April 6, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Nawal Sweidan quietly folded her son’s clothes and straightened the bedsheets in his room as she always used to do when he was out at work or at university. She still does it regularly, even though he hasn’t been home for almost 10 years since he was taken away by militiamen.
Iraqi federal and Kurdish officials reach oil export deal
April 2, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Authorities in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region said Sunday they have reached a preliminary deal with the central government in Baghdad that will allow oil exports from the northern Kurdish region by way of Turkey to resume.
Senate votes to repeal Iraq War approval many see as mistake
March 30, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted Wednesday to repeal the resolution that gave a green light for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a bipartisan effort to return a basic war power to Congress 20 years after an authorization many now view as a mistake.
Why the debate over repealing Iraq War approval matters
March 29, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is moving toward doing something it hasn't done since the Vietnam War — repealing authorizations for the president's use of military force. For lawmakers, that's an important gesture toward reclaiming a say over the wars America wages abroad.
Iraqi parliament passes controversial vote law amendments
March 27, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi lawmakers passed early Monday controversial amendments to the country's election law that could undermine the chances for smaller parties and independent candidates to win seats in future polls.
Twenty years on, reflection and regret on 2002 Iraq war vote
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow was sitting in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s conference room at the Pentagon, listening to him make the case that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
Twenty years on, reflection and regret on 2002 Iraq war vote
March 27, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow was sitting in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s conference room at the Pentagon, listening to him make the case that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
Ruling halts oil exports from Iraq’s Kurdish area via Turkey
March 25, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Iraqi officials announced Saturday that Baghdad has won an international arbitration case that will halt oil exports from the semi-autonomous Kurdish region by way of Turkey.
Officials in Baghdad and Irbil, the seat of the Kurdish regional government, have long been at odds over sharing of oil revenues.
Corruption, deep disparity mark Iraq’s oil legacy post-2003
March 24, 2023 GMTNAHRAN OMAR, Iraq (AP) — The oil is pumped 24 hours a day several meters from Raghed Jasim’s home in Iraq’s crude-rich southern heartland. Gas flares from the field light the night sky bright orange, spewing acrid smoke; when the wind picks up, the 40-year old’s clothes are coated black.
Senate votes to keep 2001 authorization for war on terror
March 23, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to continue congressional authorization for the use of military force in the global fight against terror, turning back an effort by Kentucky Sen.
Kurds remain biggest winners from US-led invasion of Iraq
March 22, 2023 GMTIRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Complexes of McMansions, fast food restaurants, real estate offices and half-constructed high-rises line wide highways in Irbil, the seat of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
20 years after U.S. invasion, young Iraqis see signs of hope
March 17, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — On the banks of the Tigris River one recent evening, young Iraqi men and women in jeans and sneakers danced with joyous abandon to a local rap star as a vermillion sun set behind them.
At least 5 killed in mysterious north Iraq helicopter crash
March 17, 2023 GMTDOHUK, Iraq (AP) — A mysterious helicopter crash in northern Iraq has killed at least five people, allegedly including militants belonging to an outlawed Kurdish insurgency group, according to statements Thursday from the Iraqi Kurdish-run counterterrorism agency and the regional government.
Timeline of events: 20 years since U.S.-led invasion of Iraq
March 17, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — It’s been 20 years since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq began. Here are some key dates from the invasion and following developments.
Senate takes first step in repealing Iraq War authorizations
March 16, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate took a first step Thursday toward repealing two measures that give open-ended approval for military action in Iraq, pushing to end that authority as the United States marks the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War.
Iraqi PM promises action to tackle crippling climate change
March 12, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's prime minister Sunday promised sweeping measures to tackle climate change — which has affected millions across the country — including plans to meet a third of the country's electricity demands using renewable energy.
Iraq’s crackdown on booze, social media posts raises alarm
March 10, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Only a few months into its term, Iraq’s government is suddenly enforcing a long-dormant law banning alcohol imports and arresting people over social media content deemed morally offensive.
US defense secretary makes unannounced visit to Baghdad
March 7, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit Tuesday to the Iraqi capital where he vowed to continue the fight against the Islamic State group until the extremists are defeated.
Egyptian president and visiting Iraqi PM seek to deepen ties
March 5, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi held talks Sunday with Iraq’s prime minister in Cairo as the two countries seek to deepen ties and reinforce a regional alliance with Jordan.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani landed in the Egyptian capital and was greeted at the airport by his counterpart, Mustafa Madbouly.
UN chief praises moves toward stability in rare Iraq visit
March 2, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — The United Nations chief on Wednesday praised Iraq for repatriating citizens detained in neighboring Syria on suspicion of ties to the Islamic State group and pledged international support for the country’s efforts to regain stability and security.
Ancient restaurant highlights Iraq’s archeology renaissance
March 1, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — An international archeological mission has uncovered the remnants of what is believed to be a 5,000-year-old restaurant or tavern in the ancient city of Lagash in southern Iraq.
The discovery of the ancient dining hall — complete with a rudimentary refrigeration system, hundreds of roughly made clay bowls and the fossilized remains of an overcooked fish — announced in late January by a University of Pennsylvania-led team, generated some buzz beyond Iraq’s borders.
Iraqi president says country now peaceful, life is returning
February 27, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Nearly 20 years after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein by U.S.-led forces, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid wants the world to know his country now is at peace, democratic and intent on rebuilding economic life while maintaining a government that serves the whole country and the region.
Mental exam set for Army vet accused in synagogue threat
February 16, 2023 GMTLAS VEGAS (AP) — A U.S. Army veteran accused of telephoning threats to “shoot up” a Southern Nevada synagogue will undergo a mental evaluation to determine if he will face criminal charges, a judge decided Wednesday.
Iraqis protest gender violence after YouTube star killed
February 5, 2023 GMTDIWANIYAH, Iraq (AP) — Dozens of Iraqi protesters gathered Sunday to decry the so-called “honor killing” of a 22-year-old YouTube star who was allegedly strangled by her father, adding fuel to calls for legal reforms protecting women.
Iraqis protest in Baghdad as currency crisis continues
February 3, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi protesters rallied Friday in Baghdad, demanding the government take action to stop the economic crisis and the slide of the national currency after the Iraqi dinar plunged further.
UN envoy: Iraq’s new leaders must keep fighting corruption
February 3, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Iraq urged the country’s new government Thursday to keep fighting corruption and move quickly on much-needed economic, fiscal and financial reforms.
Targeting Iran, US tightens Iraq’s dollar flow, causing pain
February 2, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — For months, the United States has restricted Iraq’s access to its own dollars, trying to stamp out what Iraqi officials describe as rampant money laundering that benefits Iran and Syria.
Kurdish officials: Rockets hit Turkish base in northern Iraq
February 1, 2023 GMTIRBIL, Iraq (AP) — A cluster of rockets targeted a Turkish military base in northern Iraq on Wednesday, officials from northern Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish region said. An Iranian-backed militia promptly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Iraq’s Kurdish region warns against ‘unlawful’ stop to funds
January 26, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi Kurdish authorities on Thursday pushed back against a decision by Iraq's top court that blocked payments from state coffers funding the semi-autonomous region.
Jutiar Adel, a spokesperson for Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government said in a statement that the “unlawful decision from an illegitimate court will impact (the) mutual understanding” between Kurdish authorities in northeastern Iraq and the central government in Baghdad.
Hundreds in Baghdad protest devaluation of Iraq’s currency
January 25, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Hundreds of protesters rallied Wednesday near the Central Bank in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, angered by the recent devaluation of the Iraqi dinar and demanding the government take action to stabilize the currency.
Iraqi PM replaces Central Bank governor over currency drop
January 23, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister on Monday replaced the governor of the country's Central Bank following a weekslong plunge of the Iraqi dinar, the state news agency reported.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani made the move after the governor, Mustafa Ghaleb Mukheef, told him he no longer wishes to stay in the job, the Iraqi News Agency said.
Stampede outside stadium in Iraq kills 2, injures dozens
January 19, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — A stampede outside a stadium in southern Iraq on Thursday killed at least two people and injured dozens, a health official said. Witnesses blamed the deadly incident on what they said was bad organization of the tournament.
Iraq reopens Baghdad’s Green Zone to ease traffic jams
January 8, 2023 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi authorities reopened Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Sunday in an attempt to ease traffic jams in the capital after it was closed and reopened several times in recent years.
Rockets hit US base in eastern Syria, no casualties reported
January 4, 2023 GMTBEIRUT (AP) — Two rockets struck a base housing American troops in eastern Syria on Wednesday without causing any human or material losses, the U.S. military said.
The morning attack on Mission Support Site Conoco came as Iran and its allies in the region marked the third anniversary of the killing of Iran’s leading general and chief of the powerful Quds force, Qassem Soleimani, in a U.S.
Iraq prime minister orders crackdown on trademark violations
December 28, 2022 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister has ordered a crackdown on local businesses operating under the names of international brands without legal permission, his office said Wednesday.
The move by the premier, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, comes after The Associated Press reported last week that Iraq has become a major center of trademark violations and piracy.
Navy to name ship after Marine battles in Fallujah, Iraq
December 27, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy's next amphibious assault ship will be named after the city of Fallujah, which saw some of the bloodiest battles in the Iraq war when U.S. Marines fought al-Qaida extremists in deadly house-to-house combat.
2 killed in protest over Iraqi activist’s prison sentence
December 7, 2022 GMTBAGHDAD (AP) — At least two protesters were killed Wednesday in southern Iraq after security forces opened fire on a crowd demonstrating against a harsh prison sentence handed down against a young Iraqi activist over a Twitter post, local officials said.