Latest Iraq News
Iran enforces 10-day lockdown amid fourth wave of pandemic
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran on Saturday began a 10-day lockdown amid a fourth wave of coronavirus infections, state TV reported, a worrisome trend after more than a year of the country battling the Middle East's worst outbreak. Iran's coronavirus task force, charged with...
Iraq blames public for new virus record, urges vaccinations
Iraq's Health Ministry has warned of “dire consequences” ahead because citizens are not heeding coronavirus prevention measures, after the country reached a new high in daily infection rates. Iraq recorded 8,331 new virus cases within a 24-hour period on Wednesday,...
No timetable for withdrawal of troops after US, Iraq talks
BAGHDAD (AP) — The mission of U.S. forces in Iraq has shifted to training and advisory roles, allowing for redeployment of combat forces remaining in the country, U.S. and Iraq delegates said Wednesday, after a third round of strategic U.S.-Iraq talks. Statements...
Rockets hit near Iraq base housing US trainers, no one hurt
BAGHDAD (AP) — Two rockets landed Sunday near an Iraqi air base just north of Baghdad where American trainers are present, causing no casualties or damage, an Iraqi official said. Maj. Gen. Tahseen al-Khafaji said the rockets landed outside Balad air base after midday....
Iraq judge who presided over Saddam's trial dies of COVID-19
BAGHDAD (AP) — A retired Iraqi judge who presided over the trial of Iraq's late dictator Saddam Hussein has died after battling COVID-19, the country's top judicial body said Friday. According to Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa, 52,...
Biden admin lauds talks on readmitting US to Iran nuke deal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday welcomed a European Union announcement that the participants in the Iran nuclear deal will meet this week to discuss a possible return of the United States to the 2015 accord. Friday’s virtual meeting of...
Iraqi parliament approves budget of $89 billion for 2021
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s parliament on Wednesday approved the state budget for 2021, after weeks of wrangling amid a severe economic and financial crisis spurred by low oil prices and the pandemic. The new budget was approved at a late night session at 129 trillion Iraqi...
A growing challenge for Iraq: Iran-aligned Shiite militias
BAGHDAD (AP) — It was a stark message: A convoy of masked Shiite militiamen, armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, drove openly through central Baghdad denouncing the U.S. presence in Iraq and threatening to cut off the prime minister's ear. The ominous...
US-backed Syrian forces raid camp of IS families, arrest 9
BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Kurdish-led forces, with assistance from the U.S.-led coalition, launched a military operation Sunday at a sprawling camp in northeast Syria, in a new effort to identify and arrest Islamic State militants and tamp down escalating killings and violence in the camp....
Defense contractor pleads guilty to sharing classified info
WASHINGTON (AP) — A woman who worked as a contract linguist for the U.S. military in Iraq pleaded guilty Friday to sharing classified information with a romantic interest linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Mariam Taha Thompson was arrested last year in an...
