• Former Iraqi intelligence chief approved as new premier

    Former Iraqi intelligence chief approved as new premier

    May 07, 2020 12:28 AM EST

    Al-Kadhimi had to change his list of proposed ministers at least three times in the past week to appease Iraq's fragmented political blocs. Deals were still being struck over the naming of ministers between political parties minutes before the bell rang to signal the start of the parliament ...

  • News Wrap: Iran denies it is planning to attack U.S. targets in Iraq

    News Wrap: Iran denies it is planning to attack U.S. targets in Iraq

    Apr 02, 2020 10:35 PM EST

    In our news wrap Thursday, Iran dismissed President Trump’s claim it is planning an attack on U.S. targets in Iraq. On Twitter, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif wrote “Iran starts no wars, but teaches lessons to those who do.” Also, a Pakistani court has rejected the murder conviction of ...

  • U.S.-led forces pull out of 3rd Iraqi base this month

    U.S.-led forces pull out of 3rd Iraqi base this month

    Mar 29, 2020 04:37 PM EST

    ... S. and Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups. The attacks culminated in the U.S.-directed killing of top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and a senior Iraqi militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Coalition forces handed over the K1 base in the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk to Iraq's military ...

  • Iraq officials: Rocket attack hits base housing US troops

    Iraq officials: Rocket attack hits base housing US troops

    Mar 14, 2020 06:55 PM EST

    ... said. America's killing of Iraqi security forces might also give Iran-backed militia groups more reason to stage counterattacks against U.S. troops in Iraq, analysts said.“We can’t forget that the PMF is a recognized entity within the Iraqi security forces; they aren’t isolated from the ...

  • Iraq army says U.S. airstrikes kill 5 security forces, 1 civilian

    Iraq army says U.S. airstrikes kill 5 security forces, 1 civilian

    Mar 13, 2020 01:49 PM EST

    Wednesday's attack on Camp Taji was the deadliest to target U.S. troops in Iraq since a late December rocket attack on an Iraqi base that killed a U.S. contractor and set in motion a series of tit-for-tat attacks that brought Iraq to the brink of ...

  • U.S. strikes Iran-backed group that hit Iraq base, officials say

    U.S. strikes Iran-backed group that hit Iraq base, officials say

    Mar 12, 2020 11:34 PM EST

    Two U.S. troops and one British service member were killed and 14 other personnel were wounded when 18 rockets hit the base Wednesday. The U.S. military said the 107 mm Katyusha rockets were fired from a truck launcher that was found by Iraqi security forces near the base ...

  • News Wrap: 3 U.S. troops killed in Iraqi rocket strike

    News Wrap: 3 U.S. troops killed in Iraqi rocket strike

    Mar 12, 2020 10:45 PM EST

    In our news wrap Thursday, the U.S. military confirmed three American service members died in a rocket attack north of Baghdad. The Iraqi government has launched an investigation into the Wednesday strike, which U.S. officials said bore the markings of Iranian-backed proxy forces. Also, the torch lighting ...

  • U.S. gives Iraq sanctions waiver for vital Iranian gas imports

    U.S. gives Iraq sanctions waiver for vital Iranian gas imports

    Feb 12, 2020 07:10 PM EST

    ... to boost domestic gas supply or find alternative sources for power, and lessen its reliance on Iran. The previous waiver, issued in October, had given Iraq 120 days. A senior Iraqi official with knowledge of sanctions negotiations with the U.S. said the period could be extended again once Iraq ...

  • Iraqi officials say Baghdad wants to minimize reliance on U.S.

    Iraqi officials say Baghdad wants to minimize reliance on U.S.

    Feb 05, 2020 06:49 PM EST

    ... November. "The Iraqis have not requested assistance with airstrikes in recent weeks, while our operations are paused. All coalition airstrikes have been coordinated with the Iraqi Security Forces for years," he said. Iraqi military personnel who have benefited from coalition training are making appeals in private, knowing firsthand Iraq's ...

  • U.S. general slips into Iraq for talks to salvage relations

    U.S. general slips into Iraq for talks to salvage relations

    Feb 04, 2020 04:44 PM EST

    ... Jan. 3 that targeted and killed Qassem Suleimani, Iran's most powerful general, but also struck down an Iraq general who was with him. The Iraqi, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. In response to what Iraqi leaders ...