• Iraq's president offers to quit after rejecting PM nominee

    Iraq's president offers to quit after rejecting PM nominee

    Dec 26, 2019 08:34 PM EST

    ... the collapse of the state.” “The situation is very dangerous," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to divulge sensitive information. According to Iraq's constitution, the largest bloc in parliament is required to nominate the new prime minister, who then has to be designated by the president ...

  • U.S. hits Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders with sanctions

    U.S. hits Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders with sanctions

    Dec 06, 2019 08:25 PM EST

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Friday slapped sanctions on three Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders for violent suppression of protests that have wracked the country. The Treasury and the State Department also hit a wealthy Iraqi businessman with sanctions for bribery and corruption. The militia leaders targeted by the ...

  • At least 15 killed in Iraqi capital as assailants fire live rounds

    At least 15 killed in Iraqi capital as assailants fire live rounds

    Dec 06, 2019 08:11 PM EST

    ... commissioners primarily from the judiciary. Protesters are also calling for early elections and reforms to have a greater influence in electing their representatives.Al-Sistani, Iraq's most powerful religious figure who's opinion holds sway over Iraqis, also said peaceful protesters should increase their ranks and push out saboteurs ...

  • Iraqi parliament accepts prime minister’s resignation

    Iraqi parliament accepts prime minister’s resignation

    Dec 01, 2019 08:17 PM EST

    ... body issued an arrest warrant against Lt. Gen. Jamil al-Shammari on charges of issuing orders that lead to the killing of demonstrators, according to Iraqi state TV.Abdul-Mahdi recently withdrew al-Shammari from overseeing security matters in the southern city following the bloodshed. Unlike elsewhere in Iraq, in ...

  • Iraqi PM formally submits resignation amid more violence

    Iraqi PM formally submits resignation amid more violence

    Nov 30, 2019 07:38 PM EST

    ... made mistakes, where we did not make up for the mistakes of previous governments.” At least 400 people have died since the leaderless uprising shook Iraq with thousands of Iraqis taking to the streets in Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite southern Iraq decrying corruption, poor services, lack of jobs and ...

  • Iraqi prime minister to resign after months of bloody protest

    Iraqi prime minister to resign after months of bloody protest

    Nov 29, 2019 11:55 PM EST

    That's why, today, the spokesman for Iraq's most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, spoke to followers and strongly suggested the government step aside. Ahmed Al-Safi (through translator): We call upon the House of Representatives, from which this current government has emerged, to reconsider its ...

  • Iraq prime minister pledges to resign amid worsening crisis

    Iraq prime minister pledges to resign amid worsening crisis

    Nov 29, 2019 02:06 PM EST

    BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said Friday he would submit his resignation to parliament, a day after more than 40 people were killed by security forces and following calls by Iraq's top Shiite cleric for lawmakers to withdraw support. In a statement, Abdul-Mahdi said he ...

  • News Wrap: Dozens more protesters killed in Iraqi violence

    News Wrap: Dozens more protesters killed in Iraqi violence

    Nov 28, 2019 11:50 PM EST

    In our news wrap Thursday, violence surged higher in Iraq, with security forces killing at least 40 people in a day. Crowds joined funeral processions as protesters denounced government corruption and economic mismanagement. Also, fires are still burning at a chemical plant in East Texas, forcing more than 50,000 people from their homes. Two explosions...

  • 40 anti-government protesters killed in violence sweeping Iraq

    40 anti-government protesters killed in violence sweeping Iraq

    Nov 28, 2019 04:23 PM EST

    “If the government does not resign, this will be the beginning of the end of Iraq,” he warned. Al-Sadr, who has supported the protests, also categorically denied that his supporters were involved in the attack on the Iranian consulate in Najaf. In addition to using sit-ins and ...

  • Protesters burn down Iranian consulate in southern Iraq

    Protesters burn down Iranian consulate in southern Iraq

    Nov 27, 2019 08:02 PM EST

    BAGHDAD (AP) — Anti-government protesters burned down the Iranian consulate building in southern Iraq on Wednesday, while six protesters were killed by security forces who fired live rounds amid ongoing violence, Iraqi officials said Wednesday. Protesters destroyed the Iranian consulate in the holy city of Najaf in the evening. At ...