Apr 25 Death toll in fire at Iraqi COVID-19 hospital surpasses 80 By Samya Kullab, Associated Press The flames, described by one witness as “volcanoes of fire,” swept through the intensive care unit of the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, which tends exclusively to COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms. Officials said the blaze, which also injured 110 people, was… Continue reading
Mar 06 Pope, top Iraq Shiite cleric deliver message of coexistence By Nicole Winfield, Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press Pope Francis walked through a narrow alley in Iraq’s holy city of Najaf for a historic meeting with the country’s top Shiite cleric Saturday, and together they delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence in a country still reeling from… Continue reading
Jan 21 Twin suicide bombings rock central Baghdad, at least 32 dead By Samya Kullab, Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press Twin suicide bombings ripped through a busy market in the Iraqi capital Thursday, killing at least 32 people and wounding dozens, officials said. Continue reading
Dec 23 How the Blackwater pardons could have a lasting impact: ‘The Americans got away with it’ By Ali Rogin Analysts, experts and attorneys who have filed suit in the past against the Blackwater contractors said they feared these pardons would do lasting damage to the perception of U.S. integrity in the Middle East. Continue reading
Dec 22 Trump pardons 15 people, including Republican allies, former government contractors convicted in Baghdad massacre By Associated Press President Donald Trump has pardoned 15 people, including Republican allies, a 2016 campaign official ensnared in the Russia probe and former government contractors convicted in a 2007 massacre in Baghdad. Continue reading
Jul 27 Iraq prime minister orders probe after two protesters killed in clashes By Samya Kullab, Associated Press Iraq’s prime minister says he has opened an investigation into the killing of two anti-government protesters at the hands of security forces. Continue reading
Jun 11 U.S. and Iraq launch strategic talks on economy, American troops By Samya Kullab, Associated Press The U.S. and Iraq have launched much-anticipated strategic talks that are to span the gamut of their bilateral relations. Continue reading
Mar 17 Watch 2:21 News Wrap: Rockets strike near U.S. embassy in Baghdad In our news wrap Tuesday, rockets struck near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, the latest in a series of assaults, including one on a coalition military base only hours earlier. There were no reports of injuries. Also, Russian company Concord… Continue watching
Jan 27 Rocket attack on U.S. Embassy in Baghdad injures 1 By Samya Kullab, Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press No U.S. military members were injured. One U.S. national received a minor injury but has returned to work. Continue reading
Jan 04 Watch 5:41 U.S.-Iran tensions: a diplomatic quagmire for the Middle East Iran is vowing revenge after U.S. airstrikes on Friday killed the country’s military leader Qassem Suleimani. Thousands of American troops are heading to the Middle East as tensions with Tehran escalate. Douglas Ollivant, former Director for Iraq at the National… Continue watching