World Aug 31 Tensions remain high as Baghdad recovers from bloody political clashes By Samya Kullab, Associated Press
World Aug 30 What caused the recent clashes in Baghdad? Iraq witnessed bloody street violence for nearly 24 hours spurred by loyalists of a powerful Shiite cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, that was the culmination of a 10-month power struggle. By Samya Kullab, Associated Press
World Aug 30 Iraqis leave streets after clashes following cleric’s plea to retreat Following two days of deadly unrest that sparked fears instability might spread throughout the country and even the region, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told his supporters to leave the government quarter where they had rallied. By Samya Kullab, Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press
Nation Aug 29 Watch 5:28 News Wrap: Some Mar-a-Lago documents may be protected by attorney-client privilege In our news wrap Monday, some documents seized from former President Trump's home may be protected by attorney-client privilege, a judge in Georgia ordered Republican Governor Brian Kemp to testify before a grand jury on alleged attempts by Trump to…
World Aug 29 Clashes leave at least 15 dead after influential Iraqi Shiite cleric announces plan to resign from politics Protesters loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr pulled down the cement barriers outside the government palace with ropes and breached the palace gates. By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press
Aug 05 Hundreds of thousands gather for mass prayer in Baghdad By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Associated Press Friday’s mass prayer was the latest display of strength by the cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, whose political power derives from his strong grassroots support base. Continue reading
Aug 03 Iraqi cleric calls for dissolution of parliament, early election By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Samya Kullab, Associated Press Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has told his followers to continue their sit-in inside Iraq's government zone, and called for the dissolution of the parliament and early elections. Continue reading
Jul 30 Watch 3:56 News Wrap: More victims of deadly floods found in Kentucky, Appalachia In our news wrap Saturday, catastrophic flash floods across eastern Kentucky and wider Appalachia have killed at least 25 people, President Biden tests positive for COVID again in a rare rebound case, protestors storm Iraq's parliament for the second time… Continue watching
Jul 30 Protesters storm Iraqi parliament in Baghdad By Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Samya Kullab, Associated Press Iraqi security forces initially used tear gas and sound bombs to try to repel the demonstrators and caused several injuries. Once inside, the protesters declared an open-ended sit-in and claimed they would not disperse until their demands are answered. Continue reading
Feb 02 Iraqi protesters reject PM-designate picked by ruling elites By Samya Kullab, Associated Press Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators in Iraq rejected Sunday the new prime minister-designate who was recently nominated by rival government factions. Demonstrators have long swore they would not accept a candidate chosen by Iraq's establishment. Continue reading