Iraq - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

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Iraq

August 4, 2025

Baghdad 12:33 pm

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INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images

Middle Eastern countries face new Trump tariffs: What to know

European and Asian markets fell again on Friday amid a broad selloff due to the economic uncertainty caused by the tariffs.

Iraqi workers tend to a pipe at the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline in Karkuk, northern Iraq, Dec. 1, 2000.

Why Turkey plans to end its 52-year oil pipeline deal with Iraq

The Turkish decree stipulated that the 1973 Turkey-Iraq Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement — along with all amendments to the deal — would be terminated effective July 27, 2026.

ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images

Over 10 years after ISIS takeover, Iraq's Mosul Airport reopens: What to know

The airport has been out of operation since the fall of the northern Iraqi city to the Islamic State in 2014.

SAFIN HAMID/AFP via Getty Images

Drone strike halts operations at Iraqi Kurdistan oil field: What to know

A second drone attack in as many days has suspended operations at an oil facility in Iraqi Kurdistan, with initial investigations pointing to Iran-aligned armed groups.

Latest News

Analysis

From Caucasus to Iraq: How Israel’s war hands Turkey edge over Iran

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 25: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks with President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L), as they arrive for the North Atlantic Council Plenary Session on the second day of the 2025 NATO Summit on June 25, 2025 in The Hague, Netherlands. Among other matters, members are to approve a new defense investment plan that raises the target for defense spending to 5% of GDP. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

From Iraq to Algeria, Trump’s looming tariffs could target 4 MENA countries

US President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a “Make America Wealthy Again” trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington.

Turkey's spy chief heads for Iraq as PKK militants prepare to disarm

An Iraqi Kurdish man holds a flag with the portrait of jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan during a demonstration in the northern Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah on Oct. 10, 2019 against the Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria.

Turkey gives drought-stricken Iraq more water in boost to PM Sudani

An Iraqi boy catches fish in the Tigris River in central Baghdad as the sun sets, on April 15, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Pentagon Correspondent

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Andrew Parasiliti

President and Chief Content Officer

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

CEO of Colony Capital Tom Barrack speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21, 2016.

Exclusive

US Syria envoy Barrack to meet Iraqi Kurdish PM Barzani in Erbil

Tom Barrack is likely to also meet with SDF chief Mazloum Kobane, sources told Al-Monitor.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A military parade held by Iraq's army, Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces), and the Police force drives on a highway during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) group, in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on December 10, 2024. Iraq declared victory over fighters from the IS group at the end of 2017 after a three-year battle in which the jihadists had seized large swathes of the country. But jihadist cells still launch sporadic attacks against the army and poli

Pentagon slashes budget request for Iraq counter-ISIS funds: What to know

A more than 40% reduction in funding for Iraqi security forces comes as the Defense Department continues to pivot to bilateral ties with Baghdad's institutions.

Iraqi Air Force helicopters perform during Army Day celebrations, marking the 104th anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi army, at the Camp Taji military base north Baghdad, on January 6, 2025. The Iraqi armed forces were established by the United Kingdom during their mandate over Iraq after World War I. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq orders investigation after attacks on Taji, Imam Ali bases: What to know

The attacks were carried out with "several small suicide drones" and began hours after Iran targeted a US military base in Qatar.

Ground staff prepare a Middle East Airlines flight for departure on the tarmac at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on May 2, 2025.

From Lebanon to Qatar, Israel-Iran war disrupts flights, airport traffic: What to know

Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines canceled all flights to Iraq through Thursday as the ongoing Israel-Iran war forces widespread disruptions across Middle East aviation.

Stacks of Iraqi dinars are seen at currency exchange shop in Baghdad on February 14, 2023. - Iraq nudged up the value of its local currency against the dollar in an effort to stabilise the dinar after tougher foreign transfer regulations sent its value fluctuating. The government adopted a new official exchange rate, fixing it at 1,300 dinars to the US dollar instead of 1,470, the prime minister's office said. (Photo by Murtaja LATEEF / AFP) (Photo by MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images)

As dinar drops, Iraq says embassies safe in light of US-Iran tension

The Iraqi dinar fell slightly on Thursday, as the country responds to the latest round of potential escalation between the United States and Iran.

A general view shows the US Embassy across the Tigris river in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, on Jan. 3, 2020.

US to evacuate personnel from Iraq following Iran threats

A State Department official said the US “will reduce the footprint of [its] mission in Iraq” to ensure the safety of American personnel.

Muslim worshippers make their way towards the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque complex in in the holy city of Mecca to take part in morning prayers on the first day of Eid Al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, early on June 6, 2025.

In photos: Muslims kick off Eid al-Adha across the Middle East

The holiday’s arrival cast a spotlight on deepening humanitarian crises, leadership transitions and shifting regional dynamics.

Barzani

Iraqi Kurdistan PM Barzani backs cautious engagement with Syria’s new rulers

Speaking at an Al-Monitor Global Institute Event in Washington, Barzani urged Kurdish unity and said Damascus must prove it can lead a divided Syria.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright speaks with Al-Monitor president Andrew Parasiliti at an Al-Monitor Global Institute event in Washington, DC, May 22, 2025.

US backs more energy investment in Kurdistan region: Energy secretary

Speaking at the Al-Monitor Global Institute event, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright signaled American support for further investment in Iraqi Kurdistan’s hydrocarbon resources.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (front-R) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (front-L) clap after sponsoring the signing ceremony of memoranda of understanding between Iraq and Turkey, in Ankara on May 8, 2025.

Turkey, Iraq leaders tout cooperation in Ankara, but major disputes persist

The Turkish and Iraqi leaders signed 11 cooperation deals in Ankara, but talks yield no apparent breakthrough on suspended oil exports or electricity flow.

Demonstrators gather outside the thermal power station in Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province to demand the construction of a new station for their region, to allow the province to deal with the chronic power cuts and palliate electricity outage that weight on the daily life, on Sept. 4, 2024.

Exclusive

Turkey stops electricity sales to Iraq after Baghdad fails to settle $70M+ bill

Turkey halted electricity exports to Iraq over unpaid dues, straining ties as Baghdad faces a summer power crunch and unresolved Kurdish oil disputes.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Pope Francis is welcomed at Presidential Palace on Feb. 4, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Middle East churches, Al-Azhar, leaders mourn Pope Francis

Pope Francis was praised by several regional leaders and churches, including Lebanon's Maronite Church and Iraqi officials, who noted his historic visit to Iraq in 2021.