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Iraq

October 5, 2026

Baghdad 7:32 am

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A member of the Iraqi security forces flashes the victory sign during a military parade

Explainer

What Iraq’s US troop withdrawal means for security after Kirkuk killings

As Iraq assumes full responsibility for its security following the coalition’s withdrawal, a disputed counterterrorism operation in Kirkuk is raising questions about accountability, public trust and lingering security gaps.

Members of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization) paramilitary forces stand guard during an election rally for the "Asaib Ahl al-Haq" movement in the capital Baghdad, on October 7, 2021.

Analysis

After US exit, Iran gains space in Iraq and a harder balancing act

For Iran, the easier part may have been getting Washington out, but it may now have to struggle turning the absence into durable influence and reviving its allied militias without provoking instability.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

US President Donald Trump meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) on the sidelines of the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, on July 8, 2026.

Trump’s integration policies build on Gulf, Turkey ties and Syria success

Iran’s influence, and the potential for renewed conflict, complicate progress in Iraq.

Latest News

Iraq announces Iran flights to resume: What to know

An Airbus A321 airliner arrives at the Mehrabad international airport during the delivery of the first batch of planes to the Iranian state airline Iran Air in the capital Tehran on Jan. 12, 2017.

Analysis

Can Turkey’s Bashiqa withdrawal pave the way for deeper Iraq ties?

Turkish soldiers conduct military exercises near the Habur crossing gate between Turkey and Iraq on Sept. 27, 2017 in the Silopi district, southeast Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

How militias in Anbar could complicate Iraq’s energy ambitions

Iraqi soldiers from the new 'desert battalion' special forces stand next to military vehicles as the take part in a graduation ceremony, after months of training by the French military, at the Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar west of Baghdad on February 29, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Shelly Kittleson

By Shelly Kittleson

In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jared Szuba

Defense and Security Correspondent

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

Beatrice Farhat

Associate Editor (Lebanon)

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Suadad al-Salhy

In Baghdad, reporting on politics and security

Lyse Mauvais

In Amman, reporting on humanitarian crises

Winthrop Rodgers

In Sulaymaniyah, reporting on Kurdish issues

Has war between Iran and US already started in Iraq?

Iraqi officials condemned the recent US airstrikes that targeted not only Popular Mobilization Units but the Iraqi army and police.

Iran-backed militias in Iraq under fire after attack on base kills two Americans

Iran-backed militias in Iraq are facing strong criticism from politicians and protesters after the attack on US troops at the Taji military base.

A truck loaded with Katyusha rockets is seen in Rashidiya, after ten rockets struck the Taji military camp, which house also U.S. forces, north of Baghdad, Iraq in this undated picture obtained March 12, 2020. Iraqi Media Security Cell/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC2AIF9WX915

Intel: Pentagon says Iran-backed groups 'likely' behind deadly Iraq attack

Rocket attacks that left one British and two American service members dead in Iraq March 11 were likely the work of Iranian-backed militias, the top US military commander in the Middle East told Congress today.

A U.S. Army soldier from the 2nd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division gets out of his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle after arriving at Camp Kalsu near Hillla, December 5, 2011. The brigade arrived from Taji, which is 20 miles (32 km) north of Baghdad on route to withdrawal from Iraq. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton (IRAQ - Tags: MILITARY CONFLICT) - GM1E7C60FJF01

Multiple US troops dead in Iraq after rocket strike

A rocket attack on a US base in Iraq killed two US service members and prompted questions of whether it was a retaliatory act by Iran.

A worker in protective suit sprays disinfectants in a barber shop at popular market, following an outbreak of the coronavirus, in Basra, Iraq March 10, 2020. REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani - RC24HF95V7S1

Some Iraqis rejecting coronavirus warnings

The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has imposed a ban on communal worship in mosques because of the new coronavirus, but some people are ignoring the danger.

Rap becomes battle cry of Iraqi protests

Rap music has exploded among young Iraqi protesters, who bring the music with them to energize their demonstrations.

Iraqi demonstrators carry a poster depicting the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, to express their rejection of him, during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq March 1, 2020. REUTERS/Wissam al-Okaili - RC21BF9IG5VT

Can protesters produce a political movement for elections?

Iraqi activists and leaders of protests are working to form a political movement to participate in parliamentary elections.

A member of the medical team sprays disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus, following the outbreak of the virus, in a dental clinic in Sadr city district of Baghdad, Iraq, March 9, 2020. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani - RC2CGF9V03HD

Coronavirus damages Iraqi economy with fall in tourism, oil prices

COVID-19 has harmed both the private and public sectors of the Iraqi economy.

Iraqi female activists launch women's magazine in Ninevah Plains

Woman of Ninevah, a magazine that aims to give voice to women in the region, was launched on March 8, on International Women's Day.

A student wears a protective face mask, following the outbreak of the new coronavirus, as he poses for a photo during ongoing anti-government protests in Basra, Iraq March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Essam al-Sudani - RC2LDF9G22Z3

Iraqi protesters stand firm, say corruption worse than coronavirus

Many Iraqi protesters have chosen to continue their demonstrations despite the rapid spread of the virus, saying the country's political crisis is more dangerous than the disease.

Medical staff in protective gear look at a screen while checking temperatures of passengers upon their arrival, following an outbreak of the coronavirus, at Najaf airport, in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq February 26, 2020. Picture taken February 26, 2020. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC2RDF9PKKES

Coronavirus sickens Turkish-Iraqi trade

Turkey's decision to close its only border crossing with Iraq amid a spike in coronavirus cases there will deal a great blow to the country's economy, costing some $1 billion monthly.

Members of the civil defense team spray disinfectant to sanitize surrounding of the Kufa mosque, following an outbreak of the coronavirus, in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq February 27, 2020. Picture taken February 27, 2020. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC2RDF9QBKYW

Have Iraqi religious centers contributed to the spread of coronavirus?

With the increase in the number of coronavirus victims in Iraq, the role of religious centers in curbing the spread of COVID-19 has come under scrutiny.