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Iraq

August 22, 2026

Baghdad 12:17 am

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Zaidi

Iraq’s Zaidi doubles down on militia disarmament, boosting oil exports

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi made the comments amid Hormuz-related export struggles and a nearing deadline for armed groups to disarm.

Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government, gives a press conference in the autonomous region's capital Arbil on June 25, 2025.

Interview

Barzani calls for enhanced air defense for Kurdistan Region to counter drone attacks

Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani backs US-led regional economic integration efforts and lauds US partnership in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor.

Masrour Barzani

Masrour Barzani

KRG Prime Minister

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Saudi Arabia wants Iran-backed militia 'heads to roll' in Iraq amid talks with Tehran

Riyadh is pressing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to act against the groups behind attacks on the kingdom as Baghdad struggles to balance ties with Tehran and Washington.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Explainer

Iraq seeks special Hormuz access from Iran in scramble to keep oil flowing

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s Ghalibaf makes high-level visit to Iraq ahead of disarmament deadline

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf speaks during a press conference at the site where Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed by a US airstrike in 2020 near the airport upon his arrival in Baghdad, on Aug. 19, 2026.

Explainer

Why Iran targeted Barzani family stronghold in Iraqi Kurdistan

Smoke rises after explosions were heard and air defences activated near the airport in Erbil, on July 24, 2026.

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia September 7, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - RC1584AB80C0

Putin resets Iraqi energy landscape as Barzani steps aside

Russian moves maximize leverage as US stumbles on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units; Massoud Barzani resigns as Kurdistan Region president; Syria and Russia take initiative with regard to local governance in Syria.

Mounting calls to form 'national salvation government' in Iraqi Kurdistan

Amid the rejection of the two main parties, opposition parties in the Kurdistan Region are calling for a so-called government of national salvation.

Hadiya Yousef (2nd R) and other delegates take part in a conference in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northern regions, in the town of Rmeilan, Hasaka province, Syria December 29, 2016. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC1D18A26700

Syrian Kurds focused on federalism

The Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum continues to make waves in Syria as the country's Kurds believe they can negotiate with the Syrian government to establish a federal state.

Kurds in Iraqi army still serve despite conflict

Thousands of Iraqi Kurds in the Iraqi army fear for their salaries and lives after the recent Kurdish referendum.

Business as usual as Iraq's foreign minister visits Moscow

In meetings this week, Russian and Iraqi officials discussed energy deals, Baghdad's battle with Iraqi Kurdistan and how those topics intersect.

Turkey’s paradox in Iraq: Weaker because of a weakened Kurdistan

Turkey enjoyed the influence it wielded in Iraq because of its ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government, but it would rather see the KRG fall than risk an independent Iraqi Kurdistan inspiring Turkey's Kurds to seek the same.

Why is Baghdad paying salaries of Kurdistan employees?

Amid ongoing disputes between Kurdistan and the Iraqi federal government, Baghdad announced that it is going to bypass the Kurdistan Regional Government and pay their civil servants directly.

Iran's media unconcerned with Iraq-Saudi Arabia rapprochement

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s recent trips to Saudi Arabia appear to have been coordinated to reduce Iran’s influence in Iraq, but Iranian media outlets do not seem concerned by the apparent Iraqi-Saudi Arabia rapprochement.

A man rides a bike near a mural supporting the referendum for independence of Kurdistan in Erbil, Iraq September 24, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC12B8261980

US welcomes Kurdish backpedaling

The United States sees a way out of the political crisis between Baghdad and Erbil as the Kurdistan Regional Government offers to suspend the results of its independence referendum and open dialogue.

A plane is seen at the Erbil International Airport in Erbil, Iraq September 29, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari - RC18C8941C40

Pentagon says Iraqi flight ban won’t impact US military assistance to Kurds

US arms are getting through to the peshmerga, but crucial aid contractors are getting held up.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and his Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi attend a welcoming ceremony in Ankara, Turkey, October 25, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1B077637A0

Abadi, Erdogan meet to form Kurdistan game plan

Iraq's prime minister met with Turkey's president in Ankara today to solidify joint support for Baghdad as it battles to keep the Kurdistan region under Iraqi control.

Iraqi men watch television as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announces victory over Islamic State in Mosul, in Baghdad, Iraq, July 10, 2017. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily - RC125B78B700

Amid crisis with Erbil, Baghdad launches Kurdish TV programming

Baghdad launches a Kurdish TV segment in an attempt to have direct contact with Kurdistan Region residents.