Archive | 2014

World Economic Forum visits KRG

Mr Miroslav Dosek, Head of Middle East and North Africa section of the World Economic Forum (WEF), visited the KRG Department of Foreign Relations to discuss economic developments in Kurdistan as well as the current security and humanitarian situation. Mr Dosek said, “The achievements and the success of the Kurdistan Region are very much lauded […]

UN calls for more Shelter, Protection

After concluding a three-day visit to Iraq, UN Humanitarian Chief Valerie Amos (pictured) said today that additional support is needed ahead of the long winter months for people who have been displaced by fighting, and for the communities supporting them. Iraq is facing an escalating emergency with up to 1.8 million Iraqis displaced since January. […]

$1.8m Support for Parliament, Civil Society

As part of its continued support to Iraq’s parliament, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today signed with the Council of Representatives in Baghdad a project of US$1,797,999 funded by the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden. This initiative aims to strengthen the legislative and oversight role of the parliament, which now begins its third […]

IS-Controlled Areas Banned from Hajj

By John Lee. The Iraqi government has not provided planes for citizens of the provinces of Nineveh, Salahaddin, Anbar and all areas under the control of Islamic State insurgents, who wish to undertake Hajj pilgrimage. According to the report from BasNews, the has angered Sunni people who live in IS-controlled areas. Hajj is an annual Islamic […]

International Community Supports Baghdad Against IS

At an international conference in Paris, the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, representatives of European and Arab states, and representatives of the EU, Arab League and United Nations, have all pledged to help the government in Baghdad fight against Islamic State militants. The full statement from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is […]

More Assistance for Displaced Persons

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has pledged to intensify its humanitarian activities in Iraq, and to increase assistance for more than 1.5 million Iraqis displaced as a result of continuous fighting in various parts of the country. The pledge was made during a visit to Iraq by Movement leaders that included the […]

Iraq-Iran Gas Pipeline Operational by March

By Patrick M Schmidt. The Managing Director of the Iranian Gas Engineering and Development Company, Alireza Gharibi, said he expected tests to begin on the new Iran-Iraq gas pipeline by next month. "Operations for the construction of Iran-Iraq gas pipeline are complete and we are now in the pre-startup testing phase, after which the pipeline […]

German Advisors Arrive in Kurdistan

By Patrick M Schmidt. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has welcomed forty German military advisors who will begin training Peshmerga security forces on weapons newly received from Germany. The advisors have previous experience training foreign militaries. The German military assistance package is valued at $92 million and is aimed to assist in their fight against […]

Oil Pipeline Sabotaged in Diwaniya

By John Lee. An oil pipeline passing through the governorate of Diwaniya has reportedly been sabotaged by an explosion, the first event of its kind in the province. Aswat al-Iraq reports that the explosion was made by dynamite underneath the pipeline that runs from Basra to Baghdad. The explosion took place in Saniya area, 12 […]

Video: Shia Group Accused of Revenge Attacks

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Shia militias fighting against the Islamic State group (IS) in Iraq have been accused of exacting revenge against Sunnis. Kurdish fighters say the Iranian-backed Badr brigade, has carried out reprisals against villagers suspected […]