Archive | 2017

Turkmens unite against Kurdish Designs on Kirkuk

By Hamdi Malik for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The Sept. 25 referendum, in which voters overwhelmingly voted for independence for Iraqi Kurdistan, increased the division between the Turkmen and Kurdish populations in the disputed city of Kirkuk. But Turkmens believe the Kurdish […]

Assessing the Impact of Shifting Iran-KRG Relations

By Bijan Khajehpour, for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iran and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq have historically been on good terms. During the Saddam Hussein years, Iran was one of the main countries to host Kurdish leaders. In the post-Saddam […]

Strikes Continue in Effort to Defeat ISIS

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, conducting three strikes consisting of three engagements in recent days, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strike in Syria In […]

Baghdad warns Erbil not to Shut Down Kirkuk Oil

By John Lee. Iraq is reportedly considering using security forces to prevent Kurdistan from blocking oil output from Kirkuk. A spokesman for the North Oil Company (NOC) told Reuters that Kurdish officials indicated that they would shut down production at the Kirkuk oilfield, ostensibly for security reasons, but as a means of putting pressure on […]

Federal Forces in Control of Large Areas of Kirkuk City

Federal forces in control of large areas of Kirkuk city; further Kurdish withdrawals in Nineveh/Diyala Over the course of October 16, Iraqi federal forces advanced into many parts of Kirkuk city and adjacent military and energy facilities. The Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), supported by the Iraqi Army and Federal Police took control of the K1 military […]

Coalition Monitors Military Movements Near Kirkuk

Coalition military officials are monitoring military movements near Kirkuk, Iraq, following reports of an incident, Pentagon Director of Press Operations Army Col. Rob Manning told reporters today. “The coalition is monitoring movements of military vehicles and personnel in the vicinity of Kirkuk, he said. “These movements of military vehicles so far have been coordinated movements, […]

Video: Residents Flee Kirkuk as Army Takes Control

From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Peshmerga fighters and civilian residents flee Kurdish areas around Kirkuk after Iraqi military forces gained control of the northern city.

Details of Latest Strikes Against ISIS

U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria on Sunday, conducting ten strikes consisting of 11 engagements, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported yesterday. Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria In Syria, […]

Iraqi Forces Capture North Oil Company

By John Lee. Iraqi armed forces have reportedly captured the headquarters for the North Oil Company (NOC), northwest of Kirkuk, from Kurdish forces, without fighting. A Kirkuk-based official told Reuters that the Baghdad's forces had also taken control of the K1 airbase and were deploying in the Baba Gurgur field and the North Oil refinery. […]

DNO: First Payment under Kurdistan Receivables Settlement

DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today reported the first payment from the Kurdistan Regional Government under the recently concluded agreement covering outstanding receivables for past crude oil deliveries. Under the agreement effective 1 August 2017, the Company was assigned the Government's 20 percent interest in the Tawke license as well as three […]

Federal Forces Advance on Kirkuk City

Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), Counterterrorism Services (CTS), Federal Police (FP), and Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) launched a combined offensive with intent to seize the K1 military base, Kirkuk airport, and Kirkuk's oilfields at around 0200hrs (local) on October 16. The offensive followed two days of failed negotiations after the government of Iraq demanded Kurdish forces […]

IBBC Delegation meets Basrah Governor

On Thursday 12th October a delegation of IBBC Members, led by Baroness Nicholson, Honorary President, met with H. E. Mr Asaad A., the recently appointed Governor of Basrah. The meeting took place in the Governor’s office, included a Lunch and lasted until the early evening. The Governor presented his plans for Basrah and asked the […]