By Simon Kent. A think tank has estimated that the so called Islamic State have suffered another major blow to their finances, losing another 30% of their income in the course of a year. The news comes after reports in January that the group slashed the salaries of fighters by over half. In that respect, […]
By Simon Kent. Hard-line cleric Moqtada al Sadr has given PM Haider al Abadi (pictured) until this afternoon to announce new nominees for a new "technocratic cabinet," a reform idea first touted in February, although the composition of the cabinet will depend on parliament. Abadi has called on parliament "to convene immediately in order to overcome the […]
By Simon Kent. Iraq's Ministry of Defence has announced that a delivery of three SU-25 ground attack aircraft have arrived in the country for the fight against the so called Islamic State. The Russian made SU-25, known by its NATO code name "Frogfoot," is a slow moving but heavily armed ground attack jet, and several […]
By Simon Kent. According to Judge Sedqi Salimkhan, the Integrity Commission of the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI) is reviewing 21 corruption cases including an official from the Sulaimani Immigration Department who has been accused of spending funds intended for internally displaced people (refugees.) The anti-corruption initiative is part of a wave of reforms that Kurdish President […]
By Simon Kent. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has announced that 200 more advisers and trainers will be joining the effort to re-vamp the Iraqi army ahead of a planned offensive to re-take Mosul, the last major urban stronghold of the so called Islamic State in Iraq. The development is more significant than numbers alone, […]
By Simon Kent. The Iraqi Children Foundation (ICF), is hosting its fourth annual "In their shoes" 5K Run/Walk in Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday, May 14th to benefit Iraq's most vulnerable children – its orphans, street children and kids fleeing ISIS. Funds raised provide social services and legal aid to children at risk of trafficking and recruitment by terrorist […]
By Simon Kent. When Coalition aircraft began targeting ISIS oil operations last year, they did so under strict rules of engagement that were designed to minimize civilian casualties: many of those transporting the oil were deemed civilians trying to earn a living under ISIS rule. Tactics in the early days of the Tidal Wave II […]
By Simon Kent. Iraqi PM Haider al Abadi has said that remaining Turkish forces deployed with the Kurdish Peshmerga as trainers and advisers must leave Iraq immediately. The remarks come as it becomes clear that the Turkish forces have not been withdrawn, as promised by the Turkish government. Instead, the small contingent has been moved […]
By Simon Kent. Iraq's southern oil exports remained close to their recent record of 3.37 million bpd, which was hit in November, Reuters reports. Possibly lessened by several days of maintenance work at the Single Point Moorings at the Basra terminals, the figures for December were slightly lower, at 3.27 million bpd. This closes a good year […]
By Simon Kent. Iraq is developing a new strategy for its southern oil fields in relation to the ongoing Common Sea Water Supply Facility project, which opened bidding for completion last year. ExxonMobil and PetroChina were approached to invest in the critical strategic water injection project, which has been long delayed. In a statement to Reuters, […]
By Simon Kent. Iraqi PM Haider al Abadi (pictured) has thanked the role that the British Royal Air Force played in supporting Iraqi troops during the battle of Ramadi. Iraq's western city of almost half a million people fell to ISIS, also known as Daesh, in May this year. The defeat for Iraqi forces was a […]
By Mona Alami for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The Islamic State’s control over large swaths of land in Iraq and Syria is slowly diminishing, as it is being aggressively pummeled by local and international forces, such as Kurdish and Iraqi […]
