Archive | Security

UNMAS updates on De-Mining and Education in Iraq

By John Lee. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has issued a summary of its operations in Iraq from 1st January to 30th June 2025: Removed 7,401 explosive remnants of war (ERW), and 399 improvised explosive devices (IED) in Ninewa governorate. Conducted 14 clearance tasks enabling rehabilitation and resumption of livelihood activities, and humanitarian actors to move […]

Northrop Grumman Wins $11m Iraq Contract

By John Lee. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded an $11,737,827 modification (P00031) to a previously awarded contract FA8617-21-C-6237 for contractor logistics support of Iraq's C-172 and C-208 fleets. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract from $58,886,759 to $70,624,586. Work will be performed at Martyr BG […]

Women in Kurdistan and Their Battle for Self-Agency

By Shilan Fuad Hussain, for the London School of Economics (LSE) Middle East Centre. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Battling the 'Patriarchal Trifecta': Women in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Their Battle for Self-Agency In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq […]

US Embassy Personnel to Return to Iraq

By John Lee. The US State Department has announced the end of Ordered Departure Status for personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, effective July 17, 2025. Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce (pictured) stated that personnel who had been temporarily relocated outside Iraq will begin a phased return to their […]

Another Iraqi Oilfield Attacked by Drone

By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Natural Resources has confirmed reports of another attack on oil facilities in Northern Iraq. According to a statement on Wednesday, the Ain Safni oil field in the Sheikhan district of Duhok Governorate was attacked by drone. Ain Sifni is operated by US-based Hunt Oil. The KRG […]

GKP "Temporarily Shuts-In Production" at Shaikan

By John Lee. Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has said it has "temporarily shut-in production" at its Shaikan field in Iraqi Kurdistan. In a statement this morning (Wednesday), the company said: "Gulf Keystone has noted reports over the past two days of explosions at a number of oil fields in the vicinity of the Company's Shaikan […]

Khurmala Oil Field Targeted by Drone Attack

By John Lee. The Khurmala oil field, located in the Makhmour district west of Erbil province, was struck by two unidentified drones at approximately 8:30 PM on Monday, 14 July 2025. According to the Joint Operations Command's Security Media Cell, there were no human casualties, with the damage limited to material losses. Authorities have initiated […]

Explosion at Kurdistan's Sarsang Field

By John Lee. HKN Energy has confirmed an explosion occurred early on Tuesday morning at one of its production facilities in the Sarsang field, located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The incident took place at approximately 7:00 AM local time on 15 July 2025. According to the company, all personnel have been safely accounted […]

LWF: Protecting Women's Rights in Iraq

From the Lutheran World Federation (LWF): The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has addressed the UN Human Rights Council highlighting key women's rights issues during the council's session that reviewed the human rights situation in Iraq. Iraq has made progress by setting up new shelters, hotline services, and public campaigns addressing violence against women and girls. […]

Leveraging Iran's Defeat to Strengthen US-Iraq Security Relations

By Michael Knights, for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Leveraging Iran's Defeat to Strengthen U.S.-Iraq Security Relations Tehran's Iraqi proxies mostly sat out the twelve-day war, but this pragmatic restraint will not forestall growing […]

Iraqi Regulations: Essential Insights for Foreign Businesses in Iraq

From IDG Security: How Do Local Regulations Affect Foreign and Local Businesses Differently in Iraq? Iraq presents a unique and complex environment for businesses, with its blend of immense economic opportunities and intricate regulatory challenges. For foreign investors, understanding how local regulations impact both foreign and local businesses is crucial to navigating this dynamic market. […]

US Sanctions Iraqi-British National for Smuggling Iranian Oil

By John Lee. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions targeting networks involved in transporting and purchasing Iranian oil, including a group of companies led by Iraqi businessman Salim Ahmed Said. The U.S. alleges that Said's network smuggled Iranian oil disguised as, or blended with, Iraqi oil, […]