Iraqi forces battled the Islamic State group Monday in the opening stages of an operation to retake Fallujah, one of the toughest targets yet in Baghdad's war against the jihadists.
Video: Iraq Forces launch Assault on Fallujah
Archive | Security
PM Abadi: Final Fallujah Operation Underway
By Simon Kent. Iraq's PM Haider al Abadi has announced that a major battle to retake Fallujah from ISIS has begun. The town fell under the control of the terrorists in January 2014, after security deteriorated following months of Sunni protests against the government of Nouri al Maliki. Protesters accused Maliki of rounding up hundreds […]
Tags: Daesh, fallujah, featured, Hashd al Shaabi, Iraq, ISIS, Islamic State, PMU, Popular Mobilization Units
Jordan Border Crossing to Re-Open
By Simon Kent. Iraq is set to reopen its border with Jordan near the town of Rutbah, a remote settlement over 200km from Baghdad that was liberated from ISIS control last week. Around 200 militants were thought to have been present in the town, with most fleeing and some fighting to the death. When the […]
New Green Zone Protest, Fatalities Reported
By Simon Kent. A new wave of protesters have entered Iraq's parliament, forcing Iraqi security forces to escalate force with tear gas, rubber bullets and according to reports, live ammunition. Four protesters are reported dead, with estimates putting injured at over 50. Pictures on social media showed a man who appeared to have a serious […]
Tags: Badr Organization, Baghdad, featured, Green Zone, Iraq, Moqtada al-Sadr, Protests, Saraya al Salaam
Iraqi Forces Retake Rutbah
By Simon Kent. Iraqi forces have retaken a remote town on the road to Jordan, 360km from Baghdad in the south west part of Anbar. Anbar is a Sunni majority, mostly desert province home to the towns of Fallujah and Ramadi. The fall of the town to the so called Islamic State in 2014 was […]
Before Mosul, a Fourth Battle of Fallujah?
By Simon Kent. Elements of three Iraqi army divisions have cut off Fallujah, bolstered by Ministry of Interior forces and Hashd al Shaabi paramilitaries. According to The Daily Beast, there is new urgency to move into the center of the town, which is a short drive from Baghdad, following a wave of bombings targeting civilians in the […]
Finland contributes Funding for Newly Liberated Areas
Finland contributes funding to accelerate stabilization in newly liberated areas The Republic of Finland is providing US$1,13 million (€1 million) to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support stabilization in areas newly liberated from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Finnish contribution will be allocated to UNDP’s Funding Facility for […]
Tags: caliphate, Daesh, featured, Finland, Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization (FFIS), ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State, terrorism, UN Development Programme (UNDP)
Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq
U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq on Monday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Tuesday. Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports Strikes in Syria Attack and remotely […]
Tags: caliphate, Daesh, featured, ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State, Operation Inherent Resolve, Syria, terrorism, United States
Unaoil Claims it was Blackmailed
By John Lee. Monaco-based Unaoil , which has been accused of widespread bribery and corruption in the Iraqi oil industry, has issued a statement claiming that it has been the victim of an extortion attempt. The full statement from Unaoil follows: Unaoil can confirm it has been the victim of a four-month extortion attempt by […]
Iraq Shuts Down Internet to Stop Exam Cheats
By John Lee. Iraq has deliberately shut down large areas of the country's internet to help prevent cheating in national exams. Internet advocacy group SMEX has an email from one Iraqi ISP confirming the action, and saying that it came about due to an official request made by the country's Ministry of Communications, according to […]
Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq
U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq on Sunday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Monday. Officials reported details of yesterday’s strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Bomber, fighter and […]
Tags: caliphate, Daesh, featured, ISIL, ISIS, Islamic State, Operation Inherent Resolve, Syria, terrorism, United States
Kurdistan and Iran Developing Relations
KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Mahmoud Alavi, Minister of intelligence of Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying delegation on Saturday. Mr Alavi said that Iran attaches great importance to its relations with Kurdistan Region, stressing that these relations have deep historical roots. The delegation stated that Iran has always considered the Kurdistan […]