Archive | Security

Visited Iraq? US Now Requires Special Visa

By Simon Kent. The US House of Representatives have voted to place special visa requirements on anyone who has visited Iraq, Iran, Sudan or Syria after March 2011. The regulations--in effect from the date of the beginning of the Syrian uprising, come in the wake of the Paris attacks and relate to concerns over individuals […]

Kata'ib Hezbollah Threaten "Turkish Interests"

By Simon Kent. Iraqi Shi'a paramilitary group Kata'ib Hezbollah, or "Hezbollah Brigades" have threatened Turkish troops and Turkish interests in Iraq over the recent deployment of the Turkish army in Kurdish areas. Due to the location of Turkish troops however, the militant group is currently unable to target the Turkish army. Last week it was […]

Yezidis Discover ISIS Supply Route

By Simon Kent. According to fighters from northern Iraq's Yezidi ethnic minority, ISIS or "Daesh" have opened a new supply route from Syria to Mosul, which enters the northern occupied city from the south and moves through at Ba'aj, south of Sinjar. Yezidis currently working with Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have been observing the route, which […]

US Offers Helicopter Support in Ramadi

By Simon Kent. US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has said that, if requested the Iraqi army can benefit from US ground attack helicopters and embedded military advisers in the final stages of the fight for Ramadi. The Iraqi army have recently made significant advances into the center of the town, (pictured above) which is the capital […]

Strikes Continue to Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Fighter, bomber, and remotely […]

Video: Debate on Foreign Involvement in Iraq Intensifies

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The debate is intensifying about foreign nations contributing to a ground force to combat ISIL in Iraq. Prime Minister Abbadi says his forces are able to push ISIL fighters out alone, but there […]

Sweden gives $4m to help Stabilize Newly Liberated Areas

In a ceremony in Baghdad today, Sweden signed a US$4 million agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support stabilization in newly liberated areas of Iraq. The contribution, provided to UNDP’s Funding Facility for Immediate Stabilization (FFIS), will help thousands of people as they try to restart their lives in areas which have […]

MSF Extends Activities in Baghdad

More people have been forced to flee from Ramadi, capital of Al Anbar Governorate in central Iraq, after violence broke out between Iraqi forces and Daesh in November. Many have crossed the River Euphrates in search of refuge in camps to the west of Iraqi capital Baghdad. MSF has launched an emergency logistics and medical […]

Video: Iraq-Turkey Diplomatic Spat seen from Erbil

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's foreign ministry has summoned the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad to protest against the deployment of Turkish forces near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul and demand their immediate withdrawal. Al Jazeera's Imran […]

Video: Iraq calls for Turkish Withdrawal from Mosul Area

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq has called on Turkey to immediately withdrawal Turkish troops operating in the country's north, saying the deployment was a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the prime minister's office said on Saturday. Al Jazeera's […]

KRG Airports Closed Again

By John Lee. The international airports at Erbil (pictured) and Sulaymaniyah have been closed due to Russian aerial operations against Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) militants in Syria, according to a report from BasNews. Iraqi aviation authorities told the airports to close on Sunday evening for 48 hours -- flights are scheduled to resume on […]

US Issues New Iraq Travel Warning

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains very dangerous given the security situation. The ability of the Embassy to assist U.S. citizens facing difficulty, including arrest, is extremely limited. Private U.S. citizens are strongly discouraged from traveling to Iraq to join in armed conflict. […]