By Mustafa al Kadhimi for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Iraq Business News. Will Sistani be able to Control Popular Mobilization Forces? Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, issued a fatwa on June 13, 2014, encouraging Iraqis to take up […]
By John Lee. AM General has been awarded a $32,109,715 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales (Iraq) contract for 160 M1151A1B1 High Mobility Multi Purpose Wheeled Vehicles. Work will be performed in South Bend, Indiana, with an estimated completion date of June 12, 2015. One bid was solicited with one received. (Source: US Dept of Defense)
By John Lee. A report from KUNA says that the UN World food program (WFP) urgently requires $45 million (54 billion Iraqi dinars) to continue its Emergency Operation in Iraq until June. Elisabeth Byrs, WFP Senior Communications Officer , Geneva Spokesperson told a press briefing that the humanitarian situation in the cities of Samarra in […]
Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, chaired a meeting to discuss and assess the state of airports and flights in the Kurdistan Region. The meeting was attended by KRG Ministers of Interior, Natural Resources, Planning, Transportation and the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations and the Government Spokesperson along with the Governor […]
From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's first Christian-only brigade of regular forces graduated Thursday to help retake the community's towns and villages from the Islamic State group. The new brigade will answer to the government of the Kurdish region.
By Patrick Schmidt. Elite units of the Iraqi Security Forces have been placed under investigation by the Iraqi government. Reports show these units torturing and executing members of the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL). Other images show Iraqi soldiers hanging members of the IS from towers. Iraqi authorities are now trying to find additional photos […]
By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has completely rejected what it calls "the false and malicious allegations of misuse of funds made against the KRG and the Minister of Natural Resources" by an opposition MP in the Republic of South Korea and which were published by the Korea Times. Korean MP Chun Soon-ok […]
Iran's increasing influence on Iraq is very obvious, commercially, politically and militarily, but did the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister go too far in claiming that "Iran is Taking Over Iraq"? The claim has been rejected by Iraq's Foreign Minister, who also pointed to his country's improving relations with Saudi Arabia. But what do, our readers, […]
By Patrick Schmidt. The Iraqi Director of Antiquities has confirmed that the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) destroyed portions of the historical city of Dur-Sharrukin (Khorsabad). The city was once a capital for the Assyrian Empire. The militants also ransacked the Mosul Museum and destroyed other artifacts in the Mosul Library. The group has also […]
By Patrick Schmidt. During a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), member states expressed their dissatisfaction with the influence Iran has had in Iraq since the rise of the Islamic State (IS). The GCC announced they supported a united Iraq, recognized its territorial sovereignty and condemned interference in Iraqi internal affairs. Iran’s influence has […]
By John Lee. The Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud al-Faisal (pictured), has told reporters in Riyadh that “Iran is taking over Iraq.” The comments were made during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry, in which Kerry said the United States was keeping an eye on Iran's 'destabilizing' acts, adding that his country […]
By John Lee. The Czech government has approved the sale of 15 redundant L-159 combat planes to Iraq. Defense Minister Martin Stropnický said the government will receive 750 million Kč ($30 million) via the Aero Vodochody mediating company. Prague Post reports that the deal will give work to up to 100 people who will assemble […]
