Archive | Security

UK to Fund Peshmerga Training

The UK has announced that it is funding state-of-the-art bomb disposal training to assist the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Peshmerga forces in their frontline battle against ISIL. This funding is for a four-week pilot course, delivered by a UK firm, which will initially train up to 18 students from the Peshmerga to counter Improvised Explosive […]

Video: Sunni Refugees Caught in Conflict

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Many who escaped fighting between army and ISIL say they are also targets of Shia armed groups who are destroying homes. Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr reports now from Kirkuk.

Afren Dismisses CEO, COO and Assoc Dirs

By John Lee. Afren announced today that Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP (WFG) has completed its independent review into the receipt of unauthorised payments by members of management and senior employees. In connection with the conclusion of this review, the company has decided to terminate the employment and directorships of Osman Shahenshah and Shahid […]

"Soaring" Public Spending hits War Financing

By John Lee. The Financial Times reports that a looming fiscal crisis is threatening to limit Iraq’s ability to finance its war against the Islamic State insurgents. This is despite the country having large oil revenues, billions of dollars in reserves and surplus funds left from unexecuted projects. In recent years, expenditures have "skyrocketed", with […]

Iraqi Dinar to Devalue?

By John Lee. One possible consequence of the budgetary crisis facing Iraq is a fall in the value of the Iraqi dinar. As a result of the massive burden of public sector wages and salaries, in addition to subsidies for food and energy, the country faces major expenses in looking after its nearly 2 million […]

UK Foreign Secretary Visits Iraq

By John Lee. Iraq's Foreign Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Al Jaafari, received his British counterpart, Philip Hammond, on Monday. During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the Iraqi political and security developments and the importance of supporting Iraq in eliminating the terrorist Islamic State (IS). Minister Jaafari and Minister Hammond held a joint press conference on […]

Weekly Security Update, 07 - 13 October 2014

By Anne-Laure Barbosa at Constellis Consulting Elevated levels of violence continued to be reflected in a high number of casualties, with at least 408 recorded deaths over the reporting period. While reporting remains interrupted in large swathes of the North, evidence of war crimes committed by Shia fighters against Sunni populations was described in a briefing […]

$Billions Reconstruction Money Stolen

By John Lee. Stuart Bowen, the former Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), has  claimed that between $1.2 billion [1.4 trillion Iraqi dinars] and $1.6 billion [IQD 1.9 trillion] allocated for the reconstruction of Iraq was stolen and hidden in a bunker in Lebanon, as the American and Iraqi governments ignored appeals to recover […]

UN calls on Kurdish Min's to Return to Govt

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Nickolay Mladenov (pictured) held meetings on Sunday with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Parliament. The meeting focused on the continuous cooperation between the KR-I and the central government, as well as on the current humanitarian burden on the KR-I. He received a copy […]

Video: Triple Suicide Attack hits Kurds

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. A triple suicide attack tore through a Kurdish compound in eastern Iraq, killing at least 29 members of the security forces and wounding 88, according to hospital and security officials. A roadside bomb […]

KRG, UN Finalise Response Plan for IDPs

The KRG Ministry of Planning and the United Nations have finalised an immediate response plan for Iraqi IDPs sheltered in the Kurdistan Region, including clear objectives to be met by 15 November 2014. The joint document states: "This massive influx of people in a short period has created a grave humanitarian crisis and is pushing […]