By Christy-Belle Geha for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq's prohibition zeal threatens Baghdad's boozy subculture Although a law banning the sale and import of alcohol was passed in 2016 and came into force at the start of […]
By Ali Mamouri for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. 'Iraq is not an Islamic country': Minorities protest Baghdad's alcohol ban as unconstitutional The Iraqi government's renewed effort to prohibit alcohol is not only worrisome for Christian and Yazidi […]
By Mustafa Saadoun for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Armed groups target liquor shops in Iraq Shops selling alcoholic beverages in Baghdad are constantly targeted. Some Iraqis see this as part of the war on their personal freedoms. […]
By Adnan Abu Zeed for Al Monitor. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Arak distillery promotes ambitious new brand in defiance of alcohol ban Distiller Amer ad-Doumali launched “Arak Bashiqa” in September, a new brand of the Levant's traditional anise drink whose […]
By John Lee. Greek ouzo has reportedly become extremely popular in Iraq in recent years, with imports increasing steadily. According to greekreporter.com, ouzo is now replacing Iraq’s popular arak, a transparent drink very similar to Greece’s ouzo or raki. Komotini-based company Distillery Winery of Thrace claims to have an 85-percent share of the Iraqi ouzo […]
This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Even before the extremists were in control in Anbar, selling alcohol was banned. During extremist control, selling liquor was punishable by death. But now liquor stores have become a sign […]
By Fazel Hawramy for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Residents of Iraqi Kurdistan stock up on spirits as Ramadan kicks off While Iraqi security forces were busy clearing the last pockets of Islamic State-controlled areas in Mosul and the wider public in Iraq was […]
By Saad Salloum for Al Monitor. Any opinions here are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The Iraqi parliament's surprise decision to ban alcohol is raising challenges from many quarters, both for the law's content and the way it was passed. Some critics also say politicians […]
By John Lee. The Iraq Parliament has approved a law "forbidding the import, manufacture and sale of all kinds of alcohol drinks." Alcohol has been made readily available in shops, bars, restaurant and hotels in Baghdad and in some of the provinces of Iraq, and it was not unusual for young people in Baghdad to […]
By John Lee. South Korea has become the third largest supplier of beer to Iraq, with exports to the country reaching 6,384 tons, or US$4.48 million, last year. This puts South Korea behind Hong Kong (55,484 tons) and China (20,112 tons). Four years ago, South Korea ranked as the country’s seven-largest beer exporter. According to […]
As the US military withdrawal continues, many are worried at the possibility of increased militancy over the coming year in Iraq. Levels of violence rose over the past week with the highest number of casualties recorded in six months. As warned, terrorists targeted Shi’ah worshippers gathering to commemorate Ashura, with a number of attacks in […]
Stores selling alcohol in the Iraqi capital were shut down by the Baghdad provincial council on Monday amid protests from their owners, according to a report from AKnews. Store owners were caught by surprise when police patrols arrived unannounced at their premises with orders from the provincial council to close down all unlicensed shops and […]
