Tag Archives | caliphate

Obama: An additional $200m for Iraq

By John Lee. The United States is to provide an additional $200 million (240 billion Iraqi dinars) in humanitarian aid to Iraq. After a meeting with prime minister Haider Al-Abadi, President Obama said the United States has an obligation to help displaced families. The pledge did not include new direct military assistance. Obama added: "Any […]

Oilfield Torched near Erbil

By John Lee. Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) militants set fire to an abandoned oil field near Makhmour and Qaraj, east of Erbil, on Wednesday. Anofficial told BasNews that the oil field is located between Peshmerga and IS militants’ frontlines, about 2 kilometres away from Peshmerga forces. It is believed that the oil field was […]

Iraqis on Social Media Fight Extremists Online

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. The extremist Islamic State group has worked the Internet to it's advantage from the very start of its campaign in Iraq. Locals have lagged behind. But now, some say, they […]

Video: Tikrit still Deserted after Liberation

From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Calm has returned to Tikrit two weeks after Iraqi security forces and allied paramilitaries retook the city from the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) group.

Yazidis Wary amid Stalled Sinjar Offensive

By Shelly Kittleson for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. The road to the front line runs close to the Syrian border, through Yazidi towns once occupied by the Islamic State (IS) and bombarded by airstrikes. Peshmerga fighters allied with various other […]

UNESCO Condemns Destruction of Nimrud

The United Nations agency mandated with protecting heritage sites worldwide today denounced further destruction at the archaeological site of Nimrud in Iraq, calling the deliberate damage of culture a "war crime" and pledging to do everything possible to fight it. "I condemn this mad, destructive act that accentuates the horror of the situation. It confirms […]

Video: Diyala Residents fear Shia Militias

From Al Jazeera. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Diyala province is on the border with Iran, and Iranian influence is evident. The Popular Mobilization Force and Shia militias are the real power here. Some analysts fear that the victory over ISIL […]

Video: PM to ask US for more Arms, Strikes

From AFP. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Monday that he will use a visit to the United States to seek increased air support and arms deliveries to aid Baghdad's battle against jihadists.

IS Attacks Baiji Refinery

By John Lee. Islamic State militants (IS, ISIS, ISIL) breached the security perimeter around Baiji [Beiji, Bayji) refinery on Monday, but were repelled by security forces and coalition airstrikes. The 20-square-kilometer site was under siege for five months last summer, until its liberation in November. According to Reuters, provincial council member Khazaal Hammad said the […]

Abadi Fires over 300 Army Officers

By John Lee. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (pictured) has "[sent] more than 300 officers in the ministry of Defense into retirement. This comes within a plan to reorganize the hierarchy of the Iraqi Army and make it more active and efficient to confront the dangers that face Iraq and to protect its national security. " […]

Reuters Bureau Chief Flees Iraq

By John Lee. Reuters' bureau chief in Baghdad has left Iraq after he was threatened on Facebook and denounced by a satellite news channel belonging to a Shiite paramilitary group. Journalist Ned Parker has previously detailed lynching and looting in Tikrit, following the city's liberation from the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL). In addition to […]

IS Sells Oil at Under $30/barrel

By John Lee. The Iraqi Oil Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi claims that the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) are selling oil for as little as $30 a barrel. BasNews quotess the Minister as saying that the militants are getting their oil from two major sites in Salahaddin Province; the Allas and E’jeel oil fields. This […]