Chaldean Patriarch returns to Baghdad after nine months of self-imposed exile amid political dispute
Baghdad AP A prominent Iraqi Christian religious leader who left Baghdad amid a political dispute last year returned to the capital this week at the invitation of the country’s prime minister after nine months of self-imposed exile in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region. Cardinal Louis Sako was welcomed warmly by a church packed with members of the country’s […]
Kataib Hezbollah commander killed in Baghdad in US strike
Baghdad, Iraq Reuters A commander from Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group in Iraq that the Pentagon has blamed for attacking its troops, was killed in a US strike on Wednesday, the US military said. “[US] forces conducted a unilateral strike in Iraq in response to the attacks on US service members, killing a Kataib […]
US embassy in Baghdad struck with seven mortars as attacks escalate
Reuters Approximately seven mortar rounds landed in the US Embassy compound in Baghdad during an attack early on Friday, a US military official told Reuters, in what appeared to be the largest attack of its kind in recent memory. US forces in Iraq and Syria were also targeted with rockets and drones at least five […]
Swedish embassy in Baghdad stormed, set alight – source, witness
Baghdad, IraqReuters Hundreds of protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in central Baghdad in the early hours of Thursday morning, scaling its walls and setting it on fire in protest against the expected burning of a Quran in Sweden. A source familiar with the matter said no embassy staff had been harmed and declined to elaborate […]
Postcards: Priced out of healthcare, some Iraqis turn to natural remedies
MAHER NAZEH, of Reuters, reports on how Iraq’s economic situation is impacting the country’s healthcare system…
Postcards: Baghdad gets make-over as repairs kindle guarded optimism
TIMOUR AZHARI and AMINA ISMAIL, of Reuters, report on efforts to improve basic services for citizens weary of years of conflict and government neglect…
Essay: Iraq 20 years on – death came from the skies on 19th March, 2003, and the killing continues to this day
LILY HAMOURTZIADOU, a UK-based academic who has been involved with the Iraq Body Count database, reflects on the cost in human lives of conflict in Iraq…
Ten killed, more than 20 wounded in explosion in Baghdad
Baghdad, IraqReuters Ten people were killed and more than 20 wounded in an explosion in east Baghdad on Saturday, according to security and medical sources. The explosion took place in a garage near a football stadium and a café, when an explosive device attached to a vehicle detonated, leading to another explosion of a gas […]
Baghdad’s historic homes crumble as real estate booms
Baghdad, IraqReuters Overlooking the Tigris river in Baghdad, a 100-year-old Iraqi mansion stands dilapidated and neglected. Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of its faded glory are warned off by a sign near the door saying: “Danger of collapse”. The 16-room building once boasted latticed windows, delicate carvings, a balcony and an inner courtyard dotted […]
Iraqi cleric Sadr calls off protests after worst Baghdad violence in years
Baghdad, IraqReuters Powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his followers to end their protests in central Baghdad on Tuesday, easing a confrontation which led to the deadliest violence in the Iraqi capital in years. Apologising to Iraqis after 22 people were killed in clashes between an armed group loyal to him and rival Shi’ite Muslim factions […]