Iraq

At least 18 killed after US retaliatory strikes hit 85 targets in Iraq & syria

"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," US president Joe Biden said in an statement.

US approves multi-day strikes against Iranian targets in Iraq, Syria

The report comes after days of speculation over potential US response to the Saturday drone attack that killed three US soldiers in Jordan. This is the first time that US casualties have occurred in a wave of escalating violence across Middle East since Israel's war in Gaza started in October

Why Iraqi militant group Kataib Hezbollah has called off attacks against US troops

Iran-backed Iraqi armed militia Kataib Hezbollah has suspended its attacks against US troops in the country. The decision comes days after 3 American soldiers were killed in Jordan in a drone strike. Washington has vowed to take action for the attack, raising concerns of a wider conflict in the area

AFC Asian Cup 2023: Iraq coach warns one mistake and it's 'bye bye' ahead of Jordan clash

Iraq's Spanish coach Jesus Casas attempted to play down their AFC Asian Cup title chances, starting against Jordan

US, Iraq begin dialogue to end international military presence

Approximately 2,500 US soldiers are presently stationed in Iraq as part of the alliance that was established in 2014 to assist the Iraqi government in defeating ISIS

Red Sea shipping crisis: US asks China to urge Iran to curb attacks by Houthis

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also raised the issue with his Chinese counterpart, the report said, adding U.S. officials believe there was little evidence that China had put any pressure on Iran to restrain the Houthis beyond a mild statement Beijing issued last week.

US carries out airstrikes on 3 sites in Iraq linked to Iran-backed militias blamed for base attack

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the strikes "are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria" by Iranian-backed militia groups.

UN@15%: Officials deputed in Iraq to weed out corruption caught taking bribes for post-war reconstruction contracts

The UN employees take bribes to help the contractor navigate the complex UNDP’s bidding system and ensure they pass the vetting process

China defies sanctions to make Russia its biggest oil supplier in 2023

Russia shipped a record 107.02 million metric tons of crude oil to China last year, equivalent to 2.14 million barrels per day (bpd), the Chinese customs data showed, far more than other major oil exporters such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq

How sanctions did not stop Iran from developing ballistic missiles

Iran's ballistic missile programme has advanced over the past 40 years despite sanctions, and this week's strikes in Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria have pushed it back into the public eye. The US and its allies believe Iran is working on ballistic missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear weapons