An American journalist has been kidnapped by unidentified assailants in Baghdad, prompting an urgent response from Iraqi security forces and international concern over press safety. Read More: SC releases prime accused in Daniel Pearl murder case The journalist was identified as Shelly Kittleson, a contributor to Al-Monitor, which focuses on reporting from the Middle East. […]
Baghdad
President pays respects at holy shrines in Baghdad
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday visited the holy shrines of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA) and Imam-e-Azam Abu Hanifa (RA). The president, who is on a four-day visit to Iraq, also visited the shrines of Imam Musa al-Kazim and Imam Muhammad al-Taqi al-Jawad (AS) at Kazimiya. He offered Fateha at the shrines and prayed […]
Sudani declares victory as his bloc leads Iraq’s general election
BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Wednesday claimed victory for his coalition after preliminary results from the general election showed his Reconstruction and Development alliance securing a decisive lead. Supporters poured into Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to celebrate with fireworks, chanting slogans in support of the incumbent premier. Read More: Iraq holds first nationwide election since IS […]
Iraq militia leader Qais Khazali eyes political power amid elections
BAGHDAD — Qais Al-Khazali, the Iran-aligned militia leader designated a global terrorist by the United States, is attempting to soften his image and expand his influence in Iraqi politics ahead of parliamentary elections. Khazali’s Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq movement aims to transform from an armed militia into a political force, seeking to secure a stronger role […]
Baghdad airport hit by second fire in three days
Baghdad: Iraq opened an investigation Thursday after a second fire broke out at Baghdad airport within three days, prompting the prime minister to sack three airport officials. There were no casualties in the latest blaze, which damaged several airline offices in the two-storey Nineveh Terminal. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani travelled to the airport to […]
Rockets fired as Iraq MPs attempt to elect president, end deadlock
Rockets fired as Iraq MPs attempt to elect president targeting Baghdad’s Green Zone wounded 10 people on Thursday, as Iraqi lawmakers gathered for their fourth attempt to elect a president and break political gridlock that has sparked protests and deadly violence. The latest unrest follows warnings this week by the United Nations mission, which said […]
FM visits Gilani’s shrine in Baghdad, offers prayers
BAGHDAD: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi visited Mazar-e-Ghous, shrine of Islamic preacher Abdul Qadir Gilani in the Iraqi capital where he also offered Friday prayers. Syed Khalid Gilani, caretaker of the shrine, received Shah Mahmood Qureshi as he reached the shine along with his short delegation. On the occasion, the caretaker briefed the […]
Qureshi reaches Baghdad, will meet Iraqi leadership
BAGHDAD/ISLAMABAD: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrived in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, where he will hold detailed discussions with the leadership on bilateral cooperation and on unity of Muslims. Shah Mahmood Qureshi is on a three-day visit to Iraq on the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, according to a statement […]
Pope Francis arrives in Baghdad for risky, historic Iraq tour
BAGHDAD: An Alitalia plane carrying him, his entourage, a security detail, and about 75 journalists, touched down at Baghdad International Airport slightly ahead of schedule just before 2 p.m. local time. Iraq is deploying thousands of additional security personnel to protect the 84-year-old pope during the visit, which comes after a spate of rocket and […]
Revealed: How Baghdad plans to rein in Iran
BAGHDAD: Dismantling pro-Iranian armed factions operating in Iraq under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) and integrating its fighters with independent volunteers within the same body is at the heart of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s plan to institutionalize the PMC and limit Iran’s control over its fighters. The drive to “restructure and […]