Judging militants in Syrian Kurdistan: political hot potato
By AFP – May 17,2018 – JORDAN TIMES A general view shows a camp where detained Daesh families are held in Ain Issa in the Syrian northern Kurdish region on […]
Muqtada al-Sadr: Iraq’s militia leader turned champion of poor
Shia leader’s appeal to the disenfranchised and the low voter turnout factored into his alliance’s surprise victory. by Arwa Ibrahim Iraqi Shi”ite leader Muqtada al-Sadr delivers a speech in Najaf, […]
Maverick cleric’s election upset could rattle U.S.-Iraq relations
Source: The Washington Post By Tamer El-Ghobashy and Mustafa Salim May 14 Email the author BAGHDAD — The surprisingly strong showing of a ticket backed by maverick cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in Iraqi elections over the weekend […]
Cleric Sadr, in surprise comeback, set to win Iraq election
Source: Reuters BY Ahmed Aboulenein, Maher Chmaytelli BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States, led in Iraq’s parliamentary election with more than half the […]
Shiite cleric al-Sadr leads in Iraqi polls, preliminary results show
COMPILED FROM WIRE SERVICES ISTANBUL Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr celebrate initial election results in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, on May 14, 2018. (AA Photo) An alliance headed by nationalist cleric […]
Firebrand nationalist cleric Sadr leads Iraq election
Reuters International This content was published on May 14, 2018 Iraqi supporters of Sairun list celebrate with portraits of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, after results of Iraq’s parliamentary election […]
Iraqi forces capture 5 top IS leaders in cross-border raid
Source: Assoicated Press By SUSANNAH GEORGE and JOSH LEDERMAN BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi forces in coordination with U.S.-backed Syrian forces have captured five senior Islamic State group leaders, the U.S.-led […]
In the Middle East right now, all sides in this complex battle are staring at each other with increasing concern
An Israeli statement that the Iranians had missiles in Syria was surely made in concert with the Trump administration – it came within hours, and coincidences don’t run that close […]
Exclusive – Iraq used Baghdadi aide’s phone to capture Islamic State commanders
Reuters International This content was published on May 10, 2018 A man purported to be the reclusive leader of the militant Islamic State Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Mosul, July […]
Iraq’s Sunnis wary but hopeful about upcoming election
Source: Associated Press By BALINT SZLANKO and MUHANAD AL-SALEH HASSAN SHAM CAMP, Iraq (AP) — After bearing the brunt of a 3½-year war against the Islamic State group, Iraq’s minority […]
Iraq-born refugee could become first Arabic speaker to head Britain’s Jews
Source: The Guardian Baghdad-born candidate standing for presidency of UK’s most powerful Jewish group says more diverse representation is needed BY Harriet Sherwood Religion Correspondent Edwin Shuker on a trip back […]
Top Iraqi cleric warns of ‘foreign influence’ in elections
Source: Associated Press BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s top Shiite cleric has warned that “foreign influence” in the upcoming national elections could undermine the country’s ability to carry out a free […]
ISIS suicide bombers attack Libyan electoral commission, killing at least 12
Source: The Washington Post By Sudarsan Raghavan CAIRO — Islamic State suicide bombers targeted the offices of Libya’s electoral commission in Tripoli on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people in one of the most brazen assaults on the Libyan capital in years. The attackers, strapped with explosive belts, entered the building and […]
These Iraqi Farmers Said No to ISIS. When Night Came They Paid the Price.
Source: The New York Times By MARGARET COKER and FALIH HASSAN Relatives and neighbors of 21 people killed in a brazen Islamic State attack in Tarmiya, Iraq, gathered for a funeral service on […]
Iraq’s Maliki poses as Shi’ite champion in race for top job
Source: Reuters BY Maher Chmaytelli BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki fulfilled his life-long goal of wresting power from the country’s minority Sunnis after the fall of […]
Iraq’s Shiite-Sunni Divide Eases
Source: Wall Street Journal By Isabel Coles and Ali Nabhan FALLUJAH—The highway to this western Iraqi city, long synonymous with Sunni resistance against Iraq’s Shiite-led government, now showcases signs the […]
Female candidates shake up Iraq election
Around 7,000 candidates have registered to contest the May 12 election, with 329 parliamentary seats up for grabs. (AFP) Updated 27 April 2018 SUADAD AL-SALHY April 27, 2018 ‘I will […]
Iraq’s IS trials bring swift verdicts, almost all guilty
Source: Associated Press By MAYA ALLERUZZO and SALAR SALIM TEL KEIF, Iraq (AP) — The entire trial lasted just over half an hour. A grey-haired man was led into the […]
In power for 15 years, Iraq’s Shi’ites split ahead of crucial vote
Source: Reuters BY Ahmed Aboulenein BASRA/NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) – United in their fight against Saddam Hussein’s oppression for decades, Iraq’s Shi’ites have become deeply fragmented and disillusioned with their leaders […]
Sunni and Shia struggle with Iraq’s reconciliation process
Source: Financial Times BY Erika Solomon in Yathrib APRIL 23, 2018 Dirt barriers and charred no-man’s lands still divide the Sunni and Shia families in Yathrib even after a three-year reconciliation process meant to heal a community torn apart by the war with Isis. Officials plan to segregate roads and […]