Baghdad

Foreign journalist kidnapped in Baghdad by unknown parties, interior ministry says

One suspect had been arrested, the ministry said, adding that efforts were ongoing to free the journalist.

|ByREUTERS
Shelly Kittleson with an Afghani interview subject in 2024.
Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Iranian-backed militias escalate in Iraq, targeting Kurdistan Region president Nechirvan Barzani

The attack has been condemned by France and Iraq, but Iran has distanced itself from the incident.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
SMOKE RISES from the site of a drone crash on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq, March 12, 2026.

Iran-backed Iraqi militias attack Kurdistan over 450 times since beginning of war

“The attacks, carried out by Iran and its aligned Iraqi militia groups, have killed at least 14 people and wounded 85 others," Erbil-based Rudaw Media Network noted.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
AN IRANIAN ballistic missile on display in Tehran.

Iran struggles to assert control in Iraq amid strikes, militia attacks, tensions - analysis

The Kurdish leadership of the autonomous region is outraged, and Iran has appeared to walk back the attack. However, in other areas, it continues to try to assert itself.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Iranian-backed militias claim 30 killed, wounded in US airstrikes on base

Up to 30 fighters from Iran-backed PMF were reportedly killed or wounded in US airstrikes on their base in Anbar province, Iraq, including operations commander Saad Dawai.

MARCH 24, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A funeral ceremony is held at Al-Hussein Al-Askari Hospital for members of Popular Mobilization Forces who were killed in an attack in Al Anbar Province near the Syria border in Baghdadi Iraq on March 16, 2026.

Iraq becomes new battleground as Iranian proxies intensify nationwide strikes - analysis

The Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have become increasingly more powerful in the last decade.

MARCH 17, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi security forces stand guard during a funerary procession for a slain member of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, in Baghdad on March 8, 2026.

Drones attack US embassy in Baghdad, Oil Industry Zone in UAE

Two explosive drones targeted the US embassy in Baghdad, with one landing near the embassy, according to security sources early Tuesday morning. Smoke was seen rising from the area.

MARCH 17, 2026ByREUTERS, DANYA SAPERSTEIN
Smoke rises following a drone attack on the US embassy in Baghdad on March 14, 2026. A drone struck the US embassy in Baghdad on March 14, an Iraqi security official said, as an AFP journalist saw smoke rising from the complex.

Senior Iran-backed Iraqi militia official killed, Kataib Hezbollah not confirming circumstances

Kataib Hezbollah confirms the death of Abu Ali al-Askari, a senior member and militia spokesperson, who frequently criticized the US and Israel, while not confirming the cause of his death.

MARCH 16, 2026ByJAMES GENN
A man lifts a placard depicting slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani (L) and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis during a Baghdad funeral march rally for Iran-backed Iraqi militias, led by Kataib Hezbollah, December 4, 2023; illustrative.

Baghdad-Erbil oil feud threatens Iraq economy as Hormuz route remains cut off - analysis

Iraq has been cut off from trade via the Strait of Hormuz as the war with Iran has developed over the last two weeks.

MARCH 16, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A drone view shows oil tankers loading crude oil at the Basra Oil Terminal in Iraqi territorial waters, off the coast of Basra, Iraq, August 5, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty

Rising militia strikes leave Washington with few good choices in Iraq - analysis

The US Embassy in Baghdad has been warning US citizens in Iraq about threats for two weeks, since the US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28.

MARCH 15, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A member of the Iraqi security forces mans a turret while on guard during a funerary procession for a slain member of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, who was killed in a US-Israeli air strike in Mosul the previous evening, in Baghdad on March 8, 2026.

Iran-backed militias escalate drone attacks on US, Kurdistan targets in Iraq

Iran is also targeting Kurdish opposition groups in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq.

MARCH 15, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi security forces stand guard during a funerary procession for a slain member of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, or the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Baghdad on March 8, 2026.

US State Dept. urges Americans to leave Iraq, removes non-essential employees from Oman

Earlier on Saturday, the US Embassy in Baghdad was hit by a missile attack, Iraqi security sources told Reuters.

MARCH 14, 2026ByREUTERS
An Iraqi army Humvee stands guard near the U.S. Embassy, after Iraqi security sources said the embassy was hit in a missile attack, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2026.

After French soldier killed in Iraq, will Baghdad stop attacks?

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, who have been targeting the Kurdistan Region with drones and missiles, were likely behind a drone attack that killed a French soldier.

MARCH 14, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A soldier is stationed at the entrance to the Varces barracks south of Grenoble in the Isere department on Friday 13 March 2026 where was based Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion a soldier with the 7th Alpine Chasseurs Battalion who was killed in an attack in the Erbil region of Iraq.

Drone strikes US diplomatic hub in Iraq, pro-Tehran militias suspected

The strike hit the diplomatic support center, a logistical hub for US diplomats near Baghdad airport and Iraqi military bases, the Post reported.

MARCH 11, 2026ByREUTERS
A new Shahed-161 drone is displayed during an exhibition showcasing missile and drone achievements in Tehran on November 12, 2025.