Baghdad

Iraq moves to reclaim Ain al-Assad as US-led coalition ends mission

Assad's base was one of the few places the US remained, until Iran targeted the base with ballistic missiles in 2020 in response to the US killing Soleimani.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A member of the Iraqi security forces stands by a destroyed vehicle that was carrying rockets amdist sacks of flour, in the district of al-Baghdadi in al-Anbar province on July 8, 2021.
A young Iraqi girl who has reached the age of wearing a hijab, is clothed in the head covering worn by many Muslim women for the first time during a ceremony organised at the Basra International Stadium in Iraq's southern city of Basra on December 11, 2025.

After Iraq legalizes child marriage, Baghdad bridal market booms as young girls sold to older men

Iraq’s decision to introduce the Ja’fari law in January means that girls can be married based on perceived “maturity and physical capacity.”

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Lahur Talabany, co-leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party, is seen during an interview with Reuters in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq May 3, 2021; illustrative.

A Kurdish crisis and a missing American: Iran’s expanding influence in Iraqi Kurdistan - opinion

An internal Kurdish power feud has triggered mass arrests, alleged executions, and the unresolved detention of an American veteran amid rising Iranian influence.

|ByOBSIDIAN RESEARCH BUREAU
A mourner attends the funeral of a commander from Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah armed group who was killed in what they called a "Zionist attack" in the Syrian capital Damascus on Friday, during a funeral in Baghdad, Iraq September 22, 2024.

Baghdad’s showdown with Iranian-backed militias could reshape Iraq’s future - analysis

Calls grow to disarm the militias in Iraq, but Kataib Hezbollah refuses to comply.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Will Iraq ever stop rocket fire and attacks on US and Western countries?

Since July 23 there have been at least 32 attacks on US or foreign forces.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A member of Hashd al-Shaabi waves a flag of Kataib Hezbollah militia group during a protest to condemn air strikes on bases belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces), outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

Three rockets hit perimeter of Baghdad international airport

One of the rockets landed in the airport garage damaging four civilian vehicles, it said, citing a military statement.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2020ByREUTERS
Katyusha rocket launchers found by the Iraqi Army, are seen in Umm al-Izam.

Ex-Israel envoy publishes new list of Baghdadi Jewry surnames

"Although many books have been published about various aspects of Baghdadi Jewry and its rich heritage, none contain a systematically-researched list of surnames."

AUGUST 31, 2020ByBENJAMIN WEINTHAL
An Iraqi walks past a traditional house in Basra. In 1940, Jews of Iraq suffered an unprecedented pogrom that affect communities in Baghdad, Basra and elsewhere.

Is Iraq’s new PM losing the fight against Iranian-backed militias?

Kadhimi pledged to rein in Iranian-backed militias, but recent events highlight the difficulty of remolding critical relationships between the government and armed militias.

JULY 11, 2020ByMAYA CARLIN
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi delivers a speech during the vote on the new government at the parliament headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, May 7, 2020

Prominent Iraqi government advisor Husham al-Hashemi shot dead in Baghdad

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Hashemi's killing.

JULY 7, 2020ByREUTERS
Iraqi security forces gather in a street, during a curfew imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Baghdad, Iraq

Rocket fired towards Baghdad International Airport

The rocket, a Katyusha, did not explode, according to reports.

JULY 6, 2020ByTZVI JOFFRE, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Members of Iran's revolutionary guard look at a surface to surface missile which is launched during a war game near the city of Qom, about 120 km (75 miles) south of Tehran June 28, 2011

Air defenses respond to rocket attack on US Embassy in Baghdad - report

The incident took place after a number of rocket attacks near the US Embassy in Baghdad and other US military sites in recent weeks.

JULY 5, 2020ByTZVI JOFFRE
A picture released by Israeli Defence Forces press office shows a launch of a Patriot missile in southern Israel

Is intercepted rocket attack on US embassy a game changer? Analysis

It adds to 24 hours of tension in Iraq that coincided with American Independence Day. There were claims the US had deployed a C-RAM system to confront threats to its embassy and other facilities.

JULY 5, 2020BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
US Army soldiers keep watch on the US embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq January 1, 2020

Iraq faces off against pro-Iranian militia in Baghdad

A raid by Iraq security forces on some of their own members on Thursday night resulted in hours of uncertainty in Baghdad.

JUNE 29, 2020BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A member of Hashd al-Shaabi waves a flag of Kataib Hezbollah militia group during a protest to condemn air strikes on bases belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces), outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad

Pro-Iranian militia 'blesses' bombing of liquor stores in Baghdad - report

The US has carried out airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah after it carried out rocket attacks on bases where US forces are located.

JUNE 23, 2020BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A resident inspects the site of a blast, a day after a bomb attack targeted a liquor store, in Baghdad October 18, 2011. A parked car bomb went off in Karrada, a central district of Baghdad, killing eight people including three policemen and wounded 18 others late on Monday, police and hospital sour