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

Iraq wraps up early voting as country braces for pivotal parliamentary elections

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani called the vote decisive for the country's long-term direction, as it comes amid political splintering, voter fatigue, and realignments among key factions.

NOVEMBER 10, 2025ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
An Iraqi female security member votes at a polling station during a special voting, two days before the polls open to the public in a parliamentary election, in Najaf, Iraq November 9, 2025.

Iraq worries about rising tensions with US following Hegseth call

The US Secretary of War reportedly called his Iraqi counterpart to issue its "sternest warning yet" to Baghdad.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the 34th Arab League summit, in Baghdad, Iraq, May 17, 2025.

Iraq approaches critical Nov. 11 elections, set to deploy nearly 200,000 security personnel

The elections are important because Iraq is undergoing a transitional phase.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Supporters of candidates from the Badr Organization hold signs during an election campaign rally ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections in the city of Hilla, Iraq, November 1, 2025.

Iraq, Turkey sign deal on Iraqi water infrastructure projects

The initial batch of projects will include three water harvesting dams and three land reclamation initiatives, according to an Iraqi water resources official.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025ByREUTERS
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein attend a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq November 2, 2025.

Iraq says 185 antiquities seized in Britain as clampdown on looted heritage widens

'The Iraqi cultural attache in London formally informed the ministry about the seizure of the 185 artifacts. Archaeological experts subsequently confirmed their Iraqi origin.'

OCTOBER 28, 2025ByMEDIA LINE
Iraqi Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Baghdad, Iraq

Sunni candidate killed ahead of Iraq’s November parliamentary elections

This is the most high-profile assassination of these elections and the most high-profile attack in Iraq in recent memory. 

OCTOBER 15, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A man looks at the site where a car packed with explosives blew up yesterday, in Hayy al-Shurta, a Shi'ite district in Baghdad, Iraq February 17, 2017.

IRGC chief visits Baghdad over fears of Iraqi instability - analysis

Qaani met with top Shiite leaders in Baghdad to contain internal splits and preserve Iran's influence in Iraq ahead of parliamentary elections.

JULY 30, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, the newly appointed commander of the country's Quds Force, is seen in Tehran, Iran, in this undated picture obtained January 3, 2020

Iraqi police, paramilitary fighters clash outside government building in Baghdad

The clash broke out in Baghdad's Karkh district after a group of fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) stormed a government building.

JULY 27, 2025ByREUTERS
Members of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attend a symbolic funeral of fellow members of PMF who were killed by U.S. air strikes on the Syria-Iraq border, in Baghdad, Iraq, June 29, 2021.

As drone attacks target northern Iraq's Kurds, West urges Baghdad to act - analysis

The Kurdistan autonomous region is growing increasingly frustrated with Baghdad’s response. The leaders have likely communicated this to their Western allies.

JULY 22, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A member of the Kurdish security forces stands guard with smoke billowing in the background on July 17, 2025

Whose mystery drones are targeting radar sites at Iraq military bases? - analysis

Iraq has tried to avoid being sucked into the recent conflict. Its airspace was closed, and it expressed concern to Iran and other countries. 

JUNE 24, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi security forces sit on vehicles at a street after an attack by a drone strike on an Iran-backed militia headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq January 4, 2024.