Iraq
France awards top military honour to Iraqi commander
France awarded its highest military honour to a senior Iraqi commander for his role in combating terrorism, Iraq's Joint Operations Command announced in Baghdad.
USAID spent $20mn on Iraqi Sesame Street project
A US senator has criticised the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for spending $20mn on an Iraqi version of Sesame Street, among other projects she described as "wasteful and dangerous spending."
French TotalEnergies signs $820mn Iraqi solar power deal
France's TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with Basra Investment Commission to construct a 1,000-MW solar power plant in Iraq
Turkey could set up airbases in Syria’s desert, brief Damascus sources
Speculation over Ankara’s intentions mounts as interim Syrian president al-Sharaa meets Turkish leader Erdogan.
Britain supplies emergency vehicle boost to Iraq in $31mn fire engine deal
British manufacturers will supply 62 firefighting vehicles to Iraq's Ministry of Interior under a $31mn loan agreement from UK Export Finance (UKEF).
Britain secures major Iraq military base as US influence declines
The Iraqi government has granted Britain control of the strategic Qayyarah airbase in a deal worth GBP500mn in an historic shift from US control of the region.
More than 5,000 Nigerian women trapped in Iraq
More than 5,000 Nigerian women are currently stranded in Iraq after being recruited as caregivers under false pretences, the head of Nigeria's Diaspora Commission said on January 22
China's Shanghai SUS Environment secures $497mn contract for waste-to-energy project in Iraq
Iraq has awarded China's Shanghai SUS Environment Co. Ltd a $497mn contract to build the country's first waste-to-energy plant, which will process 3,000 tonnes of waste daily and generate 100 MW of electricity.
Iraq seeks Iran-backed militia disarmament in new push
Iraq is trying to convince Iran-backed armed factions to lay down their weapons or join official security forces, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said.
ISTANBUL BLOG: “Dog bites man” story as Erdogan arrests more mayors, but there’s more here than meets the eye
Two issues to watch: shape-shifting opposition politician Imamoglu and sad sight of boomers failing to solve Kurdish question.
Iraq's London moment marks its post-Saddam era's coming of age
When Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani sat down with King Charles III in London on January 14, the symbolism could not have been more profound. It was twenty years after the fall of Saddam Hussein's hated regime.
Iraq, BP to sign major Kirkuk fields deal worth over $27bn
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in London to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive redevelopment programme for four oil fields in Kirkuk as part of a bigger BP deal.
UK crime agency helps Iraqi forces arrest three Kurds over people smuggling
Three men suspected of running a major people smuggling network from Iraq’s Kurdistan region to Britain and Europe have been arrested in a joint operation between British and Iraqi security forces
Britain signs landmark Iraq deal including migrant returns accord
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani have signed a comprehensive partnership and cooperation agreement that encompasses trade, economic collaboration and strategic relations.
UK and Iraq sign GBP12.3bn partnership deal
The UK and Iraq will sign strategic partnership and security agreements during Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani's visit to London on January 14.
Cost of repairing Syria’s power infrastructure put at $40bn by electricity minister
Production facilities, transmission points, high voltage lines and distribution networks “ruined”, he says.
Iraq’s largest cement factory restarts operations
Iraq’s Kirkuk cement factory, the country’s largest, has resumed operations following a major environmental overhaul.
Syrian security forces raid late Iraqi president’s Damascus home
Syrian security forces searched the Damascus apartment of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani without prior notice on January 3.
Student opens fire at Baghdad university, six wounded
A shooting at Al-Israa University College in Baghdad left six people injured on January 5 after a student opened fire on campus