# Iraq
Latest news and articles about Iraq
Total: 7 articles found
Baghdad Erupts Over Washington's Ultimatum: Protesters Decry US Interference After Trump Threatens Aid Over Maliki
President Trump's public warning to cut aid if Nouri al-Maliki returns as Iraq's prime minister sparked two nights of protests outside Baghdad's Green Zone, where demonstrators denounced U.S. interference. The incident highlights enduring Iraqi sensitivity to foreign influence and complicates Baghdad's fragile political balance between internal factions and external patrons.
Washington and Baghdad Discuss Moving ISIS Detainees to Iraqi Prisons After Unrest in Northeast Syria
The U.S. State Department reported a January 25 call between Secretary of State Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al‑Sudani about transferring IS detainees from northeastern Syria into Iraqi custody. The talks reflect urgent security concerns after instability in Kurdish-held areas, but transfers would raise legal, logistical and geopolitical complications for Iraq and regional actors.
Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework Backs Nouri al‑Maliki to Lead Next Government
Iraq’s Coordination Framework has nominated former prime minister Nouri al‑Maliki to lead the next government, setting up a fast‑moving constitutional process that will require rapid coalition building. Maliki’s experience and polarising record make him a potent but contentious choice, with implications for domestic reform efforts and Baghdad’s regional alignments.
Iraq Fortifies Syria Frontier as U.S. Sends First Batch of ISIS Detainees Back
Iraq has bolstered military deployments along the Syria border after the U.S. began transferring Islamic State detainees from northeast Syria to Iraqi custody. Baghdad received an initial group of 150 detainees as Washington prepares to move up to 7,000 in total, prompting concerns about prison capacity and the security implications for the region.
US Weighs Complete Syria Exit as Kurdish Forces Fray and IS Detainees Spark Security Fears
U.S. officials are considering a full withdrawal from Syria after the Damascus transitional government began reasserting control over Kurdish-held east and northeast areas. Security concerns about thousands of Islamic State detainees and the possible collapse of the Syrian Democratic Forces have prompted accelerated transfers of prisoners to Iraq and a reassessment of the American mission.
As U.S. Leaves Al Asad, Iraq Seizes a Symbolic Moment — and a Daunting Responsibility
Iraq announced full control of Al Asad Airbase on 17 January, a move that carries heavy symbolic weight after decades of foreign intervention and recent anti‑U.S. sentiment. While returning the base to Iraqi hands addresses sovereignty concerns, it does not resolve deep governance, security and regional‑influence challenges that will determine whether the transfer helps stabilise the country.
Iraq Takes Full Control of al‑Asad Airbase as U.S. Forces Exit
Iraq has assumed full control of the al‑Asad airbase after U.S. forces withdrew, a move that underscores Baghdad’s effort to reclaim sovereignty over military sites and reflects a continued U.S. retrenchment. The transfer tests Iraqi security capabilities and carries implications for regional balance and future U.S. operational approaches in the Middle East.