Since jihadists were ousted from Mosul last year, taxi driver Abu Aref has ferried more than just people into Iraq's second city: he regularly smuggles envelopes stuffed with cash.

This is how salaries are paid and bills settled in the northern metropolis, despite the banks reopening since Iraqi forces seized it back last year from the Islamic State group after three years of jihadist rule.

Iraqi authorities, fearing that free flows of money could help finance an IS comeback, have not authorised even simple transfers.&nbsp;

So Mosul banks, exchange offices, and money transfer companies have watched helplessly as more rudimentary methods fill the gap.

Abu Aref said he typically carries anywhere between US $10,000 (8,800 euros) to US $50,000 at a time in his cab.&nbsp;

"I put the money in an envelope that I then tape underneath my seat," he told AFP.

The journey can be risky. One of his colleagues was recently the victim of a highway robbery along the 200-kilometre (120-mile) route between Mosul and Baiji, further south.&nbsp;

"Despite the risks, businessmen entrust this much money to me because they don't have another choice," the 35 year-old said.

IS swept into Mosul in 2014, seizing several hundred million dollars from a branch of Iraq's central bank and other financial institutions.&nbsp;

Mosul came back under Iraqi government control in July 2017 after a months-long assault that left its infrastructure devastated, but IS cells appear to remain active.&nbsp;

Security forces last month arrested nearly a dozen members of an IS financial network based in Iraq, according to a US-led coalition against the jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

The central bank has remained wary of resuming operations in Mosul, saying it wants to know "where this money comes from and where it's going".&nbsp;

To Baghdad and beyond&nbsp;

Around 20 private and state-owned banks have reopened in Mosul, allowing residents to open an account, deposit and withdraw money, and issue cheques.

But the central bank has not budged on its ban on transfers to and from the city.

That decision appears to have hurt business owners trying to rekindle economic activity in Mosul, a centuries-old trade hub with access to Iraqi, Turkish and Syrian markets.

Among them is Abdullah Basman, a Mosul native who sells computer parts brought in from other areas of Iraq and from Dubai.

To pay suppliers, he hands envelopes of cash to a driver he trusts, who rushes the money to Baghdad and wires it to other Iraqi cities or internationally to pay the shop's bills.&nbsp;

"The banks in Mosul are just buildings. Nothing more," said Basman, 27.&nbsp;

For company employee Abu Akram, the ban on bank transfers means he often goes months without a salary, which is issued from his firm's headquarters in Baghdad.&nbsp;

The 35-year-old relies on friends of relatives who traverse the dusty 400 kilometres (250 miles) south to Baghdad or travel to nearby Iraqi Kurdistan to retrieve his cash.&nbsp;

But there are hiccups.&nbsp;

"Sometimes, my company refuses to give my salary to someone other than me. With a taxi, there's a risk of an accident or of theft," Abu Akram told AFP.

Banks quiet, markets buzz&nbsp;

The reach of banks in Mosul appear to be par for the course in Iraq, where only one in ten people has an account, according to the World Bank.&nbsp;

"The banking system in Iraq is underdeveloped, dominated by inefficient state-owned banks. Some of them&nbsp;are believed to be capital deficient and extend little credit to the private sector," the multilateral lender wrote in a recent report.&nbsp;

"Private banks are small and they are mostly active in currency exchanges and wire transfers."&nbsp;

Despite the challenges, Iraqi economist Rafea Ahmed says multiple businesses and investors have already resumed operations in Mosul.&nbsp;

"They rapidly brought back their money in their own ways," he said.

Secret transfers even continued during IS's rule over the city, with family members living in Baghdad finding ways to smuggle money to relatives stuck inside Mosul.&nbsp;

Some of that cash, says Ahmed, has contributed to the revival already visible in Mosul.&nbsp;

Even if the banks sit empty, the restaurants, commercial centres, and open markets are now buzzing with activity.&nbsp;

Since jihadists were ousted from Mosul last year, taxi driver Abu Aref has ferried more than just people into Iraq's second city: he regularly smuggles envelopes stuffed with cash.

Since jihadists were ousted from Mosul last year, taxi driver Abu Aref has ferried more than just people into Iraq's second city: he regularly smuggles envelopes stuffed with cash. This is how salaries are paid and bills settled in the northern metropolis, despite the banks reopening since Iraqi forces seized it back last year from the Islamic State group after three years of jihadist rule. Iraqi authorities, fearing that free flows of money could help finance an IS comeback, have not authorised even simple transfers. So Mosul banks, exchange offices, and money transfer companies have watched helplessly as more rudimentary methods fill the gap. Abu Aref said he typically carries anywhere between US $10,000 (8,800 euros) to US $50,000 at a time in his cab. "I put the money in an envelope that I then tape underneath my seat," he told AFP. The journey can be risky. One of his colleagues was recently the victim of a highway robbery along the 200-kilometre (120-mile) route between Mosul and Baiji, further south. "Despite the risks, businessmen entrust this much money to me because they don't have another choice," the 35 year-old said. IS swept into Mosul in 2014, seizing several hundred million dollars from a branch of Iraq's central bank and other financial institutions. Mosul came back under Iraqi government control in July 2017 after a months-long assault that left its infrastructure devastated, but IS cells appear to remain active. Security forces last month arrested nearly a dozen members of an IS financial network based in Iraq, according to a US-led coalition against the jihadists in Iraq and Syria. The central bank has remained wary of resuming operations in Mosul, saying it wants to know "where this money comes from and where it's going". To Baghdad and beyond Around 20 private and state-owned banks have reopened in Mosul, allowing residents to open an account, deposit and withdraw money, and issue cheques. But the central bank has not budged on its ban on transfers to and from the city. That decision appears to have hurt business owners trying to rekindle economic activity in Mosul, a centuries-old trade hub with access to Iraqi, Turkish and Syrian markets. Among them is Abdullah Basman, a Mosul native who sells computer parts brought in from other areas of Iraq and from Dubai. To pay suppliers, he hands envelopes of cash to a driver he trusts, who rushes the money to Baghdad and wires it to other Iraqi cities or internationally to pay the shop's bills. "The banks in Mosul are just buildings. Nothing more," said Basman, 27. For company employee Abu Akram, the ban on bank transfers means he often goes months without a salary, which is issued from his firm's headquarters in Baghdad. The 35-year-old relies on friends of relatives who traverse the dusty 400 kilometres (250 miles) south to Baghdad or travel to nearby Iraqi Kurdistan to retrieve his cash. But there are hiccups. "Sometimes, my company refuses to give my salary to someone other than me. With a taxi, there's a risk of an accident or of theft," Abu Akram told AFP. Banks quiet, markets buzz The reach of banks in Mosul appear to be par for the course in Iraq, where only one in ten people has an account, according to the World Bank. "The banking system in Iraq is underdeveloped, dominated by inefficient state-owned banks. Some of them are believed to be capital deficient and extend little credit to the private sector," the multilateral lender wrote in a recent report. "Private banks are small and they are mostly active in currency exchanges and wire transfers." Despite the challenges, Iraqi economist Rafea Ahmed says multiple businesses and investors have already resumed operations in Mosul. "They rapidly brought back their money in their own ways," he said. Secret transfers even continued during IS's rule over the city, with family members living in Baghdad finding ways to smuggle money to relatives stuck inside Mosul. Some of that cash, says Ahmed, has contributed to the revival already visible in Mosul. Even if the banks sit empty, the restaurants, commercial centres, and open markets are now buzzing with activity.

Money moves again in Iraq's Mosul, but not via banks

Iraqi model and Instagram starlet Tara Fares has been shot dead at the wheel of her Porsche convertible in central Baghdad, sending ripples through social media circles.

The interior ministry opened a probe into Thursday’s murder of the 22-year-old who suffered “three fatal bullet wounds” as she drove through the capital’s Camp Sarah district.

Fares, a fashionista with 2.7 million followers on Instagram for her pictures sporting tattoos, different hair colours and adventurous clothes, was a victim of her fame and targeted because of her lifestyle, Twitter users wrote.

She also posted publicly about a violent ex-husband and a fiance who died after being attacked in Istanbul.

But while Fares' fearless embrace of social media inspired many young Iraqis, it upset traditionalists. Fares was the target of a deluge of online insults over her perceived lack of modesty, in a society where many adhere to hardline interpretations of Islam.

It was this darker side of online platforms that forced the outspoken Fares to quit living in her native Baghdad and spend much of her time in comparatively liberal, secular Iraqi Kurdistan.

“I am beyond disappointed and hurt after hearing about another tragic loss in Iraq. Tara Fares, a model and social media influencer was gunned down in broad daylight in #Baghdad,” one said.

“A young Iraq model was simply enjoying &amp; loving life like other pretty girls. Unfortunately she got shooted &amp; killed by few militants. I am truly heart broken &amp; saddened by such a tragic news,” another wrote.

“This Thursday it was Tara… Next Thursday, who will it be?” a third tweeted.

Ahmad al-Basheer, an Iraqi satirist who lives in exile in Jordan after having faced death threats, condemned the murder of Fares, who was based in Iraqi Kurdistan and rarely travelled to her native Baghdad.

“Anyone who finds excuses for those who kill a girl just because she had decided to live like most other girls on the planet is an accomplice to her murder,” he wrote.

Iraqi model and Instagram starlet Tara Fares has been shot dead at the wheel of her Porsche convertible in central Baghdad, sending ripples through social media circles.

Iraqi model and Instagram starlet Tara Fares has been shot dead at the wheel of her Porsche convertible in central Baghdad, sending ripples through social media circles. The interior ministry opened a probe into Thursday’s murder of the 22-year-old who suffered “three fatal bullet wounds” as she drove through the capital’s Camp Sarah district. Fares, a fashionista with 2.7 million followers on Instagram for her pictures sporting tattoos, different hair colours and adventurous clothes, was a victim of her fame and targeted because of her lifestyle, Twitter users wrote. She also posted publicly about a violent ex-husband and a fiance who died after being attacked in Istanbul. But while Fares' fearless embrace of social media inspired many young Iraqis, it upset traditionalists. Fares was the target of a deluge of online insults over her perceived lack of modesty, in a society where many adhere to hardline interpretations of Islam. It was this darker side of online platforms that forced the outspoken Fares to quit living in her native Baghdad and spend much of her time in comparatively liberal, secular Iraqi Kurdistan. “I am beyond disappointed and hurt after hearing about another tragic loss in Iraq. Tara Fares, a model and social media influencer was gunned down in broad daylight in #Baghdad,” one said. “A young Iraq model was simply enjoying & loving life like other pretty girls. Unfortunately she got shooted & killed by few militants. I am truly heart broken & saddened by such a tragic news,” another wrote. “This Thursday it was Tara… Next Thursday, who will it be?” a third tweeted. Ahmad al-Basheer, an Iraqi satirist who lives in exile in Jordan after having faced death threats, condemned the murder of Fares, who was based in Iraqi Kurdistan and rarely travelled to her native Baghdad. “Anyone who finds excuses for those who kill a girl just because she had decided to live like most other girls on the planet is an accomplice to her murder,” he wrote.

Instagram model Tara Fares dies aged 22 after being shot in Baghdad 

Iraqi nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and Iranian-backed militia chief Hadi al-Amiri were set to lead talks&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;to form a government in Baghdad after announcing an alliance of their political blocs.

Sadr and Amiri's groupings won first and second place respectively in May's election, which has been beset by allegations of fraud and raised fears of bloodshed among Shi'ite paramilitary groups.

They announced the alliance in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, an apparent attempt to project unity among leaders of the Muslim sect that has dominated since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

A week ago, am explosion killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 90 in Sadr's Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City district, in what the interior ministry called "a terrorist aggression on civilians".

State television reported&nbsp;on Wednesday&nbsp;that the Supreme Judicial Council had issued arrest warrants for 20 people in connection with the blast.

The Sadr-Amiri pact could ease fears of violence, which some have said could even spiral into intra-Shi'ite civil war.

Amiri, widely described as Tehran's man in Iraq, is one of the most powerful figures in the country.

Iraq, a key ally of the United States and major oil producer, has 150,000 heavily armed mostly Shi'ite paramilitary fighters operating alongside state forces - some of them more loyal to their commanders and Iran than to the Iraqi state.

Both Sadr and Iran seem to be taking a pragmatic approach as Iran seeks to maintain its deep influence in its most important Arab ally at a time when its wider Middle East interests are under threat.

Not only has US&nbsp;President Donald Trump pulled out of a global nuclear deal with Tehran and then embraced North Korea, increasing Iran's isolation Tehran's allies in Yemen are also facing a major offensive from a Saudi-led coalition that could mark a turning point in the war.

Sadr, who led violent campaigns against the US&nbsp;occupation that ended in 2011, has emerged as a nationalist opponent of powerful Shi’ite parties allied with neighbouring Iran, and as a champion of the poor.

Tehran has skilfully manipulated Iraqi politics in the past, and the cleric has to tread carefully.

But Sadr, who derives much of his legitimacy from his revered father, Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq Sadr, assassinated in 1999 by Saddam's agents, is a formidable and unpredictable operator.

He also has street power, with a track record of mobilising tens of thousands of supporters to protest against opponents and government policies.

In the 2010 election, Vice President Ayad Allawi’s group won the largest number of seats, albeit with a narrow margin, but he was prevented from becoming prime minister.

He blamed Tehran, which manoeuvred Nuri al-Maliki into power, and Sadr helped to form a national unity government.

During the American occupation, Tehran was accused of arming Sadr's Mehdi Army militia with sophisticated bombs used in attacks on US-led coalition forces.

Tehran has accommodated him in the past he went into self-imposed exile in Iran in 2007.

Sadr and Amiri's groupings won first and second place respectively in May's election

Iraqi nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and Iranian-backed militia chief Hadi al-Amiri were set to lead talks on Wednesday to form a government in Baghdad after announcing an alliance of their political blocs. Sadr and Amiri's groupings won first and second place respectively in May's election, which has been beset by allegations of fraud and raised fears of bloodshed among Shi'ite paramilitary groups. They announced the alliance in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf, an apparent attempt to project unity among leaders of the Muslim sect that has dominated since the fall of Saddam Hussein. A week ago, am explosion killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 90 in Sadr's Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City district, in what the interior ministry called "a terrorist aggression on civilians". State television reported on Wednesday that the Supreme Judicial Council had issued arrest warrants for 20 people in connection with the blast. The Sadr-Amiri pact could ease fears of violence, which some have said could even spiral into intra-Shi'ite civil war. Amiri, widely described as Tehran's man in Iraq, is one of the most powerful figures in the country. Iraq, a key ally of the United States and major oil producer, has 150,000 heavily armed mostly Shi'ite paramilitary fighters operating alongside state forces - some of them more loyal to their commanders and Iran than to the Iraqi state. Both Sadr and Iran seem to be taking a pragmatic approach as Iran seeks to maintain its deep influence in its most important Arab ally at a time when its wider Middle East interests are under threat. Not only has US President Donald Trump pulled out of a global nuclear deal with Tehran and then embraced North Korea, increasing Iran's isolation Tehran's allies in Yemen are also facing a major offensive from a Saudi-led coalition that could mark a turning point in the war. Sadr, who led violent campaigns against the US occupation that ended in 2011, has emerged as a nationalist opponent of powerful Shi’ite parties allied with neighbouring Iran, and as a champion of the poor. Tehran has skilfully manipulated Iraqi politics in the past, and the cleric has to tread carefully. But Sadr, who derives much of his legitimacy from his revered father, Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Sadiq Sadr, assassinated in 1999 by Saddam's agents, is a formidable and unpredictable operator. He also has street power, with a track record of mobilising tens of thousands of supporters to protest against opponents and government policies. In the 2010 election, Vice President Ayad Allawi’s group won the largest number of seats, albeit with a narrow margin, but he was prevented from becoming prime minister. He blamed Tehran, which manoeuvred Nuri al-Maliki into power, and Sadr helped to form a national unity government. During the American occupation, Tehran was accused of arming Sadr's Mehdi Army militia with sophisticated bombs used in attacks on US-led coalition forces. Tehran has accommodated him in the past he went into self-imposed exile in Iran in 2007.

Iraq's Sadr and Amiri set to lead talks on new government

&nbsp;Iraqi Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on Iraqis on Monday to unite instead of burning ballot boxes and seeking to repeat an election on May 12 that his bloc won.

"Stop fighting for seats, posts, gains, influence, power, and rulership," he wrote in an article published by his office, a day after a storage site housing half of Baghdad’s ballot boxes from the election caught fire.

Sadr, a longtime adversary of the United States who also opposes Iran's vast influence in Iraq, scored a surprise victory in the election.

"Is it not time to stand as one for building and reconstruction instead of burning ballot boxes or repeating elections just for one seat or two?," Sadr wrote.

"Is it not time to disarm and hand over weapons to the state instead of storing it in mosques so that it explodes and kills the innocent?”

The election was the first since the defeat of Islamic State raised hopes that Iraqis could put aside their communal and sectarian divisions and reconstruct the country.

Parliament has mandated a full manual recount. The Independent High Elections Commission had used electronic vote- counting devices to tally the results.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described the fire as a "plot" aimed at Iraq's democracy.

Abadi, whose electoral alliance came third in the election, had said that a government investigation had found serious violations and blamed Iraq's independent elections commission for most of them.

Sadr, a longtime adversary of the United States who also opposes Iran's vast influence in Iraq, scored a surprise victory in the election

Iraqi Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on Iraqis on Monday to unite instead of burning ballot boxes and seeking to repeat an election on May 12 that his bloc won. "Stop fighting for seats, posts, gains, influence, power, and rulership," he wrote in an article published by his office, a day after a storage site housing half of Baghdad’s ballot boxes from the election caught fire. Sadr, a longtime adversary of the United States who also opposes Iran's vast influence in Iraq, scored a surprise victory in the election. "Is it not time to stand as one for building and reconstruction instead of burning ballot boxes or repeating elections just for one seat or two?," Sadr wrote. "Is it not time to disarm and hand over weapons to the state instead of storing it in mosques so that it explodes and kills the innocent?” The election was the first since the defeat of Islamic State raised hopes that Iraqis could put aside their communal and sectarian divisions and reconstruct the country. Parliament has mandated a full manual recount. The Independent High Elections Commission had used electronic vote- counting devices to tally the results. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described the fire as a "plot" aimed at Iraq's democracy. Abadi, whose electoral alliance came third in the election, had said that a government investigation had found serious violations and blamed Iraq's independent elections commission for most of them.

Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr says Iraqis should unite instead of seeking repeat of election

At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured after an arms depot exploded in the Sadr City district of the Iraqi capital today, security and medical sources said.

“An arms depot exploded… The security forces have opened an inquiry to determine the cause,” Baghdad’s security operations command said in a statement.

A senior police source told&nbsp;on condition of anonymity that the blast was caused by heavy weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and shells, belonging to an armed group and stored in a house.

He said at least 16 people were killed and some 32 injured in the explosion.

Medical sources confirmed the toll and said that women and children were found among the victims.

Sources said the blast struck near a Shiite mosque in the district of northeast Baghdad.

Witnesses reported heavy material damage to homes and other buildings in the Sadr City district, which is a stronghold of populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr.

Senior officer said at least 16 people were killed and some 32 injured in the explosion

At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured after an arms depot exploded in the Sadr City district of the Iraqi capital today, security and medical sources said. “An arms depot exploded… The security forces have opened an inquiry to determine the cause,” Baghdad’s security operations command said in a statement. A senior police source told on condition of anonymity that the blast was caused by heavy weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades and shells, belonging to an armed group and stored in a house. He said at least 16 people were killed and some 32 injured in the explosion. Medical sources confirmed the toll and said that women and children were found among the victims. Sources said the blast struck near a Shiite mosque in the district of northeast Baghdad. Witnesses reported heavy material damage to homes and other buildings in the Sadr City district, which is a stronghold of populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr.

At least 16 dead as arms depot blows up in Baghdad

At least four people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide attack in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Thursday, a military spokesman told Reuters.

The attack took place in the predominantly Shi'ite Shula district, in northwest Baghdad.

According to a statement from Iraq's National Security media centre, the attacker detonated an explosive vest after he was besieged by security forces at the entrance to the Saqlawiyah park, resulting in the death and injury of "a number of civilians."

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, though it bore the hallmarks of Islamic State.

Iraq declared victory over the hardline Sunni militant group in December 2017. Although the group has largely been defeated, it continues to carry out sporadic attacks and operate limited cells in the country, particularly in the north, around Iraq's second city Mosul.

Islamic State has claimed previous attacks against security forces and in public places in mainly Shi'ite dominated areas. Earlier this month, the group claimed a deadly gun attack in Tarmiya, an area 25 km (15 miles) north of Baghdad.

The attack took place in the predominantly Shi'ite Shula district, in northwest Baghdad.

At least four people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide attack in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Thursday, a military spokesman told Reuters. The attack took place in the predominantly Shi'ite Shula district, in northwest Baghdad. According to a statement from Iraq's National Security media centre, the attacker detonated an explosive vest after he was besieged by security forces at the entrance to the Saqlawiyah park, resulting in the death and injury of "a number of civilians." No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, though it bore the hallmarks of Islamic State. Iraq declared victory over the hardline Sunni militant group in December 2017. Although the group has largely been defeated, it continues to carry out sporadic attacks and operate limited cells in the country, particularly in the north, around Iraq's second city Mosul. Islamic State has claimed previous attacks against security forces and in public places in mainly Shi'ite dominated areas. Earlier this month, the group claimed a deadly gun attack in Tarmiya, an area 25 km (15 miles) north of Baghdad.

At least four killed, 15 wounded in Baghdad bomb blast

Iraqi authorities have beefed up intelligence operations and are planning to use drones for aerial surveillance as the country prepares to hold national elections.

Voters will head to the polls this weekend for the first time since the government declared victory against the Islamic State group (IS), in national elections that could tilt the balance of power between the United States and Iran.

Authorities deployed troops and reinforced check points in the Iraqi capital.

Nearly 7,000 candidates will vie for 329 seats in the May 12 parliamentary elections, the fourth since the 2003 US-led invasion.

Authorities deployed troops and reinforced check points in the Iraqi capital.

Iraqi authorities have beefed up intelligence operations and are planning to use drones for aerial surveillance as the country prepares to hold national elections. Voters will head to the polls this weekend for the first time since the government declared victory against the Islamic State group (IS), in national elections that could tilt the balance of power between the United States and Iran. Authorities deployed troops and reinforced check points in the Iraqi capital. Nearly 7,000 candidates will vie for 329 seats in the May 12 parliamentary elections, the fourth since the 2003 US-led invasion.

Iraqi authorities step up security ahead of elections

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/manu-bhaker-all-of-16-runs-away-with-10m-pistol-gold-at-cwg-129058">CWG 2018: Manu </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/manu-bhaker-all-of-16-runs-away-with-10m-pistol-gold-at-cwg-129058">Bhaker</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/manu-bhaker-all-of-16-runs-away-with-10m-pistol-gold-at-cwg-129058">, all of 16, runs away with 10m pistol gold</a>

India's 16-year-old Manu Bhaker comfortably won the gold in women's 10 air pistol while Heena Sidhu staged a remarkable recovery to secure silver at the 21st Commonwealth Games here today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ramming-attack-in-germany-what-we-know-129043">Ramming attack in Germany: what we know</a>

German authorities have for now ruled out a connection to Islamist terrorism after a man rammed customers on a restaurant terrace, killing two people, but much remains unclear about the incident.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/baghdads-infrastructure-in-ruins-15-years-after-saddam-fell-129057">Baghdad's infrastructure in ruins 15 years after Saddam fell</a>

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-rises-to-15-in-canada-bus-crash--129046">Death toll rises to 15 in Canada bus crash</a>

The death toll for the Canadian bus crash, carrying 28 people, rose to 15 on Sunday. The bus was also carrying players of a junior league hockey team have died too.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-dead-in-deadly-gas-attack-reported-on-syrian-rebel-enclave-damascus-denies-129040">Dozens dead in deadly gas attack reported on Syrian rebel enclave, Damascus denies</a>

Video posted to a social media website shows people, including several children, being treated with medicine via inhaler in an emergency clinic, in what is said to be Douma, Syria. Many were being hosed down with water.

CWG 2018: Manu Bhaker, all of 16, runs away with 10m pistol gold India's 16-year-old Manu Bhaker comfortably won the gold in women's 10 air pistol while Heena Sidhu staged a remarkable recovery to secure silver at the 21st Commonwealth Games here today. Ramming attack in Germany: what we know German authorities have for now ruled out a connection to Islamist terrorism after a man rammed customers on a restaurant terrace, killing two people, but much remains unclear about the incident. Baghdad's infrastructure in ruins 15 years after Saddam fell After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still. Death toll rises to 15 in Canada bus crash The death toll for the Canadian bus crash, carrying 28 people, rose to 15 on Sunday. The bus was also carrying players of a junior league hockey team have died too. Dozens dead in deadly gas attack reported on Syrian rebel enclave, Damascus denies Video posted to a social media website shows people, including several children, being treated with medicine via inhaler in an emergency clinic, in what is said to be Douma, Syria. Many were being hosed down with water.

News brief: Top stories of the day

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still.

For 15 years promises of rebuilding infrastructure in the second most populous Arab capital have fallen through and a multitude of projects have been shelved.

Baghdad's skyline is dotted with the desolate sights of rusting cranes, while roads and bridges are gutted with potholes and craters from lack of maintenance.

Even the emblematic Fardous (paradise) Square, where a giant effigy of dictator Saddam Hussein was symbolically pulled down with the help of US Marines, remains to be revamped.

Infrastructure across Baghdad, a city of 900 square kilometres (350 square miles), is in dire need of repairs.

"Industry, education, health, agriculture... everything is now worse than it was during Saddam's rule," said businessman Sadeq al-Shomari.&nbsp

In 2004 and again in 2007, international conferences were organised to rebuild Iraq and donors pledged massive funds for projects that have never materialised.

Some of the funds allocated to rebuilding Baghdad have disappeared, according to Transparency International which ranks Iraq as the 12th most corrupt country in the world.

40,000 thieves

Teacher Zuheir Ouasmi blames it on corrupt officials who he says have pilfered Iraqi coffers, comparing his country's woes to the folktale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves".

Before 2003 "the wealth of Ali Baba was in the hands of the dictator but now 40,000 thieves have take over Ali Baba's cave and the treasure", he said.

As Baghdad's infrastructure worsens, its population has swelled mainly due to an influx of people who fled conflict zones elsewhere in Iraq to settle in the capital.

In 2003, the capital was home to 4.7 million but now the population of Baghdad is 7.2 million strong.

During that same period, the number of cars in the congested city also grew from 250,000 to more than two million vehicles.

Daily power cuts plague the population who, in order to keep their refrigerators working and mobile phones charged, must rely on privately-owned generators.

The streets of the capital -- wracked by years of sectarian violence after the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam and car bomb attacks -- are some of the most congested in the world.

Cement blocks have been erected to block off roads and render them more secure from 2003 onwards, and restaurants, cafes and shops have also used cement walls and sandbags as protection.

Now that the violence has decreased, hundreds of streets have been reopened but roadblocks manned by security forces are still an obstacle course for motorists and pedestrians alike.

The iconic Rashid Street, which was built during World War I and until the 1970s was Baghdad's answer to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, is now dotted with "cement walls and roadblocks and rubble", &nbspbemoaned US-Iraqi architect Raya Alanie.

"It is sad. Everything must be renovated," she said of Baghdad's heritage.

City within a city

Alanie recalled the heyday of the city, heart of the Abassid Caliphate and the centre of Arab and Muslim civilisation for five centuries.

Baghdad "was the first city to equip homes" along Abu Nawas Avenue which girds the Tigris River, "with solar energy" in the 1980s, when Saddam ruled over the country, she said.

The Tigris is the city's green lung and on the other bank, behind barbed wire and cement fortifications, a small island can be seen.

There, in what is known as Baghdad's Green Zone, the grass is green and traffic along its wide avenues is rare.

The fortified area houses the country's key institutions and it is where the US troops that invaded Baghdad in 2003 had set up their headquarters in Saddam's palace.

The Green Zone is out of bounds for most Iraqis and only a few are privileged enough to have a pass to enter the area, which is also home to the US and British embassies.

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still

After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were hopes its millennium-old capital Baghdad could rise again from the ashes, but construction sites have remained idle as if time stood still. For 15 years promises of rebuilding infrastructure in the second most populous Arab capital have fallen through and a multitude of projects have been shelved. Baghdad's skyline is dotted with the desolate sights of rusting cranes, while roads and bridges are gutted with potholes and craters from lack of maintenance. Even the emblematic Fardous (paradise) Square, where a giant effigy of dictator Saddam Hussein was symbolically pulled down with the help of US Marines, remains to be revamped. Infrastructure across Baghdad, a city of 900 square kilometres (350 square miles), is in dire need of repairs. "Industry, education, health, agriculture... everything is now worse than it was during Saddam's rule," said businessman Sadeq al-Shomari. In 2004 and again in 2007, international conferences were organised to rebuild Iraq and donors pledged massive funds for projects that have never materialised. Some of the funds allocated to rebuilding Baghdad have disappeared, according to Transparency International which ranks Iraq as the 12th most corrupt country in the world. 40,000 thieves Teacher Zuheir Ouasmi blames it on corrupt officials who he says have pilfered Iraqi coffers, comparing his country's woes to the folktale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". Before 2003 "the wealth of Ali Baba was in the hands of the dictator but now 40,000 thieves have take over Ali Baba's cave and the treasure", he said. As Baghdad's infrastructure worsens, its population has swelled mainly due to an influx of people who fled conflict zones elsewhere in Iraq to settle in the capital. In 2003, the capital was home to 4.7 million but now the population of Baghdad is 7.2 million strong. During that same period, the number of cars in the congested city also grew from 250,000 to more than two million vehicles. Daily power cuts plague the population who, in order to keep their refrigerators working and mobile phones charged, must rely on privately-owned generators. The streets of the capital -- wracked by years of sectarian violence after the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam and car bomb attacks -- are some of the most congested in the world. Cement blocks have been erected to block off roads and render them more secure from 2003 onwards, and restaurants, cafes and shops have also used cement walls and sandbags as protection. Now that the violence has decreased, hundreds of streets have been reopened but roadblocks manned by security forces are still an obstacle course for motorists and pedestrians alike. The iconic Rashid Street, which was built during World War I and until the 1970s was Baghdad's answer to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, is now dotted with "cement walls and roadblocks and rubble", &nbspbemoaned US-Iraqi architect Raya Alanie. "It is sad. Everything must be renovated," she said of Baghdad's heritage. City within a city Alanie recalled the heyday of the city, heart of the Abassid Caliphate and the centre of Arab and Muslim civilisation for five centuries. Baghdad "was the first city to equip homes" along Abu Nawas Avenue which girds the Tigris River, "with solar energy" in the 1980s, when Saddam ruled over the country, she said. The Tigris is the city's green lung and on the other bank, behind barbed wire and cement fortifications, a small island can be seen. There, in what is known as Baghdad's Green Zone, the grass is green and traffic along its wide avenues is rare. The fortified area houses the country's key institutions and it is where the US troops that invaded Baghdad in 2003 had set up their headquarters in Saddam's palace. The Green Zone is out of bounds for most Iraqis and only a few are privileged enough to have a pass to enter the area, which is also home to the US and British embassies.

Baghdad's infrastructure in ruins 15 years after Saddam fell

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a decree on Thursday formalising the inclusion of Shi`ite paramilitary groups in the country`s security forces.

According to the decree, members of the Shi`ite militias, an assortment of militia groups known collectively as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which are mostly backed and trained by Iran, will be granted many of the same rights as members the military.&nbsp;

Paramilitary members will be given equivalent salaries to those members of the military under the Ministry of Defense`s control, the decree said. They will also be subject to the laws of military service and will gain access to military institutes and colleges. 
&nbsp; 
The decree had been expected for some time and comes two months ahead of a high-stakes general election. The PMF commands popular support among Iraq`s majority Shi`ite population and is expected to sway voters.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis heeded a call to arms in 2014 after Islamic State seized a third of the country&rsquo;s territory, forming the PMF. The paramilitaries supported Iraq`s military in ejecting Islamic State from areas the militants overran in 2014 when Iraqi military and police divisions deserted en masse.&nbsp;

Iraq declared victory over the militants in December, but the militias, estimated to comprise more than 60,000 fighters, are still deployed in many of the predominantly Sunni areas which saw heavy fighting during the three-year war to oust Islamic State.&nbsp;

Iraq`s parliament passed a law in 2016 to bring the PMF into the state apparatus, with the militias reporting directly to the prime minister, who is a Shi`ite under Iraq`s governing system.&nbsp;

Iran has a clear hand in coordinating the PMF leadership, which frequently meets and consults with Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).&nbsp;

In October, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said it was time for the Iran-backed militias &quot;to go home&quot; as the fight against Islamic State was winding down.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a decree on Thursday formalising the inclusion of Shi`ite paramilitary groups in the country`s security forces

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a decree on Thursday formalising the inclusion of Shi`ite paramilitary groups in the country`s security forces. According to the decree, members of the Shi`ite militias, an assortment of militia groups known collectively as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), which are mostly backed and trained by Iran, will be granted many of the same rights as members the military. Paramilitary members will be given equivalent salaries to those members of the military under the Ministry of Defense`s control, the decree said. They will also be subject to the laws of military service and will gain access to military institutes and colleges. The decree had been expected for some time and comes two months ahead of a high-stakes general election. The PMF commands popular support among Iraq`s majority Shi`ite population and is expected to sway voters. Tens of thousands of Iraqis heeded a call to arms in 2014 after Islamic State seized a third of the country’s territory, forming the PMF. The paramilitaries supported Iraq`s military in ejecting Islamic State from areas the militants overran in 2014 when Iraqi military and police divisions deserted en masse. Iraq declared victory over the militants in December, but the militias, estimated to comprise more than 60,000 fighters, are still deployed in many of the predominantly Sunni areas which saw heavy fighting during the three-year war to oust Islamic State. Iraq`s parliament passed a law in 2016 to bring the PMF into the state apparatus, with the militias reporting directly to the prime minister, who is a Shi`ite under Iraq`s governing system. Iran has a clear hand in coordinating the PMF leadership, which frequently meets and consults with Qassem Suleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In October, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said it was time for the Iran-backed militias "to go home" as the fight against Islamic State was winding down.

Iraq's Shi'ite militias formally inducted into security forces

Fire from the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State killed 10 members of the Iraqi security forces and a local official in an air strike west of Baghdad on Saturday, Iraqi officials said.

Early investigations indicated that Iraqi forces had called in an air strike against a local police force in the town of al-Baghdadi, 170 km (106 miles) north-west of Baghdad, assuming that they were militants, military and security officials said.

The local police group hit by the strike had come to the area without coordinating with an Iraqi army detachment that had been sent there to arrest an Islamic State suspect, an Iraqi military spokesman said in a statement.&nbsp;

The strike was called in after the army detachment arrested the suspect and withdrew from the area, he added.&nbsp;

A spokesman of the US-led international coalition said all its air strikes are carried out at the request of the Iraqi security forces.

&quot;Any and all support comes at request/approval of Iraq; NO unilateral coalition operations in Iraq,&quot; said the spokesman, US&nbsp;Army Colonel Ryan Dillon, in a tweet.

The Iraqi government last month declared victory over Islamic State which had declared a &quot;caliphate&quot; over parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The group has morphed back into an underground insurgency and continues to carry out attacks.

Fire from the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State killed 10 members of the Iraqi security forces

Fire from the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State killed 10 members of the Iraqi security forces and a local official in an air strike west of Baghdad on Saturday, Iraqi officials said. Early investigations indicated that Iraqi forces had called in an air strike against a local police force in the town of al-Baghdadi, 170 km (106 miles) north-west of Baghdad, assuming that they were militants, military and security officials said. The local police group hit by the strike had come to the area without coordinating with an Iraqi army detachment that had been sent there to arrest an Islamic State suspect, an Iraqi military spokesman said in a statement. The strike was called in after the army detachment arrested the suspect and withdrew from the area, he added. A spokesman of the US-led international coalition said all its air strikes are carried out at the request of the Iraqi security forces. "Any and all support comes at request/approval of Iraq; NO unilateral coalition operations in Iraq," said the spokesman, US Army Colonel Ryan Dillon, in a tweet. The Iraqi government last month declared victory over Islamic State which had declared a "caliphate" over parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014. The group has morphed back into an underground insurgency and continues to carry out attacks.

Fire kills 11 in Iraq air strike: Iraqi security sources

The Iraqi parliament on Monday set May 12 for elections the winner of which will face the daunting tasks of rebuilding Iraq after a three-year war with Islamic State and a battle against entrenched corruption that is eating away at its oil revenue.

Parliament voted in Baghdad to approve the date proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi who is seeking re-election, buoyed by a surge in popularity for successfully leading the war on the militants, with support from a U.S.-led coalition.

Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers had asked for elections to be postponed, to allow the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced people to their homes, but Iraq&#39;s highest court on Sunday ruled that that would run against the constitution.

The May election will decide the prime minister who will lead the country for the next four years, a position reserved to the Shi&#39;ite Arab majority.

The personality of the prime minister will be important for Iraq to attract reconstruction funds at a conference planned for this purpose in Kuwait in February.

Baghdad says at least $100 billion will be needed to rebuild houses, businesses and infrastructure destroyed in the war.

But deep-rooted corruption remains an obstacle to attracting investment: the oil-rich nation is the 10th most corrupt worldwide, according to Transparency International.

&quot;Having Abadi as prime minister would be reassuring for the donors, given his strong views about the need to fight corruption, but he will be required to take stronger action,&quot; said Hisham al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based analyst.

Two Iran allies

Among other contenders for the top executive job are former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Amiri, a former transportation minister who bolstered his clout during the war on Islamic State - both of whom are among Iran&#39;s closest allies in Iraq.

Amiri, the leader of the Badr Organisation, initially formed an electoral alliance with Abadi, but later announced they will be running separately and possibly form an alliance after the elections for the purpose of forming a government.

&quot;Regardless of the identity of the winner, Iran will have leverage,&quot; said Hassan Shaaban, a political commentator and rights activist in Baghdad. &quot;Given the escalation with Washington, it is very important for Iran that Iraq&#39;s leadership understands and preserves its interests.&quot;

U.S. President Donald Trump this month threatened to exit an agreement that curtails Iran&#39;s nuclear program in return for lifting international sanctions, citing violations of the agreement by Tehran.

His administration also considers as a threat Tehran&#39;s support for groups like Lebanon&#39;s Hezbollah, Yemen&#39;s Houthi rebels and some Iraqi paramilitary groups.

Amiri&#39;s Badr Organisation was the largest group making up the Popular Mobilisation Forces, a coalition of paramilitary mainly backed by Iran with a considerable popular base among the Shi&#39;ite Muslim majority but accused by Sunni and Kurdish politicians of abuses including population displacement.

Abadi took over the premiership in 2014 from Maliki, who was widely blamed by Iraqi politicians for the army&#39;s collapse as Islamic State seized a third of Iraq.

Maliki, who holds the ceremonial position of vice-president, remains one of the most influential Shi&#39;ite politicians in his capacity of leader of the Dawa party.

Even though Abadi is a Dawa member, Maliki declined to endorse him, and the competition between them two means that they would need to seek the support of other Shi&#39;ite parties, as well as Sunni and Kurdish groups, to form governing coalitions.

Influential Shi&#39;ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has said he is backing an alliance called &quot;On the Move&quot; (Sa&#39;iroun) focused on fighting graft, formed between some of his supporters, the Iraqi Communist Party and other small secular groups.

Sadr, who has a large following among Iraq&#39;s urban poor, had criticized Abadi for his possible alliance with Amiri, saying it contradicted the prime minister&#39;s stated ambitions to reform the state. No candidate for the premiership has yet emerged from his &quot;On the Move&quot; alliance.

&quot;Whoever emerges as top contender for the premiership, he won&#39;t have enough seats to rule and will have to form understandings with others, with Shi&#39;ite, Sunni and Kurdish groups to have a solid governing base,&quot; said analyst al-Hashimi.

The May election will decide the prime minister who will lead the country for the next four years, a position reserved to the Shi'ite Arab majority.

The Iraqi parliament on Monday set May 12 for elections the winner of which will face the daunting tasks of rebuilding Iraq after a three-year war with Islamic State and a battle against entrenched corruption that is eating away at its oil revenue. Parliament voted in Baghdad to approve the date proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi who is seeking re-election, buoyed by a surge in popularity for successfully leading the war on the militants, with support from a U.S.-led coalition. Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers had asked for elections to be postponed, to allow the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced people to their homes, but Iraq's highest court on Sunday ruled that that would run against the constitution. The May election will decide the prime minister who will lead the country for the next four years, a position reserved to the Shi'ite Arab majority. The personality of the prime minister will be important for Iraq to attract reconstruction funds at a conference planned for this purpose in Kuwait in February. Baghdad says at least $100 billion will be needed to rebuild houses, businesses and infrastructure destroyed in the war. But deep-rooted corruption remains an obstacle to attracting investment: the oil-rich nation is the 10th most corrupt worldwide, according to Transparency International. "Having Abadi as prime minister would be reassuring for the donors, given his strong views about the need to fight corruption, but he will be required to take stronger action," said Hisham al-Hashimi, a Baghdad-based analyst. Two Iran allies Among other contenders for the top executive job are former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Amiri, a former transportation minister who bolstered his clout during the war on Islamic State - both of whom are among Iran's closest allies in Iraq. Amiri, the leader of the Badr Organisation, initially formed an electoral alliance with Abadi, but later announced they will be running separately and possibly form an alliance after the elections for the purpose of forming a government. "Regardless of the identity of the winner, Iran will have leverage," said Hassan Shaaban, a political commentator and rights activist in Baghdad. "Given the escalation with Washington, it is very important for Iran that Iraq's leadership understands and preserves its interests." U.S. President Donald Trump this month threatened to exit an agreement that curtails Iran's nuclear program in return for lifting international sanctions, citing violations of the agreement by Tehran. His administration also considers as a threat Tehran's support for groups like Lebanon's Hezbollah, Yemen's Houthi rebels and some Iraqi paramilitary groups. Amiri's Badr Organisation was the largest group making up the Popular Mobilisation Forces, a coalition of paramilitary mainly backed by Iran with a considerable popular base among the Shi'ite Muslim majority but accused by Sunni and Kurdish politicians of abuses including population displacement. Abadi took over the premiership in 2014 from Maliki, who was widely blamed by Iraqi politicians for the army's collapse as Islamic State seized a third of Iraq. Maliki, who holds the ceremonial position of vice-president, remains one of the most influential Shi'ite politicians in his capacity of leader of the Dawa party. Even though Abadi is a Dawa member, Maliki declined to endorse him, and the competition between them two means that they would need to seek the support of other Shi'ite parties, as well as Sunni and Kurdish groups, to form governing coalitions. Influential Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has said he is backing an alliance called "On the Move" (Sa'iroun) focused on fighting graft, formed between some of his supporters, the Iraqi Communist Party and other small secular groups. Sadr, who has a large following among Iraq's urban poor, had criticized Abadi for his possible alliance with Amiri, saying it contradicted the prime minister's stated ambitions to reform the state. No candidate for the premiership has yet emerged from his "On the Move" alliance. "Whoever emerges as top contender for the premiership, he won't have enough seats to rule and will have to form understandings with others, with Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish groups to have a solid governing base," said analyst al-Hashimi.

Iraq sets May 12 date for elections to be contested by PM Abadi, Iran allies

The Iraq police and health officials have reported that the death toll in the twin bombings in Baghdad has risen to 38 and left at least 105 injured.&nbsp;

The bombings were carried out by two terrorists who came armed with explosive belts and attacked the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/baghdad-suicide-attack-26-killed-several-injured-29547" target="_blank">Tayran Square </a>where day labourers gather early morning for jobs, media reports said.&nbsp;

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but it bore all the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which has claimed many such attacks in the past.

Ambulances rushed to the cite and the area was sealed by the security forces.&nbsp;

Many locals were stunned by the attack as the number of attacks had significantly decreased since security forces retook nearly all territory once held by ISIS militants.

According to media reports, a local was quoted saying that she was expecting this due to the upcoming election - which is proposed on May 12.&nbsp;

The bombings were carried out by two terrorists who came armed with explosive belts and attacked the Tayran Square where day labourers gather early morning for jobs, media reports said.

The Iraq police and health officials have reported that the death toll in the twin bombings in Baghdad has risen to 38 and left at least 105 injured. The bombings were carried out by two terrorists who came armed with explosive belts and attacked the Tayran Square where day labourers gather early morning for jobs, media reports said. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but it bore all the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which has claimed many such attacks in the past. Ambulances rushed to the cite and the area was sealed by the security forces. Many locals were stunned by the attack as the number of attacks had significantly decreased since security forces retook nearly all territory once held by ISIS militants. According to media reports, a local was quoted saying that she was expecting this due to the upcoming election - which is proposed on May 12.

Death toll rises to 38 in Iraq twin bombing

Thirty-five people were killed and at least 80 others wounded in two deadly suicide bombings in Baghdad on Monday morning.

According to reports in local media, the twin suicide bombings took place inside central Baghdad&#39;s Tayaran Square.

Tayaran is a major intersection in eastern Baghdad between Sadr city and al-Jumariyah bridge over the Euphrates.

No group has claimed responsibility for these attacks.&nbsp;

Today&#39;s bombings marked the first time this year that Baghdad has been targeted by suicide bombers.

Several social media users posted video and images, showing smoke rising from the spot.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baghdad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Baghdad</a>: Footage shows the aftermath of the Twin blast. Looks like a market was targeted in the early morning in central Baghdad. Absolutely Horrific <a href="https://t.co/U4rTFVhJwZ">pic.twitter.com/U4rTFVhJwZ</a>
&mdash; Nidalgazaui (@Nidalgazaui) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nidalgazaui/status/952783326464667648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
News of an explosion in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baghdad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Baghdad</a>&#39;s Tayaran Square near Tahrir Square with causalities reported. 
Really hoping this does not become a habit again in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iraq?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iraq</a> with elections approaching. <a href="https://t.co/5kYNgQfaCo">pic.twitter.com/5kYNgQfaCo</a>
&mdash; Hayder Al-Shakeri (@HayderSH) <a href="https://twitter.com/HayderSH/status/952764903986692096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Terrible start to the week. 
 
Twin suicide bombing in Tayaran square in central Baghdad has killed 16 civilians and wounded upwards of 65 others. <a href="https://t.co/37zA1auO65">pic.twitter.com/37zA1auO65</a>
&mdash; Haidar Sumeri (@IraqiSecurity) <a href="https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/status/952780425390428160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

The twin suicide bombings took place inside central Baghdad's Tayaran Square

Thirty-five people were killed and at least 80 others wounded in two deadly suicide bombings in Baghdad on Monday morning. According to reports in local media, the twin suicide bombings took place inside central Baghdad's Tayaran Square. Tayaran is a major intersection in eastern Baghdad between Sadr city and al-Jumariyah bridge over the Euphrates. No group has claimed responsibility for these attacks. Today's bombings marked the first time this year that Baghdad has been targeted by suicide bombers. Several social media users posted video and images, showing smoke rising from the spot. #Baghdad: Footage shows the aftermath of the Twin blast. Looks like a market was targeted in the early morning in central Baghdad. Absolutely Horrific pic.twitter.com/U4rTFVhJwZ — Nidalgazaui (@Nidalgazaui) January 15, 2018 × News of an explosion in #Baghdad's Tayaran Square near Tahrir Square with causalities reported. Really hoping this does not become a habit again in #Iraq with elections approaching. pic.twitter.com/5kYNgQfaCo — Hayder Al-Shakeri (@HayderSH) January 15, 2018 × Terrible start to the week. Twin suicide bombing in Tayaran square in central Baghdad has killed 16 civilians and wounded upwards of 65 others. pic.twitter.com/37zA1auO65 — Haidar Sumeri (@IraqiSecurity) January 15, 2018 ×

Baghdad suicide attack: 35 killed, several injured

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-israel-ink-9-pacts-modi-invites-israeli-defence-companies-for-co-production-29610">India, Israel ink 9 pacts, Modi invites Israeli defence companies for co-production</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invited Israeli defence companies to India for co-production, as he held comprehensive talks on strategic issues with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a &quot;revolutionary leader&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/gen-rawats-remarks-on-dokalam-unconstructive-china-29595">China says General Rawat&#39;s remarks on Dokalam &#39;unconstructive&#39;</a>

China today hit out at Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat for calling Dokalam a disputed territory and said that his &quot;unconstructive&quot; comments were not helpful for maintaining peace at the borders.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-crisis-row-resolved-kahani-khatam-says-bar-council-29596">Supreme Court crisis: Row resolved, &#39;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-crisis-row-resolved-kahani-khatam-says-bar-council-29596">kahani</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-crisis-row-resolved-kahani-khatam-says-bar-council-29596"> khatam&#39;, says Bar Council</a>

The Bar Council of India (BCI) today said the crisis, which had erupted after four top Supreme Court judges came out openly against an allocation of cases by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, has been resolved internally and the &quot;story is over now&quot;.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/second-floor-of-indonesia-stock-exchange-collapses-around-a-dozen-people-injured-29560">Mezzanine floor of Indonesia Stock Exchange collapses, 75 injured</a>

At least 75 people were injured Monday when a mezzanine floor at Indonesia&#39;s stock exchange building collapsed into the lobby, police said, with victims carried out of the debris-filled building on stretchers.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-to-be-split-into-4-entities-ahead-of-sale-reports-29606">Air India to be split into 4 entities ahead of sale: Reports</a>

Once a great airline and now decrepit, Air India would get split into four separate companies and the government is offering at least 51% in each of them as part of their disinvestment plan.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/baghdad-suicide-attack-26-killed-several-injured-29547">Baghdad suicide attack: 35 killed, several injured</a>

Thirty-five people were killed and at least 80 others wounded in two deadly suicide bombings in Baghdad on Monday morning.

India, Israel ink 9 pacts, Modi invites Israeli defence companies for co-production Prime Minister Narendra Modi today invited Israeli defence companies to India for co-production, as he held comprehensive talks on strategic issues with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a "revolutionary leader". China says General Rawat's remarks on Dokalam 'unconstructive' China today hit out at Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat for calling Dokalam a disputed territory and said that his "unconstructive" comments were not helpful for maintaining peace at the borders. Supreme Court crisis: Row resolved, 'kahani khatam', says Bar Council The Bar Council of India (BCI) today said the crisis, which had erupted after four top Supreme Court judges came out openly against an allocation of cases by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, has been resolved internally and the "story is over now". Mezzanine floor of Indonesia Stock Exchange collapses, 75 injured At least 75 people were injured Monday when a mezzanine floor at Indonesia's stock exchange building collapsed into the lobby, police said, with victims carried out of the debris-filled building on stretchers. Air India to be split into 4 entities ahead of sale: Reports Once a great airline and now decrepit, Air India would get split into four separate companies and the government is offering at least 51% in each of them as part of their disinvestment plan. Baghdad suicide attack: 35 killed, several injured Thirty-five people were killed and at least 80 others wounded in two deadly suicide bombings in Baghdad on Monday morning.

WION Evening News Brief, 15 January 2018

Two suicide attackers killed at least 17 people and left as many as 28 injured&nbsp;in Baghdad on Monday, reports said.&nbsp;

The incident took place in the Nahrawan area, around the shopping district, southeast of Baghdad where one blew himself up and the other one was killed by the security force, The Middle East Eye reports.&nbsp;

According to media reports, the Islamic group took responsibility of the attack through The Sunni Muslim militant group&rsquo;s Amaq new agency, claiming that it took lives od 35 people of the Iran-backed paramilitaries, Popular Mobilisation Units.

Iraqi security officials have said that Islamic State might wage an insurgency after its self-proclaimed caliphate collapsed and its militants were dislodged from territories they held across a swathe of Iraq and Syria.

The incident took place in the Nahrawan area, around the shopping district, southeast of Baghdad where one attacker blew himself up and the other one was killed by the security force. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

Two suicide attackers killed at least 17 people and left as many as 28 injured in Baghdad on Monday, reports said. The incident took place in the Nahrawan area, around the shopping district, southeast of Baghdad where one blew himself up and the other one was killed by the security force, The Middle East Eye reports. According to media reports, the Islamic group took responsibility of the attack through The Sunni Muslim militant group’s Amaq new agency, claiming that it took lives od 35 people of the Iran-backed paramilitaries, Popular Mobilisation Units. Iraqi security officials have said that Islamic State might wage an insurgency after its self-proclaimed caliphate collapsed and its militants were dislodged from territories they held across a swathe of Iraq and Syria.

17 people killed and 28 wounded in suicide attack in Baghdad

The government has accepted a high-level committee&#39;s recommendation of increasing by over three percent the quota of private tour operators sending Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The high-level committee formed by the government to frame draft &#39;Haj Policy 2018-2022&#39; had made the recommendation last month.

The committee had recommended that the quota of private tour operators be increased from the present 26.47 percent to 30 percent.

Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has confirmed that the panel&#39;s suggestion has been accepted.

India has an annual Haj quota of 1.70 lakh.

Out of this, according to the allocation for 2017, 1.25 lakh pilgrims could travel to Saudi Arabia through the Haj Committee of India (HCoI).

The private tour operators (PTOs) could transport 45,000 devotees.

The revision of the quota allocation now will mean that 51,000 devotees can travel through the PTOs.

Remaining 1.19 lakh devotees can undertake the journey through the HCoI.

&quot;We have accepted the recommendation. It is a logical recommendation which has been accepted after studying each aspect of the issue including that of interests of the pilgrims,&quot; Naqvi said.

He also said that the categories of PTOs have been increased to three from two.

The private players are categorized based on the number of years they have facilitated pilgrims (more the number of years of operation, higher the category they are put in).

Those, who have successfully completed at least seven years of operations, are put in category 1.

According to a source in the ministry, the allocation revision &quot;should not make much of a difference&quot; for devotees given the Haj subsidy is being gradually reduced in view of a 2012 Supreme Court order.

As per the apex court&#39;s order, the subsidy is to be abolished gradually till 2022.

&quot;Earlier people would seek to go through the HCoI because they would get subsidy. Now the subsidy is being gradually lowered since 2012,&quot; a source said.

&quot;So, it should not make much of a difference to the devotees whether they undertake the journey either through the HCoI or PTOs in future,&quot; the source added.

The source also said that the ministry plans to ensure stricter regulations to see pilgrims are not troubled by PTOs.

Iraqi forces launched an operation on Thursday to clear the desert bordering Syria of Islamic State, a final campaign to rid Iraq of the militant group, the military said in a statement.

The government has accepted a high-level committee's recommendation of increasing by over three percent the quota of private tour operators sending Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The high-level committee formed by the government to frame draft 'Haj Policy 2018-2022' had made the recommendation last month. The committee had recommended that the quota of private tour operators be increased from the present 26.47 percent to 30 percent. Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has confirmed that the panel's suggestion has been accepted. India has an annual Haj quota of 1.70 lakh. Out of this, according to the allocation for 2017, 1.25 lakh pilgrims could travel to Saudi Arabia through the Haj Committee of India (HCoI). The private tour operators (PTOs) could transport 45,000 devotees. The revision of the quota allocation now will mean that 51,000 devotees can travel through the PTOs. Remaining 1.19 lakh devotees can undertake the journey through the HCoI. "We have accepted the recommendation. It is a logical recommendation which has been accepted after studying each aspect of the issue including that of interests of the pilgrims," Naqvi said. He also said that the categories of PTOs have been increased to three from two. The private players are categorized based on the number of years they have facilitated pilgrims (more the number of years of operation, higher the category they are put in). Those, who have successfully completed at least seven years of operations, are put in category 1. According to a source in the ministry, the allocation revision "should not make much of a difference" for devotees given the Haj subsidy is being gradually reduced in view of a 2012 Supreme Court order. As per the apex court's order, the subsidy is to be abolished gradually till 2022. "Earlier people would seek to go through the HCoI because they would get subsidy. Now the subsidy is being gradually lowered since 2012," a source said. "So, it should not make much of a difference to the devotees whether they undertake the journey either through the HCoI or PTOs in future," the source added. The source also said that the ministry plans to ensure stricter regulations to see pilgrims are not troubled by PTOs.

Iraqi forces launch operation to clear desert bordering Syria of Islamic State

Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani gave a bitter speech on Sunday to announce his resignation, saying no one outside the Kurds&#39; home region had stood up to support their right of self-determination.

Barzani made a televised speech after the Iraqi Kurdistan parliament approved his request not to extend his term beyond Nov. 1, after an independence referendum he championed last month backfired and triggered military and economic retaliation against the Kurdish region he has been leading since 2005.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-forces-seize-oil-city-of-kirkuk-from-kurds-22517" target="_blank">Also read: After they threaten independence referendum, Iraqi forces seize oil city of Kirkuk from Kurds</a>

&quot;Three million votes for Kurdistan independence created history and cannot be erased,&quot; he said, referring to the referendum held on Sept. 25.

&quot;Nobody stood up with us other than our mountains,&quot; he said, speaking with Kurdish and Iraqi flags behind him.

He criticised the United States for allowing Abrams tanks supplied to Iraqi forces to fight Islamic State militants to be used against the Kurds. He said American weapons were also used in attacks by Iranian-backed paramilitaries.

&quot;Without the help of Peshmerga (Kurdish fighters), Iraqi forces could not have liberated Mosul from ISIS alone,&quot; he said, referring to Islamic State&#39;s former stronghold in northern Iraq.

&quot;Why would Washington want to punish Kurdistan?&quot;

He said followers of rival Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani, who died in early October, had been guilty of &quot;high treason&quot; for handing over the oil city of Kirkuk to Iraqi forces without a fight two weeks ago.

He said the Iraqi offensives since Oct. 16 and the refusal of the Iraqi government to agree to dialogue vindicated his view that &quot;Iraq no longer believes in Kurdish rights&quot;.

'Nobody stood up with us other than our mountains,' Barzani said in a televised address

Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani gave a bitter speech on Sunday to announce his resignation, saying no one outside the Kurds' home region had stood up to support their right of self-determination. Barzani made a televised speech after the Iraqi Kurdistan parliament approved his request not to extend his term beyond Nov. 1, after an independence referendum he championed last month backfired and triggered military and economic retaliation against the Kurdish region he has been leading since 2005. Also read: After they threaten independence referendum, Iraqi forces seize oil city of Kirkuk from Kurds "Three million votes for Kurdistan independence created history and cannot be erased," he said, referring to the referendum held on Sept. 25. "Nobody stood up with us other than our mountains," he said, speaking with Kurdish and Iraqi flags behind him. He criticised the United States for allowing Abrams tanks supplied to Iraqi forces to fight Islamic State militants to be used against the Kurds. He said American weapons were also used in attacks by Iranian-backed paramilitaries. "Without the help of Peshmerga (Kurdish fighters), Iraqi forces could not have liberated Mosul from ISIS alone," he said, referring to Islamic State's former stronghold in northern Iraq. "Why would Washington want to punish Kurdistan?" He said followers of rival Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani, who died in early October, had been guilty of "high treason" for handing over the oil city of Kirkuk to Iraqi forces without a fight two weeks ago. He said the Iraqi offensives since Oct. 16 and the refusal of the Iraqi government to agree to dialogue vindicated his view that "Iraq no longer believes in Kurdish rights".

Kurdish leader Barzani resigns after independence referendum leads to military action by Iraq

A suicide bomber killed at least three people on Saturday at the funeral of an anti-jihadist Sunni fighter in Iraq, security and medical sources said.

The bomber struck as condolences were being given at the funeral of the fighter from tribal paramilitaries battling the Islamic State group.

He detonated an explosive belt outside a mosque in Al-Mashahada some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Baghdad, the security source said.

The military command in the capital said the attack killed a guard and two civilians, while a medical source said that another 12 people were wounded.

Despite being under increasing pressure in both Syria and Iraq, IS cells remain active north of Baghdad.

The jihadist group has carried out bloody attacks both in the capital and across the country.

The bomber struck as condolences were being given at the funeral of the fighter from tribal paramilitaries battling the Islamic State group

A suicide bomber killed at least three people on Saturday at the funeral of an anti-jihadist Sunni fighter in Iraq, security and medical sources said. The bomber struck as condolences were being given at the funeral of the fighter from tribal paramilitaries battling the Islamic State group. He detonated an explosive belt outside a mosque in Al-Mashahada some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Baghdad, the security source said. The military command in the capital said the attack killed a guard and two civilians, while a medical source said that another 12 people were wounded. Despite being under increasing pressure in both Syria and Iraq, IS cells remain active north of Baghdad. The jihadist group has carried out bloody attacks both in the capital and across the country.

Suicide bomber kills 3 at Iraq funeral

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday that he would accept only the annulment of a Kurdish vote for independence, not the freeze that Kurdish leaders have offered.

&quot;We will accept nothing but the annulment of the referendum and respect for the constitution,&quot; Abadi said in a statement released by his Baghdad office as he holds talks in neighbouring Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday that he would accept only the annulment of a Kurdish vote for independence, not the freeze that Kurdish leaders have offered.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Thursday that he would accept only the annulment of a Kurdish vote for independence, not the freeze that Kurdish leaders have offered. "We will accept nothing but the annulment of the referendum and respect for the constitution," Abadi said in a statement released by his Baghdad office as he holds talks in neighbouring Iran.

Iraq PM demands annulment not freeze of Kurd independence vote

Iraqi Kurdish leaders offered Wednesday to freeze the outcome of last month&#39;s vote for independence, taking a step back in a major crisis that prompted Baghdad to seize swathes of disputed territory.

The offer came as world powers scrambled to avert any further escalation of the conflict between the key allies in the fight against the Islamic State group that has seen more than 30 combatants killed.

There was no immediate reaction from Baghdad but the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) force, whose mainly Iran-trained Shiite paramilitaries played a major role in the operation against the Kurds, said a freeze did not go far enough and demanded the outright annulment of the independence referendum.

Washington, Moscow and the United Nations have all pressed Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani to open talks with Baghdad on a way out of the crisis sparked by the fateful September 25 vote that he called.

The Kurdistan Regional Government, led by Barzani, said it would propose to the federal government &quot;the freezing of the results of the referendum... and the start of an open dialogue&quot; on the basis of the constitution.

It also called for &quot;an immediate ceasefire and cessation of military operations in Kurdistan&quot;.

Since early last week, Iraqi federal troops and allied militia have retaken virtually all of the territory held by the Kurds outside their longstanding three-province autonomous region in the north.

Vote must be annulled

The Hashed al-Shaabi, which has taken a hard line in the dispute with the Kurds, demanded that they annul the independence vote as a precondition for any dialogue.

&quot;The Kurdish proposal is worthless because freezing the referendum means recognising it and the position of the Iraqi government is clear, the referendum must be annulled,&quot; Hashed spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi told AFP.

The independence referendum deeply divided Iraqi Kurdish leaders and many commanders ordered their forces to pull back without resisting.

The loss of so much territory, including the major city of Kirkuk and lucrative oil fields, dealt a huge blow to Kurdish dreams of economic self-sufficiency and eventual independence.

Barzani&#39;s longtime political rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, had opposed the independence vote and backed a UN plan for negotiations on wider Kurdish autonomy.

The Iraqi constitution adopted during the US-led occupation of 2003-11 provides for plebiscites in the disputed areas on their possible incorporation in the autonomous Kurdish region.

Washington has made clear that while it will not take sides in the conflict between its Iraq allies, it does not regard Baghdad&#39;s reoccupation of the disputed areas as a fait accompli.

&quot;The reassertion of federal authority over disputed areas in no way changes their status -- they remain disputed until their status is resolved in accordance with the Iraqi constitution,&quot; State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on Friday.

UN bids for talks

The United Nations said on Tuesday that it stands ready to broker talks.

UN envoy Jan Kubis &quot;expressed confidence that despite the recent tensions, Iraq will be able to ride this crisis&quot;.

&quot;Both sides publicly expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiations on the basis of the Constitution. The UN is ready to assist, if requested,&quot; he said.

&quot;We are confident that the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, just like they banded together to defeat Daesh (the Islamic State group), can work hand in hand to overcome their differences through dialogue and away from confrontation to resolve all outstanding issues in a manner that is consistent with the constitution.&quot;

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose domestic prestige has been sharply boosted by the return of the disputed territories to federal control, has been on a tour of regional countries which share his hostility to Kurdish moves towards secession.

He also held talks in Baghdad on Monday with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

On Wednesday, he was due in Ankara for talks with Turkish leaders, who are particularly opposed to any talk of Kurdish separatism having fought a more than three-decade long insurgency among its own Kurdish minority, the region&#39;s largest.

Iraq&#39;s border with Turkey is currently all in Kurdish hands and Abadi has said that top of the agenda of his talks will be his demand that the federal government retake control of border crossings.

Iraqi Kurdish leaders offered to freeze the outcome of last month's vote for independence

Iraqi Kurdish leaders offered Wednesday to freeze the outcome of last month's vote for independence, taking a step back in a major crisis that prompted Baghdad to seize swathes of disputed territory. The offer came as world powers scrambled to avert any further escalation of the conflict between the key allies in the fight against the Islamic State group that has seen more than 30 combatants killed. There was no immediate reaction from Baghdad but the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) force, whose mainly Iran-trained Shiite paramilitaries played a major role in the operation against the Kurds, said a freeze did not go far enough and demanded the outright annulment of the independence referendum. Washington, Moscow and the United Nations have all pressed Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani to open talks with Baghdad on a way out of the crisis sparked by the fateful September 25 vote that he called. The Kurdistan Regional Government, led by Barzani, said it would propose to the federal government "the freezing of the results of the referendum... and the start of an open dialogue" on the basis of the constitution. It also called for "an immediate ceasefire and cessation of military operations in Kurdistan". Since early last week, Iraqi federal troops and allied militia have retaken virtually all of the territory held by the Kurds outside their longstanding three-province autonomous region in the north. Vote must be annulled The Hashed al-Shaabi, which has taken a hard line in the dispute with the Kurds, demanded that they annul the independence vote as a precondition for any dialogue. "The Kurdish proposal is worthless because freezing the referendum means recognising it and the position of the Iraqi government is clear, the referendum must be annulled," Hashed spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi told AFP. The independence referendum deeply divided Iraqi Kurdish leaders and many commanders ordered their forces to pull back without resisting. The loss of so much territory, including the major city of Kirkuk and lucrative oil fields, dealt a huge blow to Kurdish dreams of economic self-sufficiency and eventual independence. Barzani's longtime political rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, had opposed the independence vote and backed a UN plan for negotiations on wider Kurdish autonomy. The Iraqi constitution adopted during the US-led occupation of 2003-11 provides for plebiscites in the disputed areas on their possible incorporation in the autonomous Kurdish region. Washington has made clear that while it will not take sides in the conflict between its Iraq allies, it does not regard Baghdad's reoccupation of the disputed areas as a fait accompli. "The reassertion of federal authority over disputed areas in no way changes their status -- they remain disputed until their status is resolved in accordance with the Iraqi constitution," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said on Friday. UN bids for talks The United Nations said on Tuesday that it stands ready to broker talks. UN envoy Jan Kubis "expressed confidence that despite the recent tensions, Iraq will be able to ride this crisis". "Both sides publicly expressed their willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiations on the basis of the Constitution. The UN is ready to assist, if requested," he said. "We are confident that the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, just like they banded together to defeat Daesh (the Islamic State group), can work hand in hand to overcome their differences through dialogue and away from confrontation to resolve all outstanding issues in a manner that is consistent with the constitution." Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose domestic prestige has been sharply boosted by the return of the disputed territories to federal control, has been on a tour of regional countries which share his hostility to Kurdish moves towards secession. He also held talks in Baghdad on Monday with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. On Wednesday, he was due in Ankara for talks with Turkish leaders, who are particularly opposed to any talk of Kurdish separatism having fought a more than three-decade long insurgency among its own Kurdish minority, the region's largest. Iraq's border with Turkey is currently all in Kurdish hands and Abadi has said that top of the agenda of his talks will be his demand that the federal government retake control of border crossings.

Iraq Kurds offer to freeze independence vote

Iraqi Kurdistan proposed Wednesday to annul the results of its independence referendum, which triggered a major crisis with Baghdad.

Iraq has called for the cancellation of the results of the vote as a precondition for all negotiations and in retaliation has seized large areas of territory held by Kurdish forces.

Iraq has called for the cancellation of the results of the vote

Iraqi Kurdistan proposed Wednesday to annul the results of its independence referendum, which triggered a major crisis with Baghdad. Iraq has called for the cancellation of the results of the vote as a precondition for all negotiations and in retaliation has seized large areas of territory held by Kurdish forces.

Iraqi Kurdistan offers to 'freeze' results of independence vote

&nbsp;

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for two car bomb&nbsp;explosion in Baghdad on Thursday. Police and medical sources say 14 people died and at least 15 were&nbsp;injured.&nbsp;

The explosive devices were placed in cars parked on the side of the road. In an online&nbsp;statement released by the IS, the attack was targeted at the city&#39;s Shia community.&nbsp;

This new attack is part of a growing&nbsp;wave of violence that has hit Iraq&#39;s capital city since 2016. The Islamic State is carrying on several attacks in retaliation to the war the country is fighting against them alongside the US-led coalition. &nbsp;

It is an effective, deadly and unpredictable strategy as&nbsp;more than 60 people have been killed in Baghdad over the past week alone. In 2016, IS&#39; attacks killed&nbsp;more than 600 people in Baghdad and injured nearly a thousand. &nbsp;

The worst bombing happened in July last year, when shortly after midnight a truck exploded in the mainly Shia district of Karrada. The area was busy with families shopping and eating at the end of a long day of Ramzan. More than 300 people died and hundreds were injured.&nbsp;

The aggressive&nbsp;upsurge comes after&nbsp;a year of heavy losses the Islamic State faced in West&nbsp;Asia. &nbsp;

In Iraq IS&nbsp;remains in control of the sole western part of Mosul, once their stronghold and de facto capital. The battle to retake the city is ongoing; the Iraqi army is fighting an urban guerrilla warfare which has resulted in heavy casualties, but the Islamic State is almost completely isolated and is unlikely hold Mosul for very long.&nbsp;

Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati, Iraq&#39;s joint operation commander, said that the country&#39;s army now controls nearly 70 per cent of Mosul&#39;s eastern part.&nbsp;

The Islamic State has been deprived of all the oil fields it used to control in Iraq, a major blow to its&nbsp;finances which has severely dented its&nbsp;military capabilities. In an interview released to WION, Iraqi Major General Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri, commander of the Niniveh&nbsp;operation, said that the IS funded many of its activities, even in neighbouring countries, by selling Iraqi oil.&nbsp;

The terrorist organisation is stronger in Syria, but it is suffering daily defeats due to a successful on-the-ground advance by Arabs and Kurds fighting within the ranks of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The US has been&nbsp;providing air support aimed at&nbsp;retaking&nbsp;the city of Raqqa, the self-proclaimed&nbsp;capital of the caliphate. Turkish troops and Ankara-backed armed groups have been involved in the campaign for the last six months. &nbsp;

The anti-Islamic State offensive in Syria is still at the initial stage and it will probably take several months before the city of Raqqa can be directly attacked. &nbsp;

Islamic State terrorism has morphed from an Iraqi and Syrian&nbsp;&#39;problem&#39; into a&nbsp;global security menace. Turkey has recently become the prime&nbsp;target for elements inspired by the group&#39;s propaganda. Many of the terrorist acts&nbsp;carried out in Europe and Asia have been the brainchildren of &#39;lone wolves&#39; or small groups, radical&nbsp;elements who have been inspired by carefully manipulated IS video propaganda, responsible for carrying out deadly attacks across Europe recently. &nbsp;

Islamic state may resort to sudden attacks as twin strategy to not only survive but also to spread terror. The organisation is under attack in its strongholds and the only way it can hit the enemy is a possible surprise attack, not only in Iraq &amp; Syria but anywhere in Europe. This will primarily &#39;divert&#39; the focal point of the conflict and will force the enemy to divide its forces giving it much-needed breathing space&nbsp;in its war in West Asia. &nbsp;

(WION with input from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Police and medical sources say 14 people died and at least 15 were injured in the attack meant to hit the city's Shia community

The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for two car bomb explosion in Baghdad on Thursday. Police and medical sources say 14 people died and at least 15 were injured. The explosive devices were placed in cars parked on the side of the road. In an online statement released by the IS, the attack was targeted at the city's Shia community. This new attack is part of a growing wave of violence that has hit Iraq's capital city since 2016. The Islamic State is carrying on several attacks in retaliation to the war the country is fighting against them alongside the US-led coalition. It is an effective, deadly and unpredictable strategy as more than 60 people have been killed in Baghdad over the past week alone. In 2016, IS' attacks killed more than 600 people in Baghdad and injured nearly a thousand. The worst bombing happened in July last year, when shortly after midnight a truck exploded in the mainly Shia district of Karrada. The area was busy with families shopping and eating at the end of a long day of Ramzan. More than 300 people died and hundreds were injured. The aggressive upsurge comes after a year of heavy losses the Islamic State faced in West Asia. In Iraq IS remains in control of the sole western part of Mosul, once their stronghold and de facto capital. The battle to retake the city is ongoing; the Iraqi army is fighting an urban guerrilla warfare which has resulted in heavy casualties, but the Islamic State is almost completely isolated and is unlikely hold Mosul for very long. Lieutenant General Talib Shaghati, Iraq's joint operation commander, said that the country's army now controls nearly 70 per cent of Mosul's eastern part. The Islamic State has been deprived of all the oil fields it used to control in Iraq, a major blow to its finances which has severely dented its military capabilities. In an interview released to WION, Iraqi Major General Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri, commander of the Niniveh operation, said that the IS funded many of its activities, even in neighbouring countries, by selling Iraqi oil. The terrorist organisation is stronger in Syria, but it is suffering daily defeats due to a successful on-the-ground advance by Arabs and Kurds fighting within the ranks of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The US has been providing air support aimed at retaking the city of Raqqa, the self-proclaimed capital of the caliphate. Turkish troops and Ankara-backed armed groups have been involved in the campaign for the last six months. The anti-Islamic State offensive in Syria is still at the initial stage and it will probably take several months before the city of Raqqa can be directly attacked. Islamic State terrorism has morphed from an Iraqi and Syrian 'problem' into a global security menace. Turkey has recently become the prime target for elements inspired by the group's propaganda. Many of the terrorist acts carried out in Europe and Asia have been the brainchildren of 'lone wolves' or small groups, radical elements who have been inspired by carefully manipulated IS video propaganda, responsible for carrying out deadly attacks across Europe recently. Islamic state may resort to sudden attacks as twin strategy to not only survive but also to spread terror. The organisation is under attack in its strongholds and the only way it can hit the enemy is a possible surprise attack, not only in Iraq & Syria but anywhere in Europe. This will primarily 'divert' the focal point of the conflict and will force the enemy to divide its forces giving it much-needed breathing space in its war in West Asia. (WION with input from agencies)

Islamic State claims responsibility for car bomb attack in Baghdad

Twin bomb blasts ripped through a busy market area in central Baghdad Saturday, police said, shattering a relative lull in attacks in the capital and marring preparations for New Year celebrations.

Two suicide bombers attacked the Al-Sinek area, killing at least 27 people and wounding 53, a police colonel said.

An officer in the interior ministry and a hospital official confirmed the toll from the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group via its propaganda agency Amaq.

&quot;Many of the victims were people from the spare parts shops in the area, they were gathered near a cart selling breakfast when the explosions went off,&quot; said Ibrahim Mohammed Ali, who owns a nearby shop.

Torn clothes and mangled iron were strewn across the ground in pools of blood at the site of the wreckage near Rasheed street, one of the main thoroughfares in Baghdad, an AFP photographer said.

&quot;Twin terrorist attacks were carried out by suicide bombers in Al-Sinek neighbourhood,&quot; an official from Baghdad operations command told AFP.

The area is packed with shops, workshops and wholesale markets and usually teeming with delivery trucks and labourers unloading vans or wheeling carts around.

Baghdad has been on high alert since the start on October 17 of an offensive, Iraq&#39;s largest military operation in years, to retake the northern jihadist stronghold of Mosul.

IS has tried to hit back with major diversionary attacks across the country but has had little success in Baghdad. Saturday&#39;s twin bombings were the deadliest in the capital since the start of the Mosul offensive.

Huge crowds were expected to gather on Saturday evening in Baghdad&#39;s streets to celebrate the New Year for only the second time since the lifting in 2015 of a years-old curfew.

Last year revellers turned out for celebrations that lasted most of the night despite an already tense security backdrop.

&quot;On the last day of 2016 and as Iraqi people are preparing to receive the new year with hopes of peace, the terrorists struck once again at innocent civilians,&quot; the UN&#39;s top envoy in Iraq, Jan Kubis, said in a statement.

A year on, the IS jihadist group appears to be on its last legs and is defending its last bastions in Iraq but the going has been tough for the tens of thousands of Iraqi forces on the ground.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had vowed earlier in 2016 that his forces would rid the country of IS by the end of the year but the Mosul operation has been slower moving that expected.

This week he told a televised news conference that Iraqi forces would now require at least another three months.

The jihadists are vastly outnumbered in Mosul but they have had more than two years to build up their defences in the city where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a &quot;caliphate&quot; in June 2014.

The Pentagon said Friday Baghdadi and was still alive and leading the organisation and stressed that the coalition was actively hunting down the Iraqi-born jihadist supremo.

&quot;We&#39;re doing everything we can. This is something we&#39;re spending a lot of time on,&quot; spokesman Peter Cook told CNN.

Air support by the US-led coalition has been hampered by the continued presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians inside Mosul.

Elite Iraqi forces have battled their way into the city mostly from the eastern side, going house-to-house in densely populated areas, but they barely control half of the city&#39;s eastern sector more than 10 weeks into the offensive.

One of the top Iraqi commanders in the Mosul area announced on Thursday that the offensive to reconquer the eastern bank of the Tigris in Mosul had entered a new phase.

(AFP)

The blasts ripped through shops in the Al-Sinek area. No immediate claim of responsibility

Twin bomb blasts ripped through a busy market area in central Baghdad Saturday, police said, shattering a relative lull in attacks in the capital and marring preparations for New Year celebrations. Two suicide bombers attacked the Al-Sinek area, killing at least 27 people and wounding 53, a police colonel said. An officer in the interior ministry and a hospital official confirmed the toll from the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group via its propaganda agency Amaq. "Many of the victims were people from the spare parts shops in the area, they were gathered near a cart selling breakfast when the explosions went off," said Ibrahim Mohammed Ali, who owns a nearby shop. Torn clothes and mangled iron were strewn across the ground in pools of blood at the site of the wreckage near Rasheed street, one of the main thoroughfares in Baghdad, an AFP photographer said. "Twin terrorist attacks were carried out by suicide bombers in Al-Sinek neighbourhood," an official from Baghdad operations command told AFP. The area is packed with shops, workshops and wholesale markets and usually teeming with delivery trucks and labourers unloading vans or wheeling carts around. Baghdad has been on high alert since the start on October 17 of an offensive, Iraq's largest military operation in years, to retake the northern jihadist stronghold of Mosul. IS has tried to hit back with major diversionary attacks across the country but has had little success in Baghdad. Saturday's twin bombings were the deadliest in the capital since the start of the Mosul offensive. Huge crowds were expected to gather on Saturday evening in Baghdad's streets to celebrate the New Year for only the second time since the lifting in 2015 of a years-old curfew. Last year revellers turned out for celebrations that lasted most of the night despite an already tense security backdrop. "On the last day of 2016 and as Iraqi people are preparing to receive the new year with hopes of peace, the terrorists struck once again at innocent civilians," the UN's top envoy in Iraq, Jan Kubis, said in a statement. A year on, the IS jihadist group appears to be on its last legs and is defending its last bastions in Iraq but the going has been tough for the tens of thousands of Iraqi forces on the ground. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had vowed earlier in 2016 that his forces would rid the country of IS by the end of the year but the Mosul operation has been slower moving that expected. This week he told a televised news conference that Iraqi forces would now require at least another three months. The jihadists are vastly outnumbered in Mosul but they have had more than two years to build up their defences in the city where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a "caliphate" in June 2014. The Pentagon said Friday Baghdadi and was still alive and leading the organisation and stressed that the coalition was actively hunting down the Iraqi-born jihadist supremo. "We're doing everything we can. This is something we're spending a lot of time on," spokesman Peter Cook told CNN. Air support by the US-led coalition has been hampered by the continued presence of hundreds of thousands of civilians inside Mosul. Elite Iraqi forces have battled their way into the city mostly from the eastern side, going house-to-house in densely populated areas, but they barely control half of the city's eastern sector more than 10 weeks into the offensive. One of the top Iraqi commanders in the Mosul area announced on Thursday that the offensive to reconquer the eastern bank of the Tigris in Mosul had entered a new phase. (AFP)

At least 27 killed, 53 wounded in twin blasts in central Baghdad: Police

A suicide bomb attack at an Iraqi gas station has killed at least 100 people, most of them Shia tourists from Iran, local authorities said.

Islamic State, which views Shias as apostates, has claimed responsibility for the attack in Iraq&#39;s hill city of Hilla, which is about 100 kilometres from Baghdad.

The victims were on their way back to Iran from&nbsp;the Iraqi Shi&#39;ite holy city of Kerbala, where they had commemorated Arbaeen, the 40th day of mourning for the killing of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, in the 7th century AD, the medical sources said.

The attack took place at a gas station that is popular among travellers.&nbsp;

Five pilgrim buses were torched by the force of the blast from the explosives-laden truck, a police official said.&nbsp;

Islamic State has escalated attacks in areas that have gone out of their control, in a bid to slow down and weaken the Mosul offensive.

The attack on Shia tourists comes at a time when Shia militias have been at the forefront in the fight against IS in Iraq.

Iran&#39;s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack without giving a casualties toll. Tehran will continue to support Iraq&#39;s &#39;&#39;relentless fight against terrorism,&quot; ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Islamic State, which views Shias as apostates, has claimed responsibility for the attack

A suicide bomb attack at an Iraqi gas station has killed at least 100 people, most of them Shia tourists from Iran, local authorities said. Islamic State, which views Shias as apostates, has claimed responsibility for the attack in Iraq's hill city of Hilla, which is about 100 kilometres from Baghdad. The victims were on their way back to Iran from the Iraqi Shi'ite holy city of Kerbala, where they had commemorated Arbaeen, the 40th day of mourning for the killing of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, in the 7th century AD, the medical sources said. The attack took place at a gas station that is popular among travellers. Five pilgrim buses were torched by the force of the blast from the explosives-laden truck, a police official said. Islamic State has escalated attacks in areas that have gone out of their control, in a bid to slow down and weaken the Mosul offensive. The attack on Shia tourists comes at a time when Shia militias have been at the forefront in the fight against IS in Iraq. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack without giving a casualties toll. Tehran will continue to support Iraq's ''relentless fight against terrorism," ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Iraq: Suicide truck bomb kills more than 100, mostly Shia pilgrims

Islamic State has crushed a rebellion plot in&nbsp;Mosul, led by one of the group&#39;s commanders who aimed to switch sides and help deliver the caliphate&#39;s Iraqi capital to government forces, residents and Iraqi security officials said.

&nbsp;

Islamic State (IS) executed 58 people suspected of taking part in the plot after it was uncovered last week. Residents, who spoke to Reuters from some of the few locations in the city that have phone service, said the plotters were killed by drowning and their bodies were buried in a mass grave in a wasteland on the outskirts of the city.

&nbsp;

Among them was a local aide of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who led the plotters, according to matching accounts given by five residents, by Hisham al-Hashimi, an expert on IS affairs that advises the government in Baghdad and by colonel Ahmed al-Taie, from&nbsp;Mosul&#39;s Nineveh province Operation Command&#39;s military intelligence.

&nbsp;

Reuters is not publishing the name of the plot leader to avoid increasing the safety risk for his family, nor the identities of those inside the city who spoke about the plot.

&nbsp;

The aim of the plotters was to undermine Islamic State&#39;s defence of&nbsp;Mosul&nbsp;in the upcoming fight, expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion.

&nbsp;

Mosul&nbsp;is the last major stronghold of Islamic State in Iraq. With a pre-war population of around 2 million, it is at least five times the size of any other city Islamic State has controlled. Iraqi officials say a massive ground assault could begin this month, backed by US&nbsp;air power, Kurdish security forces and Shi&#39;ite and Sunni irregular units.

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The aim of the plotters was to undermine Islamic State&#39;s defence of&nbsp;Mosul&nbsp;in the upcoming fight, expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The aim of the plotters was to undermine Islamic State's defence of?Mosul?in the upcoming fight, expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion." target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

&nbsp;

A successful offensive would effectively destroy the Iraqi half of the caliphate that the group declared when it swept through northern Iraq in 2014. But the United Nations says it could also create the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world, in a worst case scenario uprooting 1 million people.

Islamic State fighters are dug in to defend the city, and have a history of using civilians as human shields when defending territory.

&nbsp;

Signs of cracks&nbsp;

According to Hashimi, the dissidents were arrested after one of them was caught with a message on his phone mentioning a transfer of weapons. He confessed during interrogation that weapons were being hidden in three locations, to be used in a rebellion to support the Iraqi Army when it closes in on&nbsp;Mosul.

&nbsp;

IS raided the three houses used to hide the weapons on October&nbsp;4, Hashimi said.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;Those were Daesh members who turned against the group in&nbsp;Mosul,&quot; said Iraqi Counterterrorism Service spokesman Sabah al-Numani in Baghdad, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. &quot;This is a clear sign that the terrorist organisation has started to lose support not only from the population, but even from its own members.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

A spokesman for the US-led military coalition which conducts air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq was unable to confirm or deny the accounts of the thwarted plot.

&nbsp;

Signs of cracks inside the &quot;caliphate&quot; appeared this year as the ultra-hardline Sunni group was forced out of half the territory it overran two years ago in northern and western Iraq.

&nbsp;

Some people in&nbsp;Mosul&nbsp;have been expressing their refusal of the harsh rules of IS&nbsp;by spray-painting the letter M, for the Arabic word that means resistance, on city walls, or &quot;wanted&quot; on houses of its militants. Such activity is punished by death.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Signs of cracks inside the &quot;caliphate&quot; appeared this year as the ultra-hardline Sunni group was forced out of half the territory it overran two years ago in northern and western Iraq.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a caliphate="" class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=
Signs of cracks inside the ">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

&nbsp;

Numani said his service has succeeded in the past two months in opening contact channels with &ldquo;operatives&rdquo; who began communicating intelligence that helped conduct air strikes on the insurgents&#39; command centres and locations in&nbsp;Mosul.

&nbsp;

A list with the names of the 58 executed plotters was given to a hospital to inform their families but their bodies were not returned, the residents said.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;Some of the executed relatives sent old women to ask about the bodies. Daesh rebuked them and told them no bodies, no graves, those traitors are apostates and it is forbidden to bury them in Muslim cemeteries,&rdquo; said one resident whose relative was among those executed.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;After the failed coup, Daesh withdrew the special identity cards it issued for its local commanders, to prevent them from fleeing&nbsp;Mosul&nbsp;with their families,&rdquo; Colonel al-Taie said.

&nbsp;

A&nbsp;Mosul&nbsp;resident said Islamic State had appointed a new official, Muhsin Abdul Kareem Oghlu, a leader of a sniper unit with a reputation as a die-hard, to assist its governor of&nbsp;Mosul, Ahmed Khalaf Agab al-Jabouri, in keeping control.

&nbsp;

Islamic State militants have placed booby traps across the city of&nbsp;Mosul, dug tunnels and recruited children as spies in anticipation of the offensive.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)&nbsp;

Islamic State (IS) executed 58 people suspected of taking part in the plot after it was uncovered last week

Islamic State has crushed a rebellion plot in Mosul, led by one of the group's commanders who aimed to switch sides and help deliver the caliphate's Iraqi capital to government forces, residents and Iraqi security officials said. Islamic State (IS) executed 58 people suspected of taking part in the plot after it was uncovered last week. Residents, who spoke to Reuters from some of the few locations in the city that have phone service, said the plotters were killed by drowning and their bodies were buried in a mass grave in a wasteland on the outskirts of the city. Among them was a local aide of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who led the plotters, according to matching accounts given by five residents, by Hisham al-Hashimi, an expert on IS affairs that advises the government in Baghdad and by colonel Ahmed al-Taie, from Mosul's Nineveh province Operation Command's military intelligence. Reuters is not publishing the name of the plot leader to avoid increasing the safety risk for his family, nor the identities of those inside the city who spoke about the plot. The aim of the plotters was to undermine Islamic State's defence of Mosul in the upcoming fight, expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion. Mosul is the last major stronghold of Islamic State in Iraq. With a pre-war population of around 2 million, it is at least five times the size of any other city Islamic State has controlled. Iraqi officials say a massive ground assault could begin this month, backed by US air power, Kurdish security forces and Shi'ite and Sunni irregular units. The aim of the plotters was to undermine Islamic State's defence of Mosul in the upcoming fight, expected to be the biggest battle in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion. × A successful offensive would effectively destroy the Iraqi half of the caliphate that the group declared when it swept through northern Iraq in 2014. But the United Nations says it could also create the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world, in a worst case scenario uprooting 1 million people. Islamic State fighters are dug in to defend the city, and have a history of using civilians as human shields when defending territory. Signs of cracks According to Hashimi, the dissidents were arrested after one of them was caught with a message on his phone mentioning a transfer of weapons. He confessed during interrogation that weapons were being hidden in three locations, to be used in a rebellion to support the Iraqi Army when it closes in on Mosul. IS raided the three houses used to hide the weapons on October 4, Hashimi said. “Those were Daesh members who turned against the group in Mosul," said Iraqi Counterterrorism Service spokesman Sabah al-Numani in Baghdad, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. "This is a clear sign that the terrorist organisation has started to lose support not only from the population, but even from its own members.” A spokesman for the US-led military coalition which conducts air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq was unable to confirm or deny the accounts of the thwarted plot. Signs of cracks inside the "caliphate" appeared this year as the ultra-hardline Sunni group was forced out of half the territory it overran two years ago in northern and western Iraq. Some people in Mosul have been expressing their refusal of the harsh rules of IS by spray-painting the letter M, for the Arabic word that means resistance, on city walls, or "wanted" on houses of its militants. Such activity is punished by death. Signs of cracks inside the "caliphate" appeared this year as the ultra-hardline Sunni group was forced out of half the territory it overran two years ago in northern and western Iraq. × Numani said his service has succeeded in the past two months in opening contact channels with “operatives” who began communicating intelligence that helped conduct air strikes on the insurgents' command centres and locations in Mosul. A list with the names of the 58 executed plotters was given to a hospital to inform their families but their bodies were not returned, the residents said. “Some of the executed relatives sent old women to ask about the bodies. Daesh rebuked them and told them no bodies, no graves, those traitors are apostates and it is forbidden to bury them in Muslim cemeteries,” said one resident whose relative was among those executed. “After the failed coup, Daesh withdrew the special identity cards it issued for its local commanders, to prevent them from fleeing Mosul with their families,” Colonel al-Taie said. A Mosul resident said Islamic State had appointed a new official, Muhsin Abdul Kareem Oghlu, a leader of a sniper unit with a reputation as a die-hard, to assist its governor of Mosul, Ahmed Khalaf Agab al-Jabouri, in keeping control. Islamic State militants have placed booby traps across the city of Mosul, dug tunnels and recruited children as spies in anticipation of the offensive. (Reuters)

As Iraqi Army closes in, Islamic State foils rebel plot in Mosul

At least 10 people were killed today and about 30 were wounded in Iraqi capital in a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State &nbsp;(IS) on two Shi&#39;ite majority areas, international news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Reuters, however, put the death toll at 11.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

While one of the attacks was reported in &nbsp;the Amil neighbourhood of southern Baghdad, where at least six people were killed, &nbsp;the other attack was reported in the eastern Mashtal district, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the second attack, the &nbsp;bomber detonated explosives near a garage for taxis and buses and a tent providing refreshments to passersby as part of a Shiite religious ritual, reported AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

IS later claimed the attack in a statement, saying it targetted the Shi&#39;ite events commemorating the slaying of Prophet Mohammad&#39;s grandson Hussein, according to Reuters.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Shi'ite events commemorating the slaying of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Hussein were targetted in the suicide attacks, IS said

At least 10 people were killed today and about 30 were wounded in Iraqi capital in a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) on two Shi'ite majority areas, international news agency AFP reported. Reuters, however, put the death toll at 11. While one of the attacks was reported in the Amil neighbourhood of southern Baghdad, where at least six people were killed, the other attack was reported in the eastern Mashtal district, according to Reuters. In the second attack, the bomber detonated explosives near a garage for taxis and buses and a tent providing refreshments to passersby as part of a Shiite religious ritual, reported AFP. IS later claimed the attack in a statement, saying it targetted the Shi'ite events commemorating the slaying of Prophet Mohammad's grandson Hussein, according to Reuters. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Islamic State suicide bombers target Shia processions in Baghdad, at least 10 killed

One of the deadliest bombings to ever hit Iraq killed 323 people, two thirds of whom needed DNA testing to be identified, the health minister said, drastically raising an earlier toll from last month&#39;s attack. 
 
A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged minibus in a crowded shopping area in Baghdad&#39;s Karrada district early on July 3, sparking infernos in nearby buildings that burned many victims alive. 
 
&quot;One hundred and fifteen martyrs were identified directly after the bombing by their families,&quot; health minister Adila Hamoud told a televised news conference.&nbsp;But the identity of 208 more people killed in the blast, many of whose bodies were burned beyond recognition, could not be determined, and they were sent for DNA testing, Hamoud said. 
 
She had previously said that the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State, had killed 292 people, of whom 177 were unidentified. 
 
People have been furious over delays in determining the fate of their loved ones, and have sharply criticised the Iraqi government for failing to protect them. 
 
IS overran large areas North and West of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant territory from the jihadists. 
 
The extremists have responded to battlefield setbacks by striking back against civilians, and experts have warned there may be more bombings as the jihadists continue to lose ground. 
 
(AFP)

The identity of 208 people killed in the blast could not initially be determined, so their bodies were sent for DNA testing

One of the deadliest bombings to ever hit Iraq killed 323 people, two thirds of whom needed DNA testing to be identified, the health minister said, drastically raising an earlier toll from last month's attack. A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-rigged minibus in a crowded shopping area in Baghdad's Karrada district early on July 3, sparking infernos in nearby buildings that burned many victims alive. "One hundred and fifteen martyrs were identified directly after the bombing by their families," health minister Adila Hamoud told a televised news conference. But the identity of 208 more people killed in the blast, many of whose bodies were burned beyond recognition, could not be determined, and they were sent for DNA testing, Hamoud said. She had previously said that the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State, had killed 292 people, of whom 177 were unidentified. People have been furious over delays in determining the fate of their loved ones, and have sharply criticised the Iraqi government for failing to protect them. IS overran large areas North and West of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant territory from the jihadists. The extremists have responded to battlefield setbacks by striking back against civilians, and experts have warned there may be more bombings as the jihadists continue to lose ground. (AFP)

Death toll from Baghdad blast in July reaches 323, says minister

A suicide car bomber killed at least 14, including women and children packed into a minibus, at a checkpoint outside a central Iraqi town on Monday morning, police and hospital sources said.

A police officer at the scene said most of the victims died inside their vehicles while waiting to enter Khalis, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad.

&quot;We still have charred bodies inside many vehicles including a minibus packed with women and children,&quot; the police captain said, requesting anonymity.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Islamic State militants have stepped up attacks even as they incur battlefield setbacks in northern and western Iraq.

Hospital sources said the death toll was expected to rise given the extent of critical injuries.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has come under pressure to improve security since a suicide attack claimed by Islamic State earlier this month killed 292 in central Baghdad, one of the largest attacks of its kind since the US-led invasion in 2003.

The ultra-hardline militants have lost much of the territory they seized in 2014 and Abadi has pledged to retake this year the northern city of Mosul, the group&#39;s de facto capital in Iraq.

(Reuters)

The death toll is expected to rise, according to hospital sources. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility

A suicide car bomber killed at least 14, including women and children packed into a minibus, at a checkpoint outside a central Iraqi town on Monday morning, police and hospital sources said. A police officer at the scene said most of the victims died inside their vehicles while waiting to enter Khalis, about 80 km (50 miles) north of Baghdad. "We still have charred bodies inside many vehicles including a minibus packed with women and children," the police captain said, requesting anonymity. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but Islamic State militants have stepped up attacks even as they incur battlefield setbacks in northern and western Iraq. Hospital sources said the death toll was expected to rise given the extent of critical injuries. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has come under pressure to improve security since a suicide attack claimed by Islamic State earlier this month killed 292 in central Baghdad, one of the largest attacks of its kind since the US-led invasion in 2003. The ultra-hardline militants have lost much of the territory they seized in 2014 and Abadi has pledged to retake this year the northern city of Mosul, the group's de facto capital in Iraq. (Reuters)

At least 14 killed in car bomb blast in north Baghdad

A suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State killed at least 15 in a Shiite area of northern Baghdad today, security and medical officials said. 
 
The bombing, which struck near a checkpoint in the Kadhimiyah area, home to a major Shiite shrine, also wounded at least 29, the officials said. 
 
IS issued a statement claiming the attack, saying it targeted soldiers and pro-government paramilitaries in the area. 
 
The jihadist group frequently carries out attacks on security forces, and also often targets members of Iraq&#39;s Shiite Muslim majority, whom it considers heretics. 
 
An IS suicide bomber struck shoppers in Baghdad&#39;s central Karrada district earlier this month, killing 292. 
 
The group also claimed an attack on a Shiite shrine in Balad, north of the capital, that left 40 dead a few days later. 
 
IS over-ran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant ground and are conducting operations to set the stage for the battle to recapture Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country. 
 
The jihadists have responded to the battlefield setbacks by striking civilians, and experts have warned there may be more such attacks as the jihadists continue to lose ground. 
 
(AFP)

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that targeted members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority, whom it considers heretic

A suicide bombing claimed by Islamic State killed at least 15 in a Shiite area of northern Baghdad today, security and medical officials said. The bombing, which struck near a checkpoint in the Kadhimiyah area, home to a major Shiite shrine, also wounded at least 29, the officials said. IS issued a statement claiming the attack, saying it targeted soldiers and pro-government paramilitaries in the area. The jihadist group frequently carries out attacks on security forces, and also often targets members of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority, whom it considers heretics. An IS suicide bomber struck shoppers in Baghdad's central Karrada district earlier this month, killing 292. The group also claimed an attack on a Shiite shrine in Balad, north of the capital, that left 40 dead a few days later. IS over-ran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces have since regained significant ground and are conducting operations to set the stage for the battle to recapture Mosul, the last IS-held city in the country. The jihadists have responded to the battlefield setbacks by striking civilians, and experts have warned there may be more such attacks as the jihadists continue to lose ground. (AFP)

Suicide bomber kills 15 in Baghdad near Shiite area

At least seven were killed and 11 wounded north of Baghdad today when a suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a checkpoint, security and medical sources said, the second bombing in the district in two days. 
 
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast in Rashidiya, but Islamic State has been regularly carrying out such bombings in the capital and other parts of Iraq, where it seized large swathes of territory in 2014. 
 
A similar attack in Rashidiya on Tuesday killed nine people. 
 
A blast in the central Karrada district on July 3 killed at least 292 people, making it one of the worst among the hundreds of suicide bombings carried out in Iraq since US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein 13 years ago. 
 
The high death toll prompted a public outcry in Baghdad, with residents blaming the government for not sufficiently securing the capital. 
 
Islamic State has been turning increasingly to suicide bombings, which US and Iraqi officials have touted as proof that battlefield setbacks are weakening the jihadists. 
 
In a US-backed offensive, the Iraqi army retook the city of Ramadi from Islamic State this year, and more recently Fallujah, which the government said had been a launchpad for the group&#39;s Baghdad suicide bombings. 
 
But critics say a global uptick in suicide attacks attributed to the group suggests it may just be adapting and would survive. 
 
(Reuters)

The second bombing in the district in two days left 11 wounded when a suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a checkpoint

At least seven were killed and 11 wounded north of Baghdad today when a suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a checkpoint, security and medical sources said, the second bombing in the district in two days. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast in Rashidiya, but Islamic State has been regularly carrying out such bombings in the capital and other parts of Iraq, where it seized large swathes of territory in 2014. A similar attack in Rashidiya on Tuesday killed nine people. A blast in the central Karrada district on July 3 killed at least 292 people, making it one of the worst among the hundreds of suicide bombings carried out in Iraq since US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein 13 years ago. The high death toll prompted a public outcry in Baghdad, with residents blaming the government for not sufficiently securing the capital. Islamic State has been turning increasingly to suicide bombings, which US and Iraqi officials have touted as proof that battlefield setbacks are weakening the jihadists. In a US-backed offensive, the Iraqi army retook the city of Ramadi from Islamic State this year, and more recently Fallujah, which the government said had been a launchpad for the group's Baghdad suicide bombings. But critics say a global uptick in suicide attacks attributed to the group suggests it may just be adapting and would survive. (Reuters)

Car bomb kills seven in Baghdad

baghdad

Baghdad, News on Baghdad, stories on Baghdad, articles on Baghdad, Baghdad stories at Wion, Baghdad news, Baghdad latest news