An indefinite curfew came into effect early Thursday in Iraq's capital after two days of chaotic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-vows-crackdown-after-protesters-torch-iran-consulate-164347">protests across the country</a> that descended into violence and left nine dead.

Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi ordered the ban on movements across Baghdad starting at 5:00 am local time&nbsp;to stem the popular demonstrations over widespread unemployment and state corruption.

Early Thursday, some cars and civilians were seen in the capital's streets, an AFP photographer said, but residents are wary that more protests could erupt after firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for "a general strike".

The tension has been exacerbated by a near-total internet shutdown, the closure of government offices and at least one overnight explosion that hit the Green Zone, where some ministries and embassies are located.

A security source inside the area told AFP there were two blasts, likely caused by indirect fire a little over a week after two rockets hit near the US embassy there.

The apparent attack came hours after security forces sealed off the Green Zone "until further notice", fearing angry protesters would swarm state buildings or foreign missions.

Since erupting in Baghdad on Tuesday, the protests have spread to other cities in the country's south.

Riot police in the capital have used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds in an attempt to disperse protesters from the central Tahrir Square and other areas.

Into the night on Wednesday, marches from different parts of Baghdad attempted to converge on Tahrir.

But with internet access virtually shut, demonstrators have struggled to communicate with each other or post footage of the latest clashes.

'De-escalation needed' 

In the holy city of Najaf and in Nasiriyah further to the south on Wednesday, security forces fired on protesters and curfews were also declared.

Nine people including a police officer have so far been killed, most of them in Nasiriyah and more than 400 people have been wounded, according to health authorities.

The protests appear to be largely spontaneous so far, with angry crowds carrying Iraqi flags and shunning any involvement by the country's main political players.

Many traditional figures have expressed their support for the movement, with Sadr urging "peaceful demonstrations."

He was behind the last round of major protests in Baghdad in 2016 when his supporters stormed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-kabul-to-baghdad-a-tale-of-two-green-zones-237143">Green Zone</a>, but his involvement appears much more limited this time.

On Wednesday night, the top United Nations official in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-pm-urged-to-quit-as-key-ally-deserts-him-over-unrest-164517">Iraq</a>&nbsp;Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met with some protesters in Baghdad to call for "direct dialogue" between them and government officials.

"The ability to preserve the right to protest is a sign of political and democratic maturity. Moreover, the use of force only fuels the anger," she said in a statement.

"De-escalation is urgently needed."

The violence drew a slew of criticism from Iraqi leaders including President Barham Saleh, and parliament has demanded an investigation into the incidents.

The protests follow months of simmering frustration over rampant power cuts, water shortages and state corruption.

But anger over staggering rates of youth unemployment, which is around 25 per cent or double the adult rate according to the World Bank, appears to have set off this particular round of demonstrations.

"We want jobs and better public services. We've been demanding them for years and the government has never responded," said Abdallah Walid, a 27-year-old protester.

Demonstrations over similar issues engulfed Basra last summer and effectively ended previous premier Haider al-Abadi's chances of a second term.

Abdel Mahdi now faces a similar challenge just weeks before his government marks a full year in power.

He called for the curfew after convening his national security council for an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

Abdel Mahdi has also blamed the violence on "aggressors who&nbsp;deliberately created casualties," a statement met with rage by protesters.

An indefinite curfew came into effect early Thursday in Iraq's capital after two days of chaotic protests across the country that descended into violence and left nine dead.

An indefinite curfew came into effect early Thursday in Iraq's capital after two days of chaotic protests across the country that descended into violence and left nine dead. Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi ordered the ban on movements across Baghdad starting at 5:00 am local time to stem the popular demonstrations over widespread unemployment and state corruption. Early Thursday, some cars and civilians were seen in the capital's streets, an AFP photographer said, but residents are wary that more protests could erupt after firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for "a general strike". The tension has been exacerbated by a near-total internet shutdown, the closure of government offices and at least one overnight explosion that hit the Green Zone, where some ministries and embassies are located. A security source inside the area told AFP there were two blasts, likely caused by indirect fire a little over a week after two rockets hit near the US embassy there. The apparent attack came hours after security forces sealed off the Green Zone "until further notice", fearing angry protesters would swarm state buildings or foreign missions. Since erupting in Baghdad on Tuesday, the protests have spread to other cities in the country's south. Riot police in the capital have used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds in an attempt to disperse protesters from the central Tahrir Square and other areas. Into the night on Wednesday, marches from different parts of Baghdad attempted to converge on Tahrir. But with internet access virtually shut, demonstrators have struggled to communicate with each other or post footage of the latest clashes. 'De-escalation needed' In the holy city of Najaf and in Nasiriyah further to the south on Wednesday, security forces fired on protesters and curfews were also declared. Nine people including a police officer have so far been killed, most of them in Nasiriyah and more than 400 people have been wounded, according to health authorities. The protests appear to be largely spontaneous so far, with angry crowds carrying Iraqi flags and shunning any involvement by the country's main political players. Many traditional figures have expressed their support for the movement, with Sadr urging "peaceful demonstrations." He was behind the last round of major protests in Baghdad in 2016 when his supporters stormed the Green Zone, but his involvement appears much more limited this time. On Wednesday night, the top United Nations official in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met with some protesters in Baghdad to call for "direct dialogue" between them and government officials. "The ability to preserve the right to protest is a sign of political and democratic maturity. Moreover, the use of force only fuels the anger," she said in a statement. "De-escalation is urgently needed." The violence drew a slew of criticism from Iraqi leaders including President Barham Saleh, and parliament has demanded an investigation into the incidents. The protests follow months of simmering frustration over rampant power cuts, water shortages and state corruption. But anger over staggering rates of youth unemployment, which is around 25 per cent or double the adult rate according to the World Bank, appears to have set off this particular round of demonstrations. "We want jobs and better public services. We've been demanding them for years and the government has never responded," said Abdallah Walid, a 27-year-old protester. Demonstrations over similar issues engulfed Basra last summer and effectively ended previous premier Haider al-Abadi's chances of a second term. Abdel Mahdi now faces a similar challenge just weeks before his government marks a full year in power. He called for the curfew after convening his national security council for an emergency meeting on Wednesday. Abdel Mahdi has also blamed the violence on "aggressors who deliberately created casualties," a statement met with rage by protesters.

Indefinite Curfew imposed in Baghdad after deadly protests

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions.

Parties, armed groups, and even officials in Iraq benefit from legions of supporters dubbed "electronic armies," which take to social media to anonymously sing their praises or mock their detractors.

These online rivalries now appear to have been fanned by months of rising tensions pitting Iran against the US and Israel.

This summer, suspicious explosions hit five camps and arms depots run by Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of mostly Shiite armed factions linked to Iran.

The Hashed was quick to blame Israel and the United States, but also said it suspected "agents" of the two countries contributed to the attacks.

That accusation was followed by an online campaign accusing a broad range of Iraqi nationals of "collaborating" with Israel and the US.

One graphic shared by an Arabic-language page named "Don't Tread on Us" accused 14 Iraqis of de facto supporting a policy of "normalisation with Israel."

Shared on social media, it named figures such as journalist Joumana Mumtaz and blogger Ali Wajih.

In response, Wajih penned a rare open letter to Iraq's prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Hashed chief Faleh Fayyadh and his powerful deputy Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis.&nbsp;

"For years, a group of us journalists and bloggers have faced incitements to murder by people and pages that may be close to the Hashed, or directly linked to it," he wrote.

Allegations they were "agents" or seeking normalisation with Israel, Wajih said, were "empty and silly".

'A broader plot'?

Iraqis have long been opposed to Israel because of its occupation of Palestinian land.

Baghdad has however developed close ties with Washington since the American-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Despite that, Washington's bitter rival Tehran also holds considerable sway in Iraq's political scene and within the Hashed.

In recent months, anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric has been on the rise as Iraqis feel increasingly squeezed by the war of words between the two sides.

Some Iraqi factions have used the purported Israeli strikes to relaunch calls for US troops to leave Iraq.

Just last week, many of the same figures lashed out against US-funded Al-Hurra TV for a documentary alleging corruption among Iraq's religious bodies, both Sunni and Shiite.

Perceptions Iraq was being "attacked" by Israel and America were "broadened to include critical and independent Iraqi voices, who have been maligned as agents in a broader plot," said Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore.

"In this way, entrenched domestic interests and rivalries have been folded into the ongoing tensions between the Iran-led axis of resistance and the United States, Israel and their allies in the region," he said.

Rights groups react&nbsp;

Omar al-Shaher, a journalist named in the graphic, said there was "not a shred of proof" to back up the claims.

"These days, it's more dangerous than ever to have your name associated with the Israeli camp," he told AFP.

Historian Omar Mohammad, who documented atrocities in Mosul under the Islamic State group, said he suspected the new accusations came "as a result of the recent (purported) Israeli airstrikes and US-Iranian tensions."

Mohammad said the graphic's sleek production meant he was "absolutely" taking its threats seriously.

"It is institutional and professional. Seems there is a team specialised in dehumanising us," Mohammad told AFP from outside Iraq.

Media rights groups are worried such incitement could lead to real violence.

"The sensitivity of the Palestinian question in the region means that accusing someone of working with Israel is tantamount to calling for their killing," said the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory.

On Thursday, monitor and rights group Iraqi Media House called for better protection of journalists.

"The phenomenon of electronic armies has reached dangerous levels, issuing threats including incitement to violence and hatred," it said.

"We are surprised by the authorities' continued silence so far, including the judiciary, in a clear abandonment of its responsibilities when it comes to electronic crimes."

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions.

Iraqi journalists, activists, and researchers are facing a wave of accusations and threats by shadowy online groups they suspect are linked to powerful pro-Iran factions. Parties, armed groups, and even officials in Iraq benefit from legions of supporters dubbed "electronic armies," which take to social media to anonymously sing their praises or mock their detractors. These online rivalries now appear to have been fanned by months of rising tensions pitting Iran against the US and Israel. This summer, suspicious explosions hit five camps and arms depots run by Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of mostly Shiite armed factions linked to Iran. The Hashed was quick to blame Israel and the United States, but also said it suspected "agents" of the two countries contributed to the attacks. That accusation was followed by an online campaign accusing a broad range of Iraqi nationals of "collaborating" with Israel and the US. One graphic shared by an Arabic-language page named "Don't Tread on Us" accused 14 Iraqis of de facto supporting a policy of "normalisation with Israel." Shared on social media, it named figures such as journalist Joumana Mumtaz and blogger Ali Wajih. In response, Wajih penned a rare open letter to Iraq's prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, Hashed chief Faleh Fayyadh and his powerful deputy Abu Mehdi al-Muhandis. "For years, a group of us journalists and bloggers have faced incitements to murder by people and pages that may be close to the Hashed, or directly linked to it," he wrote. Allegations they were "agents" or seeking normalisation with Israel, Wajih said, were "empty and silly". 'A broader plot'? Iraqis have long been opposed to Israel because of its occupation of Palestinian land. Baghdad has however developed close ties with Washington since the American-led invasion that toppled ex-dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. Despite that, Washington's bitter rival Tehran also holds considerable sway in Iraq's political scene and within the Hashed. In recent months, anti-Israel and anti-US rhetoric has been on the rise as Iraqis feel increasingly squeezed by the war of words between the two sides. Some Iraqi factions have used the purported Israeli strikes to relaunch calls for US troops to leave Iraq. Just last week, many of the same figures lashed out against US-funded Al-Hurra TV for a documentary alleging corruption among Iraq's religious bodies, both Sunni and Shiite. Perceptions Iraq was being "attacked" by Israel and America were "broadened to include critical and independent Iraqi voices, who have been maligned as agents in a broader plot," said Fanar Haddad, an Iraq expert at the National University of Singapore. "In this way, entrenched domestic interests and rivalries have been folded into the ongoing tensions between the Iran-led axis of resistance and the United States, Israel and their allies in the region," he said. Rights groups react Omar al-Shaher, a journalist named in the graphic, said there was "not a shred of proof" to back up the claims. "These days, it's more dangerous than ever to have your name associated with the Israeli camp," he told AFP. Historian Omar Mohammad, who documented atrocities in Mosul under the Islamic State group, said he suspected the new accusations came "as a result of the recent (purported) Israeli airstrikes and US-Iranian tensions." Mohammad said the graphic's sleek production meant he was "absolutely" taking its threats seriously. "It is institutional and professional. Seems there is a team specialised in dehumanising us," Mohammad told AFP from outside Iraq. Media rights groups are worried such incitement could lead to real violence. "The sensitivity of the Palestinian question in the region means that accusing someone of working with Israel is tantamount to calling for their killing," said the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory. On Thursday, monitor and rights group Iraqi Media House called for better protection of journalists. "The phenomenon of electronic armies has reached dangerous levels, issuing threats including incitement to violence and hatred," it said. "We are surprised by the authorities' continued silence so far, including the judiciary, in a clear abandonment of its responsibilities when it comes to electronic crimes."

In divided Iraq, 'electronic armies' threaten activists, media

An unmanned aircraft dropped explosives on a base belonging to Iran-linked Shi'ite paramilitary groups in northern&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;on Friday, killing at least one person, the army and paramilitary sources said.

The&nbsp;Iraqi military said in a statement a drone had dropped a grenade onto the base in northern Salahuddin province, wounding at least two people, but gave no further details.

Paramilitary sources in the area and a Baghdad-based paramilitary leader said one person had been killed in the attack, which took place early on Friday.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A security source said two explosions hit the base, one targeting an ammunition depot belonging to an Iran-backed group.

The Pentagon denied that US forces were involved in the attack, after at least one Saudi-based news channel reported US strikes on the base.

The incident took place amid heightened tension between the United States and Iran.

Iraq&nbsp;is seen as a potential arena for any violent regional confrontation between the two foes because of the presence of Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim paramilitary groups operating in close proximity to bases hosting US forces.

Islamic State militants, also enemies of the Shi'ite paramilitaries, operate in the area where the base is located and in many remote areas of northern&nbsp;Iraq, despite the group having lost its sway over territory.

It has claimed attacks against&nbsp;Iraqi forces in recent months.

Several&nbsp;Iraqi bases hosting US forces were hit by several rockets a few weeks ago in unclaimed attacks in which no one was hurt.

Washington is pressing&nbsp;Iraq's government to rein in Iran-backed paramilitary groups which it says pose a threat to US interests in&nbsp;Iraq.

The United States has blamed Iran for attacks on several oil tankers in the Gulf. Tehran denies any involvement.

An unmanned aircraft dropped explosives on a base belonging to Iran-linked Shi'ite paramilitary groups in northern Iraq on Friday, killing at least one person, the army and paramilitary sources said.

An unmanned aircraft dropped explosives on a base belonging to Iran-linked Shi'ite paramilitary groups in northern Iraq on Friday, killing at least one person, the army and paramilitary sources said. The Iraqi military said in a statement a drone had dropped a grenade onto the base in northern Salahuddin province, wounding at least two people, but gave no further details. Paramilitary sources in the area and a Baghdad-based paramilitary leader said one person had been killed in the attack, which took place early on Friday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A security source said two explosions hit the base, one targeting an ammunition depot belonging to an Iran-backed group. The Pentagon denied that US forces were involved in the attack, after at least one Saudi-based news channel reported US strikes on the base. The incident took place amid heightened tension between the United States and Iran. Iraq is seen as a potential arena for any violent regional confrontation between the two foes because of the presence of Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim paramilitary groups operating in close proximity to bases hosting US forces. Islamic State militants, also enemies of the Shi'ite paramilitaries, operate in the area where the base is located and in many remote areas of northern Iraq, despite the group having lost its sway over territory. It has claimed attacks against Iraqi forces in recent months. Several Iraqi bases hosting US forces were hit by several rockets a few weeks ago in unclaimed attacks in which no one was hurt. Washington is pressing Iraq's government to rein in Iran-backed paramilitary groups which it says pose a threat to US interests in Iraq. The United States has blamed Iran for attacks on several oil tankers in the Gulf. Tehran denies any involvement.

Iraqi militias bombed by unmanned aircraft, one killed: Security sources

A labyrinth of concrete blast walls, spotlights, and checkpoints are eating up ever more of Kabul, standing in stark contrast to a similar area in Iraq's Baghdad where easing tensions have seen its barricades come down.

The tale of the two "Green Zones" provides a snapshot of the dramatically changing nature of the Afghan conflict, long overshadowed by the war in Iraq where multiple insurgencies following the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003 turned Baghdad into a warzone.

But following the so-called Islamic State group's loss of territory in Syria and Iraq, Baghdad has experienced a sharp reduction in violence.

AFP reported recently on the reopening of Baghdad's Green Zone, with hundreds of streets long sealed off from the public opened as Iraq gets back on its feet after decades of conflict.

Not so in central Kabul, once known as a city of gardens and revered by Babur, the nature-loving founder of the Mughal empire.

Today its once-leafy avenues are increasingly blocked by concrete. Towering blast walls continue to expand along with the addition of an already dizzying number of checkpoints that keep traffic perennially gridlocked and residents stressed across the city.

The expansion began with a devastating truck bomb near the Green Zone in 2017 that killed some 150 people and wounded hundreds more, becoming the deadliest attack since the US invasion of 2001.&nbsp;

It caused extensive damage to the nearby German Embassy, among other buildings, and blew windows out hundreds of metres away.

Shortly after, officials announced that they were expanding the ring of steel around the heart of the city - though with more than a hundred of ways into Kabul they have admitted it is impossible to control all entrances.

Trucks entering Kabul en route to the area must now pass through a new sophisticated scanner near the airport to detect explosives, often waiting hours before they can proceed.

Congestion has grown as more of the area, which contains some of Kabul's key traffic arteries, is sealed off - a security concern, with bombers often targeting rush hour.&nbsp;

Diplomats are increasingly avoiding the roads, opting for expensive minutes-long helicopter flights to the city's airport. Diesel generators add to the roar of the choppers passing every few minutes over once tranquil streets.

Only a tiny portion of the Afghan population is allowed to enter the Green Zone, where vehicles are scanned again and armed sentries at myriad checkpoints inspect cars further.

Most Kabul residents have been locked out of the area for years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The last time I drove my taxi there was during the Taliban rule," recalls Shir Mohammad, a 48-year-old taxi driver.

'Ugly city'&nbsp;

The zone, originally established in 2001 and encompassing buildings such as NATO headquarters and the presidential palace, is classified as "green" in security lingo, while most other areas in the capital are labelled "red" due to their high-threat levels.

In the years after the invasion, as security deteriorated across Afghanistan, the resurgent Taliban and in recent years IS stepped up their attacks on Kabul.&nbsp;

Attacks have dipped slightly in recent months, as the US and Taliban hold ongoing talks aimed at ending the nearly 18-year-old conflict.

But even if a breakthrough comes the threat from other insurgent groups remains, and Kabul officials say they are moving forward with the plans to expand the Green Zone.&nbsp;

The expansion is planned mostly at the north end of the Green Zone near the airport, with the ultimate aim of building a new access road, a security official requesting anonymity tells AFP.

The plans have gotten off to a slow start, the official admits, saying hundreds of land plots must first be levelled and its owners relocated to a new area.

Several officials questioned by AFP refused to speak about the specifics of the project, citing security concerns.&nbsp;

Kabul residents, often trapped in their cars as helicopters travelling in and out of the Green Zone whir overhead, are hopeful the situation will not last forever.

"If the Green Zone opens again it will dramatically ease the traffic pressure in the city," suggests Mohammad.

Shukrullah Khan, another Kabul resident, is anxiously awaiting the day when it "opens up to the public and the blast walls are removed from the city".

"Kabul has become an ugly city," he adds. "They should move the Green Zone to the outskirts."

A labyrinth of concrete blast walls, spotlights, and checkpoints are eating up ever more of Kabul, standing in stark contrast to a similar area in Iraq's Baghdad where easing tensions have seen its barricades come down.

A labyrinth of concrete blast walls, spotlights, and checkpoints are eating up ever more of Kabul, standing in stark contrast to a similar area in Iraq's Baghdad where easing tensions have seen its barricades come down. The tale of the two "Green Zones" provides a snapshot of the dramatically changing nature of the Afghan conflict, long overshadowed by the war in Iraq where multiple insurgencies following the toppling of Saddam Hussein in 2003 turned Baghdad into a warzone. But following the so-called Islamic State group's loss of territory in Syria and Iraq, Baghdad has experienced a sharp reduction in violence. AFP reported recently on the reopening of Baghdad's Green Zone, with hundreds of streets long sealed off from the public opened as Iraq gets back on its feet after decades of conflict. Not so in central Kabul, once known as a city of gardens and revered by Babur, the nature-loving founder of the Mughal empire. Today its once-leafy avenues are increasingly blocked by concrete. Towering blast walls continue to expand along with the addition of an already dizzying number of checkpoints that keep traffic perennially gridlocked and residents stressed across the city. The expansion began with a devastating truck bomb near the Green Zone in 2017 that killed some 150 people and wounded hundreds more, becoming the deadliest attack since the US invasion of 2001. It caused extensive damage to the nearby German Embassy, among other buildings, and blew windows out hundreds of metres away. Shortly after, officials announced that they were expanding the ring of steel around the heart of the city - though with more than a hundred of ways into Kabul they have admitted it is impossible to control all entrances. Trucks entering Kabul en route to the area must now pass through a new sophisticated scanner near the airport to detect explosives, often waiting hours before they can proceed. Congestion has grown as more of the area, which contains some of Kabul's key traffic arteries, is sealed off - a security concern, with bombers often targeting rush hour. Diplomats are increasingly avoiding the roads, opting for expensive minutes-long helicopter flights to the city's airport. Diesel generators add to the roar of the choppers passing every few minutes over once tranquil streets. Only a tiny portion of the Afghan population is allowed to enter the Green Zone, where vehicles are scanned again and armed sentries at myriad checkpoints inspect cars further. Most Kabul residents have been locked out of the area for years. "The last time I drove my taxi there was during the Taliban rule," recalls Shir Mohammad, a 48-year-old taxi driver. 'Ugly city' The zone, originally established in 2001 and encompassing buildings such as NATO headquarters and the presidential palace, is classified as "green" in security lingo, while most other areas in the capital are labelled "red" due to their high-threat levels. In the years after the invasion, as security deteriorated across Afghanistan, the resurgent Taliban and in recent years IS stepped up their attacks on Kabul. Attacks have dipped slightly in recent months, as the US and Taliban hold ongoing talks aimed at ending the nearly 18-year-old conflict. But even if a breakthrough comes the threat from other insurgent groups remains, and Kabul officials say they are moving forward with the plans to expand the Green Zone. The expansion is planned mostly at the north end of the Green Zone near the airport, with the ultimate aim of building a new access road, a security official requesting anonymity tells AFP. The plans have gotten off to a slow start, the official admits, saying hundreds of land plots must first be levelled and its owners relocated to a new area. Several officials questioned by AFP refused to speak about the specifics of the project, citing security concerns. Kabul residents, often trapped in their cars as helicopters travelling in and out of the Green Zone whir overhead, are hopeful the situation will not last forever. "If the Green Zone opens again it will dramatically ease the traffic pressure in the city," suggests Mohammad. Shukrullah Khan, another Kabul resident, is anxiously awaiting the day when it "opens up to the public and the blast walls are removed from the city". "Kabul has become an ugly city," he adds. "They should move the Green Zone to the outskirts."

From Kabul to Baghdad, a tale of two 'Green Zones'

More than 200 demonstrators broke into the courtyard of Bahrain's Embassy in Baghdad and took down the kingdom's flag on Thursday night to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kushners-economic-plan-for-mideast-peace-faces-broad-arab-rejection-229659">protest</a> a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-bahrain-united-states-to-launch-economic-part-of-mideast-peace-plan-amid-skepticism-230273">US-led meeting </a>in Bahrain on Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Police used live rounds to disperse the crowd, police sources told Reuters, with no injuries reported.

"We used our vehicle loudspeakers to encourage protesters to leave the compound," a police officer stationed near the embassy said. "After they refused, police had to fire into the air."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-economy-first-approach-to-mideast-peace-built-on-big-money-projects-229587">Kushner unveils economic portion of Middle East peace plan</a>

One protester, who identified himself as a member of the Islamic Resistance Groups, a term usually used by Iranian-backed Shiite militias, said they wanted to send a strong statement.&nbsp;

"We took down the Bahraini flag to send a clear message to all those who participated in the Bahrain conference, that we strongly reject normalising relations with the Zionist occupiers and will never abandon our support of Palestinians," said the protester, who identified himself as Abu Murtadha al-Moussawi. "We are ready to fight for this."

Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Iraq for consultations on Thursday after the protests.&nbsp;

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the attack on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of Iraq by the demonstrators (which) led to sabotage in the embassy building," a statement on the ministry`s website said.

The kingdom also summoned the charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Iraq in Manama on Friday to protest the "sabotage" of the embassy`s building in Baghdad, a second statement from the Bahraini foreign ministry said.&nbsp;

"The foreign ministry welcomes the two statements from the Iraqi government... and insists on the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable," the statement added.

Iraq condemned the protesters, and expressed "its deep regret" over the security breach at the embassy.

"The government of Iraq affirms its absolute rejection of any acts which threaten diplomatic missions, their safety and the security of their personnel," said in a statement.

The two-day conference in Manama was aimed at rallying support for a $50 billion investment plan in the Palestinian Territories as the first part of a broader White House political plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The plan has met broad disdain from Palestinians and others in the Arab world although regional US&nbsp;allies such as Saudi Arabia discreetly support it. Neither the Israeli nor Palestinian governments attended the meeting.

More than 200 demonstrators broke into the courtyard of Bahrain's Embassy in Baghdad and took down the kingdom's flag on Thursday night to protest a US-led meeting in Bahrain on Israeli-Palestinian peace.

More than 200 demonstrators broke into the courtyard of Bahrain's Embassy in Baghdad and took down the kingdom's flag on Thursday night to protest a US-led meeting in Bahrain on Israeli-Palestinian peace. Police used live rounds to disperse the crowd, police sources told Reuters, with no injuries reported. "We used our vehicle loudspeakers to encourage protesters to leave the compound," a police officer stationed near the embassy said. "After they refused, police had to fire into the air." Also read: Kushner unveils economic portion of Middle East peace plan One protester, who identified himself as a member of the Islamic Resistance Groups, a term usually used by Iranian-backed Shiite militias, said they wanted to send a strong statement. "We took down the Bahraini flag to send a clear message to all those who participated in the Bahrain conference, that we strongly reject normalising relations with the Zionist occupiers and will never abandon our support of Palestinians," said the protester, who identified himself as Abu Murtadha al-Moussawi. "We are ready to fight for this." Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Iraq for consultations on Thursday after the protests. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain condemns the attack on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Republic of Iraq by the demonstrators (which) led to sabotage in the embassy building," a statement on the ministry`s website said. The kingdom also summoned the charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Iraq in Manama on Friday to protest the "sabotage" of the embassy`s building in Baghdad, a second statement from the Bahraini foreign ministry said. "The foreign ministry welcomes the two statements from the Iraqi government... and insists on the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable," the statement added. Iraq condemned the protesters, and expressed "its deep regret" over the security breach at the embassy. "The government of Iraq affirms its absolute rejection of any acts which threaten diplomatic missions, their safety and the security of their personnel," said in a statement. The two-day conference in Manama was aimed at rallying support for a $50 billion investment plan in the Palestinian Territories as the first part of a broader White House political plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The plan has met broad disdain from Palestinians and others in the Arab world although regional US allies such as Saudi Arabia discreetly support it. Neither the Israeli nor Palestinian governments attended the meeting.

Baghdad protesters take down Bahrain flag over Trump peace conference

Thousands of supporters of a populist Iraqi Shi’ite Muslim cleric urged political and factional leaders on Friday to stay out of any conflict between Baghdad’s two biggest allies, Iran and the United States.

Iraqi protesters urge Baghdad to stay out of U.S.-Iran showdown

The State Department on Wednesday ordered all “non-emergency U.S. government employees” to leave Iraq amid soaring tensions with Iran, which backs proxy forces there.

United States orders ‘non-emergency’ government employees to leave Iraq

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/looking-at-north-korea-situation-very-seriously-nobodys-happy-about-it-trump-217360">Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump</a>

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/an-all-english-affair-at-europa-arsenal-chelsea-book-final-berth-217357">An all-English affair at Europa: Arsenal, Chelsea book final berth</a>

&nbsp;A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and an Alexandre Lacazette strike booked Arsenal's place in the Europa League final with a 4-2 win at Valencia on Thursday to seal an emphatic 7-3 aggregate victory.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-chinese-officials-meet-for-trade-talks-trumps-tariffs-on-china-set-to-take-effect-217361">As US, Chinese officials meet for trade talks, Trump's tariffs on China set to take effect</a>

Top US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-63-magnitude-quake-hits-southern-japan-no-tsunami-threat-217364">Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits southern Japan, no tsunami threat</a>

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-8-dead-in-baghdad-suicide-bombing-security-official-217368">At least 8 dead in Baghdad suicide bombing: Security official</a>

At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said.

Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles. An all-English affair at Europa: Arsenal, Chelsea book final berth A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and an Alexandre Lacazette strike booked Arsenal's place in the Europa League final with a 4-2 win at Valencia on Thursday to seal an emphatic 7-3 aggregate victory. As US, Chinese officials meet for trade talks, Trump's tariffs on China set to take effect Top US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China. Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits southern Japan, no tsunami threat A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat. At least 8 dead in Baghdad suicide bombing: Security official At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said.

"A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up close to stalls at the crowded Jamila market," said the senior police officer, who asked not to be named.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A medical source confirmed that the nearby Al-Kindi hospital had received eight bodies.

The attack took place at around 9.00 PM (1800 GMT), at a time when many Iraqis have broken their Ramadan fast and take to the streets.

Devastated by years of conflict, Iraq in 2017 declared victory over Islamic State jihadists after a gruelling months-long campaign to dismantle their self-declared "caliphate".

But sleeper cells have remained active, attacking civilians and security forces across the country.

Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital in November killed six people, most of them civilians.

A twin suicide bombing in Baghdad in January last year killed 31 people, the second such attack in three days.

At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said. "A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up close to stalls at the crowded Jamila market," said the senior police officer, who asked not to be named.

At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said. "A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blew himself up close to stalls at the crowded Jamila market," said the senior police officer, who asked not to be named. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A medical source confirmed that the nearby Al-Kindi hospital had received eight bodies. The attack took place at around 9.00 PM (1800 GMT), at a time when many Iraqis have broken their Ramadan fast and take to the streets. Devastated by years of conflict, Iraq in 2017 declared victory over Islamic State jihadists after a gruelling months-long campaign to dismantle their self-declared "caliphate". But sleeper cells have remained active, attacking civilians and security forces across the country. Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital in November killed six people, most of them civilians. A twin suicide bombing in Baghdad in January last year killed 31 people, the second such attack in three days.

At least 8 dead in Baghdad suicide bombing: Security official

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-watchdog-to-probe-broadcast-of-new-zealand-gunman-livestream-203993&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjywN-e8snhAhUMQo8KHc86DNAQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3xfOJVL4h54n1opEfRCrnO">Wikileaks </a>founder Julian Assange would receive the same consular support as any other citizen on Friday.

British police dragged Australian national Assange out of Ecuador's embassy on Thursday (April 11) after his seven-year asylum was revoked, paving the way for his extradition to the United States for one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information.

Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZiTFm_VtF3c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"Julian Assange will get the same consular support and assistance that any other Australian would receive. People's fame doesn't make any difference in the impact of how these decisions are made. He's an Australian citizen, he'll have that support," PM Scott Morrison said.

To some, Australian-born Assange is a hero for exposing what supporters cast as an abuse of power and for championing free speech. To others, he is a dangerous figure who has undermined the security of the United States and has too many ties to Russia. Several dozen protesters in the centre of Sydney called for Assange's release on Friday, chanting "free the truth, free Assange, don't shoot the messenger".

"The extradition process itself is a matter between the United States and the United Kingdom. But we have also been provided with that advice from the United Kingdom," Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said, adding, "Australia is completely opposed to the death penalty and that is a bipartisan position."&nbsp;

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange would receive the same consular support as any other citizen on Friday. British police dragged Australian national Assange out of Ecuador's embassy on Thursday (April 11) after his seven-year asylum was revoked, paving the way for his extradition to the United States for one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange would receive the same consular support as any other citizen on Friday. British police dragged Australian national Assange out of Ecuador's embassy on Thursday (April 11) after his seven-year asylum was revoked, paving the way for his extradition to the United States for one of the biggest ever leaks of classified information. Assange made international headlines in 2010 when WikiLeaks published a classified US military video showing a 2007 attack by Apache helicopters in Baghdad that killed a dozen people, including two Reuters news staff. "Julian Assange will get the same consular support and assistance that any other Australian would receive. People's fame doesn't make any difference in the impact of how these decisions are made. He's an Australian citizen, he'll have that support," PM Scott Morrison said. To some, Australian-born Assange is a hero for exposing what supporters cast as an abuse of power and for championing free speech. To others, he is a dangerous figure who has undermined the security of the United States and has too many ties to Russia. Several dozen protesters in the centre of Sydney called for Assange's release on Friday, chanting "free the truth, free Assange, don't shoot the messenger". "The extradition process itself is a matter between the United States and the United Kingdom. But we have also been provided with that advice from the United Kingdom," Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said, adding, "Australia is completely opposed to the death penalty and that is a bipartisan position."

Assange will receive same consular support as any other citizen: Australian PM Morrison

India has deployed an elite contingent of its commando-trained armed paramilitary personnel to guard its embassy and diplomatic staff in Baghdad in Iraq, a war-ravaged country getting back to normal after defeating ISIS terrorists.

About 45 multi-skilled troops, drawn from the country's largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), the CRPF, have taken charge of the embassy complex located in the Al Mansour area of the Iraqi capital, some time ago.

The contingent has taken charge in Iraq and the troops celebrated their first Republic Day and hoisted the tricolour in that country on January 26, official sources said.

The squad is led by a Deputy Commandant-rank officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and this is the second foreign assignment for the paramilitary as it similarly guards the Indian Embassy in Libya's capital city of Tripoli for the last few years, they said.

India has, on February 4, revised its ''no travel'' advisory to Iraq and has said that citizens can now travel to the war and insurgency-ravaged country as the security situation has "improved".

The advisory, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, allows Indians to travel to any part of the country for work or business except five provinces of Nineveh (capital Mosul), Salahuddin (capital Tikrit), Diyala (capital Baquba), Anbar (capital Ramadi) and Kirkuk.

It added that travellers should inform Indian authorities at the Baghdad Embassy or the Consulate General in Erbil before they travel to Iraq.

While there has been no targeted hit at the Indian mission in Baghdad, the city has witnessed suicide attacks and bombings by the ISIS terrorists since 2003 when the terrorists captured large parts of the country and neighbouring Syria to establish a self-styled Islamic caliphate.

Iraqi forces, backed by the US, got hold of their areas in late 2017 after numerous gun battles and deaths.

The CRPF commando contingent has been armed with some of the best and sophisticated weapons such as AK-series assault rifles, Glock pistols and other equipment required for an armoured counter-terror shield, they said.

The squad had a good mix of combat-skilled drivers, quick reaction teams, personal security officers, hostage rescue specialists and improvised explosive device (IED) experts who can not only secure the complex but also guard diplomats who venture out, they said.

The commandos have been picked from the highly motivated and disciplined units of the force that have worked in the anti-Naxal operations theatre and the force's special jungle warfare squad, CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action).

The over 3 lakh personnel strong CRPF is the country's lead internal security force that is tasked with combating the Left Wing Extremism and counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sone other CAPFs render a similar task of guarding Indian assets abroad.

While the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan is guarded by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), those in Nepal and Colombo have the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Border Security Force (BSF) contingents respectively.

India has deployed an elite contingent of its commando-trained armed paramilitary personnel to guard its embassy and diplomatic staff in Baghdad in Iraq, a war-ravaged country getting back to normal after defeating ISIS terrorists.

India has deployed an elite contingent of its commando-trained armed paramilitary personnel to guard its embassy and diplomatic staff in Baghdad in Iraq, a war-ravaged country getting back to normal after defeating ISIS terrorists. About 45 multi-skilled troops, drawn from the country's largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), the CRPF, have taken charge of the embassy complex located in the Al Mansour area of the Iraqi capital, some time ago. The contingent has taken charge in Iraq and the troops celebrated their first Republic Day and hoisted the tricolour in that country on January 26, official sources said. The squad is led by a Deputy Commandant-rank officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and this is the second foreign assignment for the paramilitary as it similarly guards the Indian Embassy in Libya's capital city of Tripoli for the last few years, they said. India has, on February 4, revised its ''no travel'' advisory to Iraq and has said that citizens can now travel to the war and insurgency-ravaged country as the security situation has "improved". The advisory, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, allows Indians to travel to any part of the country for work or business except five provinces of Nineveh (capital Mosul), Salahuddin (capital Tikrit), Diyala (capital Baquba), Anbar (capital Ramadi) and Kirkuk. It added that travellers should inform Indian authorities at the Baghdad Embassy or the Consulate General in Erbil before they travel to Iraq. While there has been no targeted hit at the Indian mission in Baghdad, the city has witnessed suicide attacks and bombings by the ISIS terrorists since 2003 when the terrorists captured large parts of the country and neighbouring Syria to establish a self-styled Islamic caliphate. Iraqi forces, backed by the US, got hold of their areas in late 2017 after numerous gun battles and deaths. The CRPF commando contingent has been armed with some of the best and sophisticated weapons such as AK-series assault rifles, Glock pistols and other equipment required for an armoured counter-terror shield, they said. The squad had a good mix of combat-skilled drivers, quick reaction teams, personal security officers, hostage rescue specialists and improvised explosive device (IED) experts who can not only secure the complex but also guard diplomats who venture out, they said. The commandos have been picked from the highly motivated and disciplined units of the force that have worked in the anti-Naxal operations theatre and the force's special jungle warfare squad, CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action). The over 3 lakh personnel strong CRPF is the country's lead internal security force that is tasked with combating the Left Wing Extremism and counter-terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Sone other CAPFs render a similar task of guarding Indian assets abroad. While the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan is guarded by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), those in Nepal and Colombo have the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Border Security Force (BSF) contingents respectively.

India deploys CRPF commando squad to guard embassy in Baghdad

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Iraq on Monday for his first official visit, state television said, as Baghdad is under pressure from Washington to limit ties with its neighbour.

Before leaving Tehran Rouhani hailed the "special" relations between Iran and Iraq, saying they could not be compared to Baghdad's ties "with an aggressor country like America".

His visit to Iraq is the first since he became president in 2013.

"Iran-Iraq relations are special," Rouhani said at Tehran's Mehrabad airport before flying to Baghdad, Iranian state television reported, adding that Tehran was always ready to help its neighbours.

"America is despised in the region. The bombs that the Americans dropped on Iraqis, Syrian people and other countries cannot be forgotten," he added.

Baghdad has been under pressure from Washington to limit ties with its neighbour, particularly after the United States last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and hit Tehran with sanctions.

Iraq was given limited waivers to continue buying electricity and natural gas from Iran, with Washington calling on Baghdad to partner with US companies to become energy independent.

After Turkey, Iran is the top supplier of imported goods to Iraq, including cars, gas, home appliances and vegetables.

Iran has close but complicated relations with Iraq, with significant influence among its Shiite political groups.

The two countries fought a bloody war from 1980 to 1988 and Tehran's influence in Baghdad grew after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq toppled the government of Saddam Hussein.

Iran was the first country to respond to Iraqi calls for help after Islamic State group jihadists captured second city Mosul in 2014 and threatened to overrun Baghdad and Kirkuk.

Tehran dispatched "military advisors" and equipment overnight along with the famous Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani to prevent IS jihadists from approaching its western borders.

Following the defeat of IS in Iraq, Iran is trying to position itself to gain a prime role in rebuilding the war-ravaged country.

During the visit, Rouhani is set to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and President Barham Saleh, as well as the country's chief Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, according to the Iranian government's website.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif preceded Rouhani to Iraq to prepare for the visit.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Iraq on Monday for his first official visit, state television said, as Baghdad is under pressure from Washington to limit ties with its neighbour.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Iraq on Monday for his first official visit, state television said, as Baghdad is under pressure from Washington to limit ties with its neighbour. Before leaving Tehran Rouhani hailed the "special" relations between Iran and Iraq, saying they could not be compared to Baghdad's ties "with an aggressor country like America". His visit to Iraq is the first since he became president in 2013. "Iran-Iraq relations are special," Rouhani said at Tehran's Mehrabad airport before flying to Baghdad, Iranian state television reported, adding that Tehran was always ready to help its neighbours. "America is despised in the region. The bombs that the Americans dropped on Iraqis, Syrian people and other countries cannot be forgotten," he added. Baghdad has been under pressure from Washington to limit ties with its neighbour, particularly after the United States last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and hit Tehran with sanctions. Iraq was given limited waivers to continue buying electricity and natural gas from Iran, with Washington calling on Baghdad to partner with US companies to become energy independent. After Turkey, Iran is the top supplier of imported goods to Iraq, including cars, gas, home appliances and vegetables. Iran has close but complicated relations with Iraq, with significant influence among its Shiite political groups. The two countries fought a bloody war from 1980 to 1988 and Tehran's influence in Baghdad grew after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq toppled the government of Saddam Hussein. Iran was the first country to respond to Iraqi calls for help after Islamic State group jihadists captured second city Mosul in 2014 and threatened to overrun Baghdad and Kirkuk. Tehran dispatched "military advisors" and equipment overnight along with the famous Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani to prevent IS jihadists from approaching its western borders. Following the defeat of IS in Iraq, Iran is trying to position itself to gain a prime role in rebuilding the war-ravaged country. During the visit, Rouhani is set to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and President Barham Saleh, as well as the country's chief Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, according to the Iranian government's website. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif preceded Rouhani to Iraq to prepare for the visit.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani arrives in Iraq on 3-day visit

President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Iraq this week is a strong message to the United States and its regional allies that Iran still dominates Baghdad, a key arena for rising tension between Washington and Tehran.

The first Iranian presidential visit to Iraq since 2013 is also meant to signal to President Donald Trump's administration that Tehran retains its influence in much of the region despite US&nbsp;sanctions.

"Iran and Iraq are neighbours and no country can interfere in their relations," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said after arriving in Baghdad to prepare for the visit.

Rouhani's three-day trip starting on Monday includes meetings with Iraq's president and prime minister, tours of Shi'ite Muslim holy sites and a meeting with top Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iranian state media reported.

Rouhani made clear last week the debt he believes Baghdad owes Tehran for support in the battle to defeat Islamic State. Iranian forces and the militias they back played a crucial role in defeating IS in Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;

"If the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran didn't exist then Baghdad and the Kurdistan region would have definitely fallen and Daesh (Islamic State) would dominate the region," he said in comments published on his official website.

Iran mostly relies on other senior officials to conduct its dealings with Iraq, with which it shares an almost 1,500 kilometre (900 miles) long border. Most prominent of these have been Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Suleimani, who was instrumental in directing the battle against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

But as it tries to counter the pressure from US&nbsp;sanctions, Iran is seeking to shore up its political and economic influence along a corridor of the territory it effectively controls from Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.&nbsp;

"Tehran and its allies in Baghdad and Damascus achieved victory in the war against the Islamic State but the Islamic Republic risks losing the peace," said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

"Apart from Russian companies, UAE companies are aggressively trying to gain a foothold in Iraq and Syria, which would deprive Iranian companies of reaping the fruit of their war-era effort."

Iran's influence in Iraq will be difficult to dislodge, however. Through allied Iraqi politicians and paramilitary groups, it emerged as the dominant force after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Iran officially has no military presence in Iraq but backs its most powerful Shi'ite paramilitary groups. An umbrella grouping of all Iraq's Shi'ite militias is estimated at 150,000 fighters.

Last week Washington blacklisted another Iran-backed militia that has helped create a supply route through Iraq to Damascus. The United States has around 5,200 troops stationed in Iraq.

Tehran also has powerful allies in Iraq's parliament whose attempts to pass a bill forcing US&nbsp;troops to leave the country might be aided by Trump's belligerent anti-Iran rhetoric - especially comments roundly derided by Iraqi leaders that US&nbsp;forces in Iraq, ostensibly there for the battle against Islamic State, can be used to "watch Iran".

Pressure on Iran's dominance 

Iraq remains heavily dependent on Iranian energy supplies to feed its power grid, despite US&nbsp;attempts to wean Baghdad off Iranian gas.

Nevertheless, Washington's strategy has caused some friction between Iraq and Iran. Last month Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh criticised Iraq for failing to pay a $2 billion debt for energy imports as a result of compliance with the US&nbsp;sanctions regime.

Meanwhile, Gulf Arab states including Iran's arch-foe Saudi Arabia have made overtures to the Iraqi government for energy and other economic deals, although with limited success.

Iran and its Iraqi allies also face the challenge of popular discontent over its dominance - not only in northern Sunni areas where Shi'ite militias have deepened their control but even in southern Shi'ite heartlands.

Protests that broke out across southern Iraq last year over lack of services took up anti-Iranian slogans, and demonstrators stormed the Iranian consulate in the city of Basra.

"There are growing tensions in predominantly Shi'ite provinces which at one point were assumed to be pro-Iranian," said Renad Mansour, a research fellow at Chatham House.

"Part of their frustrations are targeted towards Iran and the Islamist parties that Iran supports ... for Iran, the priority in Iraq is for it to remain stable and for their interests to be ensured."

President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Iraq this week is a strong message to the United States and its regional allies that Iran still dominates Baghdad, a key arena for rising tension between Washington and Tehran.

President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Iraq this week is a strong message to the United States and its regional allies that Iran still dominates Baghdad, a key arena for rising tension between Washington and Tehran. The first Iranian presidential visit to Iraq since 2013 is also meant to signal to President Donald Trump's administration that Tehran retains its influence in much of the region despite US sanctions. "Iran and Iraq are neighbours and no country can interfere in their relations," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said after arriving in Baghdad to prepare for the visit. Rouhani's three-day trip starting on Monday includes meetings with Iraq's president and prime minister, tours of Shi'ite Muslim holy sites and a meeting with top Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iranian state media reported. Rouhani made clear last week the debt he believes Baghdad owes Tehran for support in the battle to defeat Islamic State. Iranian forces and the militias they back played a crucial role in defeating IS in Iraq and Syria. "If the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran didn't exist then Baghdad and the Kurdistan region would have definitely fallen and Daesh (Islamic State) would dominate the region," he said in comments published on his official website. Iran mostly relies on other senior officials to conduct its dealings with Iraq, with which it shares an almost 1,500 kilometre (900 miles) long border. Most prominent of these have been Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Suleimani, who was instrumental in directing the battle against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. But as it tries to counter the pressure from US sanctions, Iran is seeking to shore up its political and economic influence along a corridor of the territory it effectively controls from Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. "Tehran and its allies in Baghdad and Damascus achieved victory in the war against the Islamic State but the Islamic Republic risks losing the peace," said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "Apart from Russian companies, UAE companies are aggressively trying to gain a foothold in Iraq and Syria, which would deprive Iranian companies of reaping the fruit of their war-era effort." Iran's influence in Iraq will be difficult to dislodge, however. Through allied Iraqi politicians and paramilitary groups, it emerged as the dominant force after the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. Iran officially has no military presence in Iraq but backs its most powerful Shi'ite paramilitary groups. An umbrella grouping of all Iraq's Shi'ite militias is estimated at 150,000 fighters. Last week Washington blacklisted another Iran-backed militia that has helped create a supply route through Iraq to Damascus. The United States has around 5,200 troops stationed in Iraq. Tehran also has powerful allies in Iraq's parliament whose attempts to pass a bill forcing US troops to leave the country might be aided by Trump's belligerent anti-Iran rhetoric - especially comments roundly derided by Iraqi leaders that US forces in Iraq, ostensibly there for the battle against Islamic State, can be used to "watch Iran". Pressure on Iran's dominance Iraq remains heavily dependent on Iranian energy supplies to feed its power grid, despite US attempts to wean Baghdad off Iranian gas. Nevertheless, Washington's strategy has caused some friction between Iraq and Iran. Last month Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh criticised Iraq for failing to pay a $2 billion debt for energy imports as a result of compliance with the US sanctions regime. Meanwhile, Gulf Arab states including Iran's arch-foe Saudi Arabia have made overtures to the Iraqi government for energy and other economic deals, although with limited success. Iran and its Iraqi allies also face the challenge of popular discontent over its dominance - not only in northern Sunni areas where Shi'ite militias have deepened their control but even in southern Shi'ite heartlands. Protests that broke out across southern Iraq last year over lack of services took up anti-Iranian slogans, and demonstrators stormed the Iranian consulate in the city of Basra. "There are growing tensions in predominantly Shi'ite provinces which at one point were assumed to be pro-Iranian," said Renad Mansour, a research fellow at Chatham House. "Part of their frustrations are targeted towards Iran and the Islamist parties that Iran supports ... for Iran, the priority in Iraq is for it to remain stable and for their interests to be ensured."

Rouhani seeks to shore up Iran's influence on Baghdad trip

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/heavy-clashes-as-us-backed-forces-battle-is-in-syria-report-196387">Islamic State group jihadists </a>using tunnels and suicide bombers were mounting a desperate defence Thursday of their last square kilometre in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-optimistic-syria-kurds-turkey-can-be-protected-189910"> eastern Syria.</a>

Kurdish-led forces closed in on the small town of Baghouz where IS fighters and their relatives were hunkered down and met hundreds of famished and dishevelled people turning themselves in.

"The fighting is fierce," said Adnan Afrin, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-Arab outfit that has spearheaded the campaign against IS with backing from a US-led coalition.

"There is significant resistance," he told AFP in Al-Omar oil field, the main staging base for the SDF's offensive against the very last shred of the original IS "caliphate".

The few hundred fighters of various nationalities holding out in their last bastion by the Iraqi border have launched bruising counter-attacks in recent days, Afrin said.

The jihadists are clinging to about one square kilometre in the town's built-up area, as well as to an adjacent camp, where a number of civilians are believed to be gathered.

Afrin said it was impossible to provide accurate figures but he estimated the total number of fighters, men and women, at around 1,000.

Tunnels&nbsp;

"There are many tunnels in Baghouz now. This is why the operation is dragging on. There are many suicide bombers attacking our positions, with explosives-laden cars and motorbikes," he said.

Afrin said two such suicide attacks were carried out by women on Tuesday but he would not provide any figures on casualties among SDF ranks.

Hundreds of people continued to trickle out of the last IS redoubt every day, trudging up a dirt road to a collection point where SDF fighters and volunteers provide first aid and carry out the first screening.

Many of them had to sleep outside in the cold to reach that point, where a lucky few get tents while the rest were spread out on cheap blankets.

"The kids were crying all night from the cold," said Fatima, an Iraqi woman from Baghdad who fled Baghouz with her four children, all under 15.

"This is the second night we sleep outside. There was so much bombing in Baghouz that it was safer for us to sleep in the open," she told AFP.

The US-led coalition is carrying out air strikes on the area while its forces are also present on the ground, sifting through the displaced for wanted jihadists.

Afrin said SDF forces tuning their walkie-talkies on the jihadists' frequencies "can hear them speak in Arabic but also in Turkish, French and English."

Once the adult men have been separated from their families, foreign and SDF officers thumb through pictures on smartphones to ask new arrivals about wanted IS leaders.

Baghdadi&nbsp;

IS's elusive Iraqi-born supremo, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is not believed to be among the last jihadist leaders holed up in Baghouz.

Several known jihadist figures have emerged from the dregs of the "caliphate" in recent days, however, including German Martin Lemke and Frenchman Quentin Le Brun.&nbsp;

A rift appears to have grown between foreign members of IS who have nowhere to hide and local fighters who are attempting to blend back into the population as the organisation goes underground again.

The "caliphate" Baghdadi proclaimed in mid-2014 once spanned territory the size of the United Kingdom and administered millions of people.

It printed is own schoolbooks, produced oil, collected taxes and minted its own currency, in a brief but unprecedented experiment in jihadist statehood.

Successive offensives in Iraq and Syria have shattered the proto-state, which lost its key cities one after the other and has since late 2017 been confined to its traditional stronghold in the Euphrates River valley.

An official declaration of victory against IS is expected in the coming days, a move of mostly symbolic value that will go down as the death certificate of the "caliphate".

While surviving IS fighters on both sides of the border will no longer hold fixed positions, the jihadist organisation will remain a threat.

The United States is due to pull its troops out of Syria within weeks, creating a vacuum that risks allowing IS to rebuild and project new ambitions.

The Kurds are also afraid they will have to squander the autonomy they acquired and be left exposed to a military offensive by their archfoe Turkey. 
&nbsp;

Islamic State group jihadists using tunnels and suicide bombers were mounting a desperate defence Thursday of their last square kilometre in eastern Syria. Kurdish-led forces closed in on the small town of Baghouz where IS fighters and their relatives were hunkered down and met hundreds of famished and dishevelled people turning themselves in.

Islamic State group jihadists using tunnels and suicide bombers were mounting a desperate defence Thursday of their last square kilometre in eastern Syria. Kurdish-led forces closed in on the small town of Baghouz where IS fighters and their relatives were hunkered down and met hundreds of famished and dishevelled people turning themselves in. "The fighting is fierce," said Adnan Afrin, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-Arab outfit that has spearheaded the campaign against IS with backing from a US-led coalition. "There is significant resistance," he told AFP in Al-Omar oil field, the main staging base for the SDF's offensive against the very last shred of the original IS "caliphate". The few hundred fighters of various nationalities holding out in their last bastion by the Iraqi border have launched bruising counter-attacks in recent days, Afrin said. The jihadists are clinging to about one square kilometre in the town's built-up area, as well as to an adjacent camp, where a number of civilians are believed to be gathered. Afrin said it was impossible to provide accurate figures but he estimated the total number of fighters, men and women, at around 1,000. Tunnels "There are many tunnels in Baghouz now. This is why the operation is dragging on. There are many suicide bombers attacking our positions, with explosives-laden cars and motorbikes," he said. Afrin said two such suicide attacks were carried out by women on Tuesday but he would not provide any figures on casualties among SDF ranks. Hundreds of people continued to trickle out of the last IS redoubt every day, trudging up a dirt road to a collection point where SDF fighters and volunteers provide first aid and carry out the first screening. Many of them had to sleep outside in the cold to reach that point, where a lucky few get tents while the rest were spread out on cheap blankets. "The kids were crying all night from the cold," said Fatima, an Iraqi woman from Baghdad who fled Baghouz with her four children, all under 15. "This is the second night we sleep outside. There was so much bombing in Baghouz that it was safer for us to sleep in the open," she told AFP. The US-led coalition is carrying out air strikes on the area while its forces are also present on the ground, sifting through the displaced for wanted jihadists. Afrin said SDF forces tuning their walkie-talkies on the jihadists' frequencies "can hear them speak in Arabic but also in Turkish, French and English." Once the adult men have been separated from their families, foreign and SDF officers thumb through pictures on smartphones to ask new arrivals about wanted IS leaders. Baghdadi IS's elusive Iraqi-born supremo, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is not believed to be among the last jihadist leaders holed up in Baghouz. Several known jihadist figures have emerged from the dregs of the "caliphate" in recent days, however, including German Martin Lemke and Frenchman Quentin Le Brun. A rift appears to have grown between foreign members of IS who have nowhere to hide and local fighters who are attempting to blend back into the population as the organisation goes underground again. The "caliphate" Baghdadi proclaimed in mid-2014 once spanned territory the size of the United Kingdom and administered millions of people. It printed is own schoolbooks, produced oil, collected taxes and minted its own currency, in a brief but unprecedented experiment in jihadist statehood. Successive offensives in Iraq and Syria have shattered the proto-state, which lost its key cities one after the other and has since late 2017 been confined to its traditional stronghold in the Euphrates River valley. An official declaration of victory against IS is expected in the coming days, a move of mostly symbolic value that will go down as the death certificate of the "caliphate". While surviving IS fighters on both sides of the border will no longer hold fixed positions, the jihadist organisation will remain a threat. The United States is due to pull its troops out of Syria within weeks, creating a vacuum that risks allowing IS to rebuild and project new ambitions. The Kurds are also afraid they will have to squander the autonomy they acquired and be left exposed to a military offensive by their archfoe Turkey.

Syria jihadists trapped in last square kilometre

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/acting-pentagon-chief-supports-kabul-role-in-peace-talks-196764">Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan</a> arrived in Baghdad on an unannounced visit Tuesday for talks on the sensitive issue of a continued troop presence following withdrawal from neighbouring Syria.

Shanahan is keen to reassure Iraqi leaders after President Donald Trump angered many by saying he wanted to keep troops at the Al-Asad airbase, northwest of Baghdad, to keep an eye on Iran.

The acting defence secretary, who flew in from Afghanistan on his foreign tour since taking office last month, is due to hold talks with Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and top military advisers and commanders.

Trump's comments about Iran, in an interview with CBS television aired on February 3, drew a stern rebuff from President Barham Saleh, who said the use of Iraq as a base against a third country violated its constitution.

They also sparked renewed calls for a US withdrawal both from pro-Iran factions within the government and from Iran-trained armed groups whose power has risen sharply during the fightback against the Islamic State group that culminated in December 2017.

Those calls are likely to intensify as Washington carries out the full troop withdrawal from Syria unveiled in a shock announcement by Trump in December.

The plan, judged precipitate by both US allies and senior figures within Trump's own administration, prompted the resignation of Shanahan's predecessor, Jim Mattis.

But with US-backed Kurdish-led fighters poised to overrun the Islamic State group's last tiny enclave in eastern Syria, perhaps as early as this week, the withdrawal, which other administration figures had managed to slow, is now likely to gather pace.

- 'Incredible base' - 
Trump's comments about the Al-Assad airbase came after the US president had already angered Iraqi leaders in December by paying a Christmas visit to US troops based there without travelling to Baghdad to talk with them.

"We spent a fortune on building this incredible base. We might as well keep it," Trump said in the CBS interview.

A draft law that would set a timetable for a US troop withdrawal is now before the Iraqi parliament.

It is backed by both of Iraq's most powerful political groupings, the nationalist alliance led by radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, and the pro-Iran movement of former anti-IS fighters.

At a rare joint news conference on Monday, the two groupings demanded at the very least a "new agreement" setting tight conditions on any future foreign troop presence.

Following the US-led invasion that overthrew since-executed dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, US troop numbers peaked at some 170,000 before a full withdrawal was completed in 2011.

Troops returned to Iraq in 2014 as part of an international coalition set up to fight IS after it swept through much of the north and west as well as swathes of neighbouring Syria that year.

Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan arrived in Baghdad on an unannounced visit Tuesday for talks on the sensitive issue of a continued troop presence following withdrawal from neighbouring Syria.

Acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan arrived in Baghdad on an unannounced visit Tuesday for talks on the sensitive issue of a continued troop presence following withdrawal from neighbouring Syria. Shanahan is keen to reassure Iraqi leaders after President Donald Trump angered many by saying he wanted to keep troops at the Al-Asad airbase, northwest of Baghdad, to keep an eye on Iran. The acting defence secretary, who flew in from Afghanistan on his foreign tour since taking office last month, is due to hold talks with Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and top military advisers and commanders. Trump's comments about Iran, in an interview with CBS television aired on February 3, drew a stern rebuff from President Barham Saleh, who said the use of Iraq as a base against a third country violated its constitution. They also sparked renewed calls for a US withdrawal both from pro-Iran factions within the government and from Iran-trained armed groups whose power has risen sharply during the fightback against the Islamic State group that culminated in December 2017. Those calls are likely to intensify as Washington carries out the full troop withdrawal from Syria unveiled in a shock announcement by Trump in December. The plan, judged precipitate by both US allies and senior figures within Trump's own administration, prompted the resignation of Shanahan's predecessor, Jim Mattis. But with US-backed Kurdish-led fighters poised to overrun the Islamic State group's last tiny enclave in eastern Syria, perhaps as early as this week, the withdrawal, which other administration figures had managed to slow, is now likely to gather pace. - 'Incredible base' - Trump's comments about the Al-Assad airbase came after the US president had already angered Iraqi leaders in December by paying a Christmas visit to US troops based there without travelling to Baghdad to talk with them. "We spent a fortune on building this incredible base. We might as well keep it," Trump said in the CBS interview. A draft law that would set a timetable for a US troop withdrawal is now before the Iraqi parliament. It is backed by both of Iraq's most powerful political groupings, the nationalist alliance led by radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, and the pro-Iran movement of former anti-IS fighters. At a rare joint news conference on Monday, the two groupings demanded at the very least a "new agreement" setting tight conditions on any future foreign troop presence. Following the US-led invasion that overthrew since-executed dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, US troop numbers peaked at some 170,000 before a full withdrawal was completed in 2011. Troops returned to Iraq in 2014 as part of an international coalition set up to fight IS after it swept through much of the north and west as well as swathes of neighbouring Syria that year.

Acting Pentagon chief makes surprise Baghdad visit

Iraq's president Barham Salih on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran.

The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in US&nbsp;dollars. Sanctions on Tehran's oil sector took effect on November 5.

"We do not want Iraq to be burdened with the US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran," Barham Salih, the newly elected President, told reporters during a visit to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait.

Iraq wanted to maintain "balanced" relations with all its neighbours and the international community, he said.

"Iran is a neighbouring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran," he said, adding the Iraqi people also wanted to deepen Arab and Gulf ties.

Iraq needs to rebuild its economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a ruinous conflict with Islamic State.

Iraq central bank officials said in August that the country's economy is closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is locked in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

Iraq's president Barham Salih on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran.

Iraq's president Barham Salih on Sunday urged the United States to consider Baghdad's political and economic position as the countries negotiate on relief for Iraq from Washington's reimposed sanctions against Iran. The United States said on Friday Iraq can continue to import natural gas and energy supplies from Iran for a period of 45 days, so long as Iraq does not pay Iran for imports in US dollars. Sanctions on Tehran's oil sector took effect on November 5. "We do not want Iraq to be burdened with the US sanctions on Iran," Barham Salih, the newly elected President, told reporters during a visit to the Gulf Arab state of Kuwait. Iraq wanted to maintain "balanced" relations with all its neighbours and the international community, he said. "Iran is a neighbouring country and our interest lies in having good and stable relations with Iran," he said, adding the Iraqi people also wanted to deepen Arab and Gulf ties. Iraq needs to rebuild its economy and infrastructure as it emerges from a ruinous conflict with Islamic State. Iraq central bank officials said in August that the country's economy is closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is locked in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

Iraq urges US to consider its position in talks on Iran sanctions

Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital late Sunday killed six people, most of them civilians, and wounded several others, police and medical sources said.

In northern Baghdad's Aden roundabout area, two civilians were killed and another six wounded by a blast near a bus stop, the sources told AFP.&nbsp;

A bomb in the nearby Tarmiyah neighbourhood targeted an military convoy, killing a soldier and wounding two others.

A government employee was killed in the southwestern area of Al-Sahha when explosives attached under his car were detonated, according to a police officer and medical source.&nbsp;

In the eastern district of Sadr City, two people were killed and four wounded in two explosions in the conservative Shiite neighbourhood.&nbsp;

And two other blasts went off on busses in other parts of Baghdad's northeast, wounding seven.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of the explosions.

Sadr City is the former bastion of the Mahdi Army, which fought US troops and was blamed for the killings of thousands of Sunni Muslims.

The militia was led by Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose political alliance triumphed in this year's parliamentary elections.

Violence peaked in Iraq during 2006 and 2007, when sectarian tensions were at their highest.&nbsp;

But it has fallen across Iraq and particularly Baghdad since the government declared victory over the Islamic State group&nbsp;in December.

Clandestine jihadist cells remain across the country and have waged guerrilla-type attacks against government posts.

Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital late Sunday killed six people, most of them civilians, and wounded several others, police and medical sources said.

Explosions in several Shiite-majority districts in Iraq's capital late Sunday killed six people, most of them civilians, and wounded several others, police and medical sources said. In northern Baghdad's Aden roundabout area, two civilians were killed and another six wounded by a blast near a bus stop, the sources told AFP. A bomb in the nearby Tarmiyah neighbourhood targeted an military convoy, killing a soldier and wounding two others. A government employee was killed in the southwestern area of Al-Sahha when explosives attached under his car were detonated, according to a police officer and medical source. In the eastern district of Sadr City, two people were killed and four wounded in two explosions in the conservative Shiite neighbourhood. And two other blasts went off on busses in other parts of Baghdad's northeast, wounding seven. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of the explosions. Sadr City is the former bastion of the Mahdi Army, which fought US troops and was blamed for the killings of thousands of Sunni Muslims. The militia was led by Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose political alliance triumphed in this year's parliamentary elections. Violence peaked in Iraq during 2006 and 2007, when sectarian tensions were at their highest. But it has fallen across Iraq and particularly Baghdad since the government declared victory over the Islamic State group in December. Clandestine jihadist cells remain across the country and have waged guerrilla-type attacks against government posts.

Blasts across Baghdad kill six people: Sources

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

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