US troops in Eastern Syria came under rocket attack one day after the United States carried out airstrikes near the Iraq-Syria border against what the Pentagon said were facilities used by run-back militia groups.

United States Troops in Eastern Syria came under rocket attack

US military spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto has said that American forces in Syria launched “self-defence” artillery attacks on Monday after being hit by a barrage of missiles.

The exchange of fire came a day after the Pentagon launched three strikes in eastern Syria and western Iraq, which it claimed were directed at pro-Iran militants.

The attack on Monday evening resulted in no injuries, according to a US military spokesman.

This is a vital and strategic location, and US forces supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces have a base here.

"US Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self-defence and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions," wrote Colonel Wayne Marotto, the spokesperson for the US-led Coalition to defeat ISIS.

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Initial report: At approx. 7:44 PM local time, U.S. Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. We will provide updates when we have more information.
— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) <a href="https://twitter.com/OIRSpox/status/1409596661698117632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“There are no injuries and damage is being assessed,” Marotto wrote.

Footage broadcast by Syrian state news agency SANA shows rockets allegedly being fired towards a US military base at the Al-Omar oil field in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province. 
 
Watch:

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SANA did not say who was behind the rocket fire, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed it on pro-Iranian militias. 
 
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-drones-with-7000-km-range-says-irans-top-commander-394311">We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander</a>

The development came less than 24 hours after the US launched airstrikes against three targets it said were used by pro-Iran groups in eastern Syria and western Iraq.

(With inputs from agencies)

US military spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto has said that American forces in Syria launched “self-defence” artillery attacks on Monday after being hit by a barrage of missiles.

US military spokesperson Colonel Wayne Marotto has said that American forces in Syria launched “self-defence” artillery attacks on Monday after being hit by a barrage of missiles. The exchange of fire came a day after the Pentagon launched three strikes in eastern Syria and western Iraq, which it claimed were directed at pro-Iran militants. The attack on Monday evening resulted in no injuries, according to a US military spokesman. This is a vital and strategic location, and US forces supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces have a base here. "US Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self-defence and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions," wrote Colonel Wayne Marotto, the spokesperson for the US-led Coalition to defeat ISIS. Initial report: At approx. 7:44 PM local time, U.S. Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. We will provide updates when we have more information. — OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) June 28, 2021 × “There are no injuries and damage is being assessed,” Marotto wrote. Footage broadcast by Syrian state news agency SANA shows rockets allegedly being fired towards a US military base at the Al-Omar oil field in eastern Syria's Deir Ezzor province. Watch: SANA did not say who was behind the rocket fire, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed it on pro-Iranian militias. Also Read | We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander The development came less than 24 hours after the US launched airstrikes against three targets it said were used by pro-Iran groups in eastern Syria and western Iraq. (With inputs from agencies)

US army retaliates after Iran-backed militias target American base in eastern Syria

Republic Day Parade 2024: We are only days away from celebrating India’s 75th Republic Day. Indians all over the country are pumped up to watch the annual grand parade in New Delhi. Our men and women in uniforms are also braving the chilly weather and practising for the show&nbsp;on the capital’s iconic Kartavya Path.

As the ritual of the day always has been since 1950 to invite the head of state of a foreign country as chief guest, this year India has invited France’s President Emmanuel Macron to grace the Republic Day parade with his presence.&nbsp;

The invitation to Macron is not just for pomp and show but has underlying geopolitical meaning to it.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-dark-ages-in-south-asia-2800-year-old-settlement-discovered-in-pm-modis-hometown-vadnagar-680744">No 'Dark Ages' in South Asia? 2800-year-old settlement discovered in PM Modi's hometown Vadnagar</a>

As we all wait for the day to watch tricolour balloons in the blue sky of New Delhi with the roaring sounds of Tejas and Sukhoi aircraft, here is a complete guide on buying tickets to the Republic Day Parade 2024.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: Time and other details</h2>

Date: January 26

Day: Friday

Time of parade: 9:30-10:00 am

Parade path: Vijay Chowk to India Gate&nbsp;

Parade distance: 5 km

Venue: Kartavya Path, New Delhi&nbsp;

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: Special features&nbsp;</h2>

This Republic Day, there will be two all-women contingents in the parade. The first, with 144 personnel, includes 60 soldiers from the Army and the rest from the Indian Air Force and Navy, featuring Agniveer soldiers.&nbsp;

The second contingent, led by women doctors, consists of nurses from the Armed Forces Medical Services.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/do-not-panic-indian-airlines-slipped-this-note-to-passenger-stuck-in-loo-for-entire-trip-680766">'Do not panic': Indian airlines slipped THIS note to passenger stuck in loo&nbsp;for entire trip</a>

Delhi Police will also feature an all-women contingent this year, for the first time in the force’s history.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: Ticket prices</h2>

Indian nationals can take reserved or unreserved sets that are priced at ₹500 or ₹20 respectively. However, the booking for tickets started on January 10. The tickets will be available until January 25 but a limited number of tickets will be available per day.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets online, a step-to-step guide</h2>

1. Visit the Ministry of Defence’s official web portal at www.aamantran.mod.gov.in.

2. Login or create a new account.&nbsp;

3. Fill in personal details such as name, birthdate, mobile number, etc. Verify the authentication code sent to the registered mobile number (OTP).

4. Choose the desired event from the options that include the FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, and Beating the Retreat.&nbsp;

5. For verification purposes, provide attendee information and upload an original Photo ID.

6. Secure tickets by completing the online payment process.

<h2>Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets offline</h2>

Offline tickets will be available at IDTC Travel Counters, the Government of India Tourist Office and DTDC Counters.

Moreover, Departmental Sale Counters will sell the tickets from 10 am to 5:30 pm daily while the Parliament House Reception Office will sell the tickets from 11 am to 4 pm.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-vegetarian-man-served-dead-rat-at-mumbais-barbeque-nation-files-fir-over-companys-casual-response-680889">India: Vegetarian man 'served' dead rat at Mumbai's Barbeque Nation; files FIR over company's casual response</a>

The Government of India Tourist Office will remain closed on Sundays while the Parliament House Reception Office will remain closed on weekends and holidays.

1.&nbsp;Visit an authorised offline outlet or designated ticket counter for Republic Day events.

2.&nbsp;Provide identity proof and fill out a physical form with personal details including name, birth date, mobile number, etc.

3.&nbsp;Choose the desired event from the options that include FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, Beating the Retreat

4.&nbsp;For verification purposes, provide attendee information and provide a photocopy of the original Photo ID.

5.&nbsp;Secure tickets by completing the payment process,

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Republic Day Parade 2024: We are only days away from celebrating India’s 75th Republic Day. Indians all over the country are pumped up to watch the annual grand parade in New Delhi.

Republic Day Parade 2024: We are only days away from celebrating India’s 75th Republic Day. Indians all over the country are pumped up to watch the annual grand parade in New Delhi. Our men and women in uniforms are also braving the chilly weather and practising for the show on the capital’s iconic Kartavya Path. As the ritual of the day always has been since 1950 to invite the head of state of a foreign country as chief guest, this year India has invited France’s President Emmanuel Macron to grace the Republic Day parade with his presence. The invitation to Macron is not just for pomp and show but has underlying geopolitical meaning to it. Also Read | No 'Dark Ages' in South Asia? 2800-year-old settlement discovered in PM Modi's hometown Vadnagar As we all wait for the day to watch tricolour balloons in the blue sky of New Delhi with the roaring sounds of Tejas and Sukhoi aircraft, here is a complete guide on buying tickets to the Republic Day Parade 2024. Republic Day Parade 2024: Time and other details Date: January 26 Day: Friday Time of parade: 9:30-10:00 am Parade path: Vijay Chowk to India Gate Parade distance: 5 km Venue: Kartavya Path, New Delhi Republic Day Parade 2024: Special features This Republic Day, there will be two all-women contingents in the parade. The first, with 144 personnel, includes 60 soldiers from the Army and the rest from the Indian Air Force and Navy, featuring Agniveer soldiers. The second contingent, led by women doctors, consists of nurses from the Armed Forces Medical Services. Also Read | 'Do not panic': Indian airlines slipped THIS note to passenger stuck in loo for entire trip Delhi Police will also feature an all-women contingent this year, for the first time in the force’s history. Republic Day Parade 2024: Ticket prices Indian nationals can take reserved or unreserved sets that are priced at ₹500 or ₹20 respectively. However, the booking for tickets started on January 10. The tickets will be available until January 25 but a limited number of tickets will be available per day. Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets online, a step-to-step guide 1. Visit the Ministry of Defence’s official web portal at www.aamantran.mod.gov.in. 2. Login or create a new account. 3. Fill in personal details such as name, birthdate, mobile number, etc. Verify the authentication code sent to the registered mobile number (OTP). 4. Choose the desired event from the options that include the FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, and Beating the Retreat. 5. For verification purposes, provide attendee information and upload an original Photo ID. 6. Secure tickets by completing the online payment process. Republic Day Parade 2024: How to buy tickets offline Offline tickets will be available at IDTC Travel Counters, the Government of India Tourist Office and DTDC Counters. Moreover, Departmental Sale Counters will sell the tickets from 10 am to 5:30 pm daily while the Parliament House Reception Office will sell the tickets from 11 am to 4 pm. Also Read | India: Vegetarian man 'served' dead rat at Mumbai's Barbeque Nation; files FIR over company's casual response The Government of India Tourist Office will remain closed on Sundays while the Parliament House Reception Office will remain closed on weekends and holidays. 1. Visit an authorised offline outlet or designated ticket counter for Republic Day events. 2. Provide identity proof and fill out a physical form with personal details including name, birth date, mobile number, etc. 3. Choose the desired event from the options that include FDR Republic Day Parade, Republic Day Parade, Beating the Retreat 4. For verification purposes, provide attendee information and provide a photocopy of the original Photo ID. 5. Secure tickets by completing the payment process, (With inputs from agencies)

US carries out air strikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq, Syria 

The United States Air Force (USAF) attacks on eastern Syria near the Iraqi border killed at least five Iran-backed militia fighters on Monday. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "at least 5 Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters were killed and numerous more were wounded in an attack by US bombers.

The United States Air Force (USAF) attacks on eastern Syria near the Iraqi border killed at least five Iran-backed militia fighters on Monday. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, "at least 5 Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters were killed and numerous more were wounded in an attack by US bombers." According to the US Department of Defence, US combat aircraft have hit Iranian-backed insurgents' positions in the Syrian-Iraqi border region. Watch: The war monitor also confirmed the news that military positions were among the targets attacked. The strikes are the second such US attack on Iran-backed militias in Syria since President Joe Biden came to power, according to the Pentagon. Also Read | We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander "At President Biden's direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted defensive precision airstrikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region. The targets were selected because these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq," the Pentagon said in a statement late on Sunday. Also read: Secret UK defence documents found at a bus stop in Kent "Specifically, the US strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries. Several Iran-backed militia groups, including Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS), used these facilities," the statement added. In recent months, US interests in Iraq have been repeatedly attacked, with the US regularly blaming Iran-linked Iraqi militias for rocket and other assaults against US forces stationed in Iraq. According to the Observatory, US strikes on facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in east Syria killed more than 20 combatants in February. The strikes were in response for a rocket attack in Iraq that killed one civilian contractor and injured a US military member and other coalition troops, according to the Pentagon. (With inputs from agencies)

Five militia fighters killed in US strikes near Syria-Iraq border

Egypt, Jordan and Iraq held a tripartite summit on Sunday. The meeting came as Iraq seeks to move closes to Arab allies of the US in West Asia. Iraq is also trying to act as a mediator between Arab nations and Iran.

Egypt, Jordan and Iraq hold key tripartite summit In Baghdad

In response to drone attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq, America has carried out airstrikes against Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria. At least 5 Iran-backed Iraqi militia fighters have been killed and several others wounded in the attack.

US carries out air strikes in Iraq and Syria, target Iran-backed militia groups

Marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Iraq since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Baghdad on Sunday.

The decades earlier conflict had badly damaged the relations between Egypt and Iraq; however, the relations have witnessed an improvement in recent years with many senior officials from both countries exchanging visits.

In a bid to boost Iraqi ties with Arab nations, and counter Iran’s influence in the country, Sisi's visit is part of a summit between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

The fourth round of talks between these countries, this summit is aimed at strengthening security, economic, trade and investment cooperation. In recent years, Iraq has also signed cooperation deals with Jordan and Egypt in the energy, health and education sectors.

Shortly after Sisi’s arrival, Jordan's King Abdullah also arrived in Baghdad. They were received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Iraqi President Barham Salih.

While Iraq’s Kadhimi, Sisi and Jordan’s Abdullah were supposed to have a summit in Baghdad in April, they had to postpone due to a train crash in Egypt that left dozens dead and wounded.

After Iraq's cabinet in December approved renewing its contract to supply the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) with 12 million barrels of Basra light crude for the year 2021, Egypt in February signed 15 deals and memoranda of understanding in various sectors including oil, roads, housing, construction and trade.

"The president affirmed Egypt's aspiration in developing bilateral cooperation with Iraq into a sustainable framework of economic integration and strategic cooperation, especially in light of the great challenges facing the region," said an Egypt presidency statement.

A pipeline that will hold the capacity to export 1 million barrels per day of Iraqi crude from the southern city of Basra to Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba is also being planned by Iraq.

(With inputs from agencies)

Marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Iraq since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Baghdad on Sunday.

Marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Iraq since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Baghdad on Sunday. The decades earlier conflict had badly damaged the relations between Egypt and Iraq; however, the relations have witnessed an improvement in recent years with many senior officials from both countries exchanging visits. In a bid to boost Iraqi ties with Arab nations, and counter Iran’s influence in the country, Sisi's visit is part of a summit between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. The fourth round of talks between these countries, this summit is aimed at strengthening security, economic, trade and investment cooperation. In recent years, Iraq has also signed cooperation deals with Jordan and Egypt in the energy, health and education sectors. Shortly after Sisi’s arrival, Jordan's King Abdullah also arrived in Baghdad. They were received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Iraqi President Barham Salih. While Iraq’s Kadhimi, Sisi and Jordan’s Abdullah were supposed to have a summit in Baghdad in April, they had to postpone due to a train crash in Egypt that left dozens dead and wounded. After Iraq's cabinet in December approved renewing its contract to supply the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) with 12 million barrels of Basra light crude for the year 2021, Egypt in February signed 15 deals and memoranda of understanding in various sectors including oil, roads, housing, construction and trade. "The president affirmed Egypt's aspiration in developing bilateral cooperation with Iraq into a sustainable framework of economic integration and strategic cooperation, especially in light of the great challenges facing the region," said an Egypt presidency statement. A pipeline that will hold the capacity to export 1 million barrels per day of Iraqi crude from the southern city of Basra to Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba is also being planned by Iraq. (With inputs from agencies)

Sisi marks first Iraq visit by an Egyptian leader in decades

Iraqi paramilitary fighters, including Iran-backed factions, held a parade at a military base in eastern Iraq on Saturday. The parade showcased tanks and rocket launchers. This was their biggest formal parade till date. The event was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Iraq: A showcase of tanks and rocket launchers in anniversary parade

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives.

The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad. The paramilitary alliance is opposed to US presence in Iraq.

The drone attack took place overnight. Anti-terrorist unit in Kurdistan said, two drones struck a house and caused damage. The payload on the third drone didn't explode.

The US consulate condemned the assault in a tweet, saying "this attack represents a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty".

US interests in Iraq have come under repeated attacks in recent months but the use of drones is a relatively new tactic.

The United States consistently blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks against Iraqi installations housing its personnel.

Since the start of the year there have been 43 attacks against US interests in Iraq, where 2,500 American troops are deployed as part of an international coalition to fight the jihadist Islamic State group.

The vast majority have been bombs against logistics convoys, while 14 were rocket attacks, some of them claimed by pro-Iran factions that aim to pressure Washington into withdrawing all their troops.

In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in Arbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital.

The tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade air defences.

In May a drone packed with explosives hit the Ain Al-Asad air base housing US troops.

On June 9 three explosives-laden drones targeted Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are also deployed. One was intercepted by the Iraqi army.

(With agency inputs)

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives. The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad.

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives. The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad. The paramilitary alliance is opposed to US presence in Iraq. The drone attack took place overnight. Anti-terrorist unit in Kurdistan said, two drones struck a house and caused damage. The payload on the third drone didn't explode. The US consulate condemned the assault in a tweet, saying "this attack represents a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty". US interests in Iraq have come under repeated attacks in recent months but the use of drones is a relatively new tactic. The United States consistently blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks against Iraqi installations housing its personnel. Since the start of the year there have been 43 attacks against US interests in Iraq, where 2,500 American troops are deployed as part of an international coalition to fight the jihadist Islamic State group. The vast majority have been bombs against logistics convoys, while 14 were rocket attacks, some of them claimed by pro-Iran factions that aim to pressure Washington into withdrawing all their troops. In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in Arbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital. The tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade air defences. In May a drone packed with explosives hit the Ain Al-Asad air base housing US troops. On June 9 three explosives-laden drones targeted Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are also deployed. One was intercepted by the Iraqi army. (With agency inputs)

Explosives-laden drones strike near Iraq's Arbil

Iraqi paramilitary fighters, including Iran-backed factions, held a parade at a military base in eastern Iraq on Saturday. The parade showcased tanks and rocket launchers. This was their biggest formal parade till date. The event was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

The event marked seven years since the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were formed to fight the Sunni Muslim extremist Islamic State group.

"I esteem your sacrifices, and the sacrifices of the Iraqi armed forces" in fighting Islamic State, Kadhimi said, warning against any "sedition" within the PMF, but without elaborating.

The PMF's establishment created a state-sanctioned umbrella organisation of mostly Shi'ite militias backed by Iran.

Iran-backed factions are the most powerful in the PMF. After the Islamic State's defeat in 2017, these factions have expanded their military, political and economic power. They have also carried out attacks on bases that house the 2500 remaining US forces in Iraq.

They have allies in parliament and government and a grip over some state bodies, including security institutions.

Those factions are also accused of killing protesters who took to the streets in late 2019 demanding the removal of Iraq's ruling elite. The groups deny involvement in activist killings.

Kadhimi, a U.S.-friendly interim premier, has tried to crack down on the most powerful Iran-backed factions but without success because of their military strength and political influence.

The membership of Iran-aligned groups in the PMF has made it difficult for Kadhimi and state security forces to check the power of the militias, since they are effectively part of the state itself.

On Saturday Kadhimi watched, flanked by militia commanders while hundreds of armoured vehicles drove past a banner of the late PMF military chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iran-backed commander who was killed in a U.S. drone strike last year.

The parade, a demonstration of military might, took place at a base once occupied by U.S. troops near the border with Iran.

The PMF was formed in 2014 after Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani urged all able-bodied Iraqis to take up arms against Islamic State, which had taken over a third of Iraq.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iraqi paramilitary fighters, including Iran-backed factions, held a parade at a military base in eastern Iraq on Saturday. The parade showcased tanks and rocket launchers.

Iraqi paramilitary fighters, including Iran-backed factions, held a parade at a military base in eastern Iraq on Saturday. The parade showcased tanks and rocket launchers. This was their biggest formal parade till date. The event was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. The event marked seven years since the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) were formed to fight the Sunni Muslim extremist Islamic State group. "I esteem your sacrifices, and the sacrifices of the Iraqi armed forces" in fighting Islamic State, Kadhimi said, warning against any "sedition" within the PMF, but without elaborating. The PMF's establishment created a state-sanctioned umbrella organisation of mostly Shi'ite militias backed by Iran. Iran-backed factions are the most powerful in the PMF. After the Islamic State's defeat in 2017, these factions have expanded their military, political and economic power. They have also carried out attacks on bases that house the 2500 remaining US forces in Iraq. They have allies in parliament and government and a grip over some state bodies, including security institutions. Those factions are also accused of killing protesters who took to the streets in late 2019 demanding the removal of Iraq's ruling elite. The groups deny involvement in activist killings. Kadhimi, a U.S.-friendly interim premier, has tried to crack down on the most powerful Iran-backed factions but without success because of their military strength and political influence. The membership of Iran-aligned groups in the PMF has made it difficult for Kadhimi and state security forces to check the power of the militias, since they are effectively part of the state itself. On Saturday Kadhimi watched, flanked by militia commanders while hundreds of armoured vehicles drove past a banner of the late PMF military chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iran-backed commander who was killed in a U.S. drone strike last year. The parade, a demonstration of military might, took place at a base once occupied by U.S. troops near the border with Iran. The PMF was formed in 2014 after Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani urged all able-bodied Iraqis to take up arms against Islamic State, which had taken over a third of Iraq. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraqi paramilitaries, Iran-backed factions hold parade in Iraq

A rocket was fired on Sunday at an Iraqi air base hosting American troops, AFP reported citing a security source. This is the latest report in a series of attacks that US blames on militia having links with Iran.

The assault on the Ain Al-Assad base came as pro-Tehran groups hailed the election of Iranian ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as the new president of the Islamic republic, with some saying it reflected the "failure" of America's "pawns" in the region.

The latest attack has come just 10 days after the US offered upto USD 3 million rewards for information on strikes against American citizens in Iraq.

Since October 2019, US interests in Iraq have been repeatedly targetted including with rockets. The attacks have routinely been targetted by Washington on Iran-backed factions.

Since the beginning of the year, a total of 43 attacks have targeted the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraqi bases housing US troops or Iraqi convoys carrying logistical support.

Pro-Iran groups in Iraq are campaigning for departure of remaining US troops. There are still 2500 US troops deployed in Iraq as part of the international coalition to fight Islamic State group. The Iraqi government declared that fight won in late 2017.

(With inputs from agencies)

A rocket was fired on Sunday at an Iraqi air base hosting American troops, AFP reported citing a security source. This is the latest report in a series of attacks that US blames on militia having links with Iran.

A rocket was fired on Sunday at an Iraqi air base hosting American troops, AFP reported citing a security source. This is the latest report in a series of attacks that US blames on militia having links with Iran. The assault on the Ain Al-Assad base came as pro-Tehran groups hailed the election of Iranian ultraconservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi as the new president of the Islamic republic, with some saying it reflected the "failure" of America's "pawns" in the region. The latest attack has come just 10 days after the US offered upto USD 3 million rewards for information on strikes against American citizens in Iraq. Since October 2019, US interests in Iraq have been repeatedly targetted including with rockets. The attacks have routinely been targetted by Washington on Iran-backed factions. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 43 attacks have targeted the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraqi bases housing US troops or Iraqi convoys carrying logistical support. Pro-Iran groups in Iraq are campaigning for departure of remaining US troops. There are still 2500 US troops deployed in Iraq as part of the international coalition to fight Islamic State group. The Iraqi government declared that fight won in late 2017. (With inputs from agencies)

Rocket fired at Iraqi base hosting US troops: Report

Senior official from Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was eliminated in a Turkish intelligence operation in Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the announcement on Sunday.

He accuses the PKK of using mountainous area in northern Iraq as springboard for insurgency against Turkey

Erdogan said Selman Bozkir was the PKK chief in Makhmur, a Kurdish refugee camp in northern Iraq.

"We will not allow the gruesome separatist organisation to use Makhmur as an incubator for terrorism," Erdogan said on Twitter.

"We will continue to exterminate terrorism at its source," he added.

The presidency's communications director Fahrettin Altun warned that "all terrorists will end up like him."&nbsp;

Set up by the United Nations at the end of the 1990s to host Turkish Kurds, the Makhmur camp was hit Saturday by a Turkish drone strike that left three civilians dead, a Kurdish official from the camp told AFP.

Ankara regularly accuses the PKK of running the Makhmur camp, which is 250 kilometres (150 miles) south of the Turkish border.

Turkey regularly conducts cross-border operations and air raids on PKK rear bases in Iraq -- moves that have strained relations between the two neighbours -- launching its latest offensive in April.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Senior official from Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was eliminated in a Turkish intelligence operation in Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the announcement on Sunday.

Senior official from Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was eliminated in a Turkish intelligence operation in Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the announcement on Sunday. He accuses the PKK of using mountainous area in northern Iraq as springboard for insurgency against Turkey Erdogan said Selman Bozkir was the PKK chief in Makhmur, a Kurdish refugee camp in northern Iraq. "We will not allow the gruesome separatist organisation to use Makhmur as an incubator for terrorism," Erdogan said on Twitter. "We will continue to exterminate terrorism at its source," he added. The presidency's communications director Fahrettin Altun warned that "all terrorists will end up like him." Set up by the United Nations at the end of the 1990s to host Turkish Kurds, the Makhmur camp was hit Saturday by a Turkish drone strike that left three civilians dead, a Kurdish official from the camp told AFP. Ankara regularly accuses the PKK of running the Makhmur camp, which is 250 kilometres (150 miles) south of the Turkish border. Turkey regularly conducts cross-border operations and air raids on PKK rear bases in Iraq -- moves that have strained relations between the two neighbours -- launching its latest offensive in April. (With inputs from agencies)

Top Kurdish official killed in Turkey's Iraq operation

Iraqi military said on Sunday that air defences at Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base that hosts US&nbsp;forces, intercepted and shot down two drones. 
 
The military said in a statement the drones were intercepted and shot down at a round 12:30 am&nbsp;local time. 
 
On May 8, an attack by an unmanned aerial surveillance system targeted Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base, but it caused no injuries. 
 
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack. Armed groups that some Iraqi officials say are backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for similar incidents in the past. 
 
A separate rocket attack late on Saturday targeted the area of the Baghdad International Airport which also hosts US&nbsp;forces, two Iraqi security sources said. There were no reported damages or casualties, they said. 
 
Iraqi security forces found a rocket launcher with a timer in a rural area in western Baghdad which was used in the attack, said one security official.

Iraqi military said on Sunday that air defences at Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base that hosts US forces, intercepted and shot down two drones. The military said in a statement the drones were intercepted and shot down at a round 12:30 am local time.

Iraqi military said on Sunday that air defences at Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base that hosts US forces, intercepted and shot down two drones. The military said in a statement the drones were intercepted and shot down at a round 12:30 am local time. On May 8, an attack by an unmanned aerial surveillance system targeted Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base, but it caused no injuries. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack. Armed groups that some Iraqi officials say are backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for similar incidents in the past. A separate rocket attack late on Saturday targeted the area of the Baghdad International Airport which also hosts US forces, two Iraqi security sources said. There were no reported damages or casualties, they said. Iraqi security forces found a rocket launcher with a timer in a rural area in western Baghdad which was used in the attack, said one security official.

Two drones intercepted, shot down over Iraqi air base: Military

Three civilians were killed in a Turkish drone attack on Iraq refugee camp on Saturday. The refugee camp is in northern Iraq in an area Turkish president recently threatened to "clean up, said a Kurdish lawmaker.

Rashad Galali, a Kurdish MP from Makhmur, told AFP the strike targeted "a kindergarten near a school" in the UN-supported camp that houses Kurdish refugees from Turkey.

"Three civilians were killed and two wounded," he said.

Earlier this week, Turkey President Recep Tayyiop Erdogan compared Makhmur to Mount Qandil region along Iraq's eastern border. Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has rear bases in Mount Qandil region. PKK has been outlawed by Turkey.

"The issue of Makhmur is as important to us as Qandil... because Makhmur has become the incubator of Qandil... and if we don't intervene the incubator will continue producing (terrorists)," he said.

"If the United Nations does not clean up this district, we will take care of it in our capacity as a UN member state," Erdogan warned.

Since mid-90s, Turkish troops have maintained network of bases in northern Iraq. The bases have been maintained as per security agreements with now ousted regime of dictator Saddam Hussein.

The PKK has waged a rebellion in the mainly Kurdish southeast of Turkey since 1984 that has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The PKK maintains rear bases in northern Iraq, from where they train their fighters and launch attacks on Turkey which has hit back with air attacks and the occasional ground incursion into Iraq.

Saturday's drone attack came hours after five Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga fighters were killed in a clashes with the PKK in the Mount Matin district of northern Dohuk province, an official said.

Serbast Lazkin, deputy minister for peshmerga affairs in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, said two peshmerga fighters were also wounded in the clash.

(With inputs from agencies)

Three civilians were killed in a Turkish drone attack on Iraq refugee camp on Saturday. The refugee camp is in northern Iraq in an area Turkish president recently threatened to "clean up, said a Kurdish lawmaker.

Three civilians were killed in a Turkish drone attack on Iraq refugee camp on Saturday. The refugee camp is in northern Iraq in an area Turkish president recently threatened to "clean up, said a Kurdish lawmaker. Rashad Galali, a Kurdish MP from Makhmur, told AFP the strike targeted "a kindergarten near a school" in the UN-supported camp that houses Kurdish refugees from Turkey. "Three civilians were killed and two wounded," he said. Earlier this week, Turkey President Recep Tayyiop Erdogan compared Makhmur to Mount Qandil region along Iraq's eastern border. Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has rear bases in Mount Qandil region. PKK has been outlawed by Turkey. "The issue of Makhmur is as important to us as Qandil... because Makhmur has become the incubator of Qandil... and if we don't intervene the incubator will continue producing (terrorists)," he said. "If the United Nations does not clean up this district, we will take care of it in our capacity as a UN member state," Erdogan warned. Since mid-90s, Turkish troops have maintained network of bases in northern Iraq. The bases have been maintained as per security agreements with now ousted regime of dictator Saddam Hussein. The PKK has waged a rebellion in the mainly Kurdish southeast of Turkey since 1984 that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The PKK maintains rear bases in northern Iraq, from where they train their fighters and launch attacks on Turkey which has hit back with air attacks and the occasional ground incursion into Iraq. Saturday's drone attack came hours after five Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga fighters were killed in a clashes with the PKK in the Mount Matin district of northern Dohuk province, an official said. Serbast Lazkin, deputy minister for peshmerga affairs in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, said two peshmerga fighters were also wounded in the clash. (With inputs from agencies)

Turkish drone strike on Iraq refugee camp kills three

Iranian foreign ministry said on Monday that the country's talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia were ongoing in "good atmosphere" in the hope of reaching "common understanding". Last month, media revealed that Iranian and Saudi officials had met in Baghdad in April. This was their first high-level meeting since Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016.

"Talks are still continuing in a good atmosphere," ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said at a press conference.

"We hope these talks can achieve a common understanding between Iran and Saudi Arabia," he added.

Ties between the two countries were cut in 2016 after Iranian protestors attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric.

The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting was held on April 9.

Khatibzadeh confirmed the talks on May 10, saying their purpose was "both bilateral and regional", but stressed it was "too soon" to disclose any details.

"De-escalation and (establishing) ties between two great Islamic countries in the Persian Gulf region is to the benefit of both nations," he said at the time.

Iran in late April welcomed a "change of tone" from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman towards it after he called for a "good and special relationship" with Tehran.

The regional rivals have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led military coalition is fighting the Huthi rebels.

Iran backs the Huthis, who are battling the coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in support of an internationally recognised government in 2015.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iranian foreign ministry said on Monday that the country's talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia were ongoing in "good atmosphere" in the hope of reaching "common understanding".

Iranian foreign ministry said on Monday that the country's talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia were ongoing in "good atmosphere" in the hope of reaching "common understanding". Last month, media revealed that Iranian and Saudi officials had met in Baghdad in April. This was their first high-level meeting since Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016. "Talks are still continuing in a good atmosphere," ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said at a press conference. "We hope these talks can achieve a common understanding between Iran and Saudi Arabia," he added. Ties between the two countries were cut in 2016 after Iranian protestors attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric. The talks in Baghdad, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting was held on April 9. Khatibzadeh confirmed the talks on May 10, saying their purpose was "both bilateral and regional", but stressed it was "too soon" to disclose any details. "De-escalation and (establishing) ties between two great Islamic countries in the Persian Gulf region is to the benefit of both nations," he said at the time. Iran in late April welcomed a "change of tone" from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman towards it after he called for a "good and special relationship" with Tehran. The regional rivals have backed opposite sides of several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led military coalition is fighting the Huthi rebels. Iran backs the Huthis, who are battling the coalition that intervened in Yemen's war in support of an internationally recognised government in 2015. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran says talks with Saudi Arabia ongoing in 'good atmosphere'

Iraq President Barham Saleh on Sunday (March 23) said that USD 150 billion from oil had been smuggled out of Iraq since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003. President Saleh presented a draft law to parliament to fight corruption

He called "on parliament to adopt this crucial piece of legislation, in order to curb this pervasive practice that has plagued our great nation".

Transparency International ranks the country 21st from bottom in its Corruption Perceptions Index.

"Of the close to a trillion dollars made from oil since 2003, an estimated $150 billion of stolen money has been smuggled out of Iraq," Saleh added, calling for cooperation with other governments and international bodies to recover the funds.

Endemic corruption was one of the drivers of protests that shook Iraq from October 2019 to June 2020.

"Corruption is an impediment to any nation's economic and social development," the Iraqi head of state said, whose powers are limited under the constitution.

"It deprives citizens of opportunities and livelihoods, and robs them of essential services and infrastructure," he added.

Saleh said violence and terrorism, which have plagued Iraq for years, "are deeply intertwined with the phenomenon of corruption".

The draft law targets those who have held positions of director general and above in government and public companies in the new regime since 2004.

Under this law, transactions over USD 500,000 would be scrutinised as well as bank accounts, particularly those that held over $1 million, and contracts or investments obtained through corruption would be cancelled.

But security and politics expert Fadel Abo Ragheef was sceptical the law would be passed.&nbsp;

"It's certainly one of the best pieces of legislation proposed by the executive branch since 2003. But will it be adopted? I doubt it," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"The political parties the lawmakers belong to will act to sabotage it, so it doesn't pass," he said.

"In public they will support it, but behind the scenes, they will do everything to prevent its adoption, because many of the politicians are involved in this racket".

An Iraqi banking source said politicians have smuggled $60 billion out of the country.

However, much of that was via Lebanon, a move now likely to their detriment, as the country is mired in a severe economic crisis, and it is almost impossible to get money out of its banks.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iraq President Barham Saleh on Sunday (March 23) said that USD 150 billion from oil had been smuggled out of Iraq since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003. President Saleh presented a draft law to parliament to fight corruption He called "on parliament to adopt this crucial piece of legislation, in order to curb this pervasive practice that has plagued our great nation".

Iraq President Barham Saleh on Sunday (March 23) said that USD 150 billion from oil had been smuggled out of Iraq since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003. President Saleh presented a draft law to parliament to fight corruption He called "on parliament to adopt this crucial piece of legislation, in order to curb this pervasive practice that has plagued our great nation". Transparency International ranks the country 21st from bottom in its Corruption Perceptions Index. "Of the close to a trillion dollars made from oil since 2003, an estimated $150 billion of stolen money has been smuggled out of Iraq," Saleh added, calling for cooperation with other governments and international bodies to recover the funds. Endemic corruption was one of the drivers of protests that shook Iraq from October 2019 to June 2020. "Corruption is an impediment to any nation's economic and social development," the Iraqi head of state said, whose powers are limited under the constitution. "It deprives citizens of opportunities and livelihoods, and robs them of essential services and infrastructure," he added. Saleh said violence and terrorism, which have plagued Iraq for years, "are deeply intertwined with the phenomenon of corruption". The draft law targets those who have held positions of director general and above in government and public companies in the new regime since 2004. Under this law, transactions over USD 500,000 would be scrutinised as well as bank accounts, particularly those that held over $1 million, and contracts or investments obtained through corruption would be cancelled. But security and politics expert Fadel Abo Ragheef was sceptical the law would be passed. "It's certainly one of the best pieces of legislation proposed by the executive branch since 2003. But will it be adopted? I doubt it," he told AFP. "The political parties the lawmakers belong to will act to sabotage it, so it doesn't pass," he said. "In public they will support it, but behind the scenes, they will do everything to prevent its adoption, because many of the politicians are involved in this racket". An Iraqi banking source said politicians have smuggled $60 billion out of the country. However, much of that was via Lebanon, a move now likely to their detriment, as the country is mired in a severe economic crisis, and it is almost impossible to get money out of its banks. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraq: USD 150 billion worth stolen oil cash smuggled out since 2003

Saudi Arabia is 'hopeful' after exploratory talks with its nemesis Iran, its foreign minister said, in a rare comment on delicate discussions whose details have been closely guarded.&nbsp;

The official-level meetings aim to restore relations severed five years ago between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shiite Islamic Republic of Iran.&nbsp;

"We have initiated some exploratory talks. They are at a very early stage but we are hopeful," Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in Paris on Tuesday, where he is participating in two international summits.&nbsp;

The talks with Iran, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, had remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held in Baghdad on April 9.&nbsp;

The Iranian government only confirmed on May 10 that the talks had been held, adding that it was 'too soon' to discuss the results. &nbsp;

"If (the Iranians) can see that their interest is in a good relationship with their neighbours, I can be hopeful," Prince Faisal said, emphasising again that they were 'at an early stage'.&nbsp;

Asked what the impact of the June presidential elections in Iran might be, he said, he thought it would be minimal. &nbsp;

"Our understanding of Iran's foreign policy is that it's set by the Supreme Leader," he explained. "So, we don't think there will be a substantial change."&nbsp;

"There may be a change in the representatives that portray that policy, but in the end, it's what happens on the ground that matters, and that is driven by the Supreme Leader."&nbsp;

The countries cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric.&nbsp;

The regional rivals have backed opposite sides in several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Huthi rebels.&nbsp;

But in April, Saudi Arabia's crown prince struck a conciliatory tone, saying he sought 'good' relations.&nbsp;

The tentative initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive the tattered 2015 Iran nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, Washington-Riyadh relations have cooled from the very close ties of the Trump era, as Biden seeks to press the oil-rich kingdom over human rights concerns.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia is 'hopeful' after exploratory talks with its nemesis Iran, its foreign minister said, in a rare comment on delicate discussions whose details have been closely guarded.

Saudi Arabia is 'hopeful' after exploratory talks with its nemesis Iran, its foreign minister said, in a rare comment on delicate discussions whose details have been closely guarded. The official-level meetings aim to restore relations severed five years ago between the Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shiite Islamic Republic of Iran. "We have initiated some exploratory talks. They are at a very early stage but we are hopeful," Prince Faisal bin Farhan said in Paris on Tuesday, where he is participating in two international summits. The talks with Iran, facilitated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, had remained secret until the Financial Times reported that a first meeting had been held in Baghdad on April 9. The Iranian government only confirmed on May 10 that the talks had been held, adding that it was 'too soon' to discuss the results. "If (the Iranians) can see that their interest is in a good relationship with their neighbours, I can be hopeful," Prince Faisal said, emphasising again that they were 'at an early stage'. Asked what the impact of the June presidential elections in Iran might be, he said, he thought it would be minimal. "Our understanding of Iran's foreign policy is that it's set by the Supreme Leader," he explained. "So, we don't think there will be a substantial change." "There may be a change in the representatives that portray that policy, but in the end, it's what happens on the ground that matters, and that is driven by the Supreme Leader." The countries cut ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a revered Shiite cleric. The regional rivals have backed opposite sides in several regional conflicts, from Syria to Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Huthi rebels. But in April, Saudi Arabia's crown prince struck a conciliatory tone, saying he sought 'good' relations. The tentative initiative comes at a time of shifting power dynamics. US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive the tattered 2015 Iran nuclear deal that was abandoned by Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Washington-Riyadh relations have cooled from the very close ties of the Trump era, as Biden seeks to press the oil-rich kingdom over human rights concerns. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi foreign minister 'hopeful' over exploratory Iran talks 

Bashar Abo Khalil's PUBG character dashes around a wall in a pink dress and samurai helmet, thwacking an enemy with a frying pan -- standard fare in the mobile game that is a mega-sensation in Iraq.

The online star, known as G2G, is one of many&nbsp;Iraqis&nbsp;hooked&nbsp;on&nbsp;PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds -- a battle royale first-person shooter game that's reminiscent of the book and film series 'The Hunger Games'.

Also read- <a href="'Escape COVID-19': Computer game helping health workers combat virus spread">'Escape COVID-19': Computer game helping health workers combat virus spread</a>

The mobile version of the game has become so popular in Iraq, where 60 percent of the 40-million-strong population is under 25, that the country's youth have been dubbed the 'PUBG generation'.

Iraqis&nbsp;across the country are spending hours every day&nbsp;on&nbsp;the game's&nbsp;virtual&nbsp;battleground, socialising via its live chat, playing competitively or even falling in love.

Abo Khalil, 31, said he used to play for hours to "stop thinking about problems".

"When you're playing the game you can become closed off to the rest of the world. It can be like a drug," he added.

Now based in Turkey, he earns a living streaming games and making videos.

Fan Dalya Waheed said she plays PUBG for an hour or two a day with friends she met&nbsp;on&nbsp;the game, and has even set up a gaming hub at the electronics reseller where she works.

"It's really easy to meet people&nbsp;on&nbsp;PUBG," said the woman in her thirties, who lives in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region.

Some Iraqi parents have criticised the game as time-sucking or have expressed worry about the violence it portrays, with guns-a-plenty and explosives sending up blood spatter.

But Reshar Ibrahim, who plays PUBG Mobile competitively, said the game would never be as bad as what many&nbsp;Iraqis&nbsp;had experienced in real life over the decades of conflicts that have devastated the country.

"It's just a game," said the 19-year-old Iraqi Kurd, who has lived in Sweden for the past three years.

In 2019, the country's parliament banned PUBG amid local reports it was leading to bankruptcy, suicide and divorce.

The move, which was easily circumvented, was criticised as being out of touch with the real challenges facing&nbsp;Iraqis.

Nearly 40 percent of Iraqi youth are unemployed, according to the World Bank, and the country's poverty rate has doubled to 40 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Later that year, thousands of young&nbsp;Iraqis&nbsp;-- some dressed in PUBG outfits -- filled the streets to protest endemic corruption and unemployment. Over the months that followed, some 600 demonstrators were killed in protest-related violence.

Abo Khalil and Ibrahim are just two of many successful Iraqi gamers outside the country, away from the additional challenges of poor internet and unreliable electricity that players back home face.

Ibrahim, aka Freak, recently won Most Valuable Player in the PUBG Mobile Star Arabia Challenge, which doled out $100,000 in total prize money.

His team, GunZ Esports, won the competition despite one player in Iraq losing power mid-game and another having to travel from southern Najaf to the northern Kurdistan region -- where internet connectivity "is slightly better", Ibrahim said.

Helmat Shiar, 23, who competed in the tournament with the Iraqi iKurd E-Sports team, said it wasn't just that&nbsp;Iraqis&nbsp;"play against teams abroad who have much stronger internet".

There was also 'no support'&nbsp;from private or governmental sponsors, he lamented.

Elsewhere in the Arab world, governments and major sponsors are pouring money into eSports.

In the Gulf, the gaming market is expected to reach $821 million this year, according to consulting firm Strategy&amp;.

Hayder Jaafar said he had struggled for 10 years to register his non-governmental Iraqi Electronic Sports Federation as a full member of the international gaming body before succeeding in 2020.

"The youth ministry structure for eSports was last modified in 2009, and a lot has changed in eSports since then," the 38-year-old told AFP.

Iraq suffers from war-ravaged infrastructure and poor electricity -- most households only have a few hours of state-provided electricity per day.

But there are 40 million mobile phone connections in the country and 30 million internet users, according to a 2021 DataReportal study.

Last year, PUBG was the 11th-most-searched term in Iraq&nbsp;on&nbsp;Google, and variations&nbsp;on&nbsp;the game's name took several top spots&nbsp;on&nbsp;YouTube searches as well.

PUBG's widespread popularity is in part due to the launch of a free-to-play mobile version by Chinese tech giant Tencent, which said in March that over one billion people had downloaded the app since 2018.

iKurd player Jiner Hekmat, 18, said he was hooked&nbsp;on&nbsp;the mobile version but wasn't banking all his hopes&nbsp;on&nbsp;being a competitive player, saying he wanted to focus&nbsp;on&nbsp;his studies.&nbsp;

But, he added, "I'm also going to do everything I can to keep my level in PUBG, and keep playing as long as the game exists".

Bashar Abo Khalil's PUBG character dashes around a wall in a pink dress and samurai helmet, thwacking an enemy with a frying pan -- standard fare in the mobile game that is a mega-sensation in Iraq.

Bashar Abo Khalil's PUBG character dashes around a wall in a pink dress and samurai helmet, thwacking an enemy with a frying pan -- standard fare in the mobile game that is a mega-sensation in Iraq. The online star, known as G2G, is one of many Iraqis hooked on PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds -- a battle royale first-person shooter game that's reminiscent of the book and film series 'The Hunger Games'. Also read- 'Escape COVID-19': Computer game helping health workers combat virus spread The mobile version of the game has become so popular in Iraq, where 60 percent of the 40-million-strong population is under 25, that the country's youth have been dubbed the 'PUBG generation'. Iraqis across the country are spending hours every day on the game's virtual battleground, socialising via its live chat, playing competitively or even falling in love. Abo Khalil, 31, said he used to play for hours to "stop thinking about problems". "When you're playing the game you can become closed off to the rest of the world. It can be like a drug," he added. Now based in Turkey, he earns a living streaming games and making videos. Fan Dalya Waheed said she plays PUBG for an hour or two a day with friends she met on the game, and has even set up a gaming hub at the electronics reseller where she works. "It's really easy to meet people on PUBG," said the woman in her thirties, who lives in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. Some Iraqi parents have criticised the game as time-sucking or have expressed worry about the violence it portrays, with guns-a-plenty and explosives sending up blood spatter. But Reshar Ibrahim, who plays PUBG Mobile competitively, said the game would never be as bad as what many Iraqis had experienced in real life over the decades of conflicts that have devastated the country. "It's just a game," said the 19-year-old Iraqi Kurd, who has lived in Sweden for the past three years. In 2019, the country's parliament banned PUBG amid local reports it was leading to bankruptcy, suicide and divorce. The move, which was easily circumvented, was criticised as being out of touch with the real challenges facing Iraqis. Nearly 40 percent of Iraqi youth are unemployed, according to the World Bank, and the country's poverty rate has doubled to 40 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic. Later that year, thousands of young Iraqis -- some dressed in PUBG outfits -- filled the streets to protest endemic corruption and unemployment. Over the months that followed, some 600 demonstrators were killed in protest-related violence. Abo Khalil and Ibrahim are just two of many successful Iraqi gamers outside the country, away from the additional challenges of poor internet and unreliable electricity that players back home face. Ibrahim, aka Freak, recently won Most Valuable Player in the PUBG Mobile Star Arabia Challenge, which doled out $100,000 in total prize money. His team, GunZ Esports, won the competition despite one player in Iraq losing power mid-game and another having to travel from southern Najaf to the northern Kurdistan region -- where internet connectivity "is slightly better", Ibrahim said. Helmat Shiar, 23, who competed in the tournament with the Iraqi iKurd E-Sports team, said it wasn't just that Iraqis "play against teams abroad who have much stronger internet". There was also 'no support' from private or governmental sponsors, he lamented. Elsewhere in the Arab world, governments and major sponsors are pouring money into eSports. In the Gulf, the gaming market is expected to reach $821 million this year, according to consulting firm Strategy&. Hayder Jaafar said he had struggled for 10 years to register his non-governmental Iraqi Electronic Sports Federation as a full member of the international gaming body before succeeding in 2020. "The youth ministry structure for eSports was last modified in 2009, and a lot has changed in eSports since then," the 38-year-old told AFP. Iraq suffers from war-ravaged infrastructure and poor electricity -- most households only have a few hours of state-provided electricity per day. But there are 40 million mobile phone connections in the country and 30 million internet users, according to a 2021 DataReportal study. Last year, PUBG was the 11th-most-searched term in Iraq on Google, and variations on the game's name took several top spots on YouTube searches as well. PUBG's widespread popularity is in part due to the launch of a free-to-play mobile version by Chinese tech giant Tencent, which said in March that over one billion people had downloaded the app since 2018. iKurd player Jiner Hekmat, 18, said he was hooked on the mobile version but wasn't banking all his hopes on being a competitive player, saying he wanted to focus on his studies. But, he added, "I'm also going to do everything I can to keep my level in PUBG, and keep playing as long as the game exists".

Iraqis find escape, success on a virtual battleground

Thousands of supporters of hardline Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr rallied in Baghdad on Saturday to denounce Israeli attacks on Palestinians.

"Jerusalem is ours. Death to Israel," read signs they held up as they flooded Baghdad's iconic Tahrir Square, holding a huge Palestinian flag above their heads.

"The world is against Palestine but God backs it," read another sign carried by the protesters who also waved the Iraqi flag and held pictures of Sadr.

The rally in Baghdad came as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip on Saturday with airstrikes, killing 10 members of an extended family and flattening a tower that housed media offices of Al Jazeera and The Associated Press.

That coincided with clashes in the West Bank as Palestinians marked the Nakba, or "catastrophe" when more than 700,000 of them were expelled or fled from their land during the 1947-1948 conflict surrounding the creation of Israel.

"We stand with the Palestinian people for better or worse," Sadr said in a statement delivered by his Baghdad representative Sheikh Ibrahim al-Jabari.

"Israel is trying, by every means possible, to reconcile with Arabs and Muslims through the normalisation of ties with countries who are only guided by economic and financial interests," Sadr's message said.

He was alluding to the US-brokered normalisation agreements Israel struck last year with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

Experts said Saturday's rally was a show of force by Sadr supporters ahead of early parliamentary elections expected to take place in October.

Thousands of supporters of hardline Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr rallied in Baghdad on Saturday to denounce Israeli attacks on Palestinians. "Jerusalem is ours. Death to Israel," read signs they held up as they flooded Baghdad's iconic Tahrir Square, holding a huge Palestinian flag above their heads.

Thousands of supporters of hardline Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr rallied in Baghdad on Saturday to denounce Israeli attacks on Palestinians. "Jerusalem is ours. Death to Israel," read signs they held up as they flooded Baghdad's iconic Tahrir Square, holding a huge Palestinian flag above their heads. "The world is against Palestine but God backs it," read another sign carried by the protesters who also waved the Iraqi flag and held pictures of Sadr. The rally in Baghdad came as Israel pounded the Gaza Strip on Saturday with airstrikes, killing 10 members of an extended family and flattening a tower that housed media offices of Al Jazeera and The Associated Press. That coincided with clashes in the West Bank as Palestinians marked the Nakba, or "catastrophe" when more than 700,000 of them were expelled or fled from their land during the 1947-1948 conflict surrounding the creation of Israel. "We stand with the Palestinian people for better or worse," Sadr said in a statement delivered by his Baghdad representative Sheikh Ibrahim al-Jabari. "Israel is trying, by every means possible, to reconcile with Arabs and Muslims through the normalisation of ties with countries who are only guided by economic and financial interests," Sadr's message said. He was alluding to the US-brokered normalisation agreements Israel struck last year with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Experts said Saturday's rally was a show of force by Sadr supporters ahead of early parliamentary elections expected to take place in October.

Iraq: Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr mobilises thousands against Israel

Gathering in the courtyard of al-Masfi mosque, worshippers in Mosul held Eid prayers in the city's oldest mosque for the first time since it was heavily damaged during the war against Islamic State that ended in 2017.

First Eid prayer held in Mosul's oldest mosque as a call for its reconstruction

Israeli police said have said that the annual Jerusalem Day parade will take place on Monday in East Jerusalem, where violent clashes have continued for the past few days. 
 
"Currently, the annual Jerusalem Day's flag-waving parade will be held as planned," the police said in a statement sent to Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Israel vows to keep Jerusalem in order">Israel vows to keep Jerusalem in order</a> 
 
In Monday's parade, thousands of Israelis are expected to march through East Jerusalem's Old City, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed shortly afterwards. 
 
There were calls to cancel or to change the route of the parade in the wake of escalating clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in the Old City during the past weeks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Netanyahu says Israel firm on Jerusalem as global concern mounts">Netanyahu says Israel firm on Jerusalem as global concern mounts</a> 
 
Former police chief Arieh Amit told Army Radio that the flag parade should be rerouted away from the Old City's Damascus Gate. 
 
"Allowing the parade to pass through the Damascus Gate will be a folly," he said. 
 
Earlier on Sunday, fresh clashes erupted at East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after the end of the morning prayer. 
 
At least 10 Palestinians were injured. 
 
About 290 Palestinians were injured over the weekend in clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and other parts of East Jerusalem. 
 
The clashes triggered international condemnations and calls from Arab states, the US, Europe and the UN for Israel to stop the violence. 
 
During Sunday's cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will 'continue to keep freedom of worship' but 'will not allow violent disturbances'. 
 
The clashes were sparked by the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem and the restrictions imposed by Israel during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. 
 
Israel seized the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. 
 
It annexed East Jerusalem shortly after the war, claiming it part of the Israeli capital. 
 
The Palestinians wish to build their future state on these lands, with its capital in East Jerusalem.

Israeli police said have said that the annual Jerusalem Day parade will take place on Monday in East Jerusalem, where violent clashes have continued for the past few days.

Israeli police said have said that the annual Jerusalem Day parade will take place on Monday in East Jerusalem, where violent clashes have continued for the past few days. "Currently, the annual Jerusalem Day's flag-waving parade will be held as planned," the police said in a statement sent to Xinhua news agency on Sunday. Also read | Israel vows to keep Jerusalem in order In Monday's parade, thousands of Israelis are expected to march through East Jerusalem's Old City, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed shortly afterwards. There were calls to cancel or to change the route of the parade in the wake of escalating clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in the Old City during the past weeks. Also read | Netanyahu says Israel firm on Jerusalem as global concern mounts Former police chief Arieh Amit told Army Radio that the flag parade should be rerouted away from the Old City's Damascus Gate. "Allowing the parade to pass through the Damascus Gate will be a folly," he said. Earlier on Sunday, fresh clashes erupted at East Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound after the end of the morning prayer. At least 10 Palestinians were injured. About 290 Palestinians were injured over the weekend in clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and other parts of East Jerusalem. The clashes triggered international condemnations and calls from Arab states, the US, Europe and the UN for Israel to stop the violence. During Sunday's cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will 'continue to keep freedom of worship' but 'will not allow violent disturbances'. The clashes were sparked by the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem and the restrictions imposed by Israel during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. Israel seized the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. It annexed East Jerusalem shortly after the war, claiming it part of the Israeli capital. The Palestinians wish to build their future state on these lands, with its capital in East Jerusalem.

Israeli police green-lights Jerusalem Day parade despite clashes, mounting tension

A UN&nbsp;team investigating Islamic State crimes in Iraq has found "clear and convincing evidence that the crimes against the Yazidi people clearly constituted genocide," the head of the inquiry said on Monday. 
 
Karim Khan told the UN&nbsp;Security Council that the team, which started work in 2018, had also identified perpetrators "that clearly have responsibility for the crime of genocide against the Yazidi community." 
 
The Yazidis are a religious sect whose beliefs combine elements of several ancient Middle Eastern religions. Islamic State militants consider the Yazidis to be devil-worshippers. 
 
Khan, a British lawyer who will next month become the International Criminal Court prosecutor, said the intent of Islamic State "to destroy the Yazidi, physically and biologically, was manifest in the ultimatum that was repeated in so many different villages in Iraq - to convert or die." 
 
Islamic State overran the Yazidi heartland in northern Iraq in 2014, forcing young women into servitude as "wives" for fighters, massacring thousands of people and displacing most of the 550,000-strong community. In 2016 an independent UN&nbsp;commission of inquiry described it as genocide. 
 
Nadia Murad, an Iraqi Yazidi woman who was enslaved and raped by Islamic State, and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney lobbied the Security Council, which then created the UN&nbsp;investigative team in 2017. 
 
They also pushed for the council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court or create a special court. 
 
"Evidence has been found, but we are still searching for the political will to prosecute," Murad, who won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, told the Security Council on Monday. 
 
The UN&nbsp;team has so far identified 1,444 possible perpetrators of attacks against the Yazidis. 
 
Khan also said that from the team`s investigation into the mass killing of unarmed cadets and military personnel at Tikrit Air Academy in June 2014 "it is clear that the crime of direct and public incitement to commit genocide occurred." 
 
The team has identified 20 people of interest and 875 victims remains from 11 mass graves from the Tikrit attack by the Sunni extremists against Shia Muslims.

A UN team investigating Islamic State crimes in Iraq has found "clear and convincing evidence that the crimes against the Yazidi people clearly constituted genocide," the head of the inquiry said on Monday.

A UN team investigating Islamic State crimes in Iraq has found "clear and convincing evidence that the crimes against the Yazidi people clearly constituted genocide," the head of the inquiry said on Monday. Karim Khan told the UN Security Council that the team, which started work in 2018, had also identified perpetrators "that clearly have responsibility for the crime of genocide against the Yazidi community." The Yazidis are a religious sect whose beliefs combine elements of several ancient Middle Eastern religions. Islamic State militants consider the Yazidis to be devil-worshippers. Khan, a British lawyer who will next month become the International Criminal Court prosecutor, said the intent of Islamic State "to destroy the Yazidi, physically and biologically, was manifest in the ultimatum that was repeated in so many different villages in Iraq - to convert or die." Islamic State overran the Yazidi heartland in northern Iraq in 2014, forcing young women into servitude as "wives" for fighters, massacring thousands of people and displacing most of the 550,000-strong community. In 2016 an independent UN commission of inquiry described it as genocide. Nadia Murad, an Iraqi Yazidi woman who was enslaved and raped by Islamic State, and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney lobbied the Security Council, which then created the UN investigative team in 2017. They also pushed for the council to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court or create a special court. "Evidence has been found, but we are still searching for the political will to prosecute," Murad, who won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, told the Security Council on Monday. The UN team has so far identified 1,444 possible perpetrators of attacks against the Yazidis. Khan also said that from the team`s investigation into the mass killing of unarmed cadets and military personnel at Tikrit Air Academy in June 2014 "it is clear that the crime of direct and public incitement to commit genocide occurred." The team has identified 20 people of interest and 875 victims remains from 11 mass graves from the Tikrit attack by the Sunni extremists against Shia Muslims.

UN investigator says he has evidence of genocide against Iraq's Yazidis

US military on Saturday said that a new drone attack&nbsp;targetted American forces in Iraq.&nbsp;The military said that the drone was packed with explosives and hit an Iraqi base that housed US troops early on Saturday.

There have been no casualties.

The attack on the Ain Al-Asad air base was the fourth in Iraq in less than week.

"Each attack... undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty," said US-led coalition spokesman Colonel Wayne Marotto.

"No injuries reported. A hangar was damaged," he said in a tweet.

It was only the second time authorities publicly confirmed a drone had been used in an attack on a target inside Iraq.

In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil.

The attack sent shock waves around Iraq -- the tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade the C-RAM air defences it has installed to protect its bases.

But an Iraqi government official told AFP that the Arbil strike was not the first use of a drone against a target inside Iraq.

"Drones were used by pro-Iran groups more than once before the attack in Arbil," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In the meantime, there has been no let-up in rocket and other attacks carried out by the coalition's foes over the past 18 months.

(With inputs from agencies)

US military on Saturday said that a new drone attack targetted American forces in Iraq. The military said that the drone was packed with explosives and hit an Iraqi base that housed US troops early on Saturday.

US military on Saturday said that a new drone attack targetted American forces in Iraq. The military said that the drone was packed with explosives and hit an Iraqi base that housed US troops early on Saturday. There have been no casualties. The attack on the Ain Al-Asad air base was the fourth in Iraq in less than week. "Each attack... undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty," said US-led coalition spokesman Colonel Wayne Marotto. "No injuries reported. A hangar was damaged," he said in a tweet. It was only the second time authorities publicly confirmed a drone had been used in an attack on a target inside Iraq. In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in the Kurdish regional capital Arbil. The attack sent shock waves around Iraq -- the tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade the C-RAM air defences it has installed to protect its bases. But an Iraqi government official told AFP that the Arbil strike was not the first use of a drone against a target inside Iraq. "Drones were used by pro-Iran groups more than once before the attack in Arbil," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. In the meantime, there has been no let-up in rocket and other attacks carried out by the coalition's foes over the past 18 months. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraq: Fresh drone attack targets military base housing US soldiers

Paramilitary groups paraded in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a day ahead of 'Quds' day which is held annually on the last Friday of holy month of Ramzan.

Iraqi forces slam Israeli atrocities on Int’l Quds day

Iraq has hosted more than one round of talks between regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Wednesday.

Salih made his remarks during an interview broadcast live online with the Beirut Institute think tank. He gave no more details.

Diplomats hope the opening of direct channels between Iran and Saudi Arabia will signal a calming of tensions across the Middle East after years of hostilities that have brought the region close to a full-scale conflict.

Baghdad hosted talks between officials from its two neighbours and mutual adversaries on April 9 in the only round of talks to have been previously reported.

Asked how many rounds of Saudi-Iranian talks Iraq had hosted, Salih replied: "More than once."

"It is ongoing, and it is important and it is significant, and for Iraq to be able to play that convening role between these regional actors is important," he added, although he gave no further details on the talks.

Washington and Tehran have engaged in indirect talks in Vienna that seek to revive an international pact reached in 2015 that constrained Iran's nuclear ambitions in return for sanctions relief.

Former US President Donald Trump pulled out the deal in 2018 and imposed harsh sanctions on Iran and its regional allies, increasing tension as Iran-backed militias attacked US forces in Iraq and a series of attacks hit oil installations and tankers in the Gulf, where Washington counts Arab states such as Saudi among its close allies.

The killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US air strike in Baghdad in January 2020 brought the region close to war. Iran responded with limited missile strikes against a US base in Iraq, the first such direct attack, but took no further action.

Iraqis hope for a general regional detente that would allow their country to rebuild instead of being used as an arena for US, Gulf Arab and Iranian score-settling.

Iraq is trying to rein in powerful Iran-backed militias and deal with a resurgent Islamic State - the Sunni hardline Islamist group that took over a third of Iraq in 2014 and was beaten militarily in 2017 by US forces, the Iraqi military, Kurdish fighters and Iran-aligned paramilitaries.

"The war against ISIS (Islamic State) and terrorism cannot be won by (only) military means," Salih said. "We have succeeded in liberating our land with the help of our friends but terrorism remains."

He added that he wished to see a solution to the Iran-US rivalry that has fuelled violence in Iraq.

"The Middle East has been condemned to a cycle of conflict and instability over the last few decades... It's time to move beyond," Salih said.

Iraq has hosted more than one round of talks between regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Wednesday. Salih made his remarks during an interview broadcast live online with the Beirut Institute think tank.

Iraq has hosted more than one round of talks between regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Wednesday. Salih made his remarks during an interview broadcast live online with the Beirut Institute think tank. He gave no more details. Diplomats hope the opening of direct channels between Iran and Saudi Arabia will signal a calming of tensions across the Middle East after years of hostilities that have brought the region close to a full-scale conflict. Baghdad hosted talks between officials from its two neighbours and mutual adversaries on April 9 in the only round of talks to have been previously reported. Asked how many rounds of Saudi-Iranian talks Iraq had hosted, Salih replied: "More than once." "It is ongoing, and it is important and it is significant, and for Iraq to be able to play that convening role between these regional actors is important," he added, although he gave no further details on the talks. Washington and Tehran have engaged in indirect talks in Vienna that seek to revive an international pact reached in 2015 that constrained Iran's nuclear ambitions in return for sanctions relief. Former US President Donald Trump pulled out the deal in 2018 and imposed harsh sanctions on Iran and its regional allies, increasing tension as Iran-backed militias attacked US forces in Iraq and a series of attacks hit oil installations and tankers in the Gulf, where Washington counts Arab states such as Saudi among its close allies. The killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US air strike in Baghdad in January 2020 brought the region close to war. Iran responded with limited missile strikes against a US base in Iraq, the first such direct attack, but took no further action. Iraqis hope for a general regional detente that would allow their country to rebuild instead of being used as an arena for US, Gulf Arab and Iranian score-settling. Iraq is trying to rein in powerful Iran-backed militias and deal with a resurgent Islamic State - the Sunni hardline Islamist group that took over a third of Iraq in 2014 and was beaten militarily in 2017 by US forces, the Iraqi military, Kurdish fighters and Iran-aligned paramilitaries. "The war against ISIS (Islamic State) and terrorism cannot be won by (only) military means," Salih said. "We have succeeded in liberating our land with the help of our friends but terrorism remains." He added that he wished to see a solution to the Iran-US rivalry that has fuelled violence in Iraq. "The Middle East has been condemned to a cycle of conflict and instability over the last few decades... It's time to move beyond," Salih said.

Saudi Arabia, Iran held talks more than once in Iraq: President

Two Iraqi TV shows, which sparked outrage by pranking celebrities with fake suicide vests and staged kidnappings, have been suspended.&nbsp;

The regulators said that the programmes, Tony's Bullet and Raslan's Shooting, breached the broadcast rules.&nbsp;

In one episode of Raslan's Shooting, an actress passed out in fear after having fake explosives strapped to her. Given the constant threat of militant violence in Iraq, viewers criticised the shows as cruel and tone-deaf.&nbsp;

Islamic State, which has lost its territory in Iraq, continues to attack civilians and the military.&nbsp;

Another episode of Raslan's Shooting showed Iraqi international footballer Alaa Mhawi blindfolded and begging for his life.&nbsp;

Responding to criticism last month, one of the show's writers, Dargham Abu Rghif, said, "The scenes are harsh but... if IS [Islamic State] had won, artists would have had a far harder life, and all Iraqis too," reported AFP.&nbsp;

Especially during the month of Ramzan, prank shows are popular throughout the Arab world. Broadcasters often commission special programmes to draw audiences in as they break their fast in the evening.&nbsp;

For going too far, a most-watched show by Egyptian Ramez Galal, has also faced criticism. In one edition he tricked celebrities into believing they were on a sinking ship, surrounded by floating body parts and an approaching shark. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Two Iraqi TV shows, which sparked outrage by pranking celebrities with fake suicide vests and staged kidnappings, have been suspended. The regulators said that the programmes, Tony's Bullet and Raslan's Shooting, breached the broadcast rules.

Two Iraqi TV shows, which sparked outrage by pranking celebrities with fake suicide vests and staged kidnappings, have been suspended. The regulators said that the programmes, Tony's Bullet and Raslan's Shooting, breached the broadcast rules. In one episode of Raslan's Shooting, an actress passed out in fear after having fake explosives strapped to her. Given the constant threat of militant violence in Iraq, viewers criticised the shows as cruel and tone-deaf. Islamic State, which has lost its territory in Iraq, continues to attack civilians and the military. Another episode of Raslan's Shooting showed Iraqi international footballer Alaa Mhawi blindfolded and begging for his life. Responding to criticism last month, one of the show's writers, Dargham Abu Rghif, said, "The scenes are harsh but... if IS [Islamic State] had won, artists would have had a far harder life, and all Iraqis too," reported AFP. Especially during the month of Ramzan, prank shows are popular throughout the Arab world. Broadcasters often commission special programmes to draw audiences in as they break their fast in the evening. For going too far, a most-watched show by Egyptian Ramez Galal, has also faced criticism. In one edition he tricked celebrities into believing they were on a sinking ship, surrounded by floating body parts and an approaching shark. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraq bans terror prank television shows 

Iraqi&nbsp;police&nbsp;were&nbsp;questioned&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;after&nbsp;21&nbsp;prisoners&nbsp;escaped&nbsp;jail, the latest breakout to highlight failings in the country's security system.

Ten of the escaped&nbsp;prisoners, all convicted on drug and terrorism charges, had been recaptured by Sunday afternoon&nbsp;after&nbsp;a manhunt was launched at dawn.

The interior minister immediately "ordered the confinement to the barracks of all officers and&nbsp;police" at Hilal district&nbsp;prison&nbsp;in Mouthanna province 300 kilometres (180 miles) south of the capital Baghdad, while an investigation into the&nbsp;escape&nbsp;was carried out.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/20-terror-suspects-escape-iraqs-prison-382219">20 terror suspects escape Iraq's prison</a>

It was not immediately clear how the&nbsp;prisoners&nbsp;broke out, but in corruption-riddled Iraq, escapes are often achieved by paying off security forces.

Other detainees get help from armed groups or tribes, often equipped with heavy arms.

Transparency International ranks the country 21st from bottom in its Corruption Perceptions Index.

In mid-March, men from a powerful pro-Iran armed group disguised as soldiers freed a drug trafficker under&nbsp;police&nbsp;escort while en route to court in Amara, another town in rural southern Iraq.

In an effort to flush out the escapees and discourage accomplices from sheltering them, Mouthanna's governor promised "a financial reward to anyone who catches a fugitive", while law enforcement officers enlisted the help of tribal leaders in the manhunt.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-jihadist-attacks-claim-18-lives-381984">Iraq: Jihadist attacks claim 18 lives</a>

Prison&nbsp;breaks are particularly sensitive in Iraq, where thousands of Iraqis and foreigners have been convicted of "terrorism", mainly as part of the Islamic State group in recent years.&nbsp;

Jihadist groups -- from IS and Al-Qaeda before it -- have already organised bold escapes from&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;prisons, and regularly vow to carry out others.

Iraq is regularly criticised by human rights activists for the conditions of its jails.

Cells built to hold around 20 detainees are often packed with 50, a source working in the jails told AFP.

Prisoners&nbsp;are often caught smuggling phones or passing on information during family visits.

Iraqi police were questioned Sunday after 21 prisoners escaped jail, the latest breakout to highlight failings in the country's security system. Ten of the escaped prisoners, all convicted on drug and terrorism charges, had been recaptured by Sunday afternoon after a manhunt was launched at dawn.

Iraqi police were questioned Sunday after 21 prisoners escaped jail, the latest breakout to highlight failings in the country's security system. Ten of the escaped prisoners, all convicted on drug and terrorism charges, had been recaptured by Sunday afternoon after a manhunt was launched at dawn. The interior minister immediately "ordered the confinement to the barracks of all officers and police" at Hilal district prison in Mouthanna province 300 kilometres (180 miles) south of the capital Baghdad, while an investigation into the escape was carried out. Also read | 20 terror suspects escape Iraq's prison It was not immediately clear how the prisoners broke out, but in corruption-riddled Iraq, escapes are often achieved by paying off security forces. Other detainees get help from armed groups or tribes, often equipped with heavy arms. Transparency International ranks the country 21st from bottom in its Corruption Perceptions Index. In mid-March, men from a powerful pro-Iran armed group disguised as soldiers freed a drug trafficker under police escort while en route to court in Amara, another town in rural southern Iraq. In an effort to flush out the escapees and discourage accomplices from sheltering them, Mouthanna's governor promised "a financial reward to anyone who catches a fugitive", while law enforcement officers enlisted the help of tribal leaders in the manhunt. Also read | Iraq: Jihadist attacks claim 18 lives Prison breaks are particularly sensitive in Iraq, where thousands of Iraqis and foreigners have been convicted of "terrorism", mainly as part of the Islamic State group in recent years. Jihadist groups -- from IS and Al-Qaeda before it -- have already organised bold escapes from Iraqi prisons, and regularly vow to carry out others. Iraq is regularly criticised by human rights activists for the conditions of its jails. Cells built to hold around 20 detainees are often packed with 50, a source working in the jails told AFP. Prisoners are often caught smuggling phones or passing on information during family visits.

Iraqi police questioned after 21 prisoners escape jail

Eighteen Iraqis were killed in separate jihadist attacks overnight Friday to Saturday. Majority of the dead were military personnel. The attacks took place in greater Baghdad area.

No terrorist group immediately claimed the responsibility for the attacks. However, the modus operandi behind the attacks indicates that it is the handiwork of Islamic State group. The IS still has sleeper cells in Iraq in spite of the group's defeat in 2017.

One attack targeted troops in Tarmiya, an agricultural suburb 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the Iraqi capital.

"IS fighters attacked an Iraqi army convoy at night and killed two officers and two soldiers," a security official said, on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

Reinforcements were dispatched to the area but also came under fire, with "an officer and two soldiers" killed, the source said.

A member of tribal fighters integrated into the regular forces that were then deployed to the scene was also killed, "along with a civilian caught in the crossfire", the source added.

Further north, in the central Alton Kubre region, "six peshmerga (Kurdish fighters) were killed when Islamic State group jihadists attacked their military position with light arms", another security official told AFP.

Alton Kubre is a disputed area claimed by both the federal government in Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdistan authorities.&nbsp;

Another attack took place in the western desert bordering Syria, a third security source said.&nbsp;

"An officer and a soldier were killed in a bomb explosion while an army convoy was en route to Akashat," he said.

A soldier was also killed in a bomb blast in Diyala province, which borders Baghdad to the east, according to another official, who added that two other fighters were also wounded in a separate attack.

(With inputs from agencies)

Eighteen Iraqis were killed in separate jihadist attacks overnight Friday to Saturday. Majority of the dead were military personnel. The attacks took place in greater Baghdad area.

Eighteen Iraqis were killed in separate jihadist attacks overnight Friday to Saturday. Majority of the dead were military personnel. The attacks took place in greater Baghdad area. No terrorist group immediately claimed the responsibility for the attacks. However, the modus operandi behind the attacks indicates that it is the handiwork of Islamic State group. The IS still has sleeper cells in Iraq in spite of the group's defeat in 2017. One attack targeted troops in Tarmiya, an agricultural suburb 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the Iraqi capital. "IS fighters attacked an Iraqi army convoy at night and killed two officers and two soldiers," a security official said, on condition of anonymity. Reinforcements were dispatched to the area but also came under fire, with "an officer and two soldiers" killed, the source said. A member of tribal fighters integrated into the regular forces that were then deployed to the scene was also killed, "along with a civilian caught in the crossfire", the source added. Further north, in the central Alton Kubre region, "six peshmerga (Kurdish fighters) were killed when Islamic State group jihadists attacked their military position with light arms", another security official told AFP. Alton Kubre is a disputed area claimed by both the federal government in Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdistan authorities. Another attack took place in the western desert bordering Syria, a third security source said. "An officer and a soldier were killed in a bomb explosion while an army convoy was en route to Akashat," he said. A soldier was also killed in a bomb blast in Diyala province, which borders Baghdad to the east, according to another official, who added that two other fighters were also wounded in a separate attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraq: Jihadist attacks claim 18 lives

At least 82 people have died and 110 injured in a fire that tore through a Baghdad hospital in Iraq, dedicated for caring the COVID-19 patients late on Saturday. Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi suspended Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi after the incident.

82 patients dead in Baghdad's COVID-19 hospital fire, health minister suspended

At least 27 patients have died in a fire that tore through a Baghdad hospital in Iraq, dedicated for caring the COVID-19 patients late on Saturday.

Fire breaks out in COVID-19 hospital in Iraq's Baghdad, 27 dead

Fire in a coronavirus intensive care unit claimed dozens of lives in Iraq on Sunday. The death toll rose to 82&nbsp;by afternoon. The fire started in the Baghdad hospital due to "a fault in the storage of Oxygen cylinders", as per medical sources quoted by AFP.

According to civil defence, the fire spread quickly as " "the hospital had no fire protection system and false ceilings allowed the flames to spread to highly flammable products"

Iraq's hospitals have been worn down by decades of conflict and poor investment, with shortages in medicines and hospital beds.&nbsp;

The latest fire at the hospital sparked outrage on social media. The prime minister has called for an investigation.

In the middle of the night, as dozens of relatives were at the bedsides of the 30 patients in the intensive care unit at Ibn al-Khatib hospital -- reserved for the most severe Covid-19 cases in Baghdad -- flames spread across multiple floors, another medical source said.

Social media videos showed firefighters fighting the flames as patients and their relatives tried to flee.

"The majority of the victims died because they had to be moved and were taken off ventilators, while the others were suffocated by the smoke," the civil defence said.

It told Iraqi state news its members had "rescued 90 people out of 120 patients and their relatives" at the scene, but could not give an exact number of the dead and wounded.&nbsp;

Medical and security sources told AFP that 23 people had been killed and some fifty others injured in the blaze.&nbsp;

Negligence

The fire -- which according to several sources was caused by negligence, often linked to endemic corruption in Iraq -- immediately sparked anger on social media in the country, with a hashtag demanding the health minister be sacked trending on Twitter. &nbsp;

Baghdad Governor Mohammed Jaber called on the health ministry "to establish a commission of enquiry so that those who did not do their jobs may be brought to justice".

In a statement, the government's human rights commission said the incident was "a crime against patients exhausted by Covid-19 who put their lives in the hands of the health ministry and its institutions and instead of being treated, perished in flames".

The commission called on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi to fire Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi and "bring him to justice".&nbsp;

Kadhemi responded by calling for "an immediate investigation with those in charge at the ministry" and demanded that the "hospital director, head of security and the technical maintenance team be sent to the investigators and not be released until those at fault have been brought to justice".

(With inputs from agencies)

Fire in a coronavirus intensive care unit claimed dozens of lives in Iraq on Sunday. The death toll rose to 82 by afternoon. The fire started in the Baghdad hospital due to "a fault in the storage of Oxygen cylinders", as per medical sources quoted by AFP.

Fire in a coronavirus intensive care unit claimed dozens of lives in Iraq on Sunday. The death toll rose to 82 by afternoon. The fire started in the Baghdad hospital due to "a fault in the storage of Oxygen cylinders", as per medical sources quoted by AFP. According to civil defence, the fire spread quickly as " "the hospital had no fire protection system and false ceilings allowed the flames to spread to highly flammable products" Iraq's hospitals have been worn down by decades of conflict and poor investment, with shortages in medicines and hospital beds. The latest fire at the hospital sparked outrage on social media. The prime minister has called for an investigation. In the middle of the night, as dozens of relatives were at the bedsides of the 30 patients in the intensive care unit at Ibn al-Khatib hospital -- reserved for the most severe Covid-19 cases in Baghdad -- flames spread across multiple floors, another medical source said. Social media videos showed firefighters fighting the flames as patients and their relatives tried to flee. "The majority of the victims died because they had to be moved and were taken off ventilators, while the others were suffocated by the smoke," the civil defence said. It told Iraqi state news its members had "rescued 90 people out of 120 patients and their relatives" at the scene, but could not give an exact number of the dead and wounded. Medical and security sources told AFP that 23 people had been killed and some fifty others injured in the blaze. Negligence The fire -- which according to several sources was caused by negligence, often linked to endemic corruption in Iraq -- immediately sparked anger on social media in the country, with a hashtag demanding the health minister be sacked trending on Twitter. Baghdad Governor Mohammed Jaber called on the health ministry "to establish a commission of enquiry so that those who did not do their jobs may be brought to justice". In a statement, the government's human rights commission said the incident was "a crime against patients exhausted by Covid-19 who put their lives in the hands of the health ministry and its institutions and instead of being treated, perished in flames". The commission called on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi to fire Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi and "bring him to justice". Kadhemi responded by calling for "an immediate investigation with those in charge at the ministry" and demanded that the "hospital director, head of security and the technical maintenance team be sent to the investigators and not be released until those at fault have been brought to justice". (With inputs from agencies)

Iraq: Fire at Covid hospital, death toll rises to 82

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