The US Federal law enforcement is investigating a chilling threat to hit the Capitol building with a plane sent to New York air traffic controllers Monday, CBS reports.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/year-after-soleimani-killing-iran-unleashes-kamikaze-drones-amid-tensions-with-us-354630">In pictures: Year after Soleimani killing, Iran unleashes 'kamikaze' drones amid tensions with US</a>

The officials are investigating a terrifying message threatening to fly a plane into the Capitol building to avenge the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, which was broadcasted on air traffic control frequencies.

In an audio message, an unidentified voice says, “We are flying a plane into the Capitol on Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged.”&nbsp;

The threat arrived on the anniversary of the killing of top Iranian military official Qassem Soleimani by US drone strike.

General Qassem Soleimani, the former head of Iran's Quds Force, the external operations branch of the country's Islamic Guard Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed by the U.S. military near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq a year ago.

It is not yet clear who sent the message and the threat is not believed to credible, CBS reports, but the Pentagon and other agencies were briefed on Tuesday. &nbsp;

CBS News states that US officials don't believe what the air traffic controllers heard was a credible threat, although it is a major breach of radio transmission protocol and they are investigating it as such.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Federal law enforcement is investigating a chilling threat to hit the Capitol building with a plane sent to New York air traffic controllers Monday, CBS reports.

The US Federal law enforcement is investigating a chilling threat to hit the Capitol building with a plane sent to New York air traffic controllers Monday, CBS reports. In pictures: Year after Soleimani killing, Iran unleashes 'kamikaze' drones amid tensions with US The officials are investigating a terrifying message threatening to fly a plane into the Capitol building to avenge the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, which was broadcasted on air traffic control frequencies. In an audio message, an unidentified voice says, “We are flying a plane into the Capitol on Wednesday. Soleimani will be avenged.” The threat arrived on the anniversary of the killing of top Iranian military official Qassem Soleimani by US drone strike. General Qassem Soleimani, the former head of Iran's Quds Force, the external operations branch of the country's Islamic Guard Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed by the U.S. military near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq a year ago. It is not yet clear who sent the message and the threat is not believed to credible, CBS reports, but the Pentagon and other agencies were briefed on Tuesday. CBS News states that US officials don't believe what the air traffic controllers heard was a credible threat, although it is a major breach of radio transmission protocol and they are investigating it as such. (With inputs from agencies)

'Flying plane into Washington to avenge Soleimani's death': Audio message prompts federal probe

In the wholesale market of Jamila, near Baghdad’s sprawling Sadr City neighborhood, a merchant, Hassan al-Mozani, was surrounded by towering piles of unsold 110-pound sacks of flour.

“Normally at a minimum I would sell 700 to 1,000 tons a month,” he said. “But since the crisis started we have only sold 170 to 200 tons.”

His troubles are a ground-level indicator of what economists say is the biggest financial threat to Iraq since Saddam Hussein’s time:Iraq is running out of money to pay its bills.

That has created a financial crisis with the potential to destabilize the government — which changed a year ago after mass protests over corruption and unemployment — touch off fighting among armed groups, and empower Iraq’s neighbor and longtime rival, Iran.

Iran in the past has taken the opportunity posed by a weak Iraqi central government to strengthen its political power and the role of its paramilitaries within Iraq.

With its economy hammered by the pandemic and plunging oil and gas prices, which account for 90% of government revenue, Iraq was unable to pay government workers for months at a time last year.

Last month, Iraq devalued its currency, the dinar, for the first time in decades, immediately raising prices on almost everything in a country that relies heavily on imports. And last week, Iran cut Iraq’s supply of electricity and natural gas, citing nonpayment, leaving large parts of the country in the dark for hours a day.

“I think it’s dire,” said Ahmed Tabaqchali, an investment banker and senior fellow at the Iraq-based Institute of Regional and International Studies. “Expenditures are way above Iraq’s income.”

Many Iraqis fear that despite Iraqi government denials there will be more devaluations to come.

“Everyone is afraid to buy or sell,” said Ahmed Khalaf, who turned to business when he couldn’t find a job with his degree in sociology.

Al-Mozani, 56, the merchant in the Jamila wholesale market, imports flour from Turkey in dollars, until recently selling it for about $22 per sack. In response to the currency devaluation, he raised the price to $30.

A restaurant manager who popped in to ask about the new price of flour, Karam Muhammad, said there was not much demand. Restaurants, he said, have been mostly empty because of the pandemic and the financial crisis.

In a stall off a narrow, winding alley of the Shorja market, one of Baghdad’s oldest, Khalaf sells the smallest luxuries: nail polish, plastic hair barrettes, colored pencils.

Even during the pandemic, by midmorning the stalls in Shorja market would normally be thronged with shoppers buying food staples and household goods. But last week the aisles were nearly empty.

“Our customers are mostly government employees, but as you can see, they’re not coming,” said Khalaf, 34.

While the currency devaluation took most Iraqis by surprise, the economic and financial crisis has been years in the making.

Public sector salaries and pensions cost the government about $5 billion a month, but its monthly oil revenue recently has reached only about $3.5 billion. Iraq has been making up the shortfall by burning through its reserves, which some economists say are already insufficient.

The International Monetary Fund concluded in December that the country’s economy was expected to have contracted by 11% in 2020. It urged Iraq to improve governance and reduce corruption.

For 18 years oil revenue has propped up a system in which the government wins support by awarding ministries to political factions, which are given almost free rein to create jobs. Iraq’s civil service has tripled in size since 2004. Economists estimate more than 40% of the workforce depends on government salaries and contracts.

The financial crisis could put the brakes on this corruption-riddled patronage system.

“Every government, they’ve managed to buy out more and more but that buying of loyalty, that buying of acquiescence is over,” Tabaqchali said by phone from London.

The high public payroll has left little spending on infrastructure. Iraq’s economy has also been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with many workers in the already weak private sector losing their jobs.

Tabaqchali and other economists said the devaluation was a difficult but necessary step in helping Iraqi businesses. With the cost of imports rising, Iraqi goods such as farm produce can more easily compete.

Adding to the misery has been Iraq’s limited ability to pay Iran for electricity and natural gas. Iraq is not allowed to transfer cash to Iran, but instead it sends food and medicine in exchange for natural gas and electricity. Iran says it is owed the equivalent of more than $5 billion.

“Iraq can’t pay all the debt to Iran,” said Abdul Hussein al-Anbaki, an economic adviser to Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. “Iran is also facing an economic crisis and we cannot buy gas without paying.”

Part of Iraq’s debt was created by its inability to pay, but the lion’s share, about $3 billion, remains frozen in an Iraqi bank, while Iraq struggles to comply with U.S. sanctions against Iran, Iraqi officials said.

The sanctions, aimed at forcing Iran to accept stronger restrictions on its nuclear program and to curb its support for foreign militias, have blacklisted its banking system.

“For the Iraqis, it is difficult because the mechanism to pay them is almost nonexistent because obviously the Americans are monitoring the situation very closely,” said Farhad Alaaldin, chair of the Iraq Advisory Council, a policy research institute.

Alaaldin and others said the financial crisis could lead to renewed protests and struggles between armed groups to control Iraq’s increasingly limited resources.

That Iraq, one of the world’s largest oil producers, cannot reliably supply electricity to its citizens and has to import electricity is symptomatic of the dysfunction that brought down the previous government.

Iraq’s energy infrastructure has suffered from three devastating wars since the 1980s, destroying refineries and power plants. But since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq overthrew Hussein in 2003, corruption and incompetence have prevented Iraq’s government from fully restoring electricity.

In addition, although Iraq is awash in oil, most of its electricity plants run on natural gas. Iraq has vast natural gas reserves but has not invested heavily in developing its gas industry. And until the Trump administration levied additional sanctions on Iran, importing electricity and gas from Iran was the easiest solution.

For the millions of Iraqis who cannot afford electricity from private generators, the power cuts and rising prices have been a double blow.

Haifa Jadu, 55, who had come to shop at the Shorja market, said she and her husband, a retiree who is blind, had simply done without electricity for large parts of the day.

“We used to pay money to a generator owner, but we haven’t bought power for four months because he increased the price,” she said. She said the walnuts she bought a month ago for about $3.50 a pound were now almost $5 and out of reach.

The government has proposed sweeping measures to try to bolster the economy, including tax increases, in a plan now before Parliament. But many politicians are counting on the prospect of increased oil prices this year to delay passing what economists say are urgently needed reforms.

Until that happens, unemployment is expected to grow as about 700,000 young people enter the job market each year. With few jobs to go around, they are likely to join what has become a permanent underclass.

Near Shorja market, Amar Musa, wearing a black mask and a military-style olive green coat, had set up artificial Christmas trees and tinsel garlands to sell on the busy main street to his Orthodox Christian customers, who celebrate the holiday in January.

Musa, 45, graduated from a technical college with a mechanic’s diploma but says he has never been able to find a job in his field. Standing next to a white Christmas tree with a deflated mylar Santa impaled on its metal branches, he explained he had a shop that went out of business and now drives a taxi.

Like many Iraqis, he also writes poetry. Asked to recite one of his poems, he pulled a cigarette out of a package, broke it in half and threw it on the ground.

“I am like a cigarette,” he said. “I burn and like a butt I would be thrown away. Do not talk to me about the homeland. We are poor and our homeland is the grave.”

In the wholesale market of Jamila, near Baghdad’s sprawling Sadr City neighborhood, a merchant, Hassan al-Mozani, was surrounded by towering piles of unsold 110-pound sacks of flour.

In the wholesale market of Jamila, near Baghdad’s sprawling Sadr City neighborhood, a merchant, Hassan al-Mozani, was surrounded by towering piles of unsold 110-pound sacks of flour. “Normally at a minimum I would sell 700 to 1,000 tons a month,” he said. “But since the crisis started we have only sold 170 to 200 tons.” His troubles are a ground-level indicator of what economists say is the biggest financial threat to Iraq since Saddam Hussein’s time:Iraq is running out of money to pay its bills. That has created a financial crisis with the potential to destabilize the government — which changed a year ago after mass protests over corruption and unemployment — touch off fighting among armed groups, and empower Iraq’s neighbor and longtime rival, Iran. Iran in the past has taken the opportunity posed by a weak Iraqi central government to strengthen its political power and the role of its paramilitaries within Iraq. With its economy hammered by the pandemic and plunging oil and gas prices, which account for 90% of government revenue, Iraq was unable to pay government workers for months at a time last year. Last month, Iraq devalued its currency, the dinar, for the first time in decades, immediately raising prices on almost everything in a country that relies heavily on imports. And last week, Iran cut Iraq’s supply of electricity and natural gas, citing nonpayment, leaving large parts of the country in the dark for hours a day. “I think it’s dire,” said Ahmed Tabaqchali, an investment banker and senior fellow at the Iraq-based Institute of Regional and International Studies. “Expenditures are way above Iraq’s income.” Many Iraqis fear that despite Iraqi government denials there will be more devaluations to come. “Everyone is afraid to buy or sell,” said Ahmed Khalaf, who turned to business when he couldn’t find a job with his degree in sociology. Al-Mozani, 56, the merchant in the Jamila wholesale market, imports flour from Turkey in dollars, until recently selling it for about $22 per sack. In response to the currency devaluation, he raised the price to $30. A restaurant manager who popped in to ask about the new price of flour, Karam Muhammad, said there was not much demand. Restaurants, he said, have been mostly empty because of the pandemic and the financial crisis. In a stall off a narrow, winding alley of the Shorja market, one of Baghdad’s oldest, Khalaf sells the smallest luxuries: nail polish, plastic hair barrettes, colored pencils. Even during the pandemic, by midmorning the stalls in Shorja market would normally be thronged with shoppers buying food staples and household goods. But last week the aisles were nearly empty. “Our customers are mostly government employees, but as you can see, they’re not coming,” said Khalaf, 34. While the currency devaluation took most Iraqis by surprise, the economic and financial crisis has been years in the making. Public sector salaries and pensions cost the government about $5 billion a month, but its monthly oil revenue recently has reached only about $3.5 billion. Iraq has been making up the shortfall by burning through its reserves, which some economists say are already insufficient. The International Monetary Fund concluded in December that the country’s economy was expected to have contracted by 11% in 2020. It urged Iraq to improve governance and reduce corruption. For 18 years oil revenue has propped up a system in which the government wins support by awarding ministries to political factions, which are given almost free rein to create jobs. Iraq’s civil service has tripled in size since 2004. Economists estimate more than 40% of the workforce depends on government salaries and contracts. The financial crisis could put the brakes on this corruption-riddled patronage system. “Every government, they’ve managed to buy out more and more but that buying of loyalty, that buying of acquiescence is over,” Tabaqchali said by phone from London. The high public payroll has left little spending on infrastructure. Iraq’s economy has also been hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with many workers in the already weak private sector losing their jobs. Tabaqchali and other economists said the devaluation was a difficult but necessary step in helping Iraqi businesses. With the cost of imports rising, Iraqi goods such as farm produce can more easily compete. Adding to the misery has been Iraq’s limited ability to pay Iran for electricity and natural gas. Iraq is not allowed to transfer cash to Iran, but instead it sends food and medicine in exchange for natural gas and electricity. Iran says it is owed the equivalent of more than $5 billion. “Iraq can’t pay all the debt to Iran,” said Abdul Hussein al-Anbaki, an economic adviser to Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. “Iran is also facing an economic crisis and we cannot buy gas without paying.” Part of Iraq’s debt was created by its inability to pay, but the lion’s share, about $3 billion, remains frozen in an Iraqi bank, while Iraq struggles to comply with U.S. sanctions against Iran, Iraqi officials said. The sanctions, aimed at forcing Iran to accept stronger restrictions on its nuclear program and to curb its support for foreign militias, have blacklisted its banking system. “For the Iraqis, it is difficult because the mechanism to pay them is almost nonexistent because obviously the Americans are monitoring the situation very closely,” said Farhad Alaaldin, chair of the Iraq Advisory Council, a policy research institute. Alaaldin and others said the financial crisis could lead to renewed protests and struggles between armed groups to control Iraq’s increasingly limited resources. That Iraq, one of the world’s largest oil producers, cannot reliably supply electricity to its citizens and has to import electricity is symptomatic of the dysfunction that brought down the previous government. Iraq’s energy infrastructure has suffered from three devastating wars since the 1980s, destroying refineries and power plants. But since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq overthrew Hussein in 2003, corruption and incompetence have prevented Iraq’s government from fully restoring electricity. In addition, although Iraq is awash in oil, most of its electricity plants run on natural gas. Iraq has vast natural gas reserves but has not invested heavily in developing its gas industry. And until the Trump administration levied additional sanctions on Iran, importing electricity and gas from Iran was the easiest solution. For the millions of Iraqis who cannot afford electricity from private generators, the power cuts and rising prices have been a double blow. Haifa Jadu, 55, who had come to shop at the Shorja market, said she and her husband, a retiree who is blind, had simply done without electricity for large parts of the day. “We used to pay money to a generator owner, but we haven’t bought power for four months because he increased the price,” she said. She said the walnuts she bought a month ago for about $3.50 a pound were now almost $5 and out of reach. The government has proposed sweeping measures to try to bolster the economy, including tax increases, in a plan now before Parliament. But many politicians are counting on the prospect of increased oil prices this year to delay passing what economists say are urgently needed reforms. Until that happens, unemployment is expected to grow as about 700,000 young people enter the job market each year. With few jobs to go around, they are likely to join what has become a permanent underclass. Near Shorja market, Amar Musa, wearing a black mask and a military-style olive green coat, had set up artificial Christmas trees and tinsel garlands to sell on the busy main street to his Orthodox Christian customers, who celebrate the holiday in January. Musa, 45, graduated from a technical college with a mechanic’s diploma but says he has never been able to find a job in his field. Standing next to a white Christmas tree with a deflated mylar Santa impaled on its metal branches, he explained he had a shop that went out of business and now drives a taxi. Like many Iraqis, he also writes poetry. Asked to recite one of his poems, he pulled a cigarette out of a package, broke it in half and threw it on the ground. “I am like a cigarette,” he said. “I burn and like a butt I would be thrown away. Do not talk to me about the homeland. We are poor and our homeland is the grave.”

Iraq, struggling to pay debts and salaries, plunges into economic crisis

January 3, 2021, marked completion of one year of the assassination of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International airport in Iraq. Soleimani along with his Iraqi lieutenant Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were among those killed in addition to other commanders.

Thousands of Iraqi mourners condemned the killing and raised anti-US chants near Baghdad airport. Similar protests were seen in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere. Thousands of black-clad mourners Saturday night converged at the spot near Baghdad's international airport where the US hit the two vehicles and killed Soleimani, Muhandis and eight other men. The drone strike was ordered last year by outgoing US President Donald Trump last year.

Qasem Soleimani was one of the most important military commanders responsible for rising Iranian influence in the region. His assassination was a huge blow to Iran's proxies and security apparatus.

The mourners gathered near Baghdad airport on Saturday night said they were honouring their "martyrs" and used strong words for the US. The site of Soleimani's assassination is still pockmarked by shrapnels.

"We tell America and the enemies of Islam that they can inflict the greatest sacrifices on us, but we will continue to resist despite the bloodshed," said Hashed supporter Batul Najjar.

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&nbsp;

The Hashed -- factions of which Washington has blamed for rocket strikes against its embassy and troops in Iraq -- has increasingly challenged Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, whom it accuses of having helped plot the drone strikes.&nbsp;

Soleimani's killing led to skyrocketing of tension between Iran and US who have been at odds for the much of Trump's presidency. As the first death anniversary approached the tension began rising again.

With more mass gatherings planned Sunday at Baghdad's central Tahrir Square, Ahmed Assadi, one of the leaders of Hashed's parliamentary bloc, vowed: "Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, we will go out by the millions to brandish your portrait on Tahrir".

In Pics | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/a-year-after-soleimanis-killing-the-operation-the-method-and-sanctions-354213">A year after Soleimani's killing: The operation, the method, and sanctions</a>

Giant posters of Soleimani and Muhandis were hung up above the iconic square, which in late 2019 became the centre of large anti-government protests, from an abandoned building known as the Turkish restaurant.

Amid the tensions, Iraqis, and many in the wider region, are nervously watching for any signs of escalation before Trump leaves the White House on January 20.

Trump confronted decades-old foe Iran by withdrawing in 2018 from its nuclear deal with world powers and launching a "maximum pressure" campaign to further economically punish and isolate the country.

Trump recently tweeted that the US was hearing the "chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq", and warned that "if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over."

In recent days, US B-52 bombers have flown across the region for the second time in less than a month but, in what some read as a sign of de-escalation, Washington has also reportedly ordered its Nimitz aircraft carrier to leave the Gulf.

There was a lot of muscle-flexing from Iran's side as well as the anniversary drew nearer.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami vowed on Saturday to respond to any "action the enemy takes", as he visited a strategic Gulf island.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif even accused that Israel may try to provoke war by targetting US soldiers stationed in Iraq.

(With AFP inputs)

January 3, 2021, marked completion of one year of the assassination of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International airport in Iraq.

January 3, 2021, marked completion of one year of the assassination of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International airport in Iraq. Soleimani along with his Iraqi lieutenant Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were among those killed in addition to other commanders. Thousands of Iraqi mourners condemned the killing and raised anti-US chants near Baghdad airport. Similar protests were seen in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere. Thousands of black-clad mourners Saturday night converged at the spot near Baghdad's international airport where the US hit the two vehicles and killed Soleimani, Muhandis and eight other men. The drone strike was ordered last year by outgoing US President Donald Trump last year. Qasem Soleimani was one of the most important military commanders responsible for rising Iranian influence in the region. His assassination was a huge blow to Iran's proxies and security apparatus. The mourners gathered near Baghdad airport on Saturday night said they were honouring their "martyrs" and used strong words for the US. The site of Soleimani's assassination is still pockmarked by shrapnels. "We tell America and the enemies of Islam that they can inflict the greatest sacrifices on us, but we will continue to resist despite the bloodshed," said Hashed supporter Batul Najjar. × The Hashed -- factions of which Washington has blamed for rocket strikes against its embassy and troops in Iraq -- has increasingly challenged Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, whom it accuses of having helped plot the drone strikes. Soleimani's killing led to skyrocketing of tension between Iran and US who have been at odds for the much of Trump's presidency. As the first death anniversary approached the tension began rising again. With more mass gatherings planned Sunday at Baghdad's central Tahrir Square, Ahmed Assadi, one of the leaders of Hashed's parliamentary bloc, vowed: "Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, we will go out by the millions to brandish your portrait on Tahrir". In Pics | A year after Soleimani's killing: The operation, the method, and sanctions Giant posters of Soleimani and Muhandis were hung up above the iconic square, which in late 2019 became the centre of large anti-government protests, from an abandoned building known as the Turkish restaurant. Amid the tensions, Iraqis, and many in the wider region, are nervously watching for any signs of escalation before Trump leaves the White House on January 20. Trump confronted decades-old foe Iran by withdrawing in 2018 from its nuclear deal with world powers and launching a "maximum pressure" campaign to further economically punish and isolate the country. Trump recently tweeted that the US was hearing the "chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq", and warned that "if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over." In recent days, US B-52 bombers have flown across the region for the second time in less than a month but, in what some read as a sign of de-escalation, Washington has also reportedly ordered its Nimitz aircraft carrier to leave the Gulf. There was a lot of muscle-flexing from Iran's side as well as the anniversary drew nearer. Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami vowed on Saturday to respond to any "action the enemy takes", as he visited a strategic Gulf island. Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif even accused that Israel may try to provoke war by targetting US soldiers stationed in Iraq. (With AFP inputs)

A year of Soleimani killing: Protesters raise anti-US chants in Iran, Iraq, Syria

Tensions are escalating in Iraq on the occasion of first anniversary of assassination of the top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Demonstrations condemning the US assassination of Soleimani took place in many parts of Iraq & also in Iran.

Demonstrations held across Iran & Iraq on Soleimani's first death anniversary

Iraqis gather in large number to pay tribute to Soleimani on death anniversary; anti-US slogans raised

Demonstrations in Iran and Iraq to condemn Soleimani's killing

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Saturday accused Israel of trying to provoke a war. He said that &nbsp;Israel may try to do so by planning attacks on US forces in Iraq.

"New intelligence from Iraq indicate that Israeli agent-provocateurs are plotting attacks against Americans — putting an outgoing (President Donald) Trump in a bind with a fake casus belli (act justifying war)," tweeted Zarif.

"Be careful of a trap, @realDonaldTrump. Any fireworks will backfire badly," Zarif wrote.

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New intelligence from Iraq indicate that Israeli agent-provocateurs are plotting attacks against Americans—putting an outgoing Trump in a bind with a fake casus belli. 
 
Be careful of a trap, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>. Any fireworks will backfire badly, particularly against your same BFFs.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1345370089063915523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

A lot of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-beef-up-military-activity-in-gulf-ahead-of-soleimanis-first-death-anniversary-354027">muscle-flexing was observed from Iran</a> on January 2, 2021, just a day before completion of one year to assassination of&nbsp;top Iran commander Qassem Soleimani. On January 3, 2020 Soleimani was killed in US drone attack in Baghdad.

On Saturday, Iran Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami vowed to respond any "action the enemy takes". He was visiting a strategic gulf island.

"We are here today to evaluate and be assured of our powerful capabilities at sea and against enemies who sometimes boast... and threaten," Salami said, according to the Guards' official website Sepahnews.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-plans-to-enrich-uranium-to-up-to-20-per-cent-conveys-iaea-354043">Iran plans to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent, conveys IAEA</a>

Salami inspected troops stationed on Abu Musa island, accompanied by the Revolutionary Guard Corps navy commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri.

"We would respond with a reciprocal, decisive and strong blow to whatever action the enemy would take against us," Salami warned.

Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands are located in the Gulf near the entrance to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of world oil output passes.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Saturday accused Israel of trying to provoke a war. He said that Israel may try to do so by planning attacks on US forces in Iraq.

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Saturday accused Israel of trying to provoke a war. He said that Israel may try to do so by planning attacks on US forces in Iraq. "New intelligence from Iraq indicate that Israeli agent-provocateurs are plotting attacks against Americans — putting an outgoing (President Donald) Trump in a bind with a fake casus belli (act justifying war)," tweeted Zarif. "Be careful of a trap, @realDonaldTrump. Any fireworks will backfire badly," Zarif wrote. New intelligence from Iraq indicate that Israeli agent-provocateurs are plotting attacks against Americans—putting an outgoing Trump in a bind with a fake casus belli. Be careful of a trap, @realDonaldTrump. Any fireworks will backfire badly, particularly against your same BFFs. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 2, 2021 × A lot of muscle-flexing was observed from Iran on January 2, 2021, just a day before completion of one year to assassination of top Iran commander Qassem Soleimani. On January 3, 2020 Soleimani was killed in US drone attack in Baghdad. On Saturday, Iran Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami vowed to respond any "action the enemy takes". He was visiting a strategic gulf island. "We are here today to evaluate and be assured of our powerful capabilities at sea and against enemies who sometimes boast... and threaten," Salami said, according to the Guards' official website Sepahnews. Also Read | Iran plans to enrich uranium to up to 20 per cent, conveys IAEA Salami inspected troops stationed on Abu Musa island, accompanied by the Revolutionary Guard Corps navy commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri. "We would respond with a reciprocal, decisive and strong blow to whatever action the enemy would take against us," Salami warned. Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands are located in the Gulf near the entrance to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of world oil output passes. (With AFP inputs)

Be careful of trap, Israel may provoke war with attacks on US forces: Iran to Trump

Iraq's largest Christmas tree has gone up in the capital's Al-Zaura theme park to celebrate Christmas and the three-year anniversary of the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) group.

Christmas tree in Baghdad to celebrate diversity

U.S. Embassy in Iraq condemned a rocket attack on its compound in Baghdad’s Green Zone on Sunday, saying it resulted in minor damage but no casualties or injuries.

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad condemns rocket attack on its compound

From a first date that ended in bloody carnage in Baghdad, to finally receiving the keys to a new home in The Netherlands, watch their story of struggle.

From refugee camp to a decent home, this couple flee from violence of Iraq

Later that year, they caught up with them in a migrant shelter in The Netherlands, where the couple already had family, as they filed their first asylum claim.

From war to peace, this couple walked on foot across 7 countries

As hardline Islamists flex their muscles against liquor stores in Baghdad, a bigger story is emerging. The liquor shops owned by Christiansd and Yazidis are being targetted. Out of the 14 alcohol shops firebombed in past two months, most were owned by these minorities.

Some are suspecting turf war for control of the lucrative niche trade in Muslim majority Iraq. 
&nbsp; 
The shops have been firebombed in the middle of the night or just before dawn, with three simultaneous attacks in different districts Monday night alone.&nbsp;

Andre, an Iraqi Christian, said his shop was firebombed a few weeks ago by two people on a motorcycle just before dawn, according to the store's security camera footage.&nbsp;

He said it had cost him thousands of dollars to replace the lost merchandise and repair the shop.

"These groups want the last of the Christians to leave the country. They're targeting us," Andre told AFP, as his brother stacked new bottles of whisky on restored shelves.

He blamed security forces for negligence, saying a police patrol that had been deployed nearby left its post for hours, which gave the attackers a window of opportunity.&nbsp;

"Why doesn't the government arrest them?" Andre asked angrily, saying he had even provided authorities with the license plate number of the attacking vehicle from their CCTV footage.&nbsp;

The attackers had "time to place the explosives, take pictures before and after and publish them on Facebook," he said.

Another business owner, speaking on condition of anonymity in fear of reprisal attacks, said it was an attempt to crush the shrinking community of Iraqi secularists.&nbsp;

"We are all that's left of a liberal lifestyle. There are attempts to kill this ancient side of Baghdad -- if they win, Baghdad will have lost its liberal side," he said.&nbsp;

In recent weeks, an array of Islamist groups have ramped up their rhetoric against Baghdad's liquor stores and other establishments that they insist are violating religious edicts against drinking and other trades considered sinful.

One such group, "Rubu Allah" or "God's gang," claimed responsiblity for raiding a massage parlour in the heart of Baghdad and physically assaulting the women inside.

As hardline Islamists flex their muscles against liquor stores in Baghdad, a bigger story is emerging. The liquor shops owned by Christiansd and Yazidis are being targetted.

As hardline Islamists flex their muscles against liquor stores in Baghdad, a bigger story is emerging. The liquor shops owned by Christiansd and Yazidis are being targetted. Out of the 14 alcohol shops firebombed in past two months, most were owned by these minorities. Some are suspecting turf war for control of the lucrative niche trade in Muslim majority Iraq. The shops have been firebombed in the middle of the night or just before dawn, with three simultaneous attacks in different districts Monday night alone. Andre, an Iraqi Christian, said his shop was firebombed a few weeks ago by two people on a motorcycle just before dawn, according to the store's security camera footage. He said it had cost him thousands of dollars to replace the lost merchandise and repair the shop. "These groups want the last of the Christians to leave the country. They're targeting us," Andre told AFP, as his brother stacked new bottles of whisky on restored shelves. He blamed security forces for negligence, saying a police patrol that had been deployed nearby left its post for hours, which gave the attackers a window of opportunity. "Why doesn't the government arrest them?" Andre asked angrily, saying he had even provided authorities with the license plate number of the attacking vehicle from their CCTV footage. The attackers had "time to place the explosives, take pictures before and after and publish them on Facebook," he said. Another business owner, speaking on condition of anonymity in fear of reprisal attacks, said it was an attempt to crush the shrinking community of Iraqi secularists. "We are all that's left of a liberal lifestyle. There are attempts to kill this ancient side of Baghdad -- if they win, Baghdad will have lost its liberal side," he said. In recent weeks, an array of Islamist groups have ramped up their rhetoric against Baghdad's liquor stores and other establishments that they insist are violating religious edicts against drinking and other trades considered sinful. One such group, "Rubu Allah" or "God's gang," claimed responsiblity for raiding a massage parlour in the heart of Baghdad and physically assaulting the women inside.

Non-Muslim shopowners being targetted in Iraq

Pope Francis is all set to become the first Pope in history to visit Iraq on a four-day trip in March 2021,&nbsp;the Vatican reported on Monday.

The announcement was made by the&nbsp;Spokesman Matteo Bruni who reported the Pope will be visiting the capital Baghdad, as well as Ur, a city linked to the Old Testament figure of Abraham, and Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh in the plain of Nineveh.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-installs-new-cardinals-including-first-african-american-346172">Pope installs new cardinals, including first African-American</a>

As of now, the trip has been planned for March 5-8. However, a set programme has not been laid out yet and will soon be finalised, keeping in mind the ongoing pandemic. "The programme of the journey will be made known in due course, and will take into consideration the evolution of the worldwide health emergency," Bruni said.

This trip has been planned after the Vatican received an invitation from the&nbsp;Iraqi government and the local Catholic Church. The aim of this historic trip, as per sources, is to provide comfort and hope to the Christians who have been stuck and forced to flee from Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries due to the ongoing wars, conflicts and humanitarian crisis.

Iraqi President Barham Salih said in a post on Twitter that the trip "will be a message of peace to Iraqis of all religions &amp; serve to affirm our common values of justice &amp; dignity."

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Due to the ongoing pandemic, all trips scheduled for the Pope in 2020 were cancelled, making this the first overseas trip of Pope Francis after November 2019.

Lately, Iraq has been struggling to bring peace into the country borders with the rising tension in the middle-eastern countries and an ongoing conflict between the government and citizens.

Pope Francis is all set to become the first Pope in history to visit Iraq on a four-day trip in March 2021, the Vatican reported on Monday. The announcement was made by the Spokesman Matteo Bruni who reported the Pope will be visiting the capital Baghdad, as well as Ur, a city linked to the Old Testament figure of Abraham, and Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh in the plain of Nineveh.

Pope Francis is all set to become the first Pope in history to visit Iraq on a four-day trip in March 2021, the Vatican reported on Monday. The announcement was made by the Spokesman Matteo Bruni who reported the Pope will be visiting the capital Baghdad, as well as Ur, a city linked to the Old Testament figure of Abraham, and Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh in the plain of Nineveh. Also read| Pope installs new cardinals, including first African-American As of now, the trip has been planned for March 5-8. However, a set programme has not been laid out yet and will soon be finalised, keeping in mind the ongoing pandemic. "The programme of the journey will be made known in due course, and will take into consideration the evolution of the worldwide health emergency," Bruni said. This trip has been planned after the Vatican received an invitation from the Iraqi government and the local Catholic Church. The aim of this historic trip, as per sources, is to provide comfort and hope to the Christians who have been stuck and forced to flee from Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries due to the ongoing wars, conflicts and humanitarian crisis. Iraqi President Barham Salih said in a post on Twitter that the trip "will be a message of peace to Iraqis of all religions & serve to affirm our common values of justice & dignity." × Due to the ongoing pandemic, all trips scheduled for the Pope in 2020 were cancelled, making this the first overseas trip of Pope Francis after November 2019. Lately, Iraq has been struggling to bring peace into the country borders with the rising tension in the middle-eastern countries and an ongoing conflict between the government and citizens.

Pope Francis to make first trip from Vatican to Iraq in March 2021

A senior member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Commander was killed in a strike at the Iraq-Syria border.

Report: Iranian revolutionary guard Commander killed by drone strike in Syria

According to reports, a Iranian revolutionary guards commander killed near Syria-Iraq border. The commander is yet to be identify but reports said that he was killed alongside three other men who were travelling with him in the same vehicle.

Reports: Iranian revolutionary guards commander killed near Syria-Iraq border

As Mike Pompeo became the first US diplomat to visit a West Bank settlement, watchdog reports suggest that Israel is moving ahead with settlement plans in East Jerusalem. On this week's The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you how PM Netanyahu's new settlement plans could test his ties with a Biden White House. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

The West Asia Post | Episode 8 | Your Window to West Asia

USA has granted Iraq a 45-day sanctions waiver that will expire days before US President Donald Trump's term ends. The waiver will allow Iraq to import Iranian gas. Iraq buys gas and electricity from Iran to supply a third of its power sector. US has blacklisted Iran's energy industry in late 2018 but has granted Baghdad a series of temporary waivers in hopes that Iraq would wean itself off Iranian energy and partners with US firms.

The lengths of the exemptions have become a key tool in US policy towards Iraq, demonstrating the level of satisfaction or frustration with Baghdad.

In May, Washington granted Iraq a four-month extension as a gesture of goodwill towards Mustafa al-Kadhemi, who had just formed a cabinet seen as US-friendly.

But when it renewed the waiver in late September, the Trump administration gave Iraq just 60 days.

This time, it went even shorter: 45 days, a top Iraqi official told AFP, expiring around a week before Trump is set to hand over the White House to President-elect Joe Biden.&nbsp;

"They (the Trump administration) wanted a last opportunity to have a say," an official said.

The shorter waiver comes amid concern by Iraqi and Western officials that Trump could use his final days in office to strike at Iran and its allies in Iraq.

The State Department is drawing up plans for a possible closure of the American embassy in Baghdad, which has been targeted by dozens of rocket attacks in the last year.

And two Iraqi officials have said they expect a "bucket list of sanctions" against Iranian interests in Iraq ahead of the White House handover.

(With AFP inputs)

USA has granted Iraq a 45-day sanctions waiver that will expire days before US President Donald Trump's term ends. The waiver will allow Iraq to import Iranian gas.

USA has granted Iraq a 45-day sanctions waiver that will expire days before US President Donald Trump's term ends. The waiver will allow Iraq to import Iranian gas. Iraq buys gas and electricity from Iran to supply a third of its power sector. US has blacklisted Iran's energy industry in late 2018 but has granted Baghdad a series of temporary waivers in hopes that Iraq would wean itself off Iranian energy and partners with US firms. The lengths of the exemptions have become a key tool in US policy towards Iraq, demonstrating the level of satisfaction or frustration with Baghdad. In May, Washington granted Iraq a four-month extension as a gesture of goodwill towards Mustafa al-Kadhemi, who had just formed a cabinet seen as US-friendly. But when it renewed the waiver in late September, the Trump administration gave Iraq just 60 days. This time, it went even shorter: 45 days, a top Iraqi official told AFP, expiring around a week before Trump is set to hand over the White House to President-elect Joe Biden. "They (the Trump administration) wanted a last opportunity to have a say," an official said. The shorter waiver comes amid concern by Iraqi and Western officials that Trump could use his final days in office to strike at Iran and its allies in Iraq. The State Department is drawing up plans for a possible closure of the American embassy in Baghdad, which has been targeted by dozens of rocket attacks in the last year. And two Iraqi officials have said they expect a "bucket list of sanctions" against Iranian interests in Iraq ahead of the White House handover. (With AFP inputs)

US extends Iraq sanction waiver, to end days before Biden inauguration

Iraq on Monday executed 21 people who were convicted on terrorism charges at the notorious Nasiriyah prison, medical and police sources said.

The people who were executed were convicted under a 2005 Counter-Terrorism Law, but details were not provided on the specific crimes they committed.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunmen-kill-at-least-11-in-attack-on-iraqi-army-post-in-baghdad-341803">Gunmen kill at least 11 in attack on Iraqi army post in Baghdad</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

The execution was carried out in Nasiriyah prison in Dhi Qar province, the only one in the country that conducts capital punishment.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-demand-us-ouster-from-iraq-in-baghdad-341459">Hundreds demand US ouster from Iraq in Baghdad</a>

The prison was earlier used to hang ex-officials of the Saddam Hussein regime.&nbsp;

However, Saddam himself was executed at this prison in December 2006 after the US and its allies toppled his government in 2003.&nbsp;

Following the victory over terror group Islamic State in late 2017, Iraq has handed death sentence to hundreds of its own citizens for their allegiance to the jihadist group.

However, only a handful of people among these were executed as the death sentence must be approved by the country's president.&nbsp;

Police sources confirmed to news agency AFP that President Barham Saleh had approved Monday's executions.

Iraq ranks fifth among nations that carry out death punishment, according to Amnesty International, which said the country conducted 100 executions in 2019.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Iraq on Monday executed 21 people who were convicted on terrorism charges at the notorious Nasiriyah prison, medical and police sources said. The people who were executed were convicted under a 2005 Counter-Terrorism Law, but details were not provided on the specific crimes they committed.

Iraq on Monday executed 21 people who were convicted on terrorism charges at the notorious Nasiriyah prison, medical and police sources said. The people who were executed were convicted under a 2005 Counter-Terrorism Law, but details were not provided on the specific crimes they committed. Also read | Gunmen kill at least 11 in attack on Iraqi army post in Baghdad The execution was carried out in Nasiriyah prison in Dhi Qar province, the only one in the country that conducts capital punishment. Also read | Hundreds demand US ouster from Iraq in Baghdad The prison was earlier used to hang ex-officials of the Saddam Hussein regime. However, Saddam himself was executed at this prison in December 2006 after the US and its allies toppled his government in 2003. Following the victory over terror group Islamic State in late 2017, Iraq has handed death sentence to hundreds of its own citizens for their allegiance to the jihadist group. However, only a handful of people among these were executed as the death sentence must be approved by the country's president. Police sources confirmed to news agency AFP that President Barham Saleh had approved Monday's executions. Iraq ranks fifth among nations that carry out death punishment, according to Amnesty International, which said the country conducted 100 executions in 2019.

Iraq carries out 21 death sentences in one day: Report

Several hundred protesters gathered in Baghdad on Saturday and demanded ouster of US troops from Iraq. Iraqi Parliament had voted to this effect earlier this year.

"We will choose resistance if parliament's vote is not ratified!" read one of the banners at the demonstration, which took place near an entrance to the high-security Green Zone, where the US embassy and other foreign missions are located.&nbsp;

Some of the protesters carried sign having logo of Hashed-al-Shaabi. It is a state-sponsored network of armed groups including many supported by Iran.

In January, after US airstrike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and the Hashed's deputy head, outraged Iraqi parliamentarians had voted to oust all foreign forces deployed in the country.

The US has sent thousands of troops to Iraq since 2014 to lead an international coalition helping Baghdad fight the Islamic State jihadist group.

Washington has drawn down those forces in recent months to around 3,000, and other coalition countries have also shrunk their footprint.

Starting in October 2019, rockets regularly targeted those troops as well as diplomats at the US embassy. 
Over the summer, there was a marked increase in attacks against coalition logistics convoys using roadside bombs.

Enraged by the ongoing attacks, the US in late September threatened to close its Baghdad embassy and carry out bombing raids against hard-line elements of the Hashed.

Pro-Iran factions announced a temporary truce in October that put an end to the attacks, with no rockets targeting the embassy or foreign troops since.

Iraq has long been caught in the struggle for influence between its two main allies, the US and Iran, with the tug-of-war intensifying under US President Donald Trump.

Baghdad has been closely monitoring the results of the US presidential elections, seeing a change in the White House as a sign that tensions between Washington and Tehran could decrease.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

Several hundred protesters gathered in Baghdad on Saturday and demanded ouster of US troops from Iraq. Iraqi Parliament had voted to this effect earlier this year.

Several hundred protesters gathered in Baghdad on Saturday and demanded ouster of US troops from Iraq. Iraqi Parliament had voted to this effect earlier this year. "We will choose resistance if parliament's vote is not ratified!" read one of the banners at the demonstration, which took place near an entrance to the high-security Green Zone, where the US embassy and other foreign missions are located. Some of the protesters carried sign having logo of Hashed-al-Shaabi. It is a state-sponsored network of armed groups including many supported by Iran. In January, after US airstrike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and the Hashed's deputy head, outraged Iraqi parliamentarians had voted to oust all foreign forces deployed in the country. The US has sent thousands of troops to Iraq since 2014 to lead an international coalition helping Baghdad fight the Islamic State jihadist group. Washington has drawn down those forces in recent months to around 3,000, and other coalition countries have also shrunk their footprint. Starting in October 2019, rockets regularly targeted those troops as well as diplomats at the US embassy. Over the summer, there was a marked increase in attacks against coalition logistics convoys using roadside bombs. Enraged by the ongoing attacks, the US in late September threatened to close its Baghdad embassy and carry out bombing raids against hard-line elements of the Hashed. Pro-Iran factions announced a temporary truce in October that put an end to the attacks, with no rockets targeting the embassy or foreign troops since. Iraq has long been caught in the struggle for influence between its two main allies, the US and Iran, with the tug-of-war intensifying under US President Donald Trump. Baghdad has been closely monitoring the results of the US presidential elections, seeing a change in the White House as a sign that tensions between Washington and Tehran could decrease. (With inputs from AFP)

Hundreds demand US ouster from Iraq in Baghdad

Mourning women beat their chest and wept at a Yazidi mass-grave site on Saturday (October 24), as Iraqi officials began the exhumation process of dozens of women believed to have been killed by Islamic State militants in 2014.

Iraq prepares to exhume bodies of Yazidi victims of Islamic State in Sinjar

Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad and Basra on Sunday (October 25) marking a year since anti-government unrest erupted across the country, and to put pressure on the government to meet their demands of improving living conditions, eradicating corruption and creating new jobs for the thousands of unemployed have yet to be realized.

Iraqis take to the streets on protest anniversary

Mosul's football club in northern Iraq lies in ruins. The region was destroyed under ISIS occupation and the footballers have nowhere to showcase their talent. Watch report.

Mosul stadium damaged under ISIS rule of city: Footballers in Mosul have no stadium to train in

After months spent praying alone, Tamara Muwaffaq was relieved to finally be back at Baghdad's 'Our Lady of Assumption' church on Sunday (October 11) for collective prayers.

Churches in Baghdad reopen their doors after months of closure

Holding his thread firmly in between his fingers, Iraqi artist Saeed Hwaidi carefully tightens the black string between nails he had hammered into a wooden board. His technique, called string art or filography, is time-consuming and requires a lot of concentration, especially for the crafting of portraits which is what Hwaidi likes most.

Iraqi string artist crafts portraits using nails and thread

As sunset nears, the residents of Iraq's Mosul flock to a golden-tinted statue of a woman looking out over their scarred city with an expression of steady defiance.

Iraq: New statues shake off months of ISIS brutality

As sunset nears, the residents of Iraq's Mosul flock to a golden-tinted statue of a woman looking out over their scarred city with an expression of steady defiance.

It is one of a half-dozen works by local artists that have been erected across the northern Iraqi city since the Islamic State group lost control of it three years ago.

The artworks are helping residents shake off memories of brutal punishments meted out by IS in squares and roundabouts, even as much of their city remains in ruins.

"My Lovely Lady" was the first, erected in September 2018 in a traffic circle where IS fighters used to behead or lash residents who had broken its ultra-conservative rules.

"By placing this statue here, I was trying to erase these dark, terrifying images from people's minds," said Omar Ibrahim, the 35-year-old artist behind the work.

"'My Lovely Lady' represents Mosul's beauty, its rebirth after overcoming all the obstacles of this nerve-wracking period," he told AFP.

Nerve-wracking it was: Ibrahim created the sculpture in a secret basement studio while the IS was still controlling Mosul.

When they first overran the city, the jihadists smashed works of art, musical instruments and millenia-old artefacts, deeming them violations of their ultra-conservative views.

They banned artists from working under penalty of death.

It was a devastating blow for Mosul, which had been known for centuries as a hub for musicians, writers and artists.

- Symbols of a city -

One favourite destroyed by IS was "The Spring Girl," a young woman carrying a bouquet and buffeted by the wind.

Mosul is known as "The Mother of Two Springs" because of its mild weather in both spring and autumn.

A remake of the sculpture of a woman with flowing hair and a sly half-smile was erected this year against a backdrop of a bullet-riddled building, a reminder of Mosul's grim recent history.

Another was "The Licorice Man," which dated back to the 1970s and depicted a street peddler with the beloved candy.

A team of young sculptors has made a new version, which has become such a landmark that the whole area is now dubbed the "Licorice Circle" by residents.

Jihadists also pulverised statues of the poet Abu Tammam and celebrated ballad virtuoso Mulla Uthman, whose remakes were recently installed in western Mosul.

While their predecessors were made of local Mosul stone or bronze, the replacements are made of cheaper metal.

Mosul's municipality is looking to pepper the city with more historical symbols, said Fares Mohammad, a local official from the Building Unit.

One statue he wants to see installed is of Ibn Sina, the father of early medicine more commonly known as Avicenna, to honour Mosul's past as a destination for top-tier medical care.

"These statues represent Mosul's cultural identity, its life, its professions and even its four seasons -- especially spring, which is beautiful here," said Ziad al-Sumeidi, a history and heritage researcher.

- 'Our devastated Mosul' -

Little of Mosul's rich history is visible today.

Besides the IS reign of destruction, the gruelling and months-long fight to recapture the city from the jihadists ravaged its infrastructure, particularly in the western half.

Only one public hospital now functions, power and water services are intermittent, and children must walk past crumbling buildings to get to the few schools that have reopened.

The poor living standards mean hundreds of thousands who were displaced from Mosul in recent years still prefer to live in tented camps rather than return to their scarred home town.

Those who have come back can often be seen relishing a quiet moment near the statues in the evenings.

Hadeel Najjar, a 30-year-old housewife, said she was glad to see the larger-than-life figures revive her hometown -- and hoped that her fellow Mosul residents can return, too.

"Erecting these statues is a necessary part of bringing life back to our devastated Mosul," she told AFP.

"But people still aren't coming back to their homes and shops, because of delays in compensating war victims or rebuilding the city's infrastructure."

As sunset nears, the residents of Iraq's Mosul flock to a golden-tinted statue of a woman looking out over their scarred city with an expression of steady defiance. It is one of a half-dozen works by local artists that have been erected across the northern Iraqi city since the Islamic State group lost control of it three years ago. The artworks are helping residents shake off memories of brutal punishments meted out by IS in squares and roundabouts, even as much of their city remains in ruins. "My Lovely Lady" was the first, erected in September 2018 in a traffic circle where IS fighters used to behead or lash residents who had broken its ultra-conservative rules. "By placing this statue here, I was trying to erase these dark, terrifying images from people's minds," said Omar Ibrahim, the 35-year-old artist behind the work. "'My Lovely Lady' represents Mosul's beauty, its rebirth after overcoming all the obstacles of this nerve-wracking period," he told AFP. Nerve-wracking it was: Ibrahim created the sculpture in a secret basement studio while the IS was still controlling Mosul. When they first overran the city, the jihadists smashed works of art, musical instruments and millenia-old artefacts, deeming them violations of their ultra-conservative views. They banned artists from working under penalty of death. It was a devastating blow for Mosul, which had been known for centuries as a hub for musicians, writers and artists. - Symbols of a city - One favourite destroyed by IS was "The Spring Girl," a young woman carrying a bouquet and buffeted by the wind. Mosul is known as "The Mother of Two Springs" because of its mild weather in both spring and autumn. A remake of the sculpture of a woman with flowing hair and a sly half-smile was erected this year against a backdrop of a bullet-riddled building, a reminder of Mosul's grim recent history. Another was "The Licorice Man," which dated back to the 1970s and depicted a street peddler with the beloved candy. A team of young sculptors has made a new version, which has become such a landmark that the whole area is now dubbed the "Licorice Circle" by residents. Jihadists also pulverised statues of the poet Abu Tammam and celebrated ballad virtuoso Mulla Uthman, whose remakes were recently installed in western Mosul. While their predecessors were made of local Mosul stone or bronze, the replacements are made of cheaper metal. Mosul's municipality is looking to pepper the city with more historical symbols, said Fares Mohammad, a local official from the Building Unit. One statue he wants to see installed is of Ibn Sina, the father of early medicine more commonly known as Avicenna, to honour Mosul's past as a destination for top-tier medical care. "These statues represent Mosul's cultural identity, its life, its professions and even its four seasons -- especially spring, which is beautiful here," said Ziad al-Sumeidi, a history and heritage researcher. - 'Our devastated Mosul' - Little of Mosul's rich history is visible today. Besides the IS reign of destruction, the gruelling and months-long fight to recapture the city from the jihadists ravaged its infrastructure, particularly in the western half. Only one public hospital now functions, power and water services are intermittent, and children must walk past crumbling buildings to get to the few schools that have reopened. The poor living standards mean hundreds of thousands who were displaced from Mosul in recent years still prefer to live in tented camps rather than return to their scarred home town. Those who have come back can often be seen relishing a quiet moment near the statues in the evenings. Hadeel Najjar, a 30-year-old housewife, said she was glad to see the larger-than-life figures revive her hometown -- and hoped that her fellow Mosul residents can return, too. "Erecting these statues is a necessary part of bringing life back to our devastated Mosul," she told AFP. "But people still aren't coming back to their homes and shops, because of delays in compensating war victims or rebuilding the city's infrastructure."

In Iraq's Mosul, new statues rise from ashes of IS rule

A few hundred Iraqis gathered in Baghdad's central Tahrir square on Thursday (October 1) to mark the anniversary of anti-government unrest that erupted last year and to put pressure on the government to meet their demands.

Iraqis march to mark mass protests anniversary

Death toll due to rocket attack at Baghdad airport has risen to 7. 5 children & 2 women have been killed in the attack.

WION Dispatch: 7 civilians killed in rocket attack at Baghdad airport

Iraq is not happy with a dangerous threat by US to pull its troops and diplomats out of Baghdad, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Wednesday.

Washington is set to withdraw diplomats from Iraq after warning Baghdad it could shut its embassy -- a step Iraqis fear could turn their country into a battle zone.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened to close the embassy in a phone call a week ago to President Barham Salih. The conversation was initially reported by an Iraqi news website.

Two Iraqi officials told The Wall Street Journal that Washington is already taking preliminary steps so it could close the embassy while retaining its consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdistan Region.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-fears-attack-on-diplomatic-mission-set-to-withdraw-diplomats-from-iraq-330953">Also read |&nbsp;US fears attack on diplomatic mission, set to withdraw diplomats from Iraq</a>

Iraqis are also concerned about the impact of November's presidential election on the Trump administration's decision-making.

While Trump has boasted of his hard line against Iran, he has also long promised to withdraw US troops from engagements in the Middle East. The United States is already drawing down its force sent to help defeat Islamic State fighters in Iraq from 2014-2017.

(with inputs from agencies)

Iraq is not happy with a dangerous threat by US to pull its troops and diplomats out of Baghdad, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Wednesday. Washington is set to withdraw diplomats from Iraq after warning Baghdad it could shut its embassy -- a step Iraqis fear could turn their country into a battle zone.

Iraq is not happy with a dangerous threat by US to pull its troops and diplomats out of Baghdad, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Wednesday. Washington is set to withdraw diplomats from Iraq after warning Baghdad it could shut its embassy -- a step Iraqis fear could turn their country into a battle zone. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened to close the embassy in a phone call a week ago to President Barham Salih. The conversation was initially reported by an Iraqi news website. Two Iraqi officials told The Wall Street Journal that Washington is already taking preliminary steps so it could close the embassy while retaining its consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdistan Region. Also read | US fears attack on diplomatic mission, set to withdraw diplomats from Iraq Iraqis are also concerned about the impact of November's presidential election on the Trump administration's decision-making. While Trump has boasted of his hard line against Iran, he has also long promised to withdraw US troops from engagements in the Middle East. The United States is already drawing down its force sent to help defeat Islamic State fighters in Iraq from 2014-2017. (with inputs from agencies)

Iraq says 'not happy' with US pullout threat

United States is set to withdraw diplomats from Iraq after warning Baghdad it could shut its embassy- a step Iraqis fear could turn their country into a battle zone.

Your Story: US threatens to evacuate diplomats from Iraq

Mourners hit out at Iraq's government over insecurity Tuesday, during the funerals of five children and two women killed by a wayward rocket targeting US troops stationed at Baghdad airport.

Several among the hundreds of mourners in the village of Al-Bouchaabane, a few kilometres from Baghdad airport, told AFP that some of the children were killed by the rocket as they played in front of their home late on Monday.

"This village is like a microcosm of Iraq," one mourner said. "If the government isn't capable of protecting us, how can it ensure the security of Iraq as a whole?"

The latest attack targeting American interests -- one of around 40 since early August, and many others stretching back months -- comes after Washington threatened to close its embassy and withdraw its remaining 3,000 troops from Iraq, unless the attacks cease.

The fatalities represent a new stage in the standoff between Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, a head of the country's intelligence service long seen as close to Washington, and pro-Iran armed groups that are demanding US troops leave the country.

The death toll -- up from an initial five, after two children died of their wounds in hospital -- place these armed factions in an uncomfortable position.

The public has become increasingly worn down by years of violence and armed groups holding the country to ransom.

Possibly anticipating a backlash, pro-Iran social media accounts that usually laud such rocket strikes were silent in the wake of this attack.

Several high-ranking officials attended the funerals in a bid to provide reassurance, but several among the hundreds of Iraqis surrounding the coffins told AFP that they feel permanently unsafe.

In front of the victims' small home, dozens of tribal chiefs received condolences close to the crater left by the rocket.

Shrapnel holes were visible in walls and blood on the ground.

Mourners hit out at Iraq's government over insecurity Tuesday, during the funerals of five children and two women killed by a wayward rocket targeting US troops stationed at Baghdad airport.

Mourners hit out at Iraq's government over insecurity Tuesday, during the funerals of five children and two women killed by a wayward rocket targeting US troops stationed at Baghdad airport. Several among the hundreds of mourners in the village of Al-Bouchaabane, a few kilometres from Baghdad airport, told AFP that some of the children were killed by the rocket as they played in front of their home late on Monday. "This village is like a microcosm of Iraq," one mourner said. "If the government isn't capable of protecting us, how can it ensure the security of Iraq as a whole?" The latest attack targeting American interests -- one of around 40 since early August, and many others stretching back months -- comes after Washington threatened to close its embassy and withdraw its remaining 3,000 troops from Iraq, unless the attacks cease. The fatalities represent a new stage in the standoff between Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, a head of the country's intelligence service long seen as close to Washington, and pro-Iran armed groups that are demanding US troops leave the country. The death toll -- up from an initial five, after two children died of their wounds in hospital -- place these armed factions in an uncomfortable position. The public has become increasingly worn down by years of violence and armed groups holding the country to ransom. Possibly anticipating a backlash, pro-Iran social media accounts that usually laud such rocket strikes were silent in the wake of this attack. Several high-ranking officials attended the funerals in a bid to provide reassurance, but several among the hundreds of Iraqis surrounding the coffins told AFP that they feel permanently unsafe. In front of the victims' small home, dozens of tribal chiefs received condolences close to the crater left by the rocket. Shrapnel holes were visible in walls and blood on the ground.

Iraqis decry insecurity at funerals of seven killed in anti-US attack

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