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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A US-backed force pushing to take the Islamic State group's last speck of territory in eastern Syria on Sunday extradited 280 Iraqi jihadists, Iraq authorities said.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have detained "a large number" of IS fighters "of multiple nationalities, including more than 500 Iraqis", the security media office said in a statement.

"So far 280 (Iraqis) have been delivered," it added. Iraqi security forces on Thursday received the first batch of 130 Iraqi IS members, a military spokesman said, although a spokesman for the US-backed force denied the claims.

The transfers were set to "continue until they are completed", the statement added. Iraqi security forces had received a list of names to be checked against a database in coordination with the judiciary, which has issued warrants against jihadists.

Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said at his weekly press conference Tuesday that the country was monitoring the situation in eastern Syria with caution, as security forces fear IS remnants could sneak across the nearby Iraqi border.

Iraq declared victory against IS in December 2017 after ousting the jihadists from the swathes of Iraq they took in 2014. Backed by air strikes from a US-led coalition, the SDF have trapped the jihadists in less than half a square kilometre (a fifth of a square mile) in a hamlet in the Syrian desert.&nbsp;

A US-backed force pushing to take the Islamic State group's last speck of territory in eastern Syria on Sunday extradited 280 Iraqi jihadists, Iraq authorities said.

A US-backed force pushing to take the Islamic State group's last speck of territory in eastern Syria on Sunday extradited 280 Iraqi jihadists, Iraq authorities said. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have detained "a large number" of IS fighters "of multiple nationalities, including more than 500 Iraqis", the security media office said in a statement. "So far 280 (Iraqis) have been delivered," it added. Iraqi security forces on Thursday received the first batch of 130 Iraqi IS members, a military spokesman said, although a spokesman for the US-backed force denied the claims. The transfers were set to "continue until they are completed", the statement added. Iraqi security forces had received a list of names to be checked against a database in coordination with the judiciary, which has issued warrants against jihadists. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said at his weekly press conference Tuesday that the country was monitoring the situation in eastern Syria with caution, as security forces fear IS remnants could sneak across the nearby Iraqi border. Iraq declared victory against IS in December 2017 after ousting the jihadists from the swathes of Iraq they took in 2014. Backed by air strikes from a US-led coalition, the SDF have trapped the jihadists in less than half a square kilometre (a fifth of a square mile) in a hamlet in the Syrian desert.

Iraq receives 280 Islamic State jihadists from US-backed Syria force

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

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

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

Acting Pentagon chief makes surprise Baghdad visit

A group of 27 Russian children whose mothers are being held in Iraq for belonging to the Islamic State group arrived home in Russia Sunday.

The children landed at Ramenskoye airport, near Moscow, on Sunday evening, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Emergency Situations, quoted by TASS agency.

"Twenty-seven Russian children have been repatriated from Baghdad," a Russian foreign ministry official said earlier. &nbsp;

Thirty other children had been sent back to Moscow in late December.

The fathers of the children were killed during three years of fighting between the jihadists and Iraqi troops, the official said.

Anna Kuznetsova, Russia's envoy for the rights of children, confirmed the report, according to the TASS state news agency.

She said the 27 children were aged from four to 13 and were from 10 different regions in Russia.

IS seized large swathes of Iraq in a lightning 2014 offensive before the government dislodged the jihadists from urban centres and eventually declared victory in December 2017.&nbsp;

The Kremlin announced in early January that 115 Russian children aged under ten -- along with eight aged between 11 and 17 -- were still in Iraq.&nbsp;

Iraqi law allows detainees to be held with their offspring until the age of three, but older children have to live with relatives. &nbsp;

In November, Kheda Saratova -- an adviser to Chechnya's authoritarian leader Ramzan Kadyrov -- estimated "around 2,000" widows and children of Russian IS fighters were still in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. &nbsp;

Around one hundred women and children -- mostly from Caucasus republics -- have returned to Russia so far.&nbsp;

Nearly 4,500 Russian citizens went abroad to fight "on the side of terrorists", Russia's FSB domestic intelligence agency said last year.&nbsp;

More than 300 people, including around 100 foreign women, have been sentenced to death in Iraq for belonging to the Islamic State, while others have been sentenced to life in prison.&nbsp;

Most of those convicted are Turks or originate from former republics of the Soviet Union.&nbsp;

A group of 27 Russian children whose mothers are being held in Iraq for belonging to the Islamic State group arrived home in Russia Sunday. The children landed at Ramenskoye airport, near Moscow, on Sunday evening, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Emergency Situations, quoted by TASS agency.

A group of 27 Russian children whose mothers are being held in Iraq for belonging to the Islamic State group arrived home in Russia Sunday. The children landed at Ramenskoye airport, near Moscow, on Sunday evening, said a spokesman for the Ministry of Emergency Situations, quoted by TASS agency. "Twenty-seven Russian children have been repatriated from Baghdad," a Russian foreign ministry official said earlier. Thirty other children had been sent back to Moscow in late December. The fathers of the children were killed during three years of fighting between the jihadists and Iraqi troops, the official said. Anna Kuznetsova, Russia's envoy for the rights of children, confirmed the report, according to the TASS state news agency. She said the 27 children were aged from four to 13 and were from 10 different regions in Russia. IS seized large swathes of Iraq in a lightning 2014 offensive before the government dislodged the jihadists from urban centres and eventually declared victory in December 2017. The Kremlin announced in early January that 115 Russian children aged under ten -- along with eight aged between 11 and 17 -- were still in Iraq. Iraqi law allows detainees to be held with their offspring until the age of three, but older children have to live with relatives. In November, Kheda Saratova -- an adviser to Chechnya's authoritarian leader Ramzan Kadyrov -- estimated "around 2,000" widows and children of Russian IS fighters were still in Iraq and neighbouring Syria. Around one hundred women and children -- mostly from Caucasus republics -- have returned to Russia so far. Nearly 4,500 Russian citizens went abroad to fight "on the side of terrorists", Russia's FSB domestic intelligence agency said last year. More than 300 people, including around 100 foreign women, have been sentenced to death in Iraq for belonging to the Islamic State, while others have been sentenced to life in prison. Most of those convicted are Turks or originate from former republics of the Soviet Union.

Russia 'repatriates' 27 Islamic State children from Iraq

“Sometimes I wake up at night. I don’t know where I am, what I am doing. I go to neighbouring tents and cuddle someone else’s child. People think I am crazy. Often I find myself crying in the middle of the night while I hug a pillow. I am so depressed, I want to die.”

The words, accompanied by tears and palms outstretched to the sky, come from an Iraqi woman living in a temporary refugee camp on the outskirt of Bartella in northern Iraq.&nbsp;

She does not reveal her identity. So let us call her Fatima.

You may think hers is another story of the pain and sorrow that accompanies conflicts and you would be right.&nbsp;

But there is one detail that makes Fatima's story different -- she was wife and mother to people who worked for Islamic State.&nbsp;

All the families in the camp are thought to have had at least one member affiliated with the terrorist organisation. They are brought here for identification and then sent on to a bigger camp in Hammam al-Alil. (If they have relatives on the outside willing to stand guarantee for them, they are allowed to leave.)&nbsp;

The environment is tense -- guards do not allow anyone to enter and, unlike elsewhere, the small stalls selling food are placed outside of the camp’s fence.&nbsp;

Rules for media are strict: no pictures, no video, no choosing whom you wish to speak with.&nbsp;

“Daesh (the name for Islamic State in West Asia) came and told my sons they had to work for them. They were doctors and they accepted, they were too afraid to refuse,” says Fatima.&nbsp;

Her two sons might have treated IS fighters injured during the battle for Mosul.&nbsp;

Before you jump to judgement and label her sons enemies of humanity, take a minute.&nbsp;

Make an effort -- imagine if you were one of those two young men.&nbsp;

You work in a hospital. One day, armed men who conquered your city and established their rule over it, come and ask you to work for them.&nbsp;

You know who they are and you know that refusing their demands is not really an option.&nbsp;

If you say no, they might kill you on the spot or hurt or your family.&nbsp;

So you accept, mostly out of fear.&nbsp;

Before we judge them, we should ask ourselves: “What would I have done? Would I have fled? What about members of my family that might choose to stay behind? Would I have refused, knowing that a bullet in my head might have been the consequence of my actions?”

It is always easy to accuse the people who did not rise up against Islamic State of cowardice. But the truth is that there are few ideal heroes.&nbsp;

Most people just want to live their lives, work, and earn their daily bread.&nbsp;

It matters little to them who rules their city, especially in cases like Mosul.&nbsp;

In the beginning Islamic state had presented itself as an element of stability, a group that wanted to get rid of corruption and govern the city under Sharia law. All of which might not have sounded too difficult for Mosul's large Sunni population to bear.&nbsp;

“In the beginning they (the Islamic State) were good. They were helpful and willing to pay salaries,” says Fatima.

Accepting Islamic State's rule passively, to stay alive, does not necessarily make a person a terrorist.&nbsp;

Fatima's sons and her husband died under the bombs that rained on western Mosul for months during the liberation of the city.

“It is so painful, I can’t forget them,” she says.&nbsp;

Captain Ziad, of the Iraqi Federal Police, who is in charge of the camp’s surveillance looks at her, his arms crossed behind his back.&nbsp;

He's wearing blue camouflage fatigues.&nbsp;

“It is good," he says. "Now you know the pain that all other Iraqi women suffered because of people like your sons.”&nbsp;

His words hit Fatima like a knife through the heart. She starts to cry.&nbsp;

“We will not punish her, in Iraq we follow the rule of law. You do not pay for someone else’s mistakes. Even if it is your son,” Captain Ziad says.&nbsp;

 
Not quite true

That's not quite true.&nbsp;

There are almost daily reports of extrajudicial killings and illegal detentions. After months of bloody and exhausting house-to-house fighting, soldiers are not really keen on taking the time to understand who the people they find in West Mosul are.&nbsp;

Many of the soldiers have lost colleagues and friends to Islamic&nbsp;State. War is a dirty business and it colours -- if not suspends -- moral values. The unspoken rules of the battlefield differ, by far, from the ones we are used to.&nbsp;

Fatima is just one of many women experiencing the same problem.&nbsp;

Yes their close relatives worked for Islamic State, some even fought for them. (Iraq is a country in which women often have little say in men’s choices and it is unlikely that a wife or a mother would have been effective at convincing members of her family to refrain from joining Islamic State.)&nbsp;

They also enjoyed many benefits during the siege of Mosul, the biggest of which was food. While the rest of the citizenry starved beneath the airstrikes, Fatima's family had food on their table through the war.&nbsp;

But the question remains. Are they to be considered collaborators or victims of the violence that has washed over this country? &nbsp;

Many of their former neighbours who lost family members to Islamic State will not welcome their return to the cities and villages they came from.&nbsp;

This is a major problem the Iraqi government will have to address in one of the most difficult processes of reconciliation ever.&nbsp;

The scenario is not reassuring.&nbsp;

On top of the need for revenge felt by people affected by Islamic State, a wave of sectarianism has pervaded Iraq.&nbsp;

Many Shiite army and militiamen hold all the country’s Sunni muslims responsible for what happened, an idea that will undermine the peace process. &nbsp;

“Sometimes I wake up at night. I don’t know where I am, what I am doing. I go to neighbouring tents and cuddle someone else’s child. People think I am crazy. Often I find myself crying in the middle of the night while I hug a pillow.

“Sometimes I wake up at night. I don’t know where I am, what I am doing. I go to neighbouring tents and cuddle someone else’s child. People think I am crazy. Often I find myself crying in the middle of the night while I hug a pillow. I am so depressed, I want to die.” The words, accompanied by tears and palms outstretched to the sky, come from an Iraqi woman living in a temporary refugee camp on the outskirt of Bartella in northern Iraq. She does not reveal her identity. So let us call her Fatima. You may think hers is another story of the pain and sorrow that accompanies conflicts and you would be right. But there is one detail that makes Fatima's story different -- she was wife and mother to people who worked for Islamic State. All the families in the camp are thought to have had at least one member affiliated with the terrorist organisation. They are brought here for identification and then sent on to a bigger camp in Hammam al-Alil. (If they have relatives on the outside willing to stand guarantee for them, they are allowed to leave.) The environment is tense -- guards do not allow anyone to enter and, unlike elsewhere, the small stalls selling food are placed outside of the camp’s fence. Rules for media are strict: no pictures, no video, no choosing whom you wish to speak with. “Daesh (the name for Islamic State in West Asia) came and told my sons they had to work for them. They were doctors and they accepted, they were too afraid to refuse,” says Fatima. Her two sons might have treated IS fighters injured during the battle for Mosul. Before you jump to judgement and label her sons enemies of humanity, take a minute. Make an effort -- imagine if you were one of those two young men. You work in a hospital. One day, armed men who conquered your city and established their rule over it, come and ask you to work for them. You know who they are and you know that refusing their demands is not really an option. If you say no, they might kill you on the spot or hurt or your family. So you accept, mostly out of fear. Before we judge them, we should ask ourselves: “What would I have done? Would I have fled? What about members of my family that might choose to stay behind? Would I have refused, knowing that a bullet in my head might have been the consequence of my actions?” It is always easy to accuse the people who did not rise up against Islamic State of cowardice. But the truth is that there are few ideal heroes. Most people just want to live their lives, work, and earn their daily bread. It matters little to them who rules their city, especially in cases like Mosul. In the beginning Islamic state had presented itself as an element of stability, a group that wanted to get rid of corruption and govern the city under Sharia law. All of which might not have sounded too difficult for Mosul's large Sunni population to bear. “In the beginning they (the Islamic State) were good. They were helpful and willing to pay salaries,” says Fatima. Accepting Islamic State's rule passively, to stay alive, does not necessarily make a person a terrorist. Fatima's sons and her husband died under the bombs that rained on western Mosul for months during the liberation of the city. “It is so painful, I can’t forget them,” she says. Captain Ziad, of the Iraqi Federal Police, who is in charge of the camp’s surveillance looks at her, his arms crossed behind his back. He's wearing blue camouflage fatigues. “It is good," he says. "Now you know the pain that all other Iraqi women suffered because of people like your sons.” His words hit Fatima like a knife through the heart. She starts to cry. “We will not punish her, in Iraq we follow the rule of law. You do not pay for someone else’s mistakes. Even if it is your son,” Captain Ziad says. Not quite true That's not quite true. There are almost daily reports of extrajudicial killings and illegal detentions. After months of bloody and exhausting house-to-house fighting, soldiers are not really keen on taking the time to understand who the people they find in West Mosul are. Many of the soldiers have lost colleagues and friends to Islamic State. War is a dirty business and it colours -- if not suspends -- moral values. The unspoken rules of the battlefield differ, by far, from the ones we are used to. Fatima is just one of many women experiencing the same problem. Yes their close relatives worked for Islamic State, some even fought for them. (Iraq is a country in which women often have little say in men’s choices and it is unlikely that a wife or a mother would have been effective at convincing members of her family to refrain from joining Islamic State.) They also enjoyed many benefits during the siege of Mosul, the biggest of which was food. While the rest of the citizenry starved beneath the airstrikes, Fatima's family had food on their table through the war. But the question remains. Are they to be considered collaborators or victims of the violence that has washed over this country? Many of their former neighbours who lost family members to Islamic State will not welcome their return to the cities and villages they came from. This is a major problem the Iraqi government will have to address in one of the most difficult processes of reconciliation ever. The scenario is not reassuring. On top of the need for revenge felt by people affected by Islamic State, a wave of sectarianism has pervaded Iraq. Many Shiite army and militiamen hold all the country’s Sunni muslims responsible for what happened, an idea that will undermine the peace process.

Are all the people who worked for Islamic State evil?

India has relaxed travel to Iraq with improvement in the security situation in the West Asian country. New Delhi has said that "Indian nationals may now consider travelling to the country" with the exception of five provinces of Iraq - Nineveh (capital Mosul); Salahuddin (capital Tikrit); Diyala (capital Baquba); Anbar (capital Ramadi) and Kirkuk. The relaxation comes into effect immediately.&nbsp;

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a release noted, "Indian nationals are advised not to travel" to the five Provinces of Iraq as "these remain affected by terrorism and violence".

MEA also urged Indian nationals, who plan to travel to Iraq for employment, to register on E-Migrate portal of the Government of India and inform the Indian embassy in Baghdad or the Indian Consulate General in Erbil.

When the Islamic State (IS) took over large parts of Iraq in 2014, India evacuated thousands of Indian nationals from the country. 39 Indians were kidnapped by the Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq that year. They were confirmed dead by India in 2018.

On June 15, 2014, India issued a travel advisory asking its citizens to leave the country and avoid all travel to the country.

Around 10,000-12,000 Indias are in Iraq at present, most of them in the Kurdistan region, Basra, Najaf and Karbala. About 30,000-40,000 Indians visit Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf and Samarrah for pilgrimage every year.

India has relaxed travel to Iraq with improvement in the security situation in the West Asian country. New Delhi has said that "Indian nationals may now consider travelling to the country" with the exception of five provinces of Iraq - Nineveh (capital Mosul); Salahuddin (capital Tikrit); Diyala (capital Baquba); Anbar (capital Ramadi) and Kirkuk.

India has relaxed travel to Iraq with improvement in the security situation in the West Asian country. New Delhi has said that "Indian nationals may now consider travelling to the country" with the exception of five provinces of Iraq - Nineveh (capital Mosul); Salahuddin (capital Tikrit); Diyala (capital Baquba); Anbar (capital Ramadi) and Kirkuk. The relaxation comes into effect immediately. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a release noted, "Indian nationals are advised not to travel" to the five Provinces of Iraq as "these remain affected by terrorism and violence". MEA also urged Indian nationals, who plan to travel to Iraq for employment, to register on E-Migrate portal of the Government of India and inform the Indian embassy in Baghdad or the Indian Consulate General in Erbil. When the Islamic State (IS) took over large parts of Iraq in 2014, India evacuated thousands of Indian nationals from the country. 39 Indians were kidnapped by the Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq that year. They were confirmed dead by India in 2018. On June 15, 2014, India issued a travel advisory asking its citizens to leave the country and avoid all travel to the country. Around 10,000-12,000 Indias are in Iraq at present, most of them in the Kurdistan region, Basra, Najaf and Karbala. About 30,000-40,000 Indians visit Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf and Samarrah for pilgrimage every year.

India relaxes travel to Iraq with exception of five provinces

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-slams-european-interference-in-venezuela-195064">Russia slams European 'interference' in Venezuela</a>

Russia on Monday slammed what it said were attempts to interfere in Venezuela's domestic affairs after several European countries recognised opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-vs-bengal-ready-to-give-my-life-but-not-compromise-says-mamata-cbi-files-contempt-plea-in-sc-195124">Centre vs Bengal: Ready to give my life but not compromise, says Mamata; CBI files contempt plea in SC</a>

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said she is "ready to give my life but not compromise" in the wake of the CBI-Kolkata Police face-off in her state.&nbsp;

"I am ready to give my life but not compromise. I did not take to the streets when you touched TMC leaders. But I am angry when they tried to insult the chair of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, he is leading the organisation," Mamata said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-spain-recognises-venezuela-opposition-leader-guaido-as-acting-president-195050">UK, France, Germany recognise Venezuela opposition leader Guaido as acting president</a>

Britain, France, Spain and Germany on Monday recognised Venezuela's opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader after President Nicolas Maduro rejected a demand by several European powers for fresh elections.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-constitution-rejects-use-of-iraq-as-a-base-for-attacking-a-neighbouring-country-barham-saleh-195059">After Trump speaks, Iraqis demand </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-constitution-rejects-use-of-iraq-as-a-base-for-attacking-a-neighbouring-country-barham-saleh-195059">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-constitution-rejects-use-of-iraq-as-a-base-for-attacking-a-neighbouring-country-barham-saleh-195059"> leave </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-constitution-rejects-use-of-iraq-as-a-base-for-attacking-a-neighbouring-country-barham-saleh-195059">country</a>

Iraqi politicians on Monday hit back at Donald Trump after the US president said he plans to keep American forces in the country to spy on Iran.

In an interview with CBS television, Trump reaffirmed his determination to pull the United States out of "endless wars" in Syria and Afghanistan but said American troops would stay on in Iraq, partly "to be looking a little bit at Iran".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/body-found-in-wreckage-of-footballer-salas-plane-investigators-195090">Body found in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/body-found-in-wreckage-of-footballer-salas-plane-investigators-195090">wreckage</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/body-found-in-wreckage-of-footballer-salas-plane-investigators-195090"> of footballer Emiliano Sala's plane: Investigators</a>

British investigators on Monday said they had spotted a body in underwater images of the wreckage of the plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson that disappeared in the Channel two weeks ago.

Russia slams European 'interference' in Venezuela Russia on Monday slammed what it said were attempts to interfere in Venezuela's domestic affairs after several European countries recognised opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader.

Russia slams European 'interference' in Venezuela Russia on Monday slammed what it said were attempts to interfere in Venezuela's domestic affairs after several European countries recognised opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader. Centre vs Bengal: Ready to give my life but not compromise, says Mamata; CBI files contempt plea in SC West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said she is "ready to give my life but not compromise" in the wake of the CBI-Kolkata Police face-off in her state. "I am ready to give my life but not compromise. I did not take to the streets when you touched TMC leaders. But I am angry when they tried to insult the chair of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, he is leading the organisation," Mamata said. UK, France, Germany recognise Venezuela opposition leader Guaido as acting president Britain, France, Spain and Germany on Monday recognised Venezuela's opposition chief Juan Guaido as interim leader after President Nicolas Maduro rejected a demand by several European powers for fresh elections. After Trump speaks, Iraqis demand US leave country Iraqi politicians on Monday hit back at Donald Trump after the US president said he plans to keep American forces in the country to spy on Iran. In an interview with CBS television, Trump reaffirmed his determination to pull the United States out of "endless wars" in Syria and Afghanistan but said American troops would stay on in Iraq, partly "to be looking a little bit at Iran". Body found in wreckage of footballer Emiliano Sala's plane: Investigators British investigators on Monday said they had spotted a body in underwater images of the wreckage of the plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson that disappeared in the Channel two weeks ago.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-sending-military-to-venezuela-an-option-cbs-194884">US President Donald Trump</a> said it was important to keep a US military presence in Iraq so that Washington can keep a close eye on Iran, according to a CBS interview to be broadcast on Sunday.

Trump said the United States spent a fortune on a base in Iraq. "We might as well keep it. One of the reasons I want to keep it is because I want to be looking a little bit at Iran because Iran is a real problem," he said in excerpts from a CBS "Face the Nation" interview.

Asked if that meant he wanted to be able to strike Iran, Trump said, "No, because I want to be able to watch Iran."

"All I want to do is be able to watch. We have an unbelievable and expensive military base built in Iraq. It's perfectly situated for looking at all over different parts of the troubled Middle East rather than pulling up."

Trump defended his decision to withdraw troops from Syria but refused to provide a timetable for the pullout, which was criticized by members of his own Republican Party and caused concern among some allies in the region.

He said some of the forces moving out of Syria will go to the base in Iraq and "ultimately some will be coming home."

US President Donald Trump said it was important to keep a US military presence in Iraq so that Washington can keep a close eye on Iran, according to a CBS interview to be broadcast on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump said it was important to keep a US military presence in Iraq so that Washington can keep a close eye on Iran, according to a CBS interview to be broadcast on Sunday. Trump said the United States spent a fortune on a base in Iraq. "We might as well keep it. One of the reasons I want to keep it is because I want to be looking a little bit at Iran because Iran is a real problem," he said in excerpts from a CBS "Face the Nation" interview. Asked if that meant he wanted to be able to strike Iran, Trump said, "No, because I want to be able to watch Iran." "All I want to do is be able to watch. We have an unbelievable and expensive military base built in Iraq. It's perfectly situated for looking at all over different parts of the troubled Middle East rather than pulling up." Trump defended his decision to withdraw troops from Syria but refused to provide a timetable for the pullout, which was criticized by members of his own Republican Party and caused concern among some allies in the region. He said some of the forces moving out of Syria will go to the base in Iraq and "ultimately some will be coming home."

Want to keep US military in Iraq to 'watch Iran', says Trump

Four Iraqi policemen were killed Sunday in two back-to-back bomb blasts at one of their positions north of the capital, near a former jihadist bastion, local officials and officers said.

"At around 8:00 am, the police officers were taking up their post at the southern entrance of Al-Sharqat," the town's mayor, Ali Dodah, told AFP.

"One bomb went off, killing two police officers and wounding eight. An hour and a half later, as reinforcements arrived, a second bomb went off," Dodah said.

A police officer speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the first blast's toll to AFP and said the second explosion killed two officers and wounded three.

And a medical source at Al-Sharqat's hospital confirmed a total of four officers were killed. &nbsp;

Al-Sharqat, around 250 kilometres (150 miles) north of Baghdad, was held by the Islamic State group until autumn 2017.

It was one of the last areas recaptured by the government, which announced several months later that it had ousted IS from Iraq.

But hit-and-run attacks — particularly assassinations and kidnappings of local officials — still take place and hint at an underground network of IS sleeper cells in some of the country's most remote areas.&nbsp;

On Thursday, a car bomb killed a police officer near Hawija, another former IS stronghold.&nbsp;

Four Iraqi policemen were killed Sunday in two back-to-back bomb blasts at one of their positions north of the capital, near a former jihadist bastion, local officials and officers said.

Four Iraqi policemen were killed Sunday in two back-to-back bomb blasts at one of their positions north of the capital, near a former jihadist bastion, local officials and officers said. "At around 8:00 am, the police officers were taking up their post at the southern entrance of Al-Sharqat," the town's mayor, Ali Dodah, told AFP. "One bomb went off, killing two police officers and wounding eight. An hour and a half later, as reinforcements arrived, a second bomb went off," Dodah said. A police officer speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the first blast's toll to AFP and said the second explosion killed two officers and wounded three. And a medical source at Al-Sharqat's hospital confirmed a total of four officers were killed. Al-Sharqat, around 250 kilometres (150 miles) north of Baghdad, was held by the Islamic State group until autumn 2017. It was one of the last areas recaptured by the government, which announced several months later that it had ousted IS from Iraq. But hit-and-run attacks — particularly assassinations and kidnappings of local officials — still take place and hint at an underground network of IS sleeper cells in some of the country's most remote areas. On Thursday, a car bomb killed a police officer near Hawija, another former IS stronghold.

Four policemen dead in back-to-back bomb blasts in Iraq

Iraq on Sunday said it would summon the Turkish ambassador over the death of a Kurdish protester after Turkish troops opened fire on demonstrators in the country's northwest.

On Saturday night, Kurdish protesters stormed a Turkish army position in the Shiladzeh region of northwestern Iraq to protest the deaths of four civilians they said were killed last week in Turkish bombardment.

Witnesses said Turkish troops opened fire on the demonstrators, causing casualties and damage.

Iraq's foreign ministry on Sunday denounced the incident, saying one person was killed and several others wounded when Turkish forces "opened fire on citizens in the Shiladzeh area".

"The foreign ministry will summon the Turkish ambassador to hand a protest note about the incident and demand that it not be repeated," it added.&nbsp;

Turkish forces are deployed in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region and often carry out raids and air strikes against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), seen as a "terrorist" group by Ankara.

On Saturday, the Kurdish regional government said it was "saddened" by the casualties and material damage at Shiladzeh but only referred to an "incident" without mentioning Turkey or the protest.

Footage distributed by activists appeared to show protesters setting Turkish military vehicles on fire.

Turkey's defence ministry said one of its bases was attacked after "provocation by a PKK terror group," resulting in some damage to vehicles and other equipment.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the PKK was "troubled" because Ankara was hitting its "terror nests".&nbsp;

"They are provoking the local community. And we know that the PKK is behind this (the attack)," he told reporters in the southern city of Antalya.&nbsp;

Cavusoglu said he had spoken to the prime minister of autonomous Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, who reportedly told him authorities would conduct a "comprehensive investigation".

The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 but also operates bases in the Qandil mountain area of Iraq's Kurdish region.

In December, Baghdad summoned the Turkish ambassador to protest Ankara's "repeated" air strikes as a "violation of its sovereignty".&nbsp;

Turkey has pressed Iraq to play a bigger role in fighting the PKK, and last month announced deeper bilateral cooperation on the matter. 
&nbsp;

Iraq on Sunday said it would summon the Turkish ambassador over the death of a Kurdish protester after Turkish troops opened fire on demonstrators in the country's northwest.

Iraq on Sunday said it would summon the Turkish ambassador over the death of a Kurdish protester after Turkish troops opened fire on demonstrators in the country's northwest. On Saturday night, Kurdish protesters stormed a Turkish army position in the Shiladzeh region of northwestern Iraq to protest the deaths of four civilians they said were killed last week in Turkish bombardment. Witnesses said Turkish troops opened fire on the demonstrators, causing casualties and damage. Iraq's foreign ministry on Sunday denounced the incident, saying one person was killed and several others wounded when Turkish forces "opened fire on citizens in the Shiladzeh area". "The foreign ministry will summon the Turkish ambassador to hand a protest note about the incident and demand that it not be repeated," it added. Turkish forces are deployed in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region and often carry out raids and air strikes against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), seen as a "terrorist" group by Ankara. On Saturday, the Kurdish regional government said it was "saddened" by the casualties and material damage at Shiladzeh but only referred to an "incident" without mentioning Turkey or the protest. Footage distributed by activists appeared to show protesters setting Turkish military vehicles on fire. Turkey's defence ministry said one of its bases was attacked after "provocation by a PKK terror group," resulting in some damage to vehicles and other equipment. On Sunday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the PKK was "troubled" because Ankara was hitting its "terror nests". "They are provoking the local community. And we know that the PKK is behind this (the attack)," he told reporters in the southern city of Antalya. Cavusoglu said he had spoken to the prime minister of autonomous Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani, who reportedly told him authorities would conduct a "comprehensive investigation". The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 but also operates bases in the Qandil mountain area of Iraq's Kurdish region. In December, Baghdad summoned the Turkish ambassador to protest Ankara's "repeated" air strikes as a "violation of its sovereignty". Turkey has pressed Iraq to play a bigger role in fighting the PKK, and last month announced deeper bilateral cooperation on the matter.

Baghdad to summon Turkey envoy over death of Kurdish protester

Flights between <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-expert-to-visit-turkey-for-international-inquiry-in-khashoggi-murder-192754&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwilz-aFqIvgAhUHTY8KHQPlApQQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw36tLeojTpCDmcNt-BObaCq">Turkey</a> and the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah resumed Saturday, according to aviation authorities, after a 16-month air blockade imposed by Ankara over an independence referendum.

Kurds in the administratively autonomous northern region overwhelmingly voted for independence in a non-binding referendum in September 2017 that infuriated Baghdad as well as Iraq's neighbours, Turkey and Iran.

In retaliation, Baghdad and Ankara blocked international flights from the two main Iraqi Kurdish cities of Arbil and Sulaimaniyah.

Almost all those <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/traffic-restrictions-in-delhi-as-country-celebrates-70th-republic-day-192836&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjd_dz9qIvgAhVWi3AKHQgsC84QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Iebe-r6uHQ_C58TOKnsvg">restrictions</a> were lifted last year but Turkey — which fears its own Kurdish minority could be inspired to push for independence — had maintained its blockade on Sulaimaniyah until Saturday.&nbsp;

"Implementing the Turkish government's decision to lift the air blockade on international fights from Sulaimaniyah, the first Turkish Airlines flight landed early this morning and returned to Turkey," said Sulaimaniyah airport chief Taher Abdallah.

He said the blockade cost the airport more than $5 million in 2018.&nbsp;

Iraqi Airways would resume flights between Sulaimaniyah and Istanbul in the coming days, civil air authorities said.

That brings air traffic to and from the Iraqi Kurdish region back to its status before the 2017 referendum.&nbsp;

At the time, the federal government rejected the poll as "illegal," imposed economic penalties and seized the disputed Kirkuk oil fields, halting exports.

But ties have improved markedly in recent months.

Authorities announced the resumption of oil exports from Kirkuk in November and last week, parliamentarians passed a 2019 budget guaranteeing Baghdad would pay the salaries of the Kurdish region's public workers and peshmerga armed forces.

Flights between Turkey and the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah resumed Saturday, according to aviation authorities, after a 16-month air blockade imposed by Ankara over an independence referendum.

Flights between Turkey and the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah resumed Saturday, according to aviation authorities, after a 16-month air blockade imposed by Ankara over an independence referendum. Kurds in the administratively autonomous northern region overwhelmingly voted for independence in a non-binding referendum in September 2017 that infuriated Baghdad as well as Iraq's neighbours, Turkey and Iran. In retaliation, Baghdad and Ankara blocked international flights from the two main Iraqi Kurdish cities of Arbil and Sulaimaniyah. Almost all those restrictions were lifted last year but Turkey — which fears its own Kurdish minority could be inspired to push for independence — had maintained its blockade on Sulaimaniyah until Saturday. "Implementing the Turkish government's decision to lift the air blockade on international fights from Sulaimaniyah, the first Turkish Airlines flight landed early this morning and returned to Turkey," said Sulaimaniyah airport chief Taher Abdallah. He said the blockade cost the airport more than $5 million in 2018. Iraqi Airways would resume flights between Sulaimaniyah and Istanbul in the coming days, civil air authorities said. That brings air traffic to and from the Iraqi Kurdish region back to its status before the 2017 referendum. At the time, the federal government rejected the poll as "illegal," imposed economic penalties and seized the disputed Kirkuk oil fields, halting exports. But ties have improved markedly in recent months. Authorities announced the resumption of oil exports from Kirkuk in November and last week, parliamentarians passed a 2019 budget guaranteeing Baghdad would pay the salaries of the Kurdish region's public workers and peshmerga armed forces.

Turkey renews flights to Iraqi Kurd city after 16-month ban

US President Donald Trump was reeling from sharp rebukes at home and abroad over his surprise announcement last month to immediately pull American troops out of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-set-up-syria-security-zone-erdogan-190520&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi1nLiw4PHfAhUbEnIKHeBhBYgQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1OVjCx2SvnOLtyPsxBW9mW">Syria </a>when he flew into the al Asad airbase in neighbouring Iraq the day after Christmas.

Inside a canvas Quonset hut, one of the arced prefabricated structures used by the military and surrounded by concertina wire, Trump received operational briefs from US commanders suggesting a territorial victory against Islamic State was within sight, but the military needed just a bit more time, US officials said.

"They were upbeat about their ability to wrap things up," one of the officials told Reuters. "I definitely think that was a seminal meeting" in terms of influencing Trump' thinking.

Lieutenant General Paul LaCamera, the commander of the US-led coalition against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, explained to a president who had lost patience with the war why too rapid a withdrawal could not be done without putting troops at risk, according to three officials familiar with the briefing, the contents of which have not been reported in such detail.

In the chaotic aftermath of Trump's December 19 announcement, which was one of the reasons that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned, the 45-minute briefing appears to have helped crystallize an understanding between Trump and his top brass on the ground. Trump, in remarks to reporters, admitted that he felt better about the situation after talking to commanders in the theatre instead of officials in Washington.

The briefing also helped win the US military and diplomats some breathing room to plan a more deliberate exit from Syria.

It was a novel experience for the president, who was making his first visit to a war zone in his nearly two years in office, fresh from a political pummelling over his decision on Syria from fellow Republicans in Congress and US allies.&nbsp;

Nearly three weeks after the briefing, no troops have withdrawn from Syria and only some equipment has moved out.

In 2015, then-President Barack Obama first ordered US special operations forces into Syria after long hesitating to deploy "boots on the ground" in the midst of the Syrian civil war. What started off as a mission involving dozens of commandos eventually turned into hundreds and then just kept growing. There are about 2,000 US forces in Syria today.

Although Trump initially announced plans for a speedy pullout, he has since said it does not need to go quickly.&nbsp;

"We are pulling back in Syria, we are going to be removing our troops, I never said we are doing it that quickly," Trump told reporters at the White House on January 6.

In fact, Trump said on December 19 that American troops were coming home and they had already defeated Islamic State in Syria. No experts believe Islamic State has been defeated, despite the group having lost almost all of the territory it held in 2014 and 2015 after seizing parts of Syria and Iraq and declaring a "caliphate."

The Pentagon said on Friday that the withdrawal "is not subject to an arbitrary timeline," and would take into account conditions on the ground and talks with allies.&nbsp;

Trump's concession of additional time has set off an apparent scramble by the US military and Trump administration officials to accomplish as much as possible in the twilight of the Syria campaign.

US officials told Reuters that planning for a complete withdrawal from Syria is still underway, despite confusing and sometimes contradictory statements from the White House and tension with Turkey, which was meant to take over the campaign against Islamic State.&nbsp;

Several officials said they expected a withdrawal before the end of March, but would not commit to a date, given fast-evolving policy discussions and hard-to-predict battlefield developments.

FINAL BLOWS

Privately, some US officials worry the final push will not be enough to preserve hard-won gains against Islamic State or ensure protection for US-backed Kurdish YPG allies who helped in the fight. NATO ally Turkey views Kurdish militia as terrorists, an extension of a Kurdish insurgency in Turkey.

Trump himself acknowledged his concerns for the Kurds on Monday, warning Turkey of "economic devastation" if it attacks a US-allied Kurdish militia in Syria. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he believed Trump was referring to sanctions.

According to US estimates, Islamic State oversaw about 100,000 square kilometres (39,000 square miles) of territory, with about 8 million people under its control. The group had estimated revenues of nearly one billion dollars a year and used its de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria as a base to plot attacks in Europe.

Backed up by US-led coalition airstrikes, artillery and advisers and equipment, US-supported ground forces in Iraq and Syria clawed back towns and cities from the jihadists. Iraq declared victory against the group in 2017.&nbsp;

US military officials are reluctant to predict how quickly Islamic State militants can be vanquished from their final towns in Syria, recalling how the insurgents fought until the death in Mosul, Iraq. The group still influences about 300 square kilometres in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, according to the US-led coalition.

The persistence of the group was one of the reasons that Trump's decision stunned the Pentagon.&nbsp;

But after the initial shock, military and civilians leaders including Mattis met at the Pentagon the week before Christmas to discuss the quickest, safest and most responsible way they could carry out the troop pullout and protect Kurdish allies.

It became clear that a rapid 30-day withdrawal, as initially suggested by the White House, would not meet the criteria of a "safe and responsible" withdrawal. Before Trump's surprise decision, Pentagon planning had suggested four months would be needed.

One source played down Trump's concerns about whether the drawdown would be done in weeks or months.

"All he wants to know is that it is happening," the source said.

Significantly, Mattis&nbsp;order issued before Christmas did not include a specific timeline, although US officials said military commanders told the White House that a safe and responsible drawdown could not be done in less than 120 days. The order has not been changed since Mattis left office on December 31, when his deputy Patrick Shanahan took over, officials said.&nbsp;

In the meantime, the US-backed forces in Syria, including Kurds, are keeping up the fight - confounding analysts predictions that they would rapidly head north to prepare for an offensive by Turkey.

In fact, since Trump's withdrawal announcement, those forces have been fighting Islamic State with support from US-led coalition air strikes and artillery.&nbsp;

US allies, who were caught entirely off-guard by Trump's announcement, are still seeking clarification about the timing of America' exit.&nbsp;

The troop pullout from Syria dominated discussions by Pompeo during his meetings in Amman, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Iraq over the past week, in which he told US allies that withdrawal was a tactical change only.

Allies also want information about any post-withdrawal role by the US military to ensure Islamic State militants do not rise from the ashes of their caliphate, US officials and diplomats said.

But they appear relieved at the apparent slowdown of the pullout.

&nbsp;"It seems that there has been a change that I think is positive," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France said last week.

US President Donald Trump was reeling from sharp rebukes at home and abroad over his surprise announcement last month to immediately pull American troops out of Syria when he flew into the al Asad airbase in neighbouring Iraq the day after Christmas.

US President Donald Trump was reeling from sharp rebukes at home and abroad over his surprise announcement last month to immediately pull American troops out of Syria when he flew into the al Asad airbase in neighbouring Iraq the day after Christmas. Inside a canvas Quonset hut, one of the arced prefabricated structures used by the military and surrounded by concertina wire, Trump received operational briefs from US commanders suggesting a territorial victory against Islamic State was within sight, but the military needed just a bit more time, US officials said. "They were upbeat about their ability to wrap things up," one of the officials told Reuters. "I definitely think that was a seminal meeting" in terms of influencing Trump' thinking. Lieutenant General Paul LaCamera, the commander of the US-led coalition against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, explained to a president who had lost patience with the war why too rapid a withdrawal could not be done without putting troops at risk, according to three officials familiar with the briefing, the contents of which have not been reported in such detail. In the chaotic aftermath of Trump's December 19 announcement, which was one of the reasons that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned, the 45-minute briefing appears to have helped crystallize an understanding between Trump and his top brass on the ground. Trump, in remarks to reporters, admitted that he felt better about the situation after talking to commanders in the theatre instead of officials in Washington. The briefing also helped win the US military and diplomats some breathing room to plan a more deliberate exit from Syria. It was a novel experience for the president, who was making his first visit to a war zone in his nearly two years in office, fresh from a political pummelling over his decision on Syria from fellow Republicans in Congress and US allies. Nearly three weeks after the briefing, no troops have withdrawn from Syria and only some equipment has moved out. In 2015, then-President Barack Obama first ordered US special operations forces into Syria after long hesitating to deploy "boots on the ground" in the midst of the Syrian civil war. What started off as a mission involving dozens of commandos eventually turned into hundreds and then just kept growing. There are about 2,000 US forces in Syria today. Although Trump initially announced plans for a speedy pullout, he has since said it does not need to go quickly. "We are pulling back in Syria, we are going to be removing our troops, I never said we are doing it that quickly," Trump told reporters at the White House on January 6. In fact, Trump said on December 19 that American troops were coming home and they had already defeated Islamic State in Syria. No experts believe Islamic State has been defeated, despite the group having lost almost all of the territory it held in 2014 and 2015 after seizing parts of Syria and Iraq and declaring a "caliphate." The Pentagon said on Friday that the withdrawal "is not subject to an arbitrary timeline," and would take into account conditions on the ground and talks with allies. Trump's concession of additional time has set off an apparent scramble by the US military and Trump administration officials to accomplish as much as possible in the twilight of the Syria campaign. US officials told Reuters that planning for a complete withdrawal from Syria is still underway, despite confusing and sometimes contradictory statements from the White House and tension with Turkey, which was meant to take over the campaign against Islamic State. Several officials said they expected a withdrawal before the end of March, but would not commit to a date, given fast-evolving policy discussions and hard-to-predict battlefield developments. FINAL BLOWS Privately, some US officials worry the final push will not be enough to preserve hard-won gains against Islamic State or ensure protection for US-backed Kurdish YPG allies who helped in the fight. NATO ally Turkey views Kurdish militia as terrorists, an extension of a Kurdish insurgency in Turkey. Trump himself acknowledged his concerns for the Kurds on Monday, warning Turkey of "economic devastation" if it attacks a US-allied Kurdish militia in Syria. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he believed Trump was referring to sanctions. According to US estimates, Islamic State oversaw about 100,000 square kilometres (39,000 square miles) of territory, with about 8 million people under its control. The group had estimated revenues of nearly one billion dollars a year and used its de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria as a base to plot attacks in Europe. Backed up by US-led coalition airstrikes, artillery and advisers and equipment, US-supported ground forces in Iraq and Syria clawed back towns and cities from the jihadists. Iraq declared victory against the group in 2017. US military officials are reluctant to predict how quickly Islamic State militants can be vanquished from their final towns in Syria, recalling how the insurgents fought until the death in Mosul, Iraq. The group still influences about 300 square kilometres in the Middle Euphrates River Valley, according to the US-led coalition. The persistence of the group was one of the reasons that Trump's decision stunned the Pentagon. But after the initial shock, military and civilians leaders including Mattis met at the Pentagon the week before Christmas to discuss the quickest, safest and most responsible way they could carry out the troop pullout and protect Kurdish allies. It became clear that a rapid 30-day withdrawal, as initially suggested by the White House, would not meet the criteria of a "safe and responsible" withdrawal. Before Trump's surprise decision, Pentagon planning had suggested four months would be needed. One source played down Trump's concerns about whether the drawdown would be done in weeks or months. "All he wants to know is that it is happening," the source said. Significantly, Mattis order issued before Christmas did not include a specific timeline, although US officials said military commanders told the White House that a safe and responsible drawdown could not be done in less than 120 days. The order has not been changed since Mattis left office on December 31, when his deputy Patrick Shanahan took over, officials said. In the meantime, the US-backed forces in Syria, including Kurds, are keeping up the fight - confounding analysts predictions that they would rapidly head north to prepare for an offensive by Turkey. In fact, since Trump's withdrawal announcement, those forces have been fighting Islamic State with support from US-led coalition air strikes and artillery. US allies, who were caught entirely off-guard by Trump's announcement, are still seeking clarification about the timing of America' exit. The troop pullout from Syria dominated discussions by Pompeo during his meetings in Amman, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Iraq over the past week, in which he told US allies that withdrawal was a tactical change only. Allies also want information about any post-withdrawal role by the US military to ensure Islamic State militants do not rise from the ashes of their caliphate, US officials and diplomats said. But they appear relieved at the apparent slowdown of the pullout. "It seems that there has been a change that I think is positive," French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France said last week.

How Trump slowed rush for Syria exits after huddling in Iraq

The shifting constellations of power and politics in the Middle East conform and correspond to the adage that, “my enemy’s enemy is my friend”. This is perhaps best reflected in Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, assertion that “Israel is Arabs’ best ally against Iran”. That this statement is an egregious and an outrageous lie is to state the obvious but the realm of international relations and geopolitics is defined by surprise, even of the outrageous variety. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Stripped of accretions, Israel which has always claimed to be a “western outpost” in a “sea of oriental despotism” has defined itself against Arab Muslims and the post-colonial states that constitute the Middle East’s firmament. In fact, the wars between Israel and these states have often been referred to as the “Arab Israeli wars. What then explains Netanyahu’s assertions? Do these constitute a change in heart in the nature of a fundamental departure from the past? And, does this, in turn, mean that the Middle East is on the cusp of far-reaching change and peace?

No. 
&nbsp; 
The Middle East is more fluid and, to some degree, more anarchic than before. The real reasons that account for the Israeli Prime Minister’s assertions pertaining to the evolving dynamics, permutations, combinations and configurations in the region.

The most important of these is the prominence and salience of the sectarian conflicts (or schisms). The reference here is to the Shia Sunni divide which has emerged as the major fault line that divides the Middle East. In the schemata of this divide, the major protagonists or players are Saudi Arabia and Iran and the attendant rivalry, in its modern avatar has taken the clash or battle for hegemony in the region. 
&nbsp; 
Post the second Gulf War, Iran’s influence and clout in the Middle East grew substantially. Be it Iraq, Syria, Lebanon or even Yemen, Iran asserted itself and attempted to morph into a pole of power and influence. Its alleged quest for nukes was perhaps an attempt to amplify its power and develop a security paradigm for state and regime survival. The name of the game for the country appeared to have been to be a hegemon in the region.

But, this quest would naturally rile the Saudis who have their own fears and goals. However, it was and is Israel that feared Iran’s rise the most. If the balance of power would shift to Iran in the Middle East, then the country would have to contend with Iran’s power and influence, and perhaps even have to deal with its dispute with the Palestinians in a different and a novel combination. 
&nbsp; 
Against this backdrop, the “natural” reflex of Israel would be to undercut and undermine Iran. Here, Trump came to the rescue of the country by putting Iran in the crosshairs of the United States.

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<h5>The Israeli Prime Minister (plagued by corruption scandals), has no love lost for the Arabs but is piggybacking on the elemental and fundamental faultline of Shia Sunni antagonisms and the age-old divide thereof, all of which correspond to sheer raison d’etat and not a change of heart or new found love for the Arabs.</h5>
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The overall thrust of Trump’s strategy appears to have been to put intense pressure on Iran to the extent of “regime change”. In this, primarily because of the Shia Sunni divide and the attendant clash of hegemonies in the Middle East, the Arab states rallied around the United States and even appear to have made implicit or tacit overtures to Israel. 
&nbsp; 
It is here that Netanyahu’s remarks assume significance. 
&nbsp; 
The Israeli Prime Minister (plagued by corruption scandals), has no love lost for the Arabs but is piggybacking on the elemental and fundamental faultline of Shia Sunni antagonisms and the age-old divide thereof, all of which correspond to sheer raison d’etat and not a change of heart or new found love for the Arabs. 
&nbsp; 
But, the sands of geopolitics are shifting in the Middle East. Against these changes, as ephemeral they might be, what can be said about peace in the region? 
&nbsp; 
The answer is bleak and takes us into the domain of domestic politics in the United States and Israel. As Trump becomes more isolated in the United States and as his visceral reflexes crowd out rationality, he might take recourse to extreme measures.

One such kind would be to attack Iran toward the tether end of his presidency. This would gel with Netanyahu’s insecurities in the wake of corruption charges against him and the permutations and combinations of Israeli politics. What might ensue is a “meeting of minds” between Trump and Netanyahu which might make war against Iran almost imminent.

The sad denouement of all this would be an even more unstable and anarchic the Middle East which, in the final analysis, and obviously would not amplify but actually decrease security for all. This, more than anything, else could be the legacy that Trump and Netanyahu will bequeath upon the region.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The shifting constellations of power and politics in the Middle East conform and correspond to the adage that, “my enemy’s enemy is my friend”. This is perhaps best reflected in Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, assertion that “Israel is Arabs’ best ally against Iran”.

The shifting constellations of power and politics in the Middle East conform and correspond to the adage that, “my enemy’s enemy is my friend”. This is perhaps best reflected in Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, assertion that “Israel is Arabs’ best ally against Iran”. That this statement is an egregious and an outrageous lie is to state the obvious but the realm of international relations and geopolitics is defined by surprise, even of the outrageous variety. Stripped of accretions, Israel which has always claimed to be a “western outpost” in a “sea of oriental despotism” has defined itself against Arab Muslims and the post-colonial states that constitute the Middle East’s firmament. In fact, the wars between Israel and these states have often been referred to as the “Arab Israeli wars. What then explains Netanyahu’s assertions? Do these constitute a change in heart in the nature of a fundamental departure from the past? And, does this, in turn, mean that the Middle East is on the cusp of far-reaching change and peace? No. The Middle East is more fluid and, to some degree, more anarchic than before. The real reasons that account for the Israeli Prime Minister’s assertions pertaining to the evolving dynamics, permutations, combinations and configurations in the region. The most important of these is the prominence and salience of the sectarian conflicts (or schisms). The reference here is to the Shia Sunni divide which has emerged as the major fault line that divides the Middle East. In the schemata of this divide, the major protagonists or players are Saudi Arabia and Iran and the attendant rivalry, in its modern avatar has taken the clash or battle for hegemony in the region. Post the second Gulf War, Iran’s influence and clout in the Middle East grew substantially. Be it Iraq, Syria, Lebanon or even Yemen, Iran asserted itself and attempted to morph into a pole of power and influence. Its alleged quest for nukes was perhaps an attempt to amplify its power and develop a security paradigm for state and regime survival. The name of the game for the country appeared to have been to be a hegemon in the region. But, this quest would naturally rile the Saudis who have their own fears and goals. However, it was and is Israel that feared Iran’s rise the most. If the balance of power would shift to Iran in the Middle East, then the country would have to contend with Iran’s power and influence, and perhaps even have to deal with its dispute with the Palestinians in a different and a novel combination. Against this backdrop, the “natural” reflex of Israel would be to undercut and undermine Iran. Here, Trump came to the rescue of the country by putting Iran in the crosshairs of the United States. The Israeli Prime Minister (plagued by corruption scandals), has no love lost for the Arabs but is piggybacking on the elemental and fundamental faultline of Shia Sunni antagonisms and the age-old divide thereof, all of which correspond to sheer raison d’etat and not a change of heart or new found love for the Arabs. × The overall thrust of Trump’s strategy appears to have been to put intense pressure on Iran to the extent of “regime change”. In this, primarily because of the Shia Sunni divide and the attendant clash of hegemonies in the Middle East, the Arab states rallied around the United States and even appear to have made implicit or tacit overtures to Israel. It is here that Netanyahu’s remarks assume significance. The Israeli Prime Minister (plagued by corruption scandals), has no love lost for the Arabs but is piggybacking on the elemental and fundamental faultline of Shia Sunni antagonisms and the age-old divide thereof, all of which correspond to sheer raison d’etat and not a change of heart or new found love for the Arabs. But, the sands of geopolitics are shifting in the Middle East. Against these changes, as ephemeral they might be, what can be said about peace in the region? The answer is bleak and takes us into the domain of domestic politics in the United States and Israel. As Trump becomes more isolated in the United States and as his visceral reflexes crowd out rationality, he might take recourse to extreme measures. One such kind would be to attack Iran toward the tether end of his presidency. This would gel with Netanyahu’s insecurities in the wake of corruption charges against him and the permutations and combinations of Israeli politics. What might ensue is a “meeting of minds” between Trump and Netanyahu which might make war against Iran almost imminent. The sad denouement of all this would be an even more unstable and anarchic the Middle East which, in the final analysis, and obviously would not amplify but actually decrease security for all. This, more than anything, else could be the legacy that Trump and Netanyahu will bequeath upon the region. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Middle East is on the cusp of deep uncertainty, volatility and insecurity

Iraq's prime minister said on Sunday that top security officials from Baghdad had met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, and hinted at a bigger Iraqi role fighting Islamic State militants as US&nbsp;troops withdraw from Syria.

"This issue has a lot of complications," Adel Abdul Mahdi told reporters, referring to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's surprise announcement this month that he will withdraw US&nbsp;forces from Iraq's neighbour.

"If any negative development takes place in Syria it will affect us. We have a 600 km (400 mile) border with Syria and Daesh (Islamic State) is there," Abdul Mahdi said.

The premier said the Iraqi delegation had visited Damascus to "gain the initiative, not just deal with the consequences" of any future Islamic State (IS) activity emboldened by the US&nbsp;withdrawal. Iraqi news websites said the visit took place on Saturday.

Abdul Mahdi said Iraq sought to move beyond its current arrangement with Syria - under which it launches air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syrian territory - but did not got into more details.

"There are groups operating in Syria, and Iraq is the best way to deal with this," he said, responding to a question about the possibility of increased involvement of Iraqi forces in Syria.

Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim paramilitary groups backed by Iran already operate inside Syrian territory against the Sunni Muslim militants of Islamic State.&nbsp;

Abdul Mahdi has previously said that about 2,000 Islamic State fighters are operating near the border in Syria and trying to cross into Iraq.&nbsp;

Islamic State was militarily defeated in Iraq in 2017, but has continued to launch guerilla-style attacks on security forces in the north of the country. 
&nbsp;

Iraq's prime minister said on Sunday that top security officials from Baghdad had met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, and hinted at a bigger Iraqi role fighting Islamic State militants as US troops withdraw from Syria.

Iraq's prime minister said on Sunday that top security officials from Baghdad had met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, and hinted at a bigger Iraqi role fighting Islamic State militants as US troops withdraw from Syria. "This issue has a lot of complications," Adel Abdul Mahdi told reporters, referring to US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement this month that he will withdraw US forces from Iraq's neighbour. "If any negative development takes place in Syria it will affect us. We have a 600 km (400 mile) border with Syria and Daesh (Islamic State) is there," Abdul Mahdi said. The premier said the Iraqi delegation had visited Damascus to "gain the initiative, not just deal with the consequences" of any future Islamic State (IS) activity emboldened by the US withdrawal. Iraqi news websites said the visit took place on Saturday. Abdul Mahdi said Iraq sought to move beyond its current arrangement with Syria - under which it launches air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syrian territory - but did not got into more details. "There are groups operating in Syria, and Iraq is the best way to deal with this," he said, responding to a question about the possibility of increased involvement of Iraqi forces in Syria. Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim paramilitary groups backed by Iran already operate inside Syrian territory against the Sunni Muslim militants of Islamic State. Abdul Mahdi has previously said that about 2,000 Islamic State fighters are operating near the border in Syria and trying to cross into Iraq. Islamic State was militarily defeated in Iraq in 2017, but has continued to launch guerilla-style attacks on security forces in the north of the country.

Iraq hints at bigger role in Syria after US withdrawal

President Donald Trump could not meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdelmahdi on his recent <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730">surprise trip to the Middle Eastern country</a> because for "security reasons" the premier was only informed of the president's visit two hours earlier, the White House said Thursday.

In remarks to reporters who traveled with the US president, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that for "security reasons" the White House could only invite the Iraqi premier to meet with Trump two hours prior to the time that could be scheduled for the meeting.

Abdelmahdi was elsewhere in Iraq and could not rearrange his schedule to meet with Trump on such short notice, Sanders said.

Given the US announcement, the Iraqi premier's press office issued a statement saying that the meeting could not be arranged due to a lack of agreement regarding how to conduct it and so the two leaders spoke on the phone instead.

During that telephone conversation, Trump invited Abdelmahdi to visit the White House and the prime minister accepted, Sanders said.

In addition, she said that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with Abdelmahdi in Baghdad on January&nbsp;11.

Trump and his wife Melania on Wednesday made a surprise visit to US troops deployed in Iraq, the first time the president has visited soldiers stationed abroad.

The first couple visited the US Ain al Asad base in Iraq's western Al Anbar province, and on their return to Washington aboard Air Force One they stopped in Germany to spend 45 minutes with US soldiers at the Ramstein military base.

Last week, Trump announced that he was withdrawing from Syria all 2,000 US troops stationed there to fight the Islamic State as part of an international coalition.

According to local media, the president also ordered the withdrawal of 7,000 of the 14,000 US troops stationed in Afghanistan, although this has not been officially confirmed.

The Pentagon has about 5,200 soldiers deployed in Iraq as part of the coalition fighting the IS.

Last week, Pompeo assured Abdelmahdi that the US remains committed to the "sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Iraq and promised that the international coalition will continue working closely with the Iraqi military to destroy the remnants of the Islamic State. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump could not meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdelmahdi on his recent surprise trip to the Middle Eastern country because for "security reasons" the premier was only informed of the president's visit two hours earlier, the White House said Thursday.

President Donald Trump could not meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdelmahdi on his recent surprise trip to the Middle Eastern country because for "security reasons" the premier was only informed of the president's visit two hours earlier, the White House said Thursday. In remarks to reporters who traveled with the US president, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that for "security reasons" the White House could only invite the Iraqi premier to meet with Trump two hours prior to the time that could be scheduled for the meeting. Abdelmahdi was elsewhere in Iraq and could not rearrange his schedule to meet with Trump on such short notice, Sanders said. Given the US announcement, the Iraqi premier's press office issued a statement saying that the meeting could not be arranged due to a lack of agreement regarding how to conduct it and so the two leaders spoke on the phone instead. During that telephone conversation, Trump invited Abdelmahdi to visit the White House and the prime minister accepted, Sanders said. In addition, she said that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with Abdelmahdi in Baghdad on January 11. Trump and his wife Melania on Wednesday made a surprise visit to US troops deployed in Iraq, the first time the president has visited soldiers stationed abroad. The first couple visited the US Ain al Asad base in Iraq's western Al Anbar province, and on their return to Washington aboard Air Force One they stopped in Germany to spend 45 minutes with US soldiers at the Ramstein military base. Last week, Trump announced that he was withdrawing from Syria all 2,000 US troops stationed there to fight the Islamic State as part of an international coalition. According to local media, the president also ordered the withdrawal of 7,000 of the 14,000 US troops stationed in Afghanistan, although this has not been officially confirmed. The Pentagon has about 5,200 soldiers deployed in Iraq as part of the coalition fighting the IS. Last week, Pompeo assured Abdelmahdi that the US remains committed to the "sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Iraq and promised that the international coalition will continue working closely with the Iraqi military to destroy the remnants of the Islamic State.

Trump skips meeting Iraqi PM in his surprise visit over 'security reasons'

Iraqi political and militia leaders condemned US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's surprise visit to US&nbsp;troops in Iraq on Wednesday as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and lawmakers said a meeting between Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was cancelled due to a disagreement over venue.

Sabah al Saadi, the leader of the Islah parliamentary bloc, called for an emergency session of parliament "to discuss this blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and to stop these aggressive actions by Trump who should know his limits: The US&nbsp;occupation of Iraq is over."

The Bina bloc, Islah's rival in parliament and led by Iran-backed militia leader Hadi al-Amiri, also objected to Trump's trip to Iraq.

"Trump's visit is a flagrant and clear violation of diplomatic norms and shows his disdain and hostility in his dealings with the Iraqi government," said a statement from Bina.

Abdul Mahdi's office said in a statement that US&nbsp;authorities had informed Iraq's leadership of the president's visit ahead of time. The statement said the Iraqi prime minister and US&nbsp;president talked by telephone due to a "disagreement over how to conduct the meeting."

Iraqi lawmakers told Reuters that the pair had disagreed over where their planned meeting should take place: Trump had asked to meet at the Ain al-Asad military base, an offer which Abdul Mahdi declined.

Trump's visit comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, as Washington seeks to counter Iran's sway in the Middle East. The formation of Iraq's government has stalled as well amid intensifying discord between the Islah and Bina blocs.

Falih Khazali, a former militia leader turned politician allied with Bina, accused the United States of wanting to increase its presence in Iraq. "The American leadership was defeated in Iraq and wants to return again under any pretext, and this is what we will never allow," he said.

Bina said Trump's visit "places many question marks on the nature of the US&nbsp;military presence and its real objectives, and what these objectives could pose to the security of Iraq."

While there has been no full-scale violence in Iraq since Islamic State suffered a series of defeats last year, some 5,200 US&nbsp;troops train and advise Iraqi forces still waging a campaign against the militant group.

Islah is headed by populist Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Sadr has long opposed the US&nbsp;presence in Iraq since the US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. He led two uprisings against US&nbsp;forces in Iraq and is one of the few Shi'ite leaders to also distance himself from Iran.

Iraq's Shi'ite militias, also known as the PMF, many of which are supported by Iran, oppose the presence of US&nbsp;troops in the region. The PMF was made formally part of the security forces this year after helping the military defeat Islamic State in Iraq in 2017.

Qais al-Khazali, the leader of the powerful Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia said on Twitter, "Iraqis will respond with a parliamentary decision to oust your (US) military forces. And if they do not leave, we have the experience and the ability to remove them by other means that your forces are familiar with."

Some Iraqis, however, were less concerned with the US&nbsp;president's visit.

"We won’t get anything from America," said Baghdad resident Mohammad Abdullah. "They’ve been in Iraq 16 years, and they haven’t given anything to the country except destruction and devastation."

Iraqi political and militia leaders condemned US President Donald Trump's surprise visit to US troops in Iraq on Wednesday as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and lawmakers said a meeting between Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was cancelled due to a disagreement over venue.

Iraqi political and militia leaders condemned US President Donald Trump's surprise visit to US troops in Iraq on Wednesday as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and lawmakers said a meeting between Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was cancelled due to a disagreement over venue. Sabah al Saadi, the leader of the Islah parliamentary bloc, called for an emergency session of parliament "to discuss this blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and to stop these aggressive actions by Trump who should know his limits: The US occupation of Iraq is over." The Bina bloc, Islah's rival in parliament and led by Iran-backed militia leader Hadi al-Amiri, also objected to Trump's trip to Iraq. "Trump's visit is a flagrant and clear violation of diplomatic norms and shows his disdain and hostility in his dealings with the Iraqi government," said a statement from Bina. Abdul Mahdi's office said in a statement that US authorities had informed Iraq's leadership of the president's visit ahead of time. The statement said the Iraqi prime minister and US president talked by telephone due to a "disagreement over how to conduct the meeting." Iraqi lawmakers told Reuters that the pair had disagreed over where their planned meeting should take place: Trump had asked to meet at the Ain al-Asad military base, an offer which Abdul Mahdi declined. Trump's visit comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, as Washington seeks to counter Iran's sway in the Middle East. The formation of Iraq's government has stalled as well amid intensifying discord between the Islah and Bina blocs. Falih Khazali, a former militia leader turned politician allied with Bina, accused the United States of wanting to increase its presence in Iraq. "The American leadership was defeated in Iraq and wants to return again under any pretext, and this is what we will never allow," he said. Bina said Trump's visit "places many question marks on the nature of the US military presence and its real objectives, and what these objectives could pose to the security of Iraq." While there has been no full-scale violence in Iraq since Islamic State suffered a series of defeats last year, some 5,200 US troops train and advise Iraqi forces still waging a campaign against the militant group. Islah is headed by populist Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Sadr has long opposed the US presence in Iraq since the US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. He led two uprisings against US forces in Iraq and is one of the few Shi'ite leaders to also distance himself from Iran. Iraq's Shi'ite militias, also known as the PMF, many of which are supported by Iran, oppose the presence of US troops in the region. The PMF was made formally part of the security forces this year after helping the military defeat Islamic State in Iraq in 2017. Qais al-Khazali, the leader of the powerful Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia said on Twitter, "Iraqis will respond with a parliamentary decision to oust your (US) military forces. And if they do not leave, we have the experience and the ability to remove them by other means that your forces are familiar with." Some Iraqis, however, were less concerned with the US president's visit. "We won’t get anything from America," said Baghdad resident Mohammad Abdullah. "They’ve been in Iraq 16 years, and they haven’t given anything to the country except destruction and devastation."

Iraqi lawmakers criticise Trump visit as blow to Iraqi sovereignty

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-invites-trump-to-visit-turkey-white-house-186256">US troops from Syria</a> and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

Trump made his remarks to reporters after arriving with first lady Melania Trump about 7:16 pm local time at Al Asad airbase in western Iraq on his first trip as president to visit troops stationed abroad.

The president defended his decision to withdraw US troops from neighboring Syria, where some 2,000 soldiers are deployed as part of an international coalition fighting the Islamic State terrorist group, and he said that he was not giving US generals any more extensions of the deployment to continue to degrade the IS and work out the logistics of leaving the Middle Eastern country.

"(The generals) said again, recently, can we have more time? I said, 'Nope.' You can't have any more time. You've had enough time. We've knocked them out. We've knocked them silly," said Trump, according to a pool report.

He emphasized that he had held very good talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he said also wants to deal a harsh blow against the IS and he said he expected the Turkish leader would do so, along with others.

"We're no longer suckers, folks," Trump told the troops, warning that he is committed to bringing home US troops from foreign wars even over the objections of his administration's experts.

"The United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world," Trump said. "It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States."

He suggested that he was not worried about losing the ability to hit the IS, called ISIS by the administration, saying that "If we see something happening with ISIS that we don't like, we can hit them so fast and so hard they really won't know what the hell happened," Trump said, according to Bloomberg News.

Trump also emphasized that his visit to the combat zone was to enable him to pay his respects to the "incredible troops" that the US currently has stationed in Iraq.

Trump had been scheduled to meet on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdelmahdi, but that meeting ultimately was cancelled.

"Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE USA.!" said Trump on Twitter.

Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Trump greeted more than 100 soldiers assembled at the Al Asad airbase, shaking hands with several of them who extended their hands to him and who responded to him by chanting "USA!"

Trump and the first lady had traveled to Iraq in secret to share Christmas with US troops stationed in the Arab country, the White House said on Wednesday.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote on Wednesday on Twitter that the president and his wife Melania traveled to the Middle Eastern country to thank the troops and the military command tasked with the mission in Iraq "for their service, their success and their sacrifice" and to "wish them a Merry Christmas."

"President Trump and the First Lady traveled to Iraq late on Christmas night to visit with our troops and Senior Military leadership to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas," tweeted Sanders.

Local media emphasized that this is Trump's first visit to a combat zone since taking office in January 2017.

Trump has been the target of criticism for breaking with the Christmas tradition begun in 2002 according to which US presidents visit the country's troops to celebrate the holiday.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq. Trump made his remarks to reporters after arriving with first lady Melania Trump about 7:16 pm local time at Al Asad airbase in western Iraq on his first trip as president to visit troops stationed abroad. The president defended his decision to withdraw US troops from neighboring Syria, where some 2,000 soldiers are deployed as part of an international coalition fighting the Islamic State terrorist group, and he said that he was not giving US generals any more extensions of the deployment to continue to degrade the IS and work out the logistics of leaving the Middle Eastern country. "(The generals) said again, recently, can we have more time? I said, 'Nope.' You can't have any more time. You've had enough time. We've knocked them out. We've knocked them silly," said Trump, according to a pool report. He emphasized that he had held very good talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he said also wants to deal a harsh blow against the IS and he said he expected the Turkish leader would do so, along with others. "We're no longer suckers, folks," Trump told the troops, warning that he is committed to bringing home US troops from foreign wars even over the objections of his administration's experts. "The United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world," Trump said. "It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States." He suggested that he was not worried about losing the ability to hit the IS, called ISIS by the administration, saying that "If we see something happening with ISIS that we don't like, we can hit them so fast and so hard they really won't know what the hell happened," Trump said, according to Bloomberg News. Trump also emphasized that his visit to the combat zone was to enable him to pay his respects to the "incredible troops" that the US currently has stationed in Iraq. Trump had been scheduled to meet on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdelmahdi, but that meeting ultimately was cancelled. "Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE USA.!" said Trump on Twitter. Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Trump greeted more than 100 soldiers assembled at the Al Asad airbase, shaking hands with several of them who extended their hands to him and who responded to him by chanting "USA!" Trump and the first lady had traveled to Iraq in secret to share Christmas with US troops stationed in the Arab country, the White House said on Wednesday. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote on Wednesday on Twitter that the president and his wife Melania traveled to the Middle Eastern country to thank the troops and the military command tasked with the mission in Iraq "for their service, their success and their sacrifice" and to "wish them a Merry Christmas." "President Trump and the First Lady traveled to Iraq late on Christmas night to visit with our troops and Senior Military leadership to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas," tweeted Sanders. Local media emphasized that this is Trump's first visit to a combat zone since taking office in January 2017. Trump has been the target of criticism for breaking with the Christmas tradition begun in 2002 according to which US presidents visit the country's troops to celebrate the holiday.

'US can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in surprise visit to Iraq

The Islamic State group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack that rocked the former jihadist stronghold of Tal Afar in northern Iraq and killed two people.

"A car bomb exploded near a cafe in the Ras al-Jadah district in the centre of Tal Afar," said Abed Alaal Abbas, an official in the city some 70 kilometres (40 miles) west of Mosul.

The blast "killed two and wounded 11 other civilians", he told AFP.

Iraq's joint operations command confirmed the toll.

IS claimed responsibility for the attack on the Telegram messaging application, saying the blast killed three.

It was the first attack in Tal Afar since Iraqi forces retook the city from the IS in August last year.

The recapture of the city, which lies between Mosul and the Syrian border, was hailed as a major victory against the jihadists, who seized nearly one-third of Iraq in a sweeping 2014 offensive.

The Islamic State group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack that rocked the former jihadist stronghold of Tal Afar in northern Iraq and killed two people.

The Islamic State group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack that rocked the former jihadist stronghold of Tal Afar in northern Iraq and killed two people. "A car bomb exploded near a cafe in the Ras al-Jadah district in the centre of Tal Afar," said Abed Alaal Abbas, an official in the city some 70 kilometres (40 miles) west of Mosul. The blast "killed two and wounded 11 other civilians", he told AFP. Iraq's joint operations command confirmed the toll. IS claimed responsibility for the attack on the Telegram messaging application, saying the blast killed three. It was the first attack in Tal Afar since Iraqi forces retook the city from the IS in August last year. The recapture of the city, which lies between Mosul and the Syrian border, was hailed as a major victory against the jihadists, who seized nearly one-third of Iraq in a sweeping 2014 offensive.

Islamic State claims responsibility for Iraq car bomb attack

Iraq to deploy troops in Syria

Turkey will keep striking Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq, the foreign ministry said on Saturday, a day after Baghdad formally complained that repeated Turkish air strikes violated its sovereignty and endangered civilians.

The Turkish military said on Friday it killed eight Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, prompting Iraqi authorities to summon the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad.

Turkey regularly hits PKK bases across its southern border, saying the militants use the remote and mountainous northern Iraqi region as a base for deadly attacks inside Turkey, where the outlawed group has waged an insurgency since the 1980s.

President Tayyip Erdogan threatened to launch a ground offensive in northern Iraq earlier this year. This week he also announced an imminent operation against a Kurdish militia in neighbouring Syria.

The U.S.-backed YPG militia, which has been fighting Islamic State in Syria, controls Syria's northeastern border with Turkey. Ankara says it is an extension of the PKK and poses a direct threat to Turkey.

"The activities of the PKK terrorist organisation in the territory of Iraq and Syria have become a national security issue for Turkey," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said.

He said the government in Baghdad had a duty to prevent Iraqi land being used as a base for attacks on neighbours, and described Friday's air strikes as an act of self-defence which Turkey carried out because Iraq would not act.

"These operations in the fight against terrorism will continue as long as terror organisations nest on Iraqi soil and as long as Turkey’s security needs require it to," Aksoy said.

The PKK is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. It has waged a three-decade insurgency in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast that has killed about 40,000 people.

Turkey will keep striking Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq, the foreign ministry said on Saturday, a day after Baghdad formally complained that repeated Turkish air strikes violated its sovereignty and endangered civilians.

Turkey will keep striking Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq, the foreign ministry said on Saturday, a day after Baghdad formally complained that repeated Turkish air strikes violated its sovereignty and endangered civilians. The Turkish military said on Friday it killed eight Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, prompting Iraqi authorities to summon the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad. Turkey regularly hits PKK bases across its southern border, saying the militants use the remote and mountainous northern Iraqi region as a base for deadly attacks inside Turkey, where the outlawed group has waged an insurgency since the 1980s. President Tayyip Erdogan threatened to launch a ground offensive in northern Iraq earlier this year. This week he also announced an imminent operation against a Kurdish militia in neighbouring Syria. The U.S.-backed YPG militia, which has been fighting Islamic State in Syria, controls Syria's northeastern border with Turkey. Ankara says it is an extension of the PKK and poses a direct threat to Turkey. "The activities of the PKK terrorist organisation in the territory of Iraq and Syria have become a national security issue for Turkey," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said. He said the government in Baghdad had a duty to prevent Iraqi land being used as a base for attacks on neighbours, and described Friday's air strikes as an act of self-defence which Turkey carried out because Iraq would not act. "These operations in the fight against terrorism will continue as long as terror organisations nest on Iraqi soil and as long as Turkey’s security needs require it to," Aksoy said. The PKK is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. It has waged a three-decade insurgency in Turkey's largely Kurdish southeast that has killed about 40,000 people.

Turkey will keep attacking PKK in Iraq: Foreign ministry

At least 21 people have died and tens of thousands displaced by heavy rains that have battered Iraq over two days, the health ministry and United Nations said on Sunday.

Women and children were among the dead, health ministry spokesman Seif al-Badr told AFP. Some had drowned, but others had died in car accidents, were electrocuted, or were trapped when their houses collapsed.

At least 180 more were injured, he added.

Iraq and neighbouring countries have been hit by heavier-than-average rainfall in recent weeks, resulting in deaths and widespread damage.&nbsp;

The country's north has borne the brunt of it, and the UN's Iraq office said the downpour had forced tens of thousands of people out of their homes.&nbsp;

An estimated 10,000 people in Salahaddin province and 15,000 people in Nineveh are in desperate need of help, including families living in displacement camps, the UN said.

In the Al-Sharqat district in Salahaddin, about 250 kilometres (150 miles) north of Baghdad, thousands of homes were left totally underwater by the rains.&nbsp;

And in Mosul, the Islamic State group's onetime bastion in Iraq, the heavy storms submerged two floating bridges along the Tigris river, which bisects the city.&nbsp;

They were the only way to move between Mosul's eastern and western halves, after its bridges were all bombed by the anti-IS fight. &nbsp;

Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi announced Friday he was establishing a "crisis cell" of security forces and local authorities to coordinate a response.

The ministries of electricity, oil, and trade had also indicated their willingness to help.

Iraq is one of the hottest countries on earth but when heavy rains do hit, they can result in casualties because of deteriorating public infrastructure.&nbsp;

In 2015, 58 Iraqis were killed in floods and cases of electrocution due to intense downpours.

At least 21 people have died and tens of thousands displaced by heavy rains that have battered Iraq over two days, the health ministry and United Nations said on Sunday.

At least 21 people have died and tens of thousands displaced by heavy rains that have battered Iraq over two days, the health ministry and United Nations said on Sunday. Women and children were among the dead, health ministry spokesman Seif al-Badr told AFP. Some had drowned, but others had died in car accidents, were electrocuted, or were trapped when their houses collapsed. At least 180 more were injured, he added. Iraq and neighbouring countries have been hit by heavier-than-average rainfall in recent weeks, resulting in deaths and widespread damage. The country's north has borne the brunt of it, and the UN's Iraq office said the downpour had forced tens of thousands of people out of their homes. An estimated 10,000 people in Salahaddin province and 15,000 people in Nineveh are in desperate need of help, including families living in displacement camps, the UN said. In the Al-Sharqat district in Salahaddin, about 250 kilometres (150 miles) north of Baghdad, thousands of homes were left totally underwater by the rains. And in Mosul, the Islamic State group's onetime bastion in Iraq, the heavy storms submerged two floating bridges along the Tigris river, which bisects the city. They were the only way to move between Mosul's eastern and western halves, after its bridges were all bombed by the anti-IS fight. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi announced Friday he was establishing a "crisis cell" of security forces and local authorities to coordinate a response. The ministries of electricity, oil, and trade had also indicated their willingness to help. Iraq is one of the hottest countries on earth but when heavy rains do hit, they can result in casualties because of deteriorating public infrastructure. In 2015, 58 Iraqis were killed in floods and cases of electrocution due to intense downpours.

Iraq floods leave 21 dead in two days: Health ministry

Iraqi forces have killed 15 Islamic State militants inside a tunnel during a search operation in the northern Sunni-majority Salahuddin province, the military said on Wednesday.

Islamic State, which once occupied a third of Iraq`s territory, has been largely defeated in the country but has continued to carry out ambushes, assassinations and bombings there and still poses a threat.

Security forces "have completed a search operation which led to the destruction of two hideouts used by the terrorists and the killing of 15 elements inside a large tunnel," a spokesman for the military`s Joint Operations Command said in a statement. It did not say when the incident took place.

Iraq declared final victory over Islamic State in December but the militant group has resorted to guerrilla tactics since it abandoned its goal of holding territory and creating a self-declared caliphate straddling Iraq and Syria.

Most of its activity in Iraq takes place in the three provinces of Salahuddin, Diyala, and Kirkuk.

Iraqi forces have killed 15 Islamic State militants inside a tunnel during a search operation in the northern Sunni-majority Salahuddin province, the military said on Wednesday.

Iraqi forces have killed 15 Islamic State militants inside a tunnel during a search operation in the northern Sunni-majority Salahuddin province, the military said on Wednesday. Islamic State, which once occupied a third of Iraq`s territory, has been largely defeated in the country but has continued to carry out ambushes, assassinations and bombings there and still poses a threat. Security forces "have completed a search operation which led to the destruction of two hideouts used by the terrorists and the killing of 15 elements inside a large tunnel," a spokesman for the military`s Joint Operations Command said in a statement. It did not say when the incident took place. Iraq declared final victory over Islamic State in December but the militant group has resorted to guerrilla tactics since it abandoned its goal of holding territory and creating a self-declared caliphate straddling Iraq and Syria. Most of its activity in Iraq takes place in the three provinces of Salahuddin, Diyala, and Kirkuk.

Iraqi military says it killed 15 Islamic State militants in the north

Iran and Iraq could raise their annual bilateral trade to US $20 billion from the current level of US $12 billion, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, amid concerns in Tehran over the economic impact of renewed US&nbsp;sanctions.

Rouhani's remarks, made after a meeting with visiting Iraqi President Barham Salih, came about two weeks after the United States restored sanctions targeting Iran’s key oil industry as well as its banking and transportation sectors.

"... through bilateral efforts, we can raise this figure (for bilateral trade) to US $20 billion in the near future," Rouhani said in comments broadcast live on Iranian state television.

"We held talks on trade in electricity, gas, petroleum products and activities ... in the field of oil exploration and extraction," Rouhani said.

Iraqi officials told Reuters last week that Iraq had agreed to trade Iraqi food items in return for Iranian gas and energy supplies.

Baghdad is seeking US&nbsp;approval to allow it to import Iranian gas for its power stations. Iraqi officials say they needs more time to find an alternative source than a 45-day waiver granted to it by the United States.

"It will be important to create free trade zones at our shared border and to connect the two countries' railways," Salih said.

"We will not forget your support for the Iraqi people in the fight against (Iraqi dictator) Saddam (Hussein). Neither do we forget Iran's stand in the recent fight against terrorism," added Salih, an Iraqi Kurd.

Iran wields wide influence in Iraq, its smaller Arab neighbour, where its Revolutionary Guards played a key role in training and arming the mainly Shi’ite militias that helped defeat Islamic State.

Iraq imports a wide range of goods from Iran, including food, agricultural products, home appliances, air conditioners and spare car parts. The goods element of Iranian imports to Iraq was worth about US $6 billion in the 12 months ending March 2018, or about 15 per cent of Iraq’s total imports for 2017.

Energy contracts also contribute to the total volume of bilateral trade.

Iraqi central bank officials said in August that their country’s economy was closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is engaged in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

Iran and Iraq could raise their annual bilateral trade to US $20 billion from the current level of US $12 billion, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, amid concerns in Tehran over the economic impact of renewed US sanctions.

Iran and Iraq could raise their annual bilateral trade to US $20 billion from the current level of US $12 billion, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, amid concerns in Tehran over the economic impact of renewed US sanctions. Rouhani's remarks, made after a meeting with visiting Iraqi President Barham Salih, came about two weeks after the United States restored sanctions targeting Iran’s key oil industry as well as its banking and transportation sectors. "... through bilateral efforts, we can raise this figure (for bilateral trade) to US $20 billion in the near future," Rouhani said in comments broadcast live on Iranian state television. "We held talks on trade in electricity, gas, petroleum products and activities ... in the field of oil exploration and extraction," Rouhani said. Iraqi officials told Reuters last week that Iraq had agreed to trade Iraqi food items in return for Iranian gas and energy supplies. Baghdad is seeking US approval to allow it to import Iranian gas for its power stations. Iraqi officials say they needs more time to find an alternative source than a 45-day waiver granted to it by the United States. "It will be important to create free trade zones at our shared border and to connect the two countries' railways," Salih said. "We will not forget your support for the Iraqi people in the fight against (Iraqi dictator) Saddam (Hussein). Neither do we forget Iran's stand in the recent fight against terrorism," added Salih, an Iraqi Kurd. Iran wields wide influence in Iraq, its smaller Arab neighbour, where its Revolutionary Guards played a key role in training and arming the mainly Shi’ite militias that helped defeat Islamic State. Iraq imports a wide range of goods from Iran, including food, agricultural products, home appliances, air conditioners and spare car parts. The goods element of Iranian imports to Iraq was worth about US $6 billion in the 12 months ending March 2018, or about 15 per cent of Iraq’s total imports for 2017. Energy contracts also contribute to the total volume of bilateral trade. Iraqi central bank officials said in August that their country’s economy was closely linked to non-Arab Iran, which is engaged in several proxy wars with Saudi Arabia in the region.

Rouhani sees Iran, Iraq expanding trade despite US sanctions

In May, Hassan Fada'am traded his military fatigues for a suit when he became one of 45 Shi'ite militiamen elected to Iraq's 329-seat parliament.

Fada'am trained as a soldier in Iran and fought against Islamic State in Iraq. Now he's a politician as paramilitary groups backed by Iran have doubled their number of seats in Iraq's parliament. The Fatih Alliance bloc that represents them has become the second largest political bloc.

In interviews, eight militiamen who have translated their battlefield success into electoral victories set out how they plan to use this new platform. Six months after the vote, Iraq's new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has yet to win parliamentary approval for his government. Yet already one thing is evident, the militia are better placed than ever to influence policies, from domestic security to foreign policy.

Mahdi's predecessor as prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, has said he fears the militiamen will undermine efforts to unify Iraq. Its young democracy is trying to balance the demands of its Sunnis, Kurds and Shi'ites after years of sectarian conflict, and the economy is only beginning to recover from the country's war with Islamic State. Abadi tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent militia leaders from standing in the 2018 election.

"How can a military outfit have a political opinion? This does not happen in any part of the world. It is prohibited," he said at the time. The militiamen responded by announcing they would quit their military roles to comply with Iraq's electoral code.

Some in Washington are also worried. Republican senators have introduced a bill that would impose sanctions on two Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba. Sponsors of the Iranian Proxies Terrorist Sanctions Act include Senators David Perdue, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

Iran is unperturbed. "In the meetings we had with our Iraqi brothers, they assured us that Iraq could not be used by America," said a former Iranian ambassador in the region, now a senior official in Tehran.

Among Iran's Iraqi allies is the Badr Organization, which won 21 seats at the election. For two decades, Badr's leader Hadi al-Amiri led the fight against Saddam Hussein from exile in Iran. A Badr local commander, Karim Nouri, said communication with Iran was ongoing "to keep Tehran's rivals – the United States and Saudi Arabia – in check." He did not elaborate.

Hisham Hashemi, a security adviser to Iraq's government, said he believed that Iran was in touch with Shi'ite politicians "in order to have a means of applying political pressure, to guarantee their loyalty, to make sure they have an armed force loyal to them. They provide advice on PR, propaganda, marketing, media, speeches, social media."

INSPIRED BY IRAN, SUSPICIOUS OF AMERICA

When Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani urged his fellow Shi'ites to join the fight against Islamic State in 2014, Fada'am was among the tens of thousands of Shi'ites who answered the call. He led the Dawn Brigades, a force of 3,400 fighters.

After driving Islamic State from the town of Jurf al-Sakhr south of Baghdad, Fada'am lobbied the local government in his province of Hilla to cancel the property rights of Sunnis in the area, saying they were tied to Islamic State. The Hilla provincial council agreed to his request.

Elected in May to represent Hilla in parliament, Fada'am says he now devotes his time to politics, frequently appearing on talk shows broadcast on Shi'ite television channels to drive home his anti-corruption message. Visitors stream into his office in Hilla seeking help. Like many parts of Iraq, Hilla lacks basic services. Roads are potholed. Medical facilities are crumbling. He receives hundreds of requests from young people wanting a job in the civil service.

Across town from his office is a hospital run by his followers. It provides free medical care for militia fighters and members of the public. Patients have access to an orderly, well stocked pharmacy. The rooms are cleaner than most medical facilities in Iraq.

"At the end of the day we must switch to politics to rebuild our country. Rebuilding the country and maintaining its security could come only through good politics," said Fada'am.

Another militiaman turned politician, Falih Khazali, fought on the side of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war and lost an eye defending a Shi'ite shrine near Damascus. These days, he operates from Iraq's second city Basra in the oil-producing south. Posters of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini adorn the wall of his office. He is beginning his second term in parliament, having been elected for the first time in 2014.

"The Americans should not consider Iraq as one of their villages. Iraq is an independent state with an ancient history. The United states must not deal with Iraq on the basis of zero give and 100 per cent take," he said.

"Iran's role was very effective in arming Iraqi forces and the Hashid (militia) through the government. Only the Islamic Republic of Iran supported Iraq when the state was about to collapse. All others were onlookers."

Like Iran, Khazali is opposed to the American military presence in Iraq. He says he is "pushing for a draft law to force government to reconsider bilateral military cooperation with the United States." About 5,200 US&nbsp;troops are based in Iraq. They will stay "as long as needed" to help stabilize regions previously controlled by Islamic State, said a spokesman for the US-led international coalition.

UNCLEAN WATER, CORRUPT OFFICIALS

Like Fada'am, Khazali is focused on everyday issues that are important to Iraqis: contaminated water, dilapidated infrastructure and corrupt officials. He has opened his office in Basra to anyone who can provide proof of official corruption. He says he has put together a file containing 100 cases. During the first session of parliament in mid-September, Khazali successfully urged the chamber to send a delegation to investigate the "miserable conditions" in Basra, the scene of protests over unsafe water, power shortages, unemployment and corruption.

"Fighting corruption is my primary target now after defeating Islamic State," he said. "Corruption is a second Islamic State if not worse."

That's a view shared by others, including Asaib ahl al-Haq, one of the militias that is faced with possible U.S. sanctions. Asaib militiaman Saad al Husseini, from the town of Kut on the banks of the Tigris river, has taken up a seat in parliament. He handled logistics for Asaib during the war against Islamic State, ensuring fighters showed up at their positions and arranging matters after deaths. He says the protests in Basra flow from the failings of successive governments.

"The protests now are a stark evidence that corruption is spreading in all government institutions. The next step should be fighting corruption," he said. "My primary objective after becoming a lawmaker will be helping to legislate to serve people's interests and monitoring the performance of the government in order to stamp out corruption."

REVOLUTIONARY GUARD II

Some Iraqi politicians and military officers worry that through the Shi'ite militias Tehran is trying to create an Iraqi version of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, with its parallel security apparatus and vast business empire. Iraqi militias have shares in construction, trade and car import companies.

At the Safra border crossing, 90 km north of Baghdad, the Badr Organisation, Iran's closest paramilitary partner in Iraq, collects custom tariffs and taxes on goods transported from the Kurdish region in the north, according to a local councillor and two former senior Iraqi officials. The councillor said at least US $12 to US $15 million goes to the Badr group each month.

Local Badr commander, Imad Jafaar, denied the group was using the crossing to generate funds.

Hard currency exchanges along central Baghdad's busy streets pay fees to militias to protect keep their businesses, said three owners of currency exchange businesses and police sources.

Cash flows do not stop at business interests. The Iraqi state budget allocated US $1 billion for the militias during the war with Islamic State. A Hashid fighter is normally paid US $600 a month, compared to any army soldier's US $200 salary.

In May, Hassan Fada'am traded his military fatigues for a suit when he became one of 45 Shi'ite militiamen elected to Iraq's 329-seat parliament. Fada'am trained as a soldier in Iran and fought against Islamic State in Iraq.

In May, Hassan Fada'am traded his military fatigues for a suit when he became one of 45 Shi'ite militiamen elected to Iraq's 329-seat parliament. Fada'am trained as a soldier in Iran and fought against Islamic State in Iraq. Now he's a politician as paramilitary groups backed by Iran have doubled their number of seats in Iraq's parliament. The Fatih Alliance bloc that represents them has become the second largest political bloc. In interviews, eight militiamen who have translated their battlefield success into electoral victories set out how they plan to use this new platform. Six months after the vote, Iraq's new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has yet to win parliamentary approval for his government. Yet already one thing is evident, the militia are better placed than ever to influence policies, from domestic security to foreign policy. Mahdi's predecessor as prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, has said he fears the militiamen will undermine efforts to unify Iraq. Its young democracy is trying to balance the demands of its Sunnis, Kurds and Shi'ites after years of sectarian conflict, and the economy is only beginning to recover from the country's war with Islamic State. Abadi tried, unsuccessfully, to prevent militia leaders from standing in the 2018 election. "How can a military outfit have a political opinion? This does not happen in any part of the world. It is prohibited," he said at the time. The militiamen responded by announcing they would quit their military roles to comply with Iraq's electoral code. Some in Washington are also worried. Republican senators have introduced a bill that would impose sanctions on two Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba. Sponsors of the Iranian Proxies Terrorist Sanctions Act include Senators David Perdue, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Iran is unperturbed. "In the meetings we had with our Iraqi brothers, they assured us that Iraq could not be used by America," said a former Iranian ambassador in the region, now a senior official in Tehran. Among Iran's Iraqi allies is the Badr Organization, which won 21 seats at the election. For two decades, Badr's leader Hadi al-Amiri led the fight against Saddam Hussein from exile in Iran. A Badr local commander, Karim Nouri, said communication with Iran was ongoing "to keep Tehran's rivals – the United States and Saudi Arabia – in check." He did not elaborate. Hisham Hashemi, a security adviser to Iraq's government, said he believed that Iran was in touch with Shi'ite politicians "in order to have a means of applying political pressure, to guarantee their loyalty, to make sure they have an armed force loyal to them. They provide advice on PR, propaganda, marketing, media, speeches, social media." INSPIRED BY IRAN, SUSPICIOUS OF AMERICA When Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani urged his fellow Shi'ites to join the fight against Islamic State in 2014, Fada'am was among the tens of thousands of Shi'ites who answered the call. He led the Dawn Brigades, a force of 3,400 fighters. After driving Islamic State from the town of Jurf al-Sakhr south of Baghdad, Fada'am lobbied the local government in his province of Hilla to cancel the property rights of Sunnis in the area, saying they were tied to Islamic State. The Hilla provincial council agreed to his request. Elected in May to represent Hilla in parliament, Fada'am says he now devotes his time to politics, frequently appearing on talk shows broadcast on Shi'ite television channels to drive home his anti-corruption message. Visitors stream into his office in Hilla seeking help. Like many parts of Iraq, Hilla lacks basic services. Roads are potholed. Medical facilities are crumbling. He receives hundreds of requests from young people wanting a job in the civil service. Across town from his office is a hospital run by his followers. It provides free medical care for militia fighters and members of the public. Patients have access to an orderly, well stocked pharmacy. The rooms are cleaner than most medical facilities in Iraq. "At the end of the day we must switch to politics to rebuild our country. Rebuilding the country and maintaining its security could come only through good politics," said Fada'am. Another militiaman turned politician, Falih Khazali, fought on the side of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war and lost an eye defending a Shi'ite shrine near Damascus. These days, he operates from Iraq's second city Basra in the oil-producing south. Posters of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini adorn the wall of his office. He is beginning his second term in parliament, having been elected for the first time in 2014. "The Americans should not consider Iraq as one of their villages. Iraq is an independent state with an ancient history. The United states must not deal with Iraq on the basis of zero give and 100 per cent take," he said. "Iran's role was very effective in arming Iraqi forces and the Hashid (militia) through the government. Only the Islamic Republic of Iran supported Iraq when the state was about to collapse. All others were onlookers." Like Iran, Khazali is opposed to the American military presence in Iraq. He says he is "pushing for a draft law to force government to reconsider bilateral military cooperation with the United States." About 5,200 US troops are based in Iraq. They will stay "as long as needed" to help stabilize regions previously controlled by Islamic State, said a spokesman for the US-led international coalition. UNCLEAN WATER, CORRUPT OFFICIALS Like Fada'am, Khazali is focused on everyday issues that are important to Iraqis: contaminated water, dilapidated infrastructure and corrupt officials. He has opened his office in Basra to anyone who can provide proof of official corruption. He says he has put together a file containing 100 cases. During the first session of parliament in mid-September, Khazali successfully urged the chamber to send a delegation to investigate the "miserable conditions" in Basra, the scene of protests over unsafe water, power shortages, unemployment and corruption. "Fighting corruption is my primary target now after defeating Islamic State," he said. "Corruption is a second Islamic State if not worse." That's a view shared by others, including Asaib ahl al-Haq, one of the militias that is faced with possible U.S. sanctions. Asaib militiaman Saad al Husseini, from the town of Kut on the banks of the Tigris river, has taken up a seat in parliament. He handled logistics for Asaib during the war against Islamic State, ensuring fighters showed up at their positions and arranging matters after deaths. He says the protests in Basra flow from the failings of successive governments. "The protests now are a stark evidence that corruption is spreading in all government institutions. The next step should be fighting corruption," he said. "My primary objective after becoming a lawmaker will be helping to legislate to serve people's interests and monitoring the performance of the government in order to stamp out corruption." REVOLUTIONARY GUARD II Some Iraqi politicians and military officers worry that through the Shi'ite militias Tehran is trying to create an Iraqi version of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, with its parallel security apparatus and vast business empire. Iraqi militias have shares in construction, trade and car import companies. At the Safra border crossing, 90 km north of Baghdad, the Badr Organisation, Iran's closest paramilitary partner in Iraq, collects custom tariffs and taxes on goods transported from the Kurdish region in the north, according to a local councillor and two former senior Iraqi officials. The councillor said at least US $12 to US $15 million goes to the Badr group each month. Local Badr commander, Imad Jafaar, denied the group was using the crossing to generate funds. Hard currency exchanges along central Baghdad's busy streets pay fees to militias to protect keep their businesses, said three owners of currency exchange businesses and police sources. Cash flows do not stop at business interests. The Iraqi state budget allocated US $1 billion for the militias during the war with Islamic State. A Hashid fighter is normally paid US $600 a month, compared to any army soldier's US $200 salary.

In Iraq’s parliament, Shi’ite militia leaders plan to call the shots

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

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

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

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

Iraq has won an exemption allowing it to buy Iranian electricity despite US sanctions, as the country plagued by chronic power shortages walks a tightrope between rivals Washington and Tehran.

With US measures imposed Monday taking aim at Iran's banking and energy industries, there were concerns Iraq -- which heavily relies on its eastern neighbour for electricity and consumer goods -- would be caught in the crossfire.

But Baghdad has managed to secure an exception.

"We granted Iraq a waiver to allow it to continue to pay for its electricity imports from Iran," Brian Hook, the State Department's representative on Iran, announced Wednesday.

Iraq would be expected to show the US how it would wean itself off Iranian gas, a well-informed source told AFP.

"The US gave us 45 days to give them a plan on how we will gradually stop using Iranian gas and oil," the source said.

"We told them it may take us up to four years to either become self-sufficient or find another alternative."

The exemption came after talks between Iraqi and US officials, including from the White House and Treasury, the source said.

Iraqi government representatives have shuffled between American and Iranian officials for months in a bid to insulate their fragile economy from escalating tensions.

This week, Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi said Baghdad was in talks with both sides to protect its interests.

"Iraq is not a part of the sanctions regime. It talks to everyone, and does not want to get involved in a conflict that it's not a part of," he told reporters Tuesday.

Baghdad has a strong relationship with the United States, coordinating on security, politics, and governance.

But its economy is profoundly intertwined with that of Iran.

Keeping the lights on

Gutted by the international embargo of the 1990s and the US-led invasion of 2003, Iraq's industries produce little.

Instead, its markets are flooded with Iranian goods -- from canned food and yoghurt to carpets and cars.

These non-hydrocarbon imports amounted to some $6 billion (five billion euros) in 2017, making Iran the second-largest source of imported goods in Iraq.

Perhaps most consequential for Iraq's 39 million people is their dependency on Iran for electricity.

Chronic cuts, which often leave homes powerless for up to 20 hours a day, were a key driving factor behind weeks of massive protests in Iraq this summer.

To cope with shortages, Baghdad pipes in natural gas from Tehran for its plants and also directly buys 1,300 MW of Iranian-generated electricity.

That reliance is uncomfortable for the US, whose quest to diminish Tehran's influence prompted it to reimpose sanctions on Iranian financial institutions, shipping lines, energy, and petroleum products on Monday.

Eight countries would be temporarily allowed to import Iranian crude oil.

Iraq's special exemption appears to have come with a condition that it lay out how it would stop using Iranian electricity, said Nussaibah Younes, a senior adviser for the European Institute of Peace.

"In order to get this exemption, the Iraqis had given some sort of roadmap idea," Younes told AFP.

One way would be capturing the gas set alight when Iraq extracts oil, which according to the World Bank represents an annual loss of about $2.5 billion -- enough to fill the gap in Iraq's gas-based power generation.

Appeasing Iran&nbsp;

American firms may help fill the vacuum left by Iran.

In January, Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy company Orion on gas exploits at a southern oil field.

And in October, Iraq signed a memo with the US's General Electric to revamp the electricity sector, after signing a similar agreement with Germany's Siemens.

The source told AFP that GE was among several US companies proposed to Baghdad during negotiations with the US.

But Iraq has had to simultaneously reassure Iran, in part by granting it an outlet to circumvent US sanctions.

"The focus for the Iranians is informal sanctions-busting activity in Iraq, including accessing hard currency through Iraqi exchanges and through smuggling operations," said Younes.

Baghdad, she expected, would likely "turn a blind eye".

Iraq has simultaneously been granting Iranian officials more time for face-to-face meetings, including its ambassador in Baghdad, Araj Masjadi.

He met with new Finance Minister Fuad Hussein and Electricity Minister Luay al-Khateeb on Wednesday, pledging close cooperation on the power sector in the future.

For Masjadi, the meetings appeared to be a reminder of Tehran's entrenched role in Iraq.

"We need Iraq the way Iraq needs us," said Masjadi. 
&nbsp;

Iraq has won an exemption allowing it to buy Iranian electricity despite US sanctions, as the country plagued by chronic power shortages walks a tightrope between rivals Washington and Tehran.

Iraq has won an exemption allowing it to buy Iranian electricity despite US sanctions, as the country plagued by chronic power shortages walks a tightrope between rivals Washington and Tehran. With US measures imposed Monday taking aim at Iran's banking and energy industries, there were concerns Iraq -- which heavily relies on its eastern neighbour for electricity and consumer goods -- would be caught in the crossfire. But Baghdad has managed to secure an exception. "We granted Iraq a waiver to allow it to continue to pay for its electricity imports from Iran," Brian Hook, the State Department's representative on Iran, announced Wednesday. Iraq would be expected to show the US how it would wean itself off Iranian gas, a well-informed source told AFP. "The US gave us 45 days to give them a plan on how we will gradually stop using Iranian gas and oil," the source said. "We told them it may take us up to four years to either become self-sufficient or find another alternative." The exemption came after talks between Iraqi and US officials, including from the White House and Treasury, the source said. Iraqi government representatives have shuffled between American and Iranian officials for months in a bid to insulate their fragile economy from escalating tensions. This week, Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi said Baghdad was in talks with both sides to protect its interests. "Iraq is not a part of the sanctions regime. It talks to everyone, and does not want to get involved in a conflict that it's not a part of," he told reporters Tuesday. Baghdad has a strong relationship with the United States, coordinating on security, politics, and governance. But its economy is profoundly intertwined with that of Iran. Keeping the lights on Gutted by the international embargo of the 1990s and the US-led invasion of 2003, Iraq's industries produce little. Instead, its markets are flooded with Iranian goods -- from canned food and yoghurt to carpets and cars. These non-hydrocarbon imports amounted to some $6 billion (five billion euros) in 2017, making Iran the second-largest source of imported goods in Iraq. Perhaps most consequential for Iraq's 39 million people is their dependency on Iran for electricity. Chronic cuts, which often leave homes powerless for up to 20 hours a day, were a key driving factor behind weeks of massive protests in Iraq this summer. To cope with shortages, Baghdad pipes in natural gas from Tehran for its plants and also directly buys 1,300 MW of Iranian-generated electricity. That reliance is uncomfortable for the US, whose quest to diminish Tehran's influence prompted it to reimpose sanctions on Iranian financial institutions, shipping lines, energy, and petroleum products on Monday. Eight countries would be temporarily allowed to import Iranian crude oil. Iraq's special exemption appears to have come with a condition that it lay out how it would stop using Iranian electricity, said Nussaibah Younes, a senior adviser for the European Institute of Peace. "In order to get this exemption, the Iraqis had given some sort of roadmap idea," Younes told AFP. One way would be capturing the gas set alight when Iraq extracts oil, which according to the World Bank represents an annual loss of about $2.5 billion -- enough to fill the gap in Iraq's gas-based power generation. Appeasing Iran American firms may help fill the vacuum left by Iran. In January, Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding with US energy company Orion on gas exploits at a southern oil field. And in October, Iraq signed a memo with the US's General Electric to revamp the electricity sector, after signing a similar agreement with Germany's Siemens. The source told AFP that GE was among several US companies proposed to Baghdad during negotiations with the US. But Iraq has had to simultaneously reassure Iran, in part by granting it an outlet to circumvent US sanctions. "The focus for the Iranians is informal sanctions-busting activity in Iraq, including accessing hard currency through Iraqi exchanges and through smuggling operations," said Younes. Baghdad, she expected, would likely "turn a blind eye". Iraq has simultaneously been granting Iranian officials more time for face-to-face meetings, including its ambassador in Baghdad, Araj Masjadi. He met with new Finance Minister Fuad Hussein and Electricity Minister Luay al-Khateeb on Wednesday, pledging close cooperation on the power sector in the future. For Masjadi, the meetings appeared to be a reminder of Tehran's entrenched role in Iraq. "We need Iraq the way Iraq needs us," said Masjadi.

Iraq gets US sanctions break to keep the lights on

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday.

The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency.

Also, the airstrikes destroyed two shelters where the ISIS terrorists had been hiding.

In December last year, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS), which had seized control of nearly a third of the country in 2014. However, in some parts of the war-torn country, the IS maintains a network of "sleeper cells".

Both the US-led forces and the Iraqi government have been conducting several airstrikes to clear out the terror camps, particularly in the northern parts of Iraq.

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday. The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency.

As many as 25 terrorists from the Islamic State (ISIS) group were killed in US-led airstrikes in northern Iraq's Kirkuk province on Sunday. The US-led coalition forces carried out aerial attacks in the oil-rich province in response to an attack by the terror group that targetted a high-voltage transmission line in Havice region, which occurred on Saturday, senior Iraqi security official Major General Maan al-Saadi told Anadolu News Agency. Also, the airstrikes destroyed two shelters where the ISIS terrorists had been hiding. In December last year, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS), which had seized control of nearly a third of the country in 2014. However, in some parts of the war-torn country, the IS maintains a network of "sleeper cells". Both the US-led forces and the Iraqi government have been conducting several airstrikes to clear out the terror camps, particularly in the northern parts of Iraq.

25 ISIS terrorists killed in US airstrikes in Iraq

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

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

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

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

At least one person was killed and 14 wounded when a bus carrying workers at a small oil refinery in northern Iraq was blown up by an improvised explosive device, police said.

The bus was at the Siniya refinery, near Iraq's largest oil refinery of Baiji in the predominantly Sunni Salahuddin province, when it exploded, Baiji police said on Saturday.

Separately, three civilians and a policeman were injured when a parked car exploded in a market area in Falluja within the western, also Sunni, Anbar province, security sources said.

No group has claimed responsibility for either attack, but Islamic State militants are active in both provinces.

Iraqi forces declared victory over the hardline Sunni Islamist group in December after retaking all the territory it held in a four year war, but its fighters are waging a guerrilla-style insurgency.

Security sources said the attack in Falluja was the first since Iraqi forces retook the city from the militants in 2016.

It came only after Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella network of mostly Shi'ite militias, started operating within the city, residents and tribal leaders said.

PMF forces have long been stationed at checkpoints around the city and in the entire province but had not entered the city proper before.

At least one person was killed and 14 wounded when a bus carrying workers at a small oil refinery in northern Iraq was blown up by an improvised explosive device, police said.

At least one person was killed and 14 wounded when a bus carrying workers at a small oil refinery in northern Iraq was blown up by an improvised explosive device, police said. The bus was at the Siniya refinery, near Iraq's largest oil refinery of Baiji in the predominantly Sunni Salahuddin province, when it exploded, Baiji police said on Saturday. Separately, three civilians and a policeman were injured when a parked car exploded in a market area in Falluja within the western, also Sunni, Anbar province, security sources said. No group has claimed responsibility for either attack, but Islamic State militants are active in both provinces. Iraqi forces declared victory over the hardline Sunni Islamist group in December after retaking all the territory it held in a four year war, but its fighters are waging a guerrilla-style insurgency. Security sources said the attack in Falluja was the first since Iraqi forces retook the city from the militants in 2016. It came only after Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella network of mostly Shi'ite militias, started operating within the city, residents and tribal leaders said. PMF forces have long been stationed at checkpoints around the city and in the entire province but had not entered the city proper before.

Bombings kill one, wound 18 in two Iraqi provinces: Police

Iraqi Kurds voted on Sunday for a new parliament in their autonomous region, which is mired in an economic crisis a year after an independence referendum that infuriated Baghdad.

Almost 3.1 million voters were eligible to cast ballots across three provinces in the northern region, where 673 candidates from 29 political movements contested seats in the 111-member parliament.

Polling closed as scheduled at 1500 GMT and the results are expected within 72 hours.&nbsp;

The vote passed off with only minor incidents such as gunmen trying to vote without the necessary papers.

The electoral commission gave an official turnout of 58 per cent of registered voters in Arbil, the regional capital and one of the three provinces which make up Iraqi Kurdistan.

The figures were 53 per cent for Sulaymaniyah and 61 per cent in Dohuk.

The commission gave no overall figure but early indications pointed to a modest turnout following a campaign that aroused little enthusiasm.

The vote in Kurdistan came as Iraq struggles to form a new government after a nationwide parliamentary poll held in May.

On Monday, the federal parliament in Baghdad is due to elect the president of the country.

Iraq's Kurds have been a key US partner in the war against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group and had hoped their role would boost international support for statehood.

But a massive "yes" vote in the September 2017 referendum for independence, deemed illegal by Iraq's federal government, backfired on the oil-rich autonomous Kurdish region.

Baghdad imposed economic penalties and sent federal troops to push Kurdish forces out of oil fields vital for the region's economy, depriving it of a key lifeline.

In another blow, Iraq's parliament in March passed a budget that saw Kurdistan's slice of the federal budget drop from 17 percent to 12.6 percent.

This election must "start a new chapter" in relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad, said 26-year-old Hawzar Salar as he cast his ballot in the regional capital Arbil.

The vote, he said, follows "the problems caused by the referendum and the war against the Islamic State group."

From boom to bust

Kurdistan had enjoyed an economic boom after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled veteran dictator Saddam Hussein, as the rest of the country sank into violence.

But the emergence of IS in 2014 coupled with tumbling oil prices battered the region's economy.

Since 2014, Iraqi Kurdistan has borrowed more than $4 billion to stay afloat, according to some experts, and before the doomed referendum it had chalked up debt of around $12 billion.

According to official figures, 87 per cent of households across the region, home to around six million people, eke out a living on less than $850 per month.

"The future authorities must look after the people, especially the poor," added Soran Rassul, an unemployed man who voted in Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan's second city.

Another voter, Hikmet Hakim, agreed.

"We demand from the new government security and that they deal well with the economic situation," said the 49-year-old, who wore traditional clothes as he cast his vote in Sulaimaniyah.

Experts say the election is not expected to change the political map in Kurdistan but could shed light on the divisions that emerged after the 2017 referendum.

Traditional rivals

Parties that have long held sway are set to come out on top yet again.

The outgoing parliament and government are dominated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party of veteran leader and former president Massud Barzani, who championed the referendum vote.

The KDP currently holds 38 seats, while its traditional rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has 18.

The main opposition Goran (Change) party has 24 seats in the outgoing parliament.

Only one new political party competed in Sunday's poll: the New Generation movement, founded in 2018 to channel public anger at the region's elite.

"We need a strong parliament that will work to set up a Kurdish state and a modern and democratic society," said voter Karouan Abu Bakr, 42.

Eleven seats in the Iraqi Kurdish parliament are reserved for religious and ethnic minorities: five for Turkmen candidates, five for Christians and one for the Armenian community.

Iraqi Kurds voted on Sunday for a new parliament in their autonomous region, which is mired in an economic crisis a year after an independence referendum that infuriated Baghdad.

Iraqi Kurds voted on Sunday for a new parliament in their autonomous region, which is mired in an economic crisis a year after an independence referendum that infuriated Baghdad. Almost 3.1 million voters were eligible to cast ballots across three provinces in the northern region, where 673 candidates from 29 political movements contested seats in the 111-member parliament. Polling closed as scheduled at 1500 GMT and the results are expected within 72 hours. The vote passed off with only minor incidents such as gunmen trying to vote without the necessary papers. The electoral commission gave an official turnout of 58 per cent of registered voters in Arbil, the regional capital and one of the three provinces which make up Iraqi Kurdistan. The figures were 53 per cent for Sulaymaniyah and 61 per cent in Dohuk. The commission gave no overall figure but early indications pointed to a modest turnout following a campaign that aroused little enthusiasm. The vote in Kurdistan came as Iraq struggles to form a new government after a nationwide parliamentary poll held in May. On Monday, the federal parliament in Baghdad is due to elect the president of the country. Iraq's Kurds have been a key US partner in the war against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group and had hoped their role would boost international support for statehood. But a massive "yes" vote in the September 2017 referendum for independence, deemed illegal by Iraq's federal government, backfired on the oil-rich autonomous Kurdish region. Baghdad imposed economic penalties and sent federal troops to push Kurdish forces out of oil fields vital for the region's economy, depriving it of a key lifeline. In another blow, Iraq's parliament in March passed a budget that saw Kurdistan's slice of the federal budget drop from 17 percent to 12.6 percent. This election must "start a new chapter" in relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad, said 26-year-old Hawzar Salar as he cast his ballot in the regional capital Arbil. The vote, he said, follows "the problems caused by the referendum and the war against the Islamic State group." From boom to bust Kurdistan had enjoyed an economic boom after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled veteran dictator Saddam Hussein, as the rest of the country sank into violence. But the emergence of IS in 2014 coupled with tumbling oil prices battered the region's economy. Since 2014, Iraqi Kurdistan has borrowed more than $4 billion to stay afloat, according to some experts, and before the doomed referendum it had chalked up debt of around $12 billion. According to official figures, 87 per cent of households across the region, home to around six million people, eke out a living on less than $850 per month. "The future authorities must look after the people, especially the poor," added Soran Rassul, an unemployed man who voted in Sulaimaniyah, Kurdistan's second city. Another voter, Hikmet Hakim, agreed. "We demand from the new government security and that they deal well with the economic situation," said the 49-year-old, who wore traditional clothes as he cast his vote in Sulaimaniyah. Experts say the election is not expected to change the political map in Kurdistan but could shed light on the divisions that emerged after the 2017 referendum. Traditional rivals Parties that have long held sway are set to come out on top yet again. The outgoing parliament and government are dominated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party of veteran leader and former president Massud Barzani, who championed the referendum vote. The KDP currently holds 38 seats, while its traditional rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has 18. The main opposition Goran (Change) party has 24 seats in the outgoing parliament. Only one new political party competed in Sunday's poll: the New Generation movement, founded in 2018 to channel public anger at the region's elite. "We need a strong parliament that will work to set up a Kurdish state and a modern and democratic society," said voter Karouan Abu Bakr, 42. Eleven seats in the Iraqi Kurdish parliament are reserved for religious and ethnic minorities: five for Turkmen candidates, five for Christians and one for the Armenian community.

Iraqi Kurds vote for new parliament

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