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23 Oct, 2016

Parliament bans alcohol

Law approved0 Comments

The Iraqi parliament issues a ban on the sale of alcohol, which many deem unconstitutional. Opponents argue that the vote infringes constitutional guarantees of freedom of religious belief for minority groups such as Christians. They say they will appeal against the surprise decision in the courts. An official said that the ban was a last-minute move by conservatives.

22 Oct, 2016

Sulphur plant releases fumes

Military Action0 Comments

MosulA sulphur plant in Mishraq is set on fire amid fighting between United States troops and the Islamic State in the Mosul region. The fire is releasing poisonous fumes, forcing American soldiers to wear gas masks.

US soldiers at a base near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul have donned protective masks against toxic fumes from a sulphur plant set alight in fighting with so-called Islamic State. They took the precaution after the wind blew smoke from the fire towards Qayyarah air field.

18 Jan, 2016

Three Americans kidnapped

Terror Incident0 Comments

The US Embassy in Iraq says that its nationals are “missing” after local media outlets say that three Americans had been kidnapped in Baghdad. Local security forces conduct house-to-house searches, but have not yet found the missing Americans. Citing privacy concerns, embassy officials decline to identify the Americans involved. State Department:

The safety and security of Americans abroad is our highest priority.

22 Dec, 2015

Iraqis push through Ramadi

Military Action0 Comments

Iraqi forces are fighting Islamic State (ISIS) fighters as they try to reach the center of Ramadi. Six hundred to 1,000 Islamic State fighters were said to have been in Ramadi when the overall offensive began two weeks ago, but several hundred of them have been killed in fighting and airstrikes since then.  Iraqi forces face heavy fire and are assaulted by car bombs. The Islamic State destroys three bridges over the Euphrates River to slow the security forces’ advance. Iraqi Army:

We went into the center of Ramadi from different axes, and we started clearing residential areas. The city will be cleared within the coming 72 hours.

12 Nov, 2015

Kurds launch offensive

Military Action0 Comments

A Kurdish force of up to 7,500 soldiers is on the offensive to reclaim Sinjar from ISIS. With help from collation air strikes the Kurdish forces attack from three fronts to recapture the town. By recapturing the town they will cut off ISIS main supply line to Mosul, allowing for a future attack on Mosul sometime in the future. By controlling Highway 47, which is used by ISIS to transport weapons, fighters, illicit oil, and other commodities that fund their operations, the Coalition intends to increase pressure on the group and isolate their components from each other

17 Sep, 2015

Market bombings

Terror Incident0 Comments

Baghdah bombings Sept 2015ISIS say they were behind two suicide bombs in Baghdad that killed at least 23 people and wounded more than 60. Among the dead were police and civilians. The suicide bombers hit police checkpoints in market places during morning rush-hour. The bombers were said to have been on foot and wearing explosives vests. Four people are killed in a third blast in a nearby district, but it is unclear who was behind it.

22 Aug, 2015

Rouhani inaugurates ‘The Conqueror’

Announcement0 Comments

Iran’s President Rouhani inaugurates Fateh-313, alias “The Conqueror,” a short-range solid fuel short-range missile. The missile is newer version of Fateh-110 and has both a faster launch capability, and a longer range, with the ability to hit military targets within a 500 kilometer range.

11 Aug, 2015

Canada takes refugees

Moves Country0 Comments

Prime Minister Harper pledges Canada will take an additional 10,000 refugees from Iraq and Syria over the next four years if the Conservative government is re-elected in October. Canada has already settled roughly 20,000 Iraqi refugees and 2,500 Syrians. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada website shows it finalized 19,900 refugee claims from all countries in 2014. Harper:

We must stop ISIS

Iraq bombings

Terror Incident0 Comments

Iraq-attack-original-740x385Jihadists kill 33 people in two suicide bombings in Iraq, including 20 at a central market area in Huwaydir. Islamic State claims responsibility.

22 Jul, 2015

Iraq drone crash

Plane Crash7 Comments

Factory workers report a U.S. unarmed MQ-1 surveillance and reconnaissance drone crash in the Iraqi desert near Baghdad. U.S. official:

We are working with Iraqi authorities to recover the aircraft.

Drone Down! US predator aircraft found crash landed in Iraq

20 Jul, 2015

Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq

Military Action0 Comments

The U.S., and its allies launch coordinated airstrikes on the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. At least 23 airstrikes are conducted over the two nations, with nine launched over Syria and 14 launched over Iraq. These airstrikes target tactical units and fighting positions in seven cities between the two countries.

18 Jul, 2015

Car bomb kills 120

Terror Incident3 Comments

iraq 2A car bomb kills 120 people and injures hundreds of citizens at a busy market in Khan Bani Saad, north of the capital Baghdad. The Islamic State says one of its members drove three tonnes of explosives into a crowd. Police:

Some people were using vegetable boxes to collect children’s body parts.

Claims Iraq bombing responsibility

Terror Incident0 Comments

ISIS claims responsibility for an attack targeting a gathering of Shiite militias in Khan Bani Saad, which is in Diyala province, about thirty five kilometers north of Baghdad. Most of the residents are Shiites. Videos posted on social media show a large swath of fire at the scene, with bodies and debris over a wide area. Several multistory buildings appeared to have been heavily damaged by the blast.

22 May, 2015

Agrees with U.S. policy on Iraq

Press Conference0 Comments

At a news conference in New Hampshipre Clinton speaks on the U.S. handling of Iraq.

I think it’s a very difficult situation and I basically agree with the policies that we are currently following, and that is, American air support is available. American intelligence and surveillance is available.

American trainers are trying to undo the damage that was done to the Iraqi army by former prime minister Maliki, who bears a very big part of the responsibility for what is happening inside of Iraq today.

This has to be fought by and won by Iraqis. There is no role whatsoever for American soldiers on the ground to go back, other than in the capacity as trainers and advisers.

15 May, 2015

Raise Black Flag over Ramadi

Military Action2 Comments

Islamic State militants take over the local government compound in the Iraqi city of Ramadi, raising their black flag. An Iraqi parliamentarian states the city is not in complete Islamic State control, however. Iraqi government forces continue to hold out in several other government buildings,while coalition aircraft bomb militant positions. Anbar provincial council member says that Ramadi is experiencing a “catastrophe.” He says the militants launched a massive attack, using over a dozen suicide vehicles and causing numerous casualties.

14 May, 2015

Wouldn’t have invaded Iraq

Makes Statement0 Comments

Bush says on the subject of Iraq:

Knowing what we know now, I would not have engaged, I would not have launched an invasion. We’ve answered the question now…That’s not to say that the world [isn’t] safer because Saddam Hussein is gone. It is significantly safer. That’s not to say that there [wasn’t] a courageous effort to bring about a surge that created stability in Iraq. All of that is true. And that’s not to say that the men and women who’ve served uniform and many others who went to Iraq to serve, they did so, certainly, honorably. But, we’ve answered the question now.

31 Mar, 2015

Army recaptures central Tikrit

Military Action0 Comments

The Iraqi army recaptures central Tikrit from ISIS. Spokesperson of Iraqi PM, Jaboori:

Iraqi forces reached the center of Tikrit, raised the Iraqi flag and are now clearing the city

14 Mar, 2015

Forced out of Tikrit

Military Action0 Comments

Iraqi forces regain control of northern section of Tikrit, an important city held by ISIS since June 2014. Security official:

Iraqi security forces and the different supporting groups are winning the battle against ISIS in Saladin, it is a matter of time and we will release the news of taking over Tikrit within few days.

13 Mar, 2015

Blows up army headquarters

Terror Incident0 Comments

ISIS kills forty Iraqi soldiers by blowing up more than three hundred explosives placed under army headquarters at Anbar, Iraq. Sabah Karhoot, chairman of the region’s governing council :

ISIS militants were digging and planting IEDs under an HQ of an Iraqi army while the security forces knew nothing about it