December 2015
Tracing the Roots of Iraq's Threat of 'Military Action' Against Turkey
Iraq's Foreign Minister has threatened military action against Turkey if Turkish forces do not withdraw from northern Iraq. This situation highlights ongoing tensions in the…
Iraq Threatens Turkey with 'Military Action'
Iraq's Foreign Minister has warned Turkey of potential military action if Turkish troops do not withdraw from northern Iraq, where they have been training Kurdish…
Pentagon: 10 Leaders of ISIS Killed in the Past Month
The Pentagon reported that U.S. airstrikes in Iraq have killed 10 ISIS leaders, some linked to the Paris attacks. This includes Sharaf al-Ma'adan, who was…
Reporters Without Borders: 110 Journalists Killed in 2015
In 2015, Reporters Without Borders reported that 110 journalists were killed globally, with a significant number targeted for their work. The organization criticized governments for…
Iraqi Army Announces 'Complete Recapture' of Ramadi from ISIS Forces
The Iraqi Army has announced the complete recapture of Ramadi from ISIS forces, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against the group. This…
ISIS Administrative Center in Ramadi Under Complete Siege
Iraqi forces have completely surrounded the ISIS administrative center in Ramadi and are preparing to enter, with reports indicating that ISIS fighters have fled. The…
The Operation to Retake Ramadi Continues Slowly
The Iraqi army's operation to retake Ramadi from ISIS is progressing slowly, despite initial expectations for a quick capture. The city remains a stronghold for…
Iraqi Prime Minister: After Ramadi, the Liberation of Mosul is Next
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced plans to liberate Mosul following the recapture of Ramadi from the Islamic State group. This operation is supported by…
Arab League Calls for Immediate Withdrawal of Turkish Forces from Iraq
The Arab League has called for Turkey to withdraw its military forces from northern Iraq, labeling the intervention as a violation of Iraq's sovereignty. Iraq…
Increase in Iraqi Army Casualties in the 'Liberation' Operation of Ramadi
Iraqi army forces are facing increased casualties in the ongoing 'liberation' operation of Ramadi from 'Islamic State' militants, with at least 16 soldiers killed in…
Iraq Elects Beauty Queen After 43 Years
Iraq has elected its first beauty queen in 43 years, Sheema Qasim Abdulrahman, amid significant social media controversy, including death threats against contestants. This event…
Barzani Calls for Kurds to Prepare for Independence Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan
Masoud Barzani has called for preparations for a referendum on Kurdish independence from Iraq, urging political groups to allow for real participation of minorities. This…
Iraqi Forces Advancing Towards Central Ramadi
Iraqi forces have begun an operation to retake Ramadi from ISIS, with support from U.S. military and local Sunni tribes. The city is strategically important,…
ISIS as a Cause of Transboundary Diseases at Iran's Borders
Mehdi Khalaj, head of Iran's Veterinary Organization, warned that the presence of ISIS has made Iran's borders unsafe regarding transboundary diseases. He highlighted the organization's…
Australia Lowers Travel Warning Level for Iran
Australia has downgraded its travel warning for Iran from 'reconsider travel' to 'exercise caution,' which may encourage more Australian tourists to visit. This change is…
Turkey Reports the Death of Dozens of PKK Members
In southeastern Turkey, the military has reportedly killed 110 PKK members in recent clashes, particularly in the cities of Cizre and Silopi. This escalation is…
Iraqi Army Asks Residents of Ramadi to Leave the City
The Iraqi army has urged residents of Ramadi to evacuate as they prepare for a major operation to retake the city from ISIS. This move…
Sanders and Trump: America Should Not Strive to Overthrow Dictators
Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders have criticized U.S. foreign policy, arguing that efforts to overthrow dictators like Bashar al-Assad could lead to greater instability in…
70 Members of PKK Killed in Recent Battles with Turkish Army
Turkey has launched extensive military operations against the PKK, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 PKK members and two Turkish soldiers. The operations…
Several Iraqi Soldiers Killed in 'Mistaken' Airstrike by Coalition
A U.S.-led coalition airstrike mistakenly killed several Iraqi soldiers, with Iraqi officials reporting 10 fatalities. U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter expressed condolences to Iraqi…
Discovery of a '500-pound bomb' in Marivan by two students
Two students in Marivan discovered a 500-pound bomb leftover from the Iran-Iraq war, which was safely neutralized. This incident highlights ongoing issues with unexploded ordnance…
White House: Obama Calls for Withdrawal of Turkish Forces from Iraq
Barack Obama urged Turkish President Erdoğan to withdraw military forces from northern Iraq during a phone call, emphasizing Iraq's territorial integrity. This comes amid rising…
Islamic State Rocket Attack on Turkish Military Base in Northern Iraq
Islamic State militants launched a rocket attack on a Turkish military base in northern Iraq, injuring at least four Turkish soldiers. In retaliation, Turkish forces…
Armed Men Kidnap at Least 26 Qatari Nationals in the Deserts of Iraq
A group of armed men kidnapped at least 26 Qatari nationals, including royal family members, from a hunting camp in Iraq. The incident has prompted…
Turkey Withdraws Some Troops from Base in Northern Iraq
Turkey has begun withdrawing some of its troops from a base in northern Iraq following Iraq's demand for an immediate exit. This move comes amidst…
Germany Rejects Request to Increase Assistance in the Fight Against ISIS
Germany has rejected a U.S. request to increase military assistance in the fight against ISIS, stating it has fulfilled its obligations. This decision comes after…
Jahangiri Criticizes Turkish Officials' Statements 'Against the Sacred Values of the Iranian People'
Eshaq Jahangiri criticized Turkish officials for making negative statements about Iran during a meeting with President Erdogan. The discussion arose after Erdogan complained about Iranian…
Moscow and Baghdad Consult on Turkish Forces Presence in Northern Iraq
Thousands of Iraqis protested against Turkish military presence near Mosul, while Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.…
Europe Has a List of Thousands of 'Missing Syrian and Iraqi Passports'
European countries have identified thousands of missing Syrian and Iraqi passports that could potentially be used fraudulently for travel. This raises concerns about security, especially…
Turkey's Presence in Iraq: Ankara's 'Accidental Policy' in the Region
Turkey maintains a military presence in Iraq for training purposes, which has angered the Iraqi government, leading to threats of international action. The situation highlights…
Iraq Complains to the United Nations Against Turkey
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has instructed the Foreign Minister to file a complaint against Turkey at the UN after Erdogan declared that Turkish troops…
Erdogan: Turkey Will Not Withdraw Its Forces from Iraq
Turkish President Erdogan has confirmed that Turkey will not withdraw its military forces from Iraq, particularly from the Bashika camp near Mosul, despite Iraqi accusations…
US: ISIS Financial Officer Killed in Airstrikes
The US-led coalition has killed three senior ISIS leaders, including their financial officer, Abu Salah, in recent airstrikes. This is significant as it may weaken…
The U.S. Government Supports New Travel Restrictions
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill imposing new travel restrictions that could affect citizens of 38 countries, including those who have traveled…
Iraqi Forces Have 'Recaptured' Large Parts of Ramadi from ISIS
Iraqi forces have recaptured significant portions of Ramadi from ISIS, marking a crucial step in the fight against the extremist group. The U.S. military is…
Six Afghan Refugee Children Drown in Turkish Waters
Six Afghan refugee children drowned when their boat capsized while attempting to reach Greece from Turkey. Five others were rescued, and the search for two…
At Least 26 Civilians Killed in Airstrike in Syria
At least 26 civilians were killed in a recent airstrike in Syria, reportedly by the U.S.-led coalition. The incident follows accusations from the Syrian government…
Obama: We Will Overcome Terrorist Threats
President Obama addressed the nation regarding the U.S. response to terrorist threats, particularly in light of recent attacks in Paris and California. He emphasized the…
48-Hour Deadline from Abadi to Ankara; Turkey to Halt Troop Deployment to Northern Iraq
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Turkey to withdraw its troops from northern Iraq, threatening to escalate the issue to…
Iran Criticizes Turkey's Military Presence in Iraq
Iran has criticized Turkey's military presence in Iraq, labeling it as a violation of regional security and calling for coordination with the Iraqi government. The…
Haider al-Abadi: Turkey Must Immediately Withdraw Its Forces from Northern Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has demanded the immediate withdrawal of Turkish forces from Nineveh province, citing a violation of Iraq's sovereignty. This comes as…
House of Representatives Proposal to Tighten 'Visa Waiver' Regulations for Entry into the U.S.
The U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on a proposal to tighten visa waiver regulations for travelers from 38 countries, including several European…
Obama: The Deployment of Special Forces to Iraq is for Targeted Strikes Against ISIS
President Obama announced the deployment of special forces to Iraq for targeted operations against ISIS, clarifying that this does not indicate a return to large-scale…
Death of Five Suicide Bombers Who Intended to Attack Pilgrims in Karbala
Five suicide bombers intending to attack pilgrims in Karbala were killed by Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades after a prolonged confrontation. This incident highlights ongoing security concerns…
The U.S. Sends New Special Forces to Iraq to Combat ISIS
The U.S. is deploying up to 200 new special forces to Iraq to combat ISIS, coordinating with Iraqi government forces. Shiite militias have threatened to…
Iraq Criticizes Tehran Over 'Illegal Influx' of Iranian Pilgrims
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior has criticized Iran for the illegal entry of tens of thousands of Iranian pilgrims without visas, leading to clashes at…