by WorldTribune Staff, February 1, 2017 Iran on Jan. 31 said it would stop issuing visas to Americans in what it called a “reciprocal” and “proportionate” action after President Donald Trump’s executive order that included a 90-day ban on Iranian citizens entering the U.S. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif confirmed that Teheran would no […]
by WorldTribune Staff, November 27, 2016 In a move that was boycotted by Sunni lawmakers, Iraq’s parliament has granted legal status to Shi’ite militias. The legislation guarantees militias from the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces the right to keep their “identity and character as long as that does not threaten Iraqi national security.” The new law […]
by WorldTribune Staff, November 4, 2016 Iraq’s prime minister warned Turkey of a possible confrontation after Turkish tanks, artillery and troops were deployed near the Iraqi border. “We do not want war with Turkey, and we do not want a confrontation with Turkey,” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Iraqi state TV on Nov. […]
by WorldTribune Staff, October 31, 2016 As the battle for Mosul looms, Middle East watchers are focused on the nearby town of Tal Afar, where Iran and Turkey are making a play for increased influence in northern Iraq. Iraqi Shi’ite militias, who are backed by Iran, on Oct. 29 began to move toward Tal Afar […]
by WorldTribune Staff, October 25, 2016 The United States is moving to calm tensions between Iraq and Turkey that were further inflamed on Oct. 23 when Turkish artillery hit Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) positions near Mosul. Baghdad considers Turkey’s presence on its soil a violation of sovereignty and has appealed to the […]
by WorldTribune Staff, October 17, 2016 A force of 30,000 Iraqi army, Kurdish Peshmerga and Sunni tribal fighters launched an offensive on Oct. 17 to retake Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). “I announce today the start of the heroic operations to free you from the terror and oppression of Daesh,” Iraqi […]
by WorldTribune Staff, October 10, 2016 Turkey will have no role in the liberation of Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said. “Turkish forces will not be allowed to participate in the liberation of Mosul under any circumstances,” Abadi said during a visit to the city of Karbala […]
by WorldTribune Staff, September 29, 2016 The United States has deployed 615 additional troops to Iraq as preparation intensifies for the battle to liberate Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). The new deployment puts the number of American troops on the ground in Iraq at over 5,000 for the first time since […]
by WorldTribune Staff, September 23, 2016 Iraq’s army is focusing on cutting off Islamic State of Iraq and Levant’s (ISIL’s) supply lines as U.S. advisers on the ground assist the Iraqis and the Kurdish peshmerga in preparing for an assault on Mosul. The U.S. military has asked the White House to deploy up to 500 […]
by WorldTribune Staff, September 19, 2016 Turkey’s military presence in Iraq is a “hostile act” that is impeding the Iraqi army’s plans to liberate Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Sept. 18. “What I want to confirm is that the presence of the Turkish forces […]
