Iraqis celebrated the departure of U.S forces after more than two decades of war on Wednesday, but the withdrawal is also raising concerns about the country’s ability to maintain security without a Western military presence.
Iraq has returned restricted airspace across the western part of the country to civilian authorities, ending limits imposed for military operations against Islamic State since 2016, the Transport Ministry said.
Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline after it was hit by a drone attack, with Riyadh and Baghdad saying the strike originated from Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has launched a sweeping anti-corruption operation in Baghdad’s Green Zone, targeting senior politicians, lawmakers and officials after earlier investigations exposed extensive networks of suspected graft.
An American female journalist was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday and authorities are searching the city for her, two police officials said.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Baghdad on Saturday evening for an official visit, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry confirmed.
Two rockets struck the Kirkuk Air Base and a nearby residential neighbourhood on Monday night, Iraqi security officials said.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometres north of Baghdad.
On June 14, 2025, a group of protesters assembled outside the entrance to Baghdad's Green Zone, home to the US Embassy and key government institutions, to voice opposition to Israeli strikes on Iran.
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