All articles tagged with #iraq
Iraq has shifted its oil export strategy by shipping two million barrels of crude through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in decades, moving away from the traditional free-on-board model at Basra. This move aims to secure better pricing and bypass war-related risks, as Baghdad seeks to purchase its own tankers to regain control over its primary revenue source amid ongoing US-Iran tensions.
The U.S. military has officially ended its presence in Iraq, concluding Operation Inherent Resolve. This withdrawal, which began in 2014 to combat ISIS, marks a shift from a coalition mission to a bilateral security relationship. While the U.S. claims success in defeating ISIS as an organized threat, the timing coincides with a war against Iran, raising concerns about regional stability and the rise of Iran-backed militias.
The U.S. concluded its 12-year military mission in Iraq on September 30, 2026, withdrawing the last troops assigned to fight ISIS. While Washington and Baghdad framed the exit as a victory for Iraqi sovereignty and the defeat of the caliphate, Kurdish officials expressed alarm over the lack of air defense replacements. The withdrawal occurs amid ongoing Iranian missile strikes on Kurdish territory and celebrations by Iran-backed militias, raising concerns about a security vacuum and potential ISIS resurgence.
The last US and UK troops have withdrawn from Iraq, concluding the 12-year Operation Inherent Resolve. While Baghdad and Washington frame the exit as a victory for Iraqi sovereignty and the defeat of Islamic State, the departure leaves a security vacuum. Kurdish officials fear increased vulnerability to Iranian-backed militias, while powerful armed groups have resisted disarmament deadlines, now pushed to June 2027.
The U.S. military officially concluded Operation Inherent Resolve on September 30, 2026, marking the end of a 12-year anti-ISIS campaign in Iraq. All coalition forces and equipment have been withdrawn from Erbil Air Base, shifting security responsibilities to Baghdad. While the U.S. frames this as a successful transition to a bilateral relationship, the withdrawal occurs amid heightened regional tensions and concerns over Iran-backed militias.
US forces have fully withdrawn from Iraq, ending a two-decade military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. The departure, which concluded with the exit from bases in Erbil, marks a shift in regional power dynamics, leaving Iran and its allied militias as the dominant external influence in the country. While the US frames the move as a successful transition to an Iraqi-led security effort, Iran-backed groups have celebrated the exit as a victory, complicating Baghdad's efforts to assert sovereignty and disarm foreign-aligned factions.
The last US troops have exited Iraq, ending a two-decade presence. While Iran-backed militias celebrate the withdrawal as a victory for sovereignty, Kurdish officials express deep anxiety over the removal of US air defense systems. The Iraqi government has pushed the deadline for militia disarmament to June 2027, leaving powerful armed groups outside state control.
US forces have completed their withdrawal from Iraq, ending a two-decade presence that began with the 2003 invasion. While the move was agreed under President Joe Biden in 2024 and executed by the Trump administration, it creates a security vacuum. Analysts warn this departure may embolden Iran-backed militias and allow Islamic State remnants to regroup, shifting regional power dynamics toward Tehran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iraq risks 'Balkanisation' unless armed factions are brought under state control. He made the comments in New York after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. Rubio noted that some groups have disarmed, but others remain defiant. Analysts debate whether this signals an imminent breakup or a failure to centralize power. The deadline for disarmament has slipped to June 2027, coinciding with the withdrawal of remaining US troops from Iraq.
Iraq faces a pair of looming deadlines: Washington’s withdrawal of troops and the disarmament/realignment of Iran-backed militias. While the government aims to bring armed groups under PMF and Iraqi army control, the strongest factions resist surrender and push for regime conditions, leaving regional leaders in the Kurdistan region wary as security provisions and air defenses depart.
Iraqi security forces seized a drone-launching platform traced to the southeastern Maysan province that was used in an attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline. The strike prompted a temporary shutdown and border inspections, with Saudi authorities continuing investigations and Baghdad coordinating with Riyadh on the case. Iraq emphasized preventive sovereignty and said it would pursue those involved while not allowing its territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks against others.
Iraq claims the drone attack on the Saudi East-West pipeline came from its territory and says Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation that led to the dismissal of a Maysan province commander; Saudi officials say the drones originated in Iraq and will not retaliate to give Baghdad time to act. The move highlights broader regional strains, with regional officials noting alleged coordination between Houthis and Iraqi militias on Saudi oil facilities, and the pipeline’s critical role for Saudi exports.
Iraq opened a probe into allegations that Iran-backed militias attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, as several Arab states condemned the strike; in a move tied to the investigation, Iraq closed two border crossings with Iran, and officials say Yemen’s Houthi movement helped plan or execute the attack—a dynamic that could renew regional fighting and threaten Yemen’s fragile ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia halted a key oil pipeline after a drone attack launched from Iraq, with Riyadh saying it will defend its sovereignty and support Iraq against attacks; Iraq’s PM office said an operations commander in Maysan was removed after confirming the attack originated there. The GCC condemned the strike, and the broader regional tension includes Houthi advances in Yemen around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, raising oil-security concerns and signaling potential disruption to Red Sea navigation, especially for Saudi vessels.
Saudi Arabia says its East-West oil pipeline was struck by drones launched from Iraq, causing injuries and damage and prompting a precautionary shutdown. Riyadh has chosen not to retaliate for now at Baghdad's request while it protects its security. Iraq condemns the attack and says it will investigate; the GCC condemns the strike and urges measures to prevent future launches. Satellite imagery shows smoke near Medina along the pipeline route amid broader regional tensions, including Houthi activity in Yemen.