News about Iraq: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Damascus on October 28 — the first visit by an Iraqi head of government to Syria since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, and his first visit to the country since taking office in May. The talks cover bilateral ties, border security, trade and the Kirkuk—Banias oil pipeline project.
Otabek YusupovOn Tuesday, October 27, a drone was intercepted near the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, accompanied by a loud sound. Security Media Cell spokesman Major General Saad Maan said the drone was unidentified and was 'handled'; no damage or casualties were reported.
Otabek YusupovAn Iraqi court in Baghdad has issued the first verdicts in the case of 47 French citizens suspected of ties to ISIS. Seven men received sentences of 15 to 20 years, although the law provides for the death penalty. The judge explained the leniency by a desire to give the young men a chance at rehabilitation. All the convicted men were transferred from camps in Syria in early 2026. It remains unclear whether they will be repatriated to France to serve their sentences.
Otabek YusupovMore than 35 years after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, the fate of 315 people remains unknown. Senior UN official Mari Yamashita told the Security Council that the fate of 290 of the 605 missing has already been established, and that excavations at the Khamisiyah site could provide answers in roughly half of the remaining cases.
Otabek YusupovIraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said that work on expanding the Development Road project with industrial cities will begin in early 2027, and the Grand Faw port will operate at full capacity. The corridor will link southern Iraq with the Turkish border and onward to Europe.
Otabek YusupovIraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi paid a visit to Amman, where he met with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Prime Minister Jafar Hassan. The sides signed nine memorandums and programs in the fields of education, environment, culture and economy, and also discussed the creation of a free trade zone.
Otabek YusupovThe Karkh court in Baghdad, at the request of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, opened an investigation into Mustafa Dhuwair Abdulhasan, head of the Maysan provincial council, who called for civil disobedience over the closure of the Al-Shib border crossing on the border with Iran. The closure has strained relations with Tehran and triggered protests by drivers and traders.
Otabek YusupovThe PKK-linked YBS militia (Sinjar Resistance Units) will begin disarmament and integration into Iraqi security structures under the prime minister's supervision. Responsibility for the security of Mount Sinjar will pass to federal authorities. The prime minister's official spokesperson described the step as part of the state's policy of establishing control over all weapons.
Aziz KarimovIraqi Prime Minister's adviser Ali Al-Zaidi Abdelamir Tayban stated that Iran is 'deliberately undermining Iraq's security,' pointing to border violations, drug and counterfeit currency smuggling, and kidnappings of citizens. Against this backdrop, Baghdad closed a number of border crossings, including Al-Shib, which sparked protests by drivers in Maysan.
Sevara AzamovaIraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, in a phone call with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, condemned recent attacks on Saudi territory and confirmed that Baghdad will not allow its territory to be used for strikes against Riyadh and other countries in the region. The parties also discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in the security sphere.
Javlon TursunovIraqi government spokesman Haider al-Abudi stated that there are no bases of Yemeni Houthis on the country's territory and stressed that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used against neighbors. At the same time, Baghdad closed the al-Sheib border crossing with Iran — officially due to technical unpreparedness; a source in the Coordination Framework linked the decision to a security check and the fight against dollar smuggling.
Javlon TursunovIraq closed the al-Shib border crossing with Iran from the morning of October 21 by decision of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to review security measures. Officials cite a security check and the installation of screening equipment. Tehran said it was not notified in advance. A possible closure of other crossings could affect bilateral trade worth more than $10 billion.
Javlon TursunovIran's Ambassador to Baghdad, Mohammad Al-Sadeg, said Iraq agreed to expel the Iranian Kurdish opposition groups from the Kurdistan region or hand them over to Tehran. The Iraqi side has not given official confirmation, and the groups themselves say they have received no notification of such a decision.
Sevara AzamovaFive-year-old Ali Hasan from Iraq was diagnosed in the UAE with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Gene therapy costs 10.6 million dirhams ($2.9 million), and the family can cover only a small part. Father Sabah Hasan appealed for help after an unsuccessful campaign in Iraq, where only about 2% of the amount was raised. According to the father, without prompt treatment the boy may have about a year left to live.
Sevara AzamovaTurkey's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated that the Development Road project, connecting the Fao port in Iraq with Europe through Turkey, will bring about $55 billion over a decade and an average of 70,000 jobs per year. The corridor will combine railways and highways, power lines, fiber optics and pipelines, reducing cargo delivery time from the Persian Gulf to Europe to 25 days.
Dilnoza RahimovaAt the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran may not join the draft resolution on Yemen if, in his words, justice and balance are not included in it. He also noted that the '7-day plan' for negotiations with the US remains on the table.
Otabek YusupovA warehouse of damaged ammunition exploded at a Popular Mobilization Forces facility east of the Army Canal in Baghdad, causing a fire that was later brought under control. Five members of the formation sustained light injuries. The Prime Minister of Iraq ordered an investigation and enhanced security measures.
Otabek YusupovTurkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Baghdad, met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and other leaders of the country. He highly praised al-Zaidi's 'strong vision' for developing relations with Ankara. Discussions covered energy, transport connectivity, the Development Road project, security, counterterrorism and the situation in Sinjar. Turkey also handed over the rotating chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to Iraq after 18 months at the helm.
Otabek Yusupov
