Security

Baghdad-Erbil progress fuels hope for counter-insurgency fight

The formation of two joint brigades highlights improving cooperation that could help combat IS militants and close security gaps.

Lt. Gen. Qasim Mohammed al-Mohammadi, commander of federal Iraqi ground forces, receives progress updates on two newly formed joint brigades while visiting command centers in Kirkuk, Salahaddin, and Diyala provinces on Sept. 25, 2024. (Photo credit: Ministry of Defense)

Apr 15, 2021

The Royal Court restaurant, the oil insider, and the $100,000 bribe

In Nassiriya, the arrest of an oil official highlights a kind of corruption that usually stays in the shadows of political protection networks.

Apr 7, 2021

Escalating protests disrupt Dhi Qar energy sector

Political upheaval and unabated protests have once again boiled over, shutting down the Nassiriya refinery and causing fuel shortages.

Mar 22, 2021

Q&A: Lt. Gen. Saad Ali Aati al-Harbiya, former head of Kirkuk’s Joint Operations Command

Harbiya, who was moved to the Joint Operations Command in Baghdad last week, discusses the fight against insurgents, improving coordination among rival security services, and winning the trust of locals.

Mar 19, 2021

Q&A: Ninewa Gov. Najim al-Jibouri

The military commander-turned-governor says Mosul has largely succeeded in re-establishing security — but lagging support from Baghdad is hurting the local economy, including energy investment.

Mar 16, 2021

Q&A: PUK Co-President Lahur Talabany

The co-leader of Kurdistan's second-largest party discusses politicized oil policies, factionalized leadership, security risks, and Iraq's national budget.

Mar 9, 2021

Q&A: Omar al-Waili, director of the Iraqi Border Ports Commission

With shake-ups at Iraqi border ports, the Kadhimi administration is trying to combat corruption, increase revenues, and reinforce federal government authority.

Jan 20, 2021

Power station bombed as insurgents exploit northern Iraq security gaps

Security leaders in Baghdad and Erbil have failed to implement plans to set up joint coordination centers.

Dec 9, 2020

Khabbaz wells burn as security in northern oil sector worsens

Detonations at two wells early Wednesday are the latest example of inadequate security across northern Iraq.

Dec 9, 2020

Sarqala field stops trucking as Kurdistan protests expand

Field is not under threat. Decision by Gazprom Neft protects 100-plus daily tanker trucks exporting the crude.

Dec 7, 2020

U.S.-led coalition drops Iraqi F-16s from anti-IS missions

The coalition's decision to remove the Iraqi Air Force from air tasking orders highlights ongoing failures to address the dysfunction and corruption that have crippled a multi-billion-dollar fleet of fighter jets.