Area Total | 438,317 sq km |
Climate | mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq |
Natural Resources | petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur |
Imports | $39.47 billion (2017 est.) partners: Turkey 27.8%, China 25.7%, South Korea 4.7%, Russia 4.3% (2017) – food, medicine, manufactures |
Government | federal parliamentary republic |
Capital | Baghdad |
Population | 40.2 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% |
Language | Arabic (official), Kurdish (official), Turkmen (a Turkish dialect), Syriac (Neo-Aramaic), and Armenian official in areas where native speakers of these languages constitute a majority of the population |
Exports | $61.4 billion (2017 est.) partners: India 21.2%, China 20.2%, US 15.8%, South Korea 9.4%, Greece 5.3%, Netherlands 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2017) – crude oil 99%, crude materials excluding fuels, food, live animals |
News about Iraq
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Trump ally Tom Cotton accused of making misleading claims about military service
by Graeme Massie on January 23, 2021
Mr Cotton graduated from Ranger School but reportedly did not serve with elite regiment
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Iraqi forces launch ‘Operation Revenge of the Martyrs’ against ISIS
by News Desk on January 22, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 A.M.) – On Friday, the Iraqi forces announced the launch of the “Revenge of the Martyrs” operation to clear the areas in the capital, Baghdad, and the rest of the provinces from the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) terrorist organization. The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahya Rasool, […]
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Jill Biden visits National Guard on Capitol Hill to thank them for protecting Joe's inauguration
on January 22, 2021
Jill Biden, in her first solo outing as first lady, stopped on Capitol Hill to thank National Guard members for their service during her husband's inauguration.
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Twitter suspends fake account linked to Iran's Supreme Leader over Trump assassination post
on January 22, 2021
Reuters revealed on Friday that the account it had attributed to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was fake. It posted an assassination attempt against Trump.
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ISIS claims responsibility for twin suicide bombings in Iraq that killed over 30 civilians
by News Desk on January 22, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:10 P.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the twin suicide bombings in central Baghdad on Thursday that killed more than 30 civilians and wounded 100 more. In a statement released by their media wing, the terrorist group revealed that the two suicide bombers that targeted […]
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Two suicide bombers kill at least 32 shoppers in Baghdad
by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in Baghdad and Martin Chulov on January 21, 2021
Attack wounded more than 100 people and raises fear of return to violence in Iraqi capitalTwo suicide bombers have killed at least 32 people and wounded more than 100 at a Baghdad market, raising fears of a return to the militant violence seen for years in Iraq after the 2003 US invasion and during the Islamic State era. In the worst such attack in three […]
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Death toll from twin suicide bombings in Baghdad rises to 35
by News Desk on January 21, 2021
The number of people killed in a terrorist attack in the center of Baghdad on Thursday has risen to 35, the Al Arabiya TV channel informed, citing Iraqi sources, adding that about 100 people have been injured. The channel informed earlier that two blasts were heard at a central square in Baghdad where a market is located. According to an Iraqi army […]
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US logistical convoy allegedly comes under attack in southern Iraq
by News Desk on January 21, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:40 P.M.) – A U.S.-led Coalition logistical supply convoy allegedly came under attack along a road between the Baghdad and Samawah on Thursday. According to local reports, the two separate logistical convoys were targeted by roadside bombs planted by unknown assailants in southern Iraq. No further details have released, nor has the U.S. […]
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At least 28 dead, 73 wounded as two bombs strike market in Baghdad
on January 21, 2021
The bombing, the first in three years to target the Tayaran Square market in Baghdad, comes amid heightened political tensions over planned early elections and a severe economic crisis.
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Emergency security meeting held in Iraq after twin terrorist attacks in Baghdad
by News Desk on January 21, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:10 P.M.) – The Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Mustafa Al-Kazemi chaired an emergency meeting of the leaders of the security and intelligence services at the headquarters of Baghdad Operations Command, following the occurrence of two suicide attacks in central Baghdad. Iraqi President Barham Salih […]
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Twin suicide bombers hit central Baghdad leaving dozens dead and wounded
by News Desk on January 21, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:00 A.M.) – Two powerful explosions rocked the city of Baghdad on Thursday after twin suicide bombers carried out an attack on a market in the central part of the Iraqi capital. According to local reports, the one suicide bomber blew himself up at a market for clothing in Tayaran Square, while the other carried out his attack in the Bab […]
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Sen. Rand Paul challenges new Sec. of State over regime change in Syria: video
by News Desk on January 20, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:00 A.M.) – U.S. Senator (Kentucky) Rand Paul recently challenged the new Secretary of State nominee Anthony Blinken on his history of pushing regime change in the Middle East and North Africa. Sen. Paul began his argument by questioning Blinken’s role in the NATO intervention of Libya in 2001 and his support for the U.S. military […]
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Law to protect former troops from 'witch-hunt' not enough, former Special Forces director warns
on January 20, 2021
Former director of Special Forces Lieutenant General Sir Graeme Lamb has said the Overseas Operations Bill designed to end the legal witch-hunt of British troops will not protect them.
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New 2021 rankings for the strongest military forces in the Middle East
by News Desk on January 19, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON 4:10 P.M.) – The annual rankings of military strength of the countries of the world, issued by the Global Fire Power website, were released recently, along with the regional rankings. In the Middle East region, Turkey was considered the strongest military, followed by Egypt at number two and Iran at number three. Saudi Arabia ranked fourth […]
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Joe Biden will 'head to the Cornwall for his first overseas trip'
on January 18, 2021
Carbis Bay in Britain's most southerly county has a population of just over 3,000 and is set to host the G7 meeting in June. Joe Biden is set to attend.
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Biden will reverse a host of Trump policies in a series of executive orders on his first day
on January 17, 2021
Joe Biden will be keeping busy during the first days of his presidency after vowing to enact several executive orders right away while on the campaign trail.
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Iran receives remains of 55 soldiers killed during Iraq-Iran War
by News Desk on January 17, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:40 P.M.) – The Iranian authorities retrieved the remains of 55 Iranians, who were killed in the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Fars News Agency reported on Sunday. According to the publication, the Iranian authorities transferred the remains of the 55 soldier via the Shalamjah international border with Iraq. During the reception […]
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Iran releases rare footage of IRGC attack on US forces in Iraq: video
by News Desk on January 16, 2021
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:40 A.M.) – The Iranian media published on social media a new video clip of the Iranian missile strike on the Ain Al-Assad base in western Iraq, where US forces are stationed. This attack, which took place on January 8th, 2020, was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the US forces at the Ain Al-Assad base, […]
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Green Zone perimeter set up in DC ahead of Biden's inauguration
on January 16, 2021
As security intensifies in Washington, the Secret Service has released its restricted access plan, which includes what the agency is calling a 'Green Zone' in the heart of DC.
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Capitol rioters included at least 21 ex-military and cops
on January 15, 2021
One photo taken on the steps of the Capitol showed a line of men wearing combat helmets and body armor in a formation known as 'ranger file'.