Key Takeaways:
Protests Intensify And Government Forces Respond With Excessive Force; Debate Heats Up Over U.S. Forces Presence With Militias Planning Anti-U.S. Rallies On Friday; Two New Candidates Take The Lead In The Race For The Premiership – On January 17, Iraqi protesters intensified their activity in several provinces as… Read more
Key Takeaways:
U.S. Refuses To Discuss Withdrawal; Coalition Resumes Anti-ISIS Operations; Iraqis Renew Pro-Reform Mass-Protests; Meetings To Contain Tensions Continue; Rumors Circulate Of A Deal To Reinstate Abdul-Mahdi – On January 9, Iraq’s caretaker PM asked the U.S. to send a delegation to establish a mechanism for U.S. withdrawal. Washington… Read more
Key Takeaways:
PM, Parliament Move To End U.S. Military Presence Following U.S. Airstrikes; Coalition Suspends Anti-ISIS Operations; Mass Protests Planned For Friday – On January 5, Iraq’s Parliament held an emergency session to discuss the fallout from the U.S. airstrike that killed Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. PM Adil… Read more
Key Takeaways:
New Election Law Faces Objections; President Offers To Resign As Deadline To Name New PM Expires; U.S.-Iraq Relations Shaken By Militia Rocket Strikes And U.S. Retaliation; Militias Attack U.S. Embassy Compound – On December 20, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said early elections were the “nearest and safest way out… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Deadline For Selecting New PM Extended As Deadlock Continues; U.S. Issues Warning To Iran, Plans To Reduce Diplomatic Staff In Iraq; Parliament Fails To Pass Election Law – On December 13, Iraq’s most senior cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, pressed the government to crack down on illegal armed groups… Read more
Key Takeaways:
New Election Law Remains Deadlocked; Gunmen Attacks On Protesters Push Death Toll Past 510; U.S. Sanctions Iraqi Militia Leaders, Politician; No Agreement On New PM As Deadline Approaches – On December 5, Iraq’s Parliament approved a new law for the country’s Independent High Election Commission, but disagreements continue… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Death Toll Reaches 460 After Deadly Attacks On Protesters In Dhi-Qar And Najaf; Prime Minister Abdul-Mahdi Resigns; Political Blocs Discuss Potential Candidates For The Premiership Amid Iranian Interference – Ongoing anti-government protests saw the worst episode of violence on November 28th, when security forces shot and killed at… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Defense Minister Blames Violence On A “Third Party”; Iran Cables Leak Embarrasses Iraqi Politicians; U.S. Threatens Sanctions; Political Leaders Sign Reform Agreement; Death Toll Rises to 330 – On November 14, Iraq’s Minister of Defense blamed a “third party” for the deaths of protesters. On November 18, The… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Death Toll Among Protesters Reaches 327 Amid Intensified Crackdown; Iran Continues Pressure To Preserve Abdul-Mahdi’s Government; UN Issues Roadmap For Reforms, U.S. Supports Early Elections; Proposed Election Law Reforms Released – On November 8, the Iraqi government intensified its crackdown on anti-government protesters and security forces continued to… Read more
Key Takeaways:
Iran Working To Prevent Government Change; U.S. Increases Pressure On Baghdad To Enact Reforms; KRG Opposes Early Elections, Constitutional Changes; Internet Blocked Again As Protests Continue – On October 31, Reuters reported that the commander of the Quds force in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Qassem Soleimani, intervened in… Read more
