Iraq: deadly repression as protests sweep country

Several deaths are reported after security forces fired on protesters in Mosul and Haweija, as thousands marched across Iraq in a national “day of rage.”

Iraq gets a Tahrir Square

Thousands of protesters filled Tahrir Square in the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimaniyah, in an ongoing campaign against the entrenched political machine in the Kurdish autonomous region.

Iraq: deadly sreeet clashes in Kurdistan

Three protesters were killed in the cities of Arbil, Dohuk and Sulaimaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan. Protests in several cities across Iraq also left more than 100 people wounded.

Iraq: ethnic warfare in Kirkuk, sectarian attacks in Dujail

A clash between Arabs and Tukrmen left three dead in Kirkuk two days after a car bomb targeted a Kurdish militia in the city, while another car bomb killed Shi’ite pilgrims in Dujail.

Torture “routine” in Iraqi prisons: Amnesty International

Iraq operates secret prisons and routinely tortures prisoners to extract confessions that are used to convict them, Amnesty International says in a new report.

Protests spread to Iraq —but not Syria (yet)

Hundreds of protesters marched in cities around Iraq, demanding basic services such as water and electricity. Protests failed to materialize in Syria, despite a called “day of rage.”

Baghdad blasts bedevil Biden

Three bombings near mosques in central and northern Baghdad on Nov. 13 killed two people—hours after US Vice President Joe Biden arrived for meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

Al-Sadr returns to Iraq from Iranian exile

The powerful Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr ended his self-imposed exile in Iran and returned to his stronghold hometown of Najaf in central Iraq this week.

Iraq: free speech protests in Kurdistan

More than 1,000 protesters took to the streets in Erbil, Iraq’s Kurdish regional capital, to condemn a new law requiring all public demonstrations to have government permits.

Spanish judge launches probe into Iraq refugee killings

Spain opened an investigation against an Iraqi lieutenant general concerning an air-strike against Iranian exiles at Camp Ashraf in which 11 unarmed civilians were killed.

Iraq: Christian IDPs find refuge in Kurdish north

Iraqi Christians are fleeing to the autonomous Kurdish region and particularly the town of Ankawa, which has become a safe haven for Christians, thanks to its special status.

Iraq: jihadi terror targets Christians —again

Gunmen stormed two homes in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, killing the two male heads of the households, the latest in a series of attacks targeting Christians.