Iraq: US forces kill Shi’ite pilgrims?

US forces shot two Shi’ite pilgrims Saturday night as they walked to Karbala for the Arbaeen holy day, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said.

4,000 women run in Iraq’s provincial elections: how significant?

Iraq’s provincial elections saw 4,000 women as candidates for provincial councils, many guaranteed seats under a quota system. But some woman candidates questioned how significant the change really is.

Potsdam peaceniks give Obama a chance

For six years, since before the Iraq war began, peace activists in the upstate New York town of Potsdam have held a weekly vigil in front of the village post office. On Jan. 24, they gathered one last time. The… Read morePotsdam peaceniks give Obama a chance

Iraq: quotas for women in provincial seats weakened

In the lead-up to Iraq’s provincial elections, there is growing anger that the draft version of the election law has weakened provisions to set aside seats for women.

Iraq: more astonishing success of the “surge”

Now relegated to the back pages, near-daily rocket and suicide attacks continue to claim lives in Baghdad and central Iraq. Several civilians have been killed in attacks this week alone.

Obama inspires Black Iraqi freedom movement

Iraqi and US military forces will beef up security ahead of landmark provincial elections set for Jan. 31, when up to 15 million Iraqis could go to the polls in 14 of Iraq’s 18 provinces. Already candidates have been targeted… Read moreObama inspires Black Iraqi freedom movement

Turkey and Iran in joint air-strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan

Turkish warplanes and Iranian artillery bombarded Kurdish rebel hideouts in northern Iraq on Jan. 5, a spokesman for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) said. “Turkish planes and Iranian artillery bombarded Aquwan and the Iranians bombarded Maradu. The bombardment lasted for… Read moreTurkey and Iran in joint air-strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraq unions call for international labor conference in Irbil

From the General Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI), Dec. 13: Dear Brothers and Sisters in the global struggle for workers’ rights, peace and justice: Plans are underway to hold an International Labor Conference in Iraq in… Read moreIraq unions call for international labor conference in Irbil

Iraq: Shi’ite pilgrims massacred as Muharram holy days open

A female suicide bomber killed at least 35, including women and children, and wounded 65 others in an attack on a religious procession near the holy Kadhimiyah shrine in northern Baghdad Jan. 4. The woman blew herself up at a… Read moreIraq: Shi’ite pilgrims massacred as Muharram holy days open

Iraq: pending troops agreement background to sectarian struggle

A suicide bomber on a bicycle in Iraq’s northern city of Mosul targeted a protest against the Israeli air-raids on the Gaza Strip, killing one civilian and wounding 16 on Dec. 27. The protest was sponsored by the Sunni-backed Iraqi… Read moreIraq: pending troops agreement background to sectarian struggle

Iraqis sue Rumsfeld over torture

A Jordan-based Iraqi rights group announced this week it has filed 200 lawsuits against former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and US security firms for their roles in torturing Iraqis. Ali Qeisi, head of the Society of Victims of the US… Read moreIraqis sue Rumsfeld over torture

Japan, South Korea end Iraq mission

Japanese and South Korean forces both ended their missions in Iraq this week. The approximately 200 Japanese troops in Kuwait for an air support mission in Iraq are to return home by the end of the year. Japan withdrew its… Read moreJapan, South Korea end Iraq mission