REVEALED: 12 | Rare Historical Photos

Witness Tells Asharq Al-Awsat about Meeting Saddam Twice during US Occupation

A retired Iraqi, who had a working relationship and friendship with former President Saddam Hussein, revealed on the anniversary of the 2003 battle of Baghdad that he met with him twice after the Iraqi capital was captured. Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the retired Iraqi disclosed that he had two meetings…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 9, 2023

Once everywhere, Saddam's image scrubbed from Baghdad

Iraqis and American Marines pulled down the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad’s Firdos Square in April 2003 in an iconic moment in the U.S.-led invasion

The Independent UK · Apr 9, 2023

Iraqi PM Announces Implementation of Projects to Reduce Traffic Congestion in Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani announced on Wednesday kickstarting the implementation of three initial projects to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in Baghdad. Speaking to a group of young engineers, Al-Sudani said: “This government is a service-oriented government and has prioritized services across all sectors, including a package of 19…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 6, 2023

Iraq Halts Northern Crude Exports after Winning Arbitration Case against Türkiye

Iraq halted crude exports from the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region and northern Kirkuk fields on Saturday, an oil official told Reuters, after the country won a longstanding arbitration case against Türkiye. The decision to stop shipments of 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude relates to a case from 2014, when…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 25, 2023

Trudy Rubin: Memories of the Iraq War, my interpreter's tragic end, and the horrors caused by hubris

Twenty years ago, when I first hired him in Baghdad, my Iraqi interpreter and driver Salam was thrilled that the Americans had toppled Saddam Hussein. I worked with Salam over the next several years, on my many reporting trips to Iraq, and I can't stop thinking about his personal tragedy…

The Philadelphia Inquirer · Mar 24, 2023

Iraqis still await special US visas 20 years after invasion

Nearly 100 applicants who applied for protective visas after working with US forces in Iraq remain in limbo.

Al Jazeera · Mar 23, 2023

After the Iraq War, Saddam’s legendary palaces are open to all

After the Iraq war, the closely guarded, lavish estates belonging to the former strongman were opened to the public.

Al Jazeera · Mar 23, 2023

The US-led war in Iraq and Saddam’s Arab legacy

Many Arabs saw Saddam as a strongman who stood up to the West, but most Iraqis despised his brutal authoritarianism.

Al Jazeera · Mar 22, 2023

Kurds remain biggest winners from US-led invasion of Iraq

Complexes of McMansions, fast food restaurants, real estate offices and half-constructed high-rises line wide, U.S.-style highways in Irbil, the seat of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq

The Independent UK · Mar 22, 2023

‘We called it liberation, but the Iraq invasion was an occupation’: A tale of regret from Baghdad

One Iraqi-American citizen pushed for the US-led toppling of Saddam Hussein. Twenty years later, he speaks to Borzou Daragahi about his thoughts now

The Independent UK · Mar 21, 2023