MYSTERIOUS: 25 | Mind Blowing Facts

Iraq’s Kadhimi Ends ‘Green Zone Era,’ Vows Restoring Neighborhoods’ Original Names

Iraqi Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi dropped a bombshell by announcing that the era of Baghdad’s “Green Zone,” which was set up during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, is nearing its end. Kadhimi, during a Tuesday visit to the Municipality of Baghdad, pledged that the Green Zone in the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 19, 2022

Sandstorm engulfs Baghdad turning sky orange with thousands struggling to breathe

Hundreds living in Baghdad and Iraq's southern cities have been admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties as a series of heavy sandstorms continue to batter the country

Daily Mirror · May 16, 2022

Iraqi merchants struggle on amid series of strong sandstorms

Iraqi merchants say they have no choice but adapt as the latest in an unrelenting series of intense sandstorms swept their country

The Independent UK · May 16, 2022

Briton, German deny smuggling antiquities in Iraq court

Two tourists — a Briton and a German — accused of smuggling ancient shards out of Iraq have appeared in yellow detainees’ uniforms in a Baghdad court

The Independent UK · May 15, 2022

Baghdad-Erbil Crisis Looms after Oil Talks Collapse

Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar has dropped a bombshell by acknowledging that no agreement has been reached with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over oil and energy, warning of a crisis erupting between Baghdad and Erbil. Last March, the Federal Supreme Court announced a binding and final decision for…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 9, 2022

Thousands Sick as Latest Severe Sandstorm Sweeps across Iraq

One person died in Iraq and more than 5,000 were treated in hospitals Thursday for respiratory ailments due to a sandstorm, the seventh in a month, the health ministry said. Duststorms have increased dramatically in frequency in Iraq in recent years, driven by soil degradation and intense droughts made worse…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 5, 2022

Ministers accused of abandoning UK geologist at risk of execution in Iraq

Family ‘baffled’ by Foreign Office after Jim Fitton arrested for taking pottery pieces from ancient site

The Guardian - UK · May 5, 2022

Severe dust storms in Iraq cause breathing problems for thousands - medics

A series of dust storms across central and southern Iraq have led to thousands of Iraqis attending hospitals and clinics to seek treatment for breathing problems, medical officials said on Thursday.

Reuters · May 5, 2022

Sandstorm suspends flights, many Iraqis struggle to breathe (old)

Hundreds of Iraqis have rushed to hospitals with breathing problems and the Baghdad airport suspended flights for several hours as a sandstorm blanketed the country, the fifth within a month

The Independent UK · May 5, 2022

Iraq: Katyusha Targets House of Anti-Corruption Official

The Iraqi Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency announced that a Katyusha rocket targeted the home of the Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary for Intelligence. The agency issued a statement announcing that the house of Lt-Gen Ahmed Abu Ragheef was targeted by a Katyusha rocket in Baghdad’s Karrada area on Wednesday morning. Prime…

Asharq Al-Awsat · May 5, 2022