Iraqi amnesty law could free prisoners convicted of attacking US troops

Judicial sources and lawmakers confirmed that those convicted of attacks against American forces in Iraq could benefit from the law. Sunni blocs in the Iraqi parliament have been pushing for the law (Read more at Arabnews).

US Says Anti-ISIS Operation in Iraq Kills Coalition Soldier

It led to the death of a non-U.S. coalition soldier and wounded two other non-U.S. personnel. U.S. officials have said Islamic State is hoping to stage a comeback in Syria following the fall in December of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (Read more at Reuters).

US military convoy arrives in Syria from Iraq amid ongoing tensions

The US military convoy, including 50 trucks carrying armored vehicles, military equipment, and logistics, is on its way to one of the US military bases in the east and north of Syria through the Al-Waleed border crossing (Read more at News.AZ).

US Extends Restrictions For Commercial Flights Over Iraq Until 2027

The Federal Aviation Administration is extending the prohibition against flying below certain altitudes through October 2027 citing risks from Iranian-aligned militia groups' activities and third-party military operations. The restrictions also apply to foreign operators operating as code share flights for US carriers. Last month, the US Transportation Department fined Air Canada $250,000 for operating flights in 2022 and 2023 in prohibited Iraqi airspace (Read more at NDTV).

Rockets Target Base Hosting US Troops Near Baghdad Airport

"The Victory Base at Baghdad Airport was targeted with three rockets, two of which were shot down by the base's special defences, while the third fell near the headquarters of the Counter Terrorism Service Command," a security source said. A second security source said there were no casualties and that the incident had not affected air traffic (Read more at Barrons).

US Fines Air Canada Over Flights Over Prohibited Iraqi Airspace

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) determined that Air Canada had violated regulations by flying over Iraq, an airspace prohibited due to the risk of military conflict. This violation led to a fine of 338,000 dollars to the company (Read more at Flywest)

US announces coalition mission in Iraq to end by 2025, but US ‘not withdrawing

The US and Iraq have agreed “on a two phase transition plan for operations in Iraq,” the official said. “In the first phase, we’ll be concluding the global coalition’s military mission in Iraq, the Combined Joint Task Force Inherent Resolve, and ending the presence of coalition forces in certain locations in Iraq as mutually determined.” That phase will begin this month and finish by the end of September 2025. The second phase involves an “understanding to allow the coalition to continue to support counter-ISIS operations in Syria from Iraq … until at least September 2026,” the official said (Read more at Breaking Defense).

Centcom says four ISIS leaders killed in US-Iraq raid

US Central Command said that 14 ISIS operatives, among them four major figures in the group, had been killed as part of a joint raid in western Iraq on August 29. As part of the continuing post-raid assessment, Centcom can confirm that four ISIS leaders were killed. There were no civilian casualties, Centcom added (Read more at The National).

Two missiles fall near US forces in Baghdad

Kataib Hezbollah, one of Iraq’s armed factions, said the timing of the attack was clearly designed to disrupt a visit to Iraq by Iranian President. The group called on Iraqi security forces to investigate the attack and to determine who is responsible (Read more at Middle East Monitor).

US-Iraq Deal Would See Hundreds of Troops Withdraw in First Year

The United States and Iraq have reached an understanding on plans for the withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq. The U.S. and Iraq are also seeking to establish a new advisory relationship that could see some U.S. troops remain in Iraq after the drawdown (Read more at USNews).

Fifteen IS group operatives killed in joint US-Iraq raid in west Iraq

Also, seven US troops injured during a joint US-Iraq raid in western Iraq. The operation comes as Baghdad and Washington have been engaged in months of talks over the presence of anti-jihadist coalition forces in Iraq (Read more at France24).

Iraq seeks U.S. investment in gas for energy independence

Iraq seeks U.S. investment in gas as new projects target energy independence. The move is part of Baghdad's efforts to attract U.S. investment into its energy sector, following previous licensing rounds where Chinese firms secured the majority of available fields (Read more at Reuters).

US withdrawal from Iraq isn’t as simple as it looks

Writing from America, I can tell you that the US military presence in Iraq rarely makes headlines. Furthermore, there has been no meaningful debate about America’s presence in Iraq during the US presidential campaign. With all the factors in mind, it’s clear that a US withdrawal from Iraq in a realistic timeframe will not occur soon. It is in the interest of both sides that the US-Iraq military relationship evolves into a more traditional security partnership (Read more at Arabnews).

Iraq Buys Multi-Role Helicopters to fill the gaps caused by US withdrawal

Baghdad has officially signed a procurement contract with France. The purchase is for an air force fleet that covers all Iraqi operational zones as the country sets its sights on increasing its aerial power. Formerly known as the Eurocopter EC725 Caracal, the H225M is designed to enable military forces to deploy “wherever and whenever needed.” Apart from tactical transport, the helicopter can support special operations, combat search and rescue, and medical evacuation (Read more at Defense Post).

Drones Target Iraq Base Housing US-Led Coalition

One drone was shot down outside the base by defence systems, and the second exploded inside the base without causing any injuries or damage. A senior security official in Baghdad confirmed Tuesday’s attack, saying he believed it was meant to “embarrass” the Iraqi government and pressure the ongoing talks on the future of the international coalition in Iraq (Read more at Defense Post).

US Troops Targeted in Western Iraq

It followed another attack over the weekend in which rockets were fired from northern Iraq at a base in Syria that houses forces from the US-led coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group (Read more at Defense Post).

Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah denies saying it resumes attacks on US forces

The denial came hours after a post circulated on Telegram messaging app groups thought to be affiliated with the armed faction that declared a resumption in the attacks some three months after they were suspended. Yesterday, at least five rockets were launched from Iraq's town of Zummar towards a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria. The attack against U.S. forces is the first since early February when groups in Iraq stopped their attacks against U.S. troops (Read more at YahooNews).

Talks on US troops withdrawal mark 21st anniversary of Iraq invasion

The issue is expected to lead the discussions in upcoming visit of Iraqi Prime Minister to Washington. Unlike hardline Shiite militias, security officials and some politicians have voiced concern that Iraq can’t afford a complete and abrupt withdrawal of US troops from the country, even though there is a feeling today that their presence at this time causes more problems than solutions (Read more at The National).

US drones remain active over Iraq's airspace despite fragile ceasefire

US drone activity spans Baghdad, as well as provinces like Anbar, Nineveh, Erbil, and northern Babylon, despite a temporary cessation of attacks by Iraqi armed factions. the continued US drone operations pose a challenge to the Iraqi government's efforts to ease tensions with armed factions (Read more at NewArab).

Barzani’s visit to Washington tests US willingness to protect Iraqi Kurdistan

According to observers, Barzani’s visit marks a shift in the Biden administration’s policy and a desire to push for a more active US engagement with Erbil. The United States is hoping to transform Kurdistan into a major centre of gravity for American influence in Iraq, where the government is working to end the mission of US-led forces there (Read more at The Arab Weekly).

Iraqi armed groups dial down U.S. attacks on request of Iran commander

The commander, Esmail Qaani, met representatives of several of the armed groups in Baghdad airport less than 48 hours after Washington blamed the groups for the killing of three U.S. soldiers at the Tower 22 outpost in Jordan. Qaani, whose predecessor was killed by a U.S. drone near the same airport four years ago, told the factions that drawing American blood risked a heavy U.S. response, 10 of the sources said. Since Feb. 4 there have been no attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria (Read more at Reuters).

Iraqi Kurds concerned over move to end US-led coalition's mission to fight ISIS

Baghdad and Washington have held at least two rounds of talks since late last month to end the mission in Iraq of the US-led international coalition formed in 2014 to fight ISIS. The US has 2,500 troops in Iraq and a US withdrawal would probably increase concern in Washington about the influence of Iran over Iraq's ruling elite (Link).