Iraqi officials have begun excavating a mass grave near Mosul, believed to contain thousands of victims of the Islamic State (ISIS) group. This initial phase focuses on gathering visible remains and preparing for a full exhumation, which will require international assistance. Authorities estimate thousands of bodies may be buried at the site, known as Khasfa, including Iraqi army and police personnel, Yazidis, and other victims. The excavation is a crucial step in identifying victims and bringing closure to families, with DNA collection and database creation as essential first steps to ensure proper identification.
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Overnight drone attacks, attributed to Iranian-allied Iraqi militias, targeted several military bases, including Ain al-Asad, causing significant damage to radar systems. These attacks, likely a response to potential US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, targeted bases under Iraqi military control, though US personnel are stationed at Ain al-Asad. Despite the damage, no US or Iraqi personnel were injured. With a fragile ceasefire emerging, there’s growing fear that such actions could destabilize the peace process in Iraq, especially given prior warnings from militia contacts.
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Reports of drone attack near Baghdad airport at Victory Base have started to surface, and it seems like we’re wading into some complicated territory. The initial details are still emerging, but the core of the issue revolves around an unmanned aircraft targeting an outpost at Taji military base, located in northern Baghdad. Thankfully, according to the Commander of Baghdad Operations, Lieutenant General Walid Al-Tamimi, there were no reported casualties from this incident.
Now, here’s where things get interesting, and where the confusion, and perhaps, the potential for escalation, starts to brew. The first thing that pops into mind is the recent, and let’s be honest, incredibly short-lived ceasefire between Israel and Iran.… Continue reading
Iraq is urging the United States to prevent Israeli aircraft from utilizing Iraqi airspace for strikes against Iran. This request highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region and Iraq’s precarious position caught between powerful neighbors. The situation underscores the long-standing tensions between Israel and Iran, with Iraq caught in the middle, unwilling to become a battleground.
Iraq’s plea is not simply a matter of national sovereignty; it reflects a deep-seated concern about the potential for escalation. Allowing Israeli aircraft to freely transit Iraqi airspace normalizes the violation of its sovereignty, potentially emboldening future actions, while simultaneously risking increased Iranian retaliation against Iraq for tolerating such overflights.… Continue reading
The US embassy in Iraq is reportedly preparing for a potential ordered evacuation due to escalating security concerns. This isn’t a decision taken lightly, especially considering the embassy’s robust design and extensive security measures. It’s been described as one of the most fortified structures in the world, a testament to the considerable investment – reportedly around $7 billion – in its construction. The fact that evacuation is even being considered underscores the gravity of the perceived threat.
The timing of this potential evacuation is particularly noteworthy. It coincides with heightened tensions in the region, as evidenced by a recent UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) advisory warning of increased regional tensions and the potential for escalating military activity.… Continue reading
In a joint operation with Iraqi forces, a U.S. airstrike in Anbar Province eliminated Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadijah, the number two leader of ISIS. Al-Rifai oversaw global operations, logistics, planning, and a significant portion of the group’s finances. The strike, announced by U.S. Central Command and President Trump, represents a significant blow to the terrorist organization. Despite territorial losses, ISIS remains a threat, particularly given the instability in Syria.
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Pope Francis’s new autobiography, “Hope,” reveals two thwarted assassination attempts during his 2021 Iraq trip. British intelligence warned of a female suicide bomber en route to Mosul and a speeding van carrying similar intent. Iraqi authorities apprehended and neutralized both threats, as confirmed to the Pope by the Vatican Gendarmerie. This high-risk visit, the first papal trip to Iraq, demonstrated Francis’ commitment to supporting Iraqi Christians and fostering interfaith dialogue, including a historic meeting with Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani.
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Iraq is considering lowering the age of consent for girls to nine years old. This deeply disturbing proposal has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The sheer thought of legalizing sexual acts with children of that age is appalling, and the implications are devastating. There is no scenario in which a nine-year-old can genuinely consent to sexual activity; it is fundamentally impossible. This isn’t about consent; it’s about the legalization of the rape of children.
The fact that this amendment is even being considered is terrifying. The potential consequences for the well-being and safety of young girls are catastrophic. It normalizes and enables horrific abuse, setting a dangerous precedent with far-reaching repercussions.… Continue reading
Iraq is poised to drastically lower its legal marriage age from 18 to just nine for girls and 15 for boys, sparking significant backlash both domestically and internationally. The proposed amendment, championed by conservative Shia Islamist parties, would allow for child marriage and grant religious leaders greater control over family issues, effectively stripping women of vital rights such as divorce, child custody, and inheritance. This proposed amendment would further exacerbate the already prevalent issue of child marriage in Iraq, where over 28% of women are married by the age of 18. While many countries around the world have set the legal age for marriage at 18, Iraq’s proposed amendment would place it among a handful of countries with the lowest legal marriage ages, prompting concerns about the safety and well-being of young girls.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood