[Published here November 28, 2018]
Iraq’s broken electricity sector is planning a long-awaited overhaul to both meet US pressure to halt Iranian power imports and head off summertime protests over chronic cuts.
Author: Maya Gebeily
To reclaim Baghdad, Iraqi artists grapple with its ghosts | AFP
[Published here on November 24, 2018]
Dressed in a multi-coloured beanie and grey sneakers, Zaid Saad had just finished setting up his contemporary art exhibit on Baghdad’s sandy riverbank when police showed up.
Iraq gets US sanctions break to keep the lights on | AFP
[Written with my colleague Ammar Karim and published here on November 8, 2018]
Iraq has won an exemption allowing it to buy Iranian electricity despite US sanctions, as the country plagued by chronic power shortages walks a tightrope between rivals Washington and Tehran.
With US measures imposed Monday taking aim at Iran’s banking and energy industries, there were concerns Iraq — which heavily relies on its eastern neighbour for electricity and consumer goods — would be caught in the crossfire.
More than 200 mass graves found in former IS territory in Iraq, UN says | AFP
[Published here November 6, 2018]
More than 200 mass graves containing up to 12,000 victims have been found so far in Iraq that could hold vital evidence of war crimes by the Islamic State group, the UN said Tuesday.
The United Nations in Iraq (UNAMI) and its human rights office said they had documented a total of 202 mass graves in parts of western and northern Iraq held by IS between 2014 and 2017.
Beirut to Baghdad
Hello all,
After more than three years covering Syria at AFP’s Beirut office, I’m thrilled to announce I’ll be joining the agency’s Baghdad bureau to report on Iraq. I am humbled by and extremely grateful for those who have shared their stories with grace, generosity, and dignity — whether by Whatsapp or in a warzone. Reporting on this horrible conflict and its wide-reaching ramifications has opened my eyes, and hopefully AFP’s readers can say the same.
As I move on to a new bureau, my focus will shift from Syria and Lebanon to Iraq. I am thrilled to dive into a new story and a new home. As always, tips, recommendations, and story ideas can be commented here or emailed at (firstname.lastname@gmail.com).
If you’re interested in keeping up with me as I get to know Iraq, give me a follow on Twitter and Instagram. And if you haven’t yet, sign up for my newsletter here. You’ll receive an email every time I publish a new article, or when we’re following a major story out of Baghdad.
Thank you for your readership and your support.
All the best,
Maya
Syrians in ex-rebel zones struggle after aid groups withdraw | AFP
[Published here October 8, 2018]
Beirut (AFP) – Tens of thousands of Syrians in areas recaptured by government troops this year remain starved of humanitarian aid, with the relief agencies helping them for years now unable to reach them.
As clock ticks, little progress visible on Idlib deal | AFP
[A joint piece with colleague Tony Gamal Gabriel, published here on October 4, 2018]
The clock is ticking to implement a Russian-Turkish deal for the Syrian rebel region of Idlib, but its terms remain hazy and little has changed on the ground.
Confusion among Syria rebels as Idlib deadline nears | AFP
[A joint piece with Beirut’s Deputy Bureau Chief Layal Abou Rahal, published here on October 1, 2018]
With a deadline for establishing a demilitarised zone around Syria’s Idlib inching closer, confusion and apprehension is rife among Turkish-backed rebels who fear it will cost them their last stronghold.
Live from Idlib, an American broadcasts from Syria’s last rebel zone | AFP
[Published here on September 23, 2018]
Beirut (AFP) – Pointing to a green screen as if presenting a weather forecast, Bilal Abdul Kareem analyses the Turkish-Russian deal over Syria’s Idlib, broadcasting in his native English from inside the war-torn country’s last rebel stronghold.
Foreign fighters in Syria’s Idlib face last stand | AFP
[Published here on September 10, 2018]
Hailing from far and wide, they flocked to Syria to wage “holy war”. Now foreign jihadists face a fight to the last to hold onto Idlib, their final bastion.
MAYA GEBEILY 