[Published here January 22, 2021]
Twin suicide blasts in Baghdad claimed by the Islamic State group have exposed gaps within Iraq’s security forces, weakened by the Covid-19 pandemic, rival armed groups and political tensions.
Continue readingsecurity
Twin suicide attacks hit Baghdad | DW
On January 21, 2021, I was hosted by DW English for a brief update from Baghdad on that day’s twin suicide attack on a commercial district in Baghdad, which were later claimed by the Islamic State group.
The full video is available below.
One year after US killed Iran general, Iraq tensions boil | AFP
[Produced with my colleague Ammar Karim and published here December 31, 2020]
One year after US forces assassinated Iran’s most storied commander, tensions are boiling between Iraq’s Washington-backed premier and pro-Tehran forces that accuse him of complicity in the Baghdad drone strike.
Continue readingFood Security, Economy, and Accountability in the Wake of the Beirut Blast | TIMEP
I had the privilege of moderating a discussion hosted by the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy on food security in Lebanon, where a currency crisis and the port blast have made imported foods harder to access than ever.
You can find the full discussion below, or here.
Don’t ‘politicise’ electricity, Iraq minister urges as summer nears | AFP
[Published here May 15, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – With temperatures rising on both the weather and security fronts across the region, Iraq’s freshman electricity minister is warning that politicising his country’s power sector could have ripple effects around the world.
Syrians in exile search for answers in leaked ‘wanted list’ | AFP
[Published here April 5, 2018]
Desperate to find out if they can ever return home, Syrians exiled by their country’s uprising-turned-war are scouring a leaked database of people reportedly wanted by the intelligence services. Typing in first, last and father’s names into the online list, Syrians abroad hold their breath to learn if a long-awaited visit to Damascus would land them in government prison or potentially far worse.
Where does Syria’s opposition stand ahead of new talks? | AFP
[Published here on February 21, 2017]
Beirut (AFP) – Syrian opposition figures will return to Geneva on Thursday for new UN-sponsored talks with President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on their country’s six-year conflict.
Amnesty accuses Syria of mass hangings in infamous jail | AFP
[Published here on February 7, 2017]
Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Syria’s government of hanging up to 13,000 people at a notorious prison over five years in a “policy of extermination”, two weeks before planned peace talks.
Mosul battle leaving legacy of environmental damage | AFP
[Published here on December 12, 2016]
Qayyarah, Iraq // The battle to retake Mosul from ISIL is leaving a legacy of environmental damage and health risks that will pose dangers to people for years to come.
Iraqi firefighters battle to tame IS oil well fires | AFP
[Published here on November 20, 2016]
Clad in red helmets and surgical masks, the firefighters emerged exhausted from the massive column of smoke streaming almost incessantly out of an oil well in northern Iraq.
MAYA GEBEILY 