Iraq - The African Mirror

Feb

2024

By PHIL STEWART, IDREES ALI and TIMOUR AZHARI

U.S. launches strikes in Iraq, Syria, nearly 40 reported killed

THE United States launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, reportedly killing nearly 40 people, in retaliation for a deadly attack on U.S. troops. The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in response to the attack last weekend in Jordan by Iran-backed militants, and more U.S. military operations are expected in the coming days. The strikes intensified a conflict that has spread into the region since war erupted between Israel and Hamas after the militant Palestinian group's deadly assault…

Feb

2024

By The African Mirror

Iran won’t start a war but will respond to bullies, says president

WORLD

IRAN will not start a war but would "respond strongly" to anyone who tried to bully it, President Ebrahim Raisi said, a day after the U.S. said it was planning attacks on Iranian sites in Iraq and Syria. There has been mounting speculation this week about how Washington might retaliate after three U.S. soldiers were killed last Saturday in a strike on their base in Jordan by an Iranian-backed group. CBS News, citing U.S. officials, reported on Thursday that the United States had approved plans for multi-day strikes in Iraq and Syria against multiple targets, including Iranian personnel and facilities in those…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

No regrets from the Iraqi who threw his shoes at Bush

WORLD

MAHER NAZEH IRAQI journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi gained fame for hurling his shoes at President George W. Bush in a news conference to show his anger at the corruption and chaos that followed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. He is still furious. "The same people who entered 20 years ago with the occupier are still ruling despite failures and corruption. The United States knows very well that it brought in pseudo politicians," he told Reuters, recounting his actions back in 2008 during the Baghdad media briefing. Bush, who was standing next to then-Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, ducked to avoid the…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

‘Every victim of Saddam Hussein was waiting for this moment’

WORLD

CHARLOTTE BRUNEAU SADDAM Hussein's trial in 2005, two years after he was ousted by a U.S.-led invasion, was a chance for Ali Hassan al-Haidari to avenge the execution of his brothers and others from his village who were killed by the Iraqi dictator's security forces. "Every victim of Saddam Hussein was waiting for this moment," said Haidari, one of the few people who was ready to show his face when giving testimony to the court that sent the former Iraqi strongman to the gallows. "The one oppressed during Saddam's time was now standing there and asking for the rights of the oppressed,"…

May

2022

By The African Mirror

Ghana’s human trafficking scourge

HUMAN RIGHTS

JAMILA AKWELEY OKERTCHIRI “It feels like yesterday when I was deceived by one man who claimed to be a travelling agent. He promised me a work opportunity and a good salary,” says 25-year-old Cissy, as she prefers to be called. “As a young lady coming from an average family who really needed help, I fell for his lies.” Cissy says although she was a bit sceptical about the offer and afraid of her destination country, the so-called travel agent convinced her that she had nothing to worry about. “He said I had a host mom who would receive me at…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Russia to resume flights with Kenya from September 21

COVID-19

RUSSIA will resume passenger flights with Spain, Iraq, Kenya and Slovakia from September 21, the government said on Monday and will increase the number of airports with flights to Turkey and Egypt. Russia imposed wide-ranging travel restrictions at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, many of which remain in force, but has gradually expanded the list of countries for air travel. Russia's coronavirus task force said it had decided flights could resume after it had assessed the epidemiological situation in those countries. From September 21, there will be four return Moscow flights each week with Madrid, Barcelona…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Pope Francis holds historic meeting with Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric

RELIGION

POPE Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani yesterday, in a powerful appeal for coexistence in a country torn by sectarianism and violence. Their meeting in the holy city of Najaf, during a whirlwind and risky tour of Iraq by Francis, was the first time a pope has met with such a senior Shi'ite cleric. After the meeting, Sistani, one of the most important figures in Shi'ite Islam, called on world religious leaders to hold great powers to account and for wisdom and sense to prevail over war. The pope also called for…