Americans Dominate Casualties In Iraq In Aug 2024

More than half of the casualties in Iraq in August 2024 were Americans. This resulted from an attack by pro-Iran groups and a joint Iraq-U.S. raid on an Islamic State camp. This was a decided change from previous months.

Security In Iraq Aug 15-21, 2024

There were two security incidents in Iraq from August 15-21.

Security In Iraq, Aug 1-7, 2024

Both the Islamic State and the Iraqi Islamic Resistance were active in Iraq during the first week of August.

New Round Of Attacks Upon US Troops In Iraq Leads To Retaliation In July 2024

During July the Islamic State was active for just one week and then absent the rest of the month. Pro-Iran groups however restarted attacks upon Iraqi bases that housed US troops and received a retaliatory attack by the Biden Administration in response.

US Continues To Push Iraq To Better Regulate Dollar Auctions To No Avail

(Al Sharqiya)

The United States continues to push the Iraqi government to better regulate its dollar auctions but it is a losing battle. At the start of February Baghdad banned 8 banks from the Central Bank of Iraq’s (CBI) currency sales to try to stop money laundering. This came after a visit by a delegation from the U.S. Treasury. In July 2023 another 14 banks were banned. A Treasury official said that Iraq needed to do more against pro-Iran groups abusing the financial system to raise funds.

Islamic State Picked Up Attacks In Iraq While Pro-Iran Groups Maintained Campaign Against US And Israel

The Islamic State has been increasing its attacks in Iraq in the last 3 months but they are still insignificant. Pro-Iran groups on the other hand have kept up a steady pace of operations against the U.S. and Israel over the Gaza War.

Is Iraq Serious About A US Withdrawal?

On January 29 an Iraqi government spokesman said that Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani wants the U.S. led Coalition to leave Iraq by the end of his term in office. This came after the first meeting between Baghdad and Washington to discuss a withdrawal. The question is whether Iraq is serious about this request or just playing politics with the issue.

Security In Iraq Jan 22-28, 2024

Security news during the fourth week of January was dominated by attacks by pro-Iran groups, which led to American retaliation. There was only one Islamic State incident but it was significant.

Pro-Iran Groups Continue Their Campaign Against US Forces In Iraq In Dec

Pro-Iran groups which are part of the Iraqi government’s Hashd al-Shaabi forces continued their offensive against US forces in December. The Islamic State was present as well but barely carried out any attacks.

Security In Iraq Dec 1-7, 2023

The Islamic State continues to disappear in Iraq but pro-Iran factions are continuing their campaign against US targets in the country over the war in Gaza.

Security In Iraq Nov 15-21, 2023

Iraqi security news during the third week of November was dominated by pro-Iran groups and American retaliation as there were no incidents by the Islamic State.

US Finally Retaliates Against Pro-Iran Groups In Iraq

(US Air Force)

Starting in October pro-Iran groups have been attacking Iraqi bases that house American troops to show that they stand with the Palestinians and against the Biden Administration’s backing of Israel. That escalated in November as ballistic missiles were employed for the first time leading to U.S. casualties. Washington responded with strikes on Hashd groups in Iraq.

Iraqi Groups Renew Attacks Upon US Targets In Retaliation For Gaza War

For five days pro-Iran groups in Iraq have launched attacks upon U.S. targets in Iraq. Ain Al-Asad airbase in Anbar and Al-Harir airbase in Irbil have been the prime targets. This is in retaliation for America’s support of Israel in its current war with Palestinians in Gaza.

US Pressure Leads To New Rules On Using Dollars In Iraq But Will They Work?

(Iraqi News)

The US government is constantly telling Baghdad it has to tighten up its control of American dollars to fight money laundering and sanctions busting. In September a delegation from Washington arrived in Iraq to meet with Central Bank of Iraq officials who issued new regulations afterwards. The problem is the banking system is controlled by the elite who want to manipulate the system to make money and support its friends in Tehran so whatever rules are created will never work.

US Strikes Pro-Iran Hashd Factions In Iraq, Unlikely To Change Anything

Funeral in Baghdad held for killed Kataib Hezbollah fighters (Sinan Mahmoud)

June 27 the Biden administration launched strikes upon three pro-Iran Hashd targets in Anbar province and eastern Syria. This was retaliation for a new wave of drone and rocket attacks upon the American presence in Iraq. It is unlikely to change the dynamics between the two sides.

1st Round Of US-Iraq Strategic Talks Affirm Status Quo

(Embassy of the Republic of Iraq)

The United States and Iraq held the first stage of strategic talks in April. There are Iraqi factions that want the American military to withdraw from the country so these discussions were much anticipated. The two sides did nothing but affirm the status quo.