Ceasefire Reported In Iraq But Not Followed

  

Al Hurra reported that the ruling Coordination Framework got the pro-Iran Resistance to agree to a ceasefire. This has occurred several times in the past when the government tried to step in and stop violence perpetrated by factions that undermine the country’s stability.

 

Unfortunately it didn’t seem like this halt to attacks started on March 20. There were at least two waves of drones sent against the logistics center at the Baghdad airport.

 

The U.S. and Israel were active as well. The Turkmen 52^nd Hashd Brigade had its headquarters bombed in the Tuz Kharmato district of eastern Salahaddin which killed one and injured others. At night planes struck Jund al-Imam’s 6^th Hashd Brigade in Salahaddin as well.

 

Because of the war NATO decided to withdraw its forces from Iraq. They were operating out of a base in Baghdad but have now moved to a neighboring country. This comes after a French soldier was killed by a drone. NATO helps train the Iraqi forces.

 

On the oil front Iraq is exporting again but at a very small amount. It was reported this was coming from Kurdistan and Kirkuk but Iraq Oil Report found that Kurdish fields are still closed due to attacks. The Regional government has still not come to an agreement with Baghdad over its petroleum. The Kurds want to be able to run the new customs system on its ports but the central government is refusing. The Kurds also want their fields protected from attacks and Baghdad can’t guarantee that.

 

The Oil Ministry is going to try to ship southern oil north to the pipeline but it has limited capacity to do so. That means exports will stay at around 250,000 barrels a day. That is a faction of the 3.4 million that the country was selling before the war.

 

SOURCES

 

Agence France Presse, “NATO relocates Iraq mission due to Mideast war: Sources,” 3/20/26

 

Al Hurra, “Baghdad’s Skies Suddenly Fall Quiet: Alhurra Uncovers the Backstory,” 3/19/26

 

Iraq Oil Report, “Northern pipeline restart offers limited relief,” 3/20/26

 

Shafaq News, “Airstrike targets the Sixth Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Salah al-Din,” 3/20/26

- “Another explosion near Baghdad International Airport,” 3/20/26

- “Two drones targeted the vicinity of Baghdad International Airport,” 3/20/26

- “Two members of the Popular Mobilization Forces were killed and wounded in an airstrike in Salah al-Din,” 3/20/26