Security

As Iraq tries to rein in paramilitary groups, oil sector threats remain

Several armed groups say they will put their weapons under state control, but the most aggressive Iran-backed fighters remain outside the process.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (center front) attends a ceremony on June 14, 2026, to mark the 12th anniversary of the creation of the Popular Mobilization Forces. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Sep 26, 2017

As Kurdistan casts independence vote, threats loom

The KRG oil sector is in the crosshairs of Iraq's Parliament and Turkey's president, who are seeking to stop the momentum of Kurdish secession after Monday's referendum.

Sep 22, 2017

Iraqi forces push north into IS-held Hawija

Despite a lack of close coordination with Peshmerga, federal security forces started an offensive to retake the IS group's last major stronghold in northern Iraq.

Sep 20, 2017

New offensive aims to retake western Anbar

Iraqi forces are advancing toward Ana, Rawa and al-Qaim – an operation that promises to clear the last major IS strongholds in Anbar province and reclaim the Akkas gas field.

Sep 15, 2017

Kurdistan referendum inflames territorial disputes

In the northern Iraqi town of Mandali, controversy over Kurdistan's planned independence vote unleashed unruly protests and rogue paramilitaries.

Sep 12, 2017

Hawija offensive hamstrung by Baghdad-Erbil mistrust

Long-standing disputes over Kirkuk and its oil threaten to turn allies against each other as they prepare to chase IS from one of its last strongholds in Iraq.

Aug 29, 2017

UPDATE: Foiled spy plot strains Turkey-KRG relations

PKK abducts four Turkish agents in Sulaimaniya who were allegedly targeting the group's leader, elevating tensions ahead of the KRG's controversial independence referendum.

Aug 20, 2017

Garraf oil field attacked

Production is unaffected, and the police chief says local residents are reacting to belief that oil operations are responsible for recent earthquakes.

Aug 17, 2017

IS insurgency targets energy sites, interrupting oil exports

Kirkuk pipeline exports were briefly offline after IS militants bombed high-voltage power lines – one of a dozen insurgent attacks to hit northern Iraq in the past week.

Aug 9, 2017

Rivers of crude spill from IS smuggling operation

IS militants are still stealing oil from wellheads in the mountains of Salahaddin province - in the process, unleashing a flood of oil that flows for miles.

Jul 18, 2017

Ajil oil field targeted in latest insurgent attacks

Despite losing Mosul, IS militants continue a steady stream of guerilla-style operations throughout northern Iraq, targeting oil infrastructure, local leaders, and rural villages.