Demonstrations roil southern provinces in response to the former PM's visit, highlighting destabilizing rivalries within and among Shia political blocs.
Before they were driven out of Qayarah, IS militants destroyed a refinery that powered the economy of Ninewa province. Now, it's a focal point in efforts to rebuild.
Pushing into Mosul's eastern suburbs, special forces are weathering deadly counter-attacks as they gird for weeks of tough urban warfare.
After a scorched-earth retreat toward Mosul, IS militants leave behind a public health crisis and a population reeling from two years of brutality.
Even as they lose ground around Mosul, IS militants showed their capacity for guerilla warfare, deploying 100-man squads to exploit security gaps in Kirkuk and Anbar.
Kurdish forces cordon off villages around Bashiqa, north of Mosul, pushing their front lines within 9 kilometers of the city.
Three improvised explosive devices have hit Basra city in the past three days, highlighting ongoing security problems.
IS militants aggressively defend villages around Mosul in a day of grinding battles and casualties.
A multi-pronged offensive by various Iraqi security forces marks the start of Iraq’s climactic battle against the Islamic State group.
Iraqi forces are in final position to begin their assault on IS militants in Mosul, awaiting only an official order from Prime Minister Abadi, which many officers expect early Sunday.
