Security

Basra tanker attack marks deepening crisis for Iraq oil sector

Iraq is facing a widening array of security threats and economic consequences from the Iran war.

Iraqi ports director Farhan al-Fartousi (right) conducts an inspection on March 12, 2026, of the site of an Iranian attack on oil tankers the previous night. (Photo credit: General Company for Ports of Iraq)

Feb 27, 2015

Fighting continues in key Anbar town

IS fighters are continuing to launch attacks on the strategically important town of al-Baghdadi, in Anbar province, days after pro-government forces reasserted control of the area.

Feb 27, 2015

Anbar battle highlights IS challenge

Elite Iraqi forces have repelled a siege by IS militants that threatened to choke transit routes to a base for U.S. military training and coordination.

Feb 19, 2015

Security woes dash Iraq gas plans

The rise of the IS group has taken the Akkas and Mansuriya projects offline indefinitely, stalling development at the foundation of Iraq's gas strategy.

Feb 11, 2015

Q&A: Peshmerga General Secretary Jabar Yawar

The chief of Kurdistan's Peshmerga forces discusses the fight against IS militants and new efforts to train irregular forces.

Feb 3, 2015

Workers, oil field survive IS assault

IS fighters launched a multi-pronged assault on Kirkuk area villages and oil infrastructure, but they were ultimately repelled, and hostages survived by tricking the militants.

Jan 27, 2015

Officials confirm Baghdad airplane shooting

Flights at Baghdad airport have been cancelled, but Transport Ministry assures safety after a Fly Dubai plane took machine gun fire.

Jan 13, 2015

Iraqi forces repel IS attacks on key locations

Despite taking heavy losses, Iraqi security forces defended the Baiji refinery and Erbil from a multi-pronged weekend offensive by IS militants.

Dec 23, 2014

Baiji refinery ‘more than a year’ from re-start

Iraq's largest oil refinery remains offline with damage assessments incomplete, attacks continuing, and the government unable to control intake or outflow pipeline routes.

Dec 18, 2014

Anbar overwhelmed by insurgent attacks

IS militants have launched a multi-pronged offensive, reversing tentative gains by pro-government forces and sinking the province deeper into chaos.

Dec 9, 2014

Q & A: Shia militia commander Ali Jamal Hussein

A senior commander of Saraya al-Khorasani, a powerful militia in northern Iraq, denies accusations of sectarian cleansing against Sunnis and discusses training and support from Iran.