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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)
Jan 30, 2009

Elections: THE Iraq story

Plus: *Elections and Oil *Background and context for historic provincial vote *Oil big in the SIGIR quarterly report to Congress *Minister of Planning calls for privatizing oil sector *Japan-Iraq strike strategic agreement, including oil sector *Chevron exec cagey optimistic on Iraq oil *Iraq oil unions unite workers for upcoming conference *Oil price hits Iraq economy, […]

Dec 11, 2008

Oil hub Kirkuk sees massive bombing during political lunch

EDITOR'S NOTE: Two people have pointed out corrections, or rather clarifications, that it is necessary to make to this post. I have left the original as a reminder of the risk of becoming detached. 1. The second paragraph of the first story should read: Yaseen Taha and Adam Ashton offer the most personal account and […]

Oct 7, 2008

Iraq oil and violence: the next Nigeria?

Plus: *Lukoil blames Shahristani for West Qurna deal *March deadline for first bids on oil and gas fields *December date for announcing second round *Oil and Electricity ministries combine forces on Mussaib topping plant * Alive in Baghdad: Baghdad Security Plan Burdens Residents * Turkey and the PKK, SOFA and more Recurrent violence in oil-rich […]

Jul 15, 2008

Iraqi oil contracts hold key to peace?

Dr. Mahmoud Othman, a lawmaker with the Kurdistan block in the federal Parliament in Baghdad, has denied statements attributed to him by the press saying that the Kurdistan Regional Government's oil contracts are illegal, the KRG said in a press statement. Dr. Othman has requested the Kurdistan Regional Government issue a statement on his behalf […]

Apr 1, 2008

Iraqi-born Ayatollah bans attacks on Iraq oil sector…

Plus: *Shell CEO confirms ready to help Iraq oil *Who controls Iraq’s oil? *Battles of Basra and oil *Violence deaths up in Iraq *Iraqis resent Green Zone Lebanon's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah has issued a religious edict banning attacks on Iraq's oil industry and other public infrastructure, Naharnet reports. Fadlallah also […]

Mar 31, 2008

Basra break in violence allows oil workers to leave, head to work…

Plus: *The State of Basra *Crescent Petroleum sponsors Iraqi universities in oil confab *Oil deals unlikely for months *Iraq war drains U.S. budget for fuel *Iraqi parties prevent ban on honor killing *Japan-Iraq collaboration A lull in fighting in the oil-rich province of Basra allowed oil field workers to return to work, ensuring output of […]

Mar 28, 2008

Pipeline blast in southern Iraq fixed, oil flow rerouted …

*But danger looms as workers can’t get to work *Those at stations since Tuesday running out of supplies, food and sleep *Basra violence threatens oil investment *Recap of violence from Basra to Baghdad *Port workers say military aims is to privatize *Humanitarian aid desperately needed but unable to reach Basra *KRG posts electricity tenders Iraq […]

Mar 27, 2008

Basra fight takes toll on Iraq oil production and exports…

Pipelines hit Workers can’t leave/get to work A peek at the Basra oil infrastructure Iraqi military "stalled," Maliki vows fight "to the end" Security of late threatened Bush: Nationalized oil harming Iraq, "legacy" of Saddam Bush: Losing the Iraq war "endanger" oil in Iraq U.S. gives $2.5M to train engineers The Iraq Press Roundup Oil […]

Mar 26, 2008

Fighting in Iraq’s oil capital Basra isn’t the first bloodshed between varying political and armed groups but may be the decisive battle for control over the oil sector, local government and the fate of the province.

The violence that has killed dozens and injured hundreds since Tuesday is billed as Iraq's military against "criminals, terrorist forces and outlaws," in the words of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who this week launched an Iraqi Security Forces offensive into Basra, Ben Lando reports for United Press International. But political parties and their militias […]