About: Iraq
Mosul reconstruction to give UNESCO chance to revive fortunes
The United Nations’ cultural agency wants to use the reconstruction of Iraq’s second city Mosul as a way to restore its credibility and show how a fraying multilateral order can be revived, its director general said on Monday (10 September).
Turkey vows to launch new cross-border military operations
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday (6 May) said Turkey would launch cross-border offensives, like previous military operations in Syria, in the "new era" after snap polls on 24 June.
Syria donors fall short without US aid, warn of cruel end-game
International donors raised $4.4 billion in emergency aid for Syria and its neighbours this year on Wednesday (25 April), but the total fell well short of the UN target for 2018 after the United States failed to submit a pledge.
EU unveils strategy to stabilise Iraq following territorial defeat of ISIS
The EU's foreign affairs chief and the European Commission adopted yesterday (8 January) a Joint Communication proposing an EU strategy for Iraq in order to address the many challenges the country faces following the territorial defeat of Islamic State.
Netanyahu makes appearance at EU foreign affairs meeting
Today’s (11 December) Foreign Affairs Council begins with a discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against the background of the decision of US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalm as the capital of Israel.
Baghdad piles pressure on Iraqi Kurds to reverse overwhelming independence vote
Baghdad heaped pressure on Iraq’s Kurds yesterday (27 September), demanding they cancel their overwhelming vote for independence while parliament urged the Iraqi central government to send troops to take control of vital oil fields held by Kurdish forces.
At UN, Erdogan demands Iraqi Kurds call off referendum, warns of ‘consequences’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday (19 September) demanded that Iraqi Kurds call off a referendum on independence, hinting at consequences if they go ahead.
Iraq, Turkey step up pressure over Kurdish independence vote
Iraq and Turkey yesterday (14 September) stepped up the pressure on Iraqi Kurdistan over its planned independence referendum, as the governor of oil-rich Kirkuk province that decided to take part in the vote was sacked.
EU hails liberation of Mosul from Islamic State
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Sunday (9 July) hailed the liberation of Mosul, Iraq’s second city, as a decisive step in the campaign to eliminate terrorist control in parts of the country and to free its people.
EU considers Iraq security mission after Mosul falls
The European Union will consider sending a new security mission to help stabilise Iraq after the expected recapture of Mosul from Islamic State, EU foreign ministers said on Monday (19 June).
Lessons from Iraq and India on building ‘resilient’ recovery after disasters
Examples of how to rebuild resilient societies in the wake of natural disasters and man-made conflicts, from countries are varied as Iraq and India, were on offer during the second day of the EU Development Days conference in Brussels on Thursday (8 June).
Europol probing IS setting up of social network
European police are probing whether the Islamic State group and other extremists are setting up a social network to spread propaganda, gain funding and avoid security crackdowns, an official said Wednesday (3 May).
Senior Arab diplomat derides EU migrant discourse
A distinguished Arab diplomat remarked that EU politicians and think tank representatives did not make use of keywords such as “Iraq” or “Islam” while discussing the Union’s relations with its neighbours and the refugee crisis for several hours.
Global backlash grows against Trump’s immigration order
The global backlash against US President Donald Trump's immigration curbs gathered strength yesterday (29 January) as several countries including long-standing American allies criticised the measures as discriminatory and divisive.
Visegrád and migration: Few prospects for a change in position
With Slovakia handing over the EU presidency to Malta and agreement on a new EU asylum system out of sight, the Visegrád Group remains in opposed to compulsory refugee relocation. EURACTIV Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland, and Budapest's Political Capital, report.
Frontex: Arrivals of refugees to EU by sea two-thirds lower in 2016
The number of asylum seekers reaching the European Union by sea fell by two-thirds in 2016 due to a migration deal with Turkey but arrivals in Italy from North Africa hit an all-time high, the EU said on Friday (6 January).
EU flies in 40 tonnes of aid for besieged Mosul
The EU’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DG ECHO) department today (12 December) flew in 40 tonnes of aid to Mosul, the Iraq city under attack by the Islamic State group.
MEPs: EU should recognise ISIS crimes against the Yazidi as genocide
The European Parliament's 2016 Sakharov Prize will be awarded tomorrow (12 December) to Iraqi Yazidi survivors and activists. On this occasion, 104 MEPs signed a letter to EU’s foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, asking the EU to recognise the ISIS genocide against the Yazidis.
Rights groups expose flaws in EU counterterrorism directive
The European institutions reached an agreement yesterday (30 November) on a directive that is aimed at better equipping the EU with instruments to counter terrorism. But civil rights groups warned that it risks undermining fundamental freedoms.
Yazidi women win Parliament’s Sakharov prize
Yazidi activists Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, victims of sexual slavery carried out by Islamic State, have won the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize. EURACTIV Spain reports.
German weapon sales shoot through the roof
German weapons dealers have seen their exports top €4 billion in the first six months of this year alone. While small weapon sales fell, exports of small arms ammunition reached record highs. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Mosul offensive may send ISIS fighters back to Europe
Security Commissioner Julian King told Die Welt (18 October) that the anti-ISIS offensive created an increased risk of attacks in Europe. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière quickly refuted King's claim, saying the threat was already high. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU sounds out Egypt on possible refugee deal
Libya is not the only North African country that is playing host to a large number of refugees: Egypt finds itself in a similar position. Cairo has indicated its interest in brokering some form of agreement akin to the EU's deal with Turkey. EURACTIV Germany reports.