Airstrikes killed two Popular Mobilization Forces fighters and targeted positions in Nineveh and a military airport in Salah al-Din early Thursday amid broader regional conflict; the Iran-aligned paramilitary group condemned the strikes as part of escalating attacks across Iraq (Al Jazeera)
U.S. Embassy Struck in Missile Attack
Iraqi security sources stated that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was struck in a missile attack (Reuters)
The missile reportedly struck a helipad within the compound; no injuries were reported (Reuters;The Hill)
Six Killed in U.S. KC-135 Crash
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, said it shot down a U.S. KC-135 military refueling aircraft in western Iraq on Thursday, claiming the attack was carried out to defend the country’s sovereignty and airspace (Reuters)
While the group claimed responsibility, U.S. Central Command stated that the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire (AP)
All six crew members of the aircraft were killed in the crash (WaPo)
Iran Claims Responsibility as Tanker Attacks Halt Iraqi Oil Operations
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed responsibility for setting two oil tankers ablaze off the Iraqi coast Thursday, saying one vessel had ignored warnings; Iraqi authorities suspended all oil terminal operations in response as the strikes deepened Middle East disruptions to the global energy supply (NYT)
U.S. Condemns Drone Strike on Diplomatic Facility in Baghdad
The U.S. State Department condemned a drone attack on a major American diplomatic support facility in Baghdad, blaming Iran-backed militias and coordinating with Iraqi authorities to strengthen protections for U.S. personnel; the statement followed a Tuesday assault in which six drones targeted the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center near the airport, with five intercepted and one striking near a guard tower without reported casualties (WaPo)
UAE Condemns Drone Attack on Erbil Consulate
The United Arab Emirates condemned a drone attack on its consulate in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, after the region’s counter-terrorism service downed three drones in the area, with debris from one falling near the consulate; no casualties were reported (Reuters)
Drone Strikes Kurdish Opposition Group Headquarters
A drone struck an arms depot in the headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in Dekala, a town in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, injuring two fighters; the attack comes as U.S. President Donald Trump recently spoke to Kurdish leaders and remains open to supporting armed militias in Iran, according to U.S. officials (WSJ)
Kataib Hezbollah Threatens Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE
Kataib Hezbollah issued a threat to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates; the threat was made in response to claims that American aircraft that struck its camps took off from a Jordanian airbase, and anger towards Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s criticisms of Iranian missile and drone attacks (AP)
Meanwhile, multiple drones targeted areas near the U.S. consulate region; AP journalists also reported missile and drone attacks being intercepted over Irbil, part of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region (AP)
Protests Erupt Over U.S.-Israel Strikes on Iran
Demonstrations against U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran and the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei grew violent as police forces fired stun grenades and tear gas to disperse pro-Iranian protestors outside the Green Zone diplomatic compound, where the U.S. Embassy is located in Baghdad (Reuters)
Turkey to Accept Citizens in ISIS Detainee Transfers
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that Ankara agreed to take back Turkish citizens who are among the thousands of self-proclaimed Islamic State detainees being transferred from Iraq to Syria (Reuters)
Iraq Approves Settlement With Russia’s Lukoil
The Iraqi cabinet approved a settlement with Russia’s Lukoil regarding the transfer of the West Qurna 2 oil field to the state-run Basra oil company; last month, Iraq nationalized the oil field after the United States imposed sanctions on Lukoil to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine (Reuters)
Around 3,000 Prisoners Transferred From Syria
Iraq’s Foreign Minister stated that around three thousand self-proclaimed Islamic State detainees were transferred from Syria to Iraq; he noted that Baghdad required financial aid to deal with the influx and that he was concerned about a potential uptick in self-proclaimed IS activities in Syria (Reuters)
Former Senior Officer Executed
Iraq announced that Saadoun Sabri al-Qaisi, a major general under the rule of Saddam Hussein, was executed by hanging for his involvement in the 1980 killing of Mohammed Baqir al-Sadr, a prominent Shiite cleric; the National Security service said that al-Qaisi was arrested last year and convicted of “grave crimes against humanity” (AP)
United States Continues Prison Transfers From Syria to Iraq
The United States transported a third group of self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) detainees from Ghwayran prison in Syria’s Hasakah province to Iraq; Saad Maan, the head of security information cell attached to the Iraqi prime minister’s office, confirmed that specialized teams began investigations to classify individuals according to their respective threat levels (Al Jazeera)
Iraq’s Shia Coalition Splits as U.S. Blocks al-Maliki Bid
Iraq’s Shia-led Coordination Framework remains divided over backing Nouri al-Maliki for prime minister after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Washington would cut aid if he returns to office; while pro-Maliki factions insist on pushing his candidacy as a matter of sovereignty, rival Shia leaders argue U.S. pressure and economic risks require an alternative candidate (Al Jazeera)
Separately, a man wearing an explosives-laden belt blew himself up during his arrest in a raid conducted in Qaim district; the detonation killed the man and injured two security members (AP)
Maliki Rejects U.S. Pressure on Iraq
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said he opposes U.S. interference in Iraq’s internal politics after President Donald Trump warned Washington could withdraw support if Maliki returned to office (Reuters)
U.S.-Iraq Leadership Tensions
The United States would “no longer help Iraq” if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power, Trump wrote on social media (Truth Social)
Earlier in the day, an Iraqi parliamentary election to select the country’s next president was delayed to allow parties to hold further consultations (Al Jazeera)
Iraq to Prosecute ISIS Detainees Transferred From Syria
Iraq said it will investigate and prosecute detainees affiliated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State, including prisoners moved after Syrian government forces seized the al-Hol camp and a prison in Shaddadeh (AP)
The move comes as intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri warned that ISIS’s ranks in Syria are expanding rapidly and pose a renewed threat to Iraq (WaPo).
Dominant Political Bloc Nominates Al-Maliki for Prime Minister
Iraq’s Coordination Framework nominated former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as its prime ministerial candidate after caretaker premier Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stepped aside (AP)
United States Applies Pressure Over Iran-Backed Armed Groups
The United States warned Iraqi leaders that Washington could restrict Iraq’s access to its oil revenue if Iran-backed armed groups join the next government (Reuters)
U.S. Military Transfers ISIS Detainees From Syria to Iraq
The United States military began transferring 150 detainees of the self-proclaimed Islamic State from al-Hol Camp in northeastern Syria to secure facilities in Iraq; the transfer followed Syrian government forces’ seizure of the camp from the Syrian Democratic Forces (AP)
Iraq Takes Full Control of Ain al-Asad Airbase After U.S. Withdrawal
Iraq’s army assumed full control of the Ain al-Asad air base in western Anbar province after U.S. forces withdrew under a previously agreed drawdown plan (Reuters)
Al-Sudani Steps Aside, Clearing Path for Al-Maliki in Power Struggle
Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stepped aside even though his bloc won the most seats in Iraq’s November election; he agreed to clear the way for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki after the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework failed to agree on a candidate (AP)
Post Election Talks Expose Power of Armed Factions
Political blocs in Iraq are negotiating to form a new government after an inconclusive election as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani struggles to secure backing from the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework; simultaneously, the growing influence of militia-linked parties and the future of the Popular Mobilization Forces complicate efforts to balance pressure from the United States and Iran (AP)
UN Chief Visits Baghdad as UNAMI Ends
Secretary-General António Guterres visited Baghdad to mark the end of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, the UN political mission established after the 2003 invasion, as Iraqi leaders said the closure reflects the country’s move toward full self-reliance (AP)