Category: Iraq

At Least 82 Die in Baghdad COVID-19 Hospital Fire: Interior Ministry

BAGHDAD—A fire sparked by an oxygen tank explosion killed at least 82 people and injured 110 at a hospital in Baghdad that had been equipped to house COVID-19 patients, an Interior Ministry spokesman said on Sunday. “We urgently need to review safety measures at all hospitals to prevent such a painful incident from happening in…


Fire From Oxygen Tank Blast in Baghdad COVID-19 Hospital Kills 82

BAGHDAD—A fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion at a COVID-19 hospital in Baghdad took at least 82 lives and forced some people to leap through windows out of the burning building, witnesses and authorities said on Sunday. As rescuers combed the smoke-charred building, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi blamed negligence and suspended his Health Minister…


Canadian Special Forces Supported Major Iraqi Military Assault on ISIL Last Month

OTTAWA—The commander of Canada’s special forces says his soldiers supported a major military offensive last month that U.S. and Iraqi officials say killed dozens of Islamic State fighters. The two−week offensive codenamed Operation Ready Lion took place in a mountain range in northern Iraq  and involved using Iraqi and coalition airstrikes to flush ISIL fighters…


Rockets Fall Near Iraqi Base Hosting US Contractors

TIKRIT, Iraq—Two rockets fell on Sunday in a rural area close to an Iraqi military air base hosting some U.S. contractors, but there were no casualties, Iraqi security officials said. The rockets landed on the outside fence of the base, the Iraqi military said. Initial investigations showed attack aimed to strike Balad air base, north…


US and Iraq Will Hold Strategic Dialogue in April: White House

WASHINGTON—The United States and Iraq will hold a strategic dialogue in April and the meetings will clarify that coalition forces are in Iraq for training and advising Iraqi forces so ISIS terrorists cannot reconstitute, the White House said on Tuesday. “This will be an important opportunity to discuss our mutual interests across a range of…


US Will Do What’s Necessary to Defend Itself After Attack in Iraq, Austin Says

WASHINGTON—The United States will do what it sees as necessary to defend its interests after a rocket attack last week against Iraq’s Ain al-Sada airbase, which hosts American, coalition, and Iraqi forces, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Sunday. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week” program, Austin said the United States is urging Iraq to…


Pentagon: US Contractor Dies in Rocket Attack at Iraq Base

WASHINGTON—A U.S. contractor died Wednesday when at least 10 rockets slammed into an air base housing U.S. and other coalition troops in western Iraq, the Pentagon said. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said the contractor “suffered a cardiac episode while sheltering” and died shortly afterward. He said there were no service members injured and all are…


At Least 10 Rockets Hit Airbase in Iraq Hosting US Troops

BAGHDAD—At least 10 rockets targeted a military base in western Iraq that hosts U.S.-led coalition troops on Wednesday, the coalition and the Iraqi military said. It was not immediately known if there were any casualties. The rockets struck Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar province at 7:20 a.m., spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto said. Later, the Iraqi…


Iran Condemns US Air Strikes in Syria, Denies Attacks in Iraq

DUBAI—Iran on Saturday condemned U.S. air strikes against Iran-backed militias in Syria, and denied responsibility for rocket attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq that prompted Friday’s strikes. Washington said its strikes on positions of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group along the Iraq border were in response to the rocket attacks on U.S. targets in…


Senior Army Officer Becomes Australia’s Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism

Australia has appointed a former senior army officer, Roger Noble, as its ambassador for counter-terrorism. Noble, who most recently served as a Major General and Head of the defence force’s Military Strategic Commitments in Canberra, will represent Australia at international forums and lead international engagement on counter-terrorism. The former military leader, who holds multiple masters…