Iraq

Elizabet Tsurkov reveals:

Torture, isolation and threats in captivity

In her first interview since returning to Israel, Elizabet Tsurkov describes a series of torture and abuse she endured in captivity by the Qata'ib Hezbollah militia in Iraq.

Report:

Iran arming Iraqi militias ahead of clash with Israel

Tehran shifts strategic weight to Iraqi proxies, equipping them with advanced arms and preparing them for potential conflict with Israel, Iraqi sources reveal.

US designates 4 Iran-aligned militias as terrorist organizations

The State Department listed Harakat al-Nujaba, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, and Kata’ib al-Imam Ali as FTOs, citing Iranian support and threats to US forces.

Watch:

Released hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov reunites with her family

Prime Minister congratulated Elizabeth Tsurkov on her release from captivity in Iraq, wished her a full recovery, and thanked those who helped secure her release.

After 2 years in captivity

Elizabeth Tsurkov arrives in Israel

Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov returned to Israel this evening, more than two years after she was abducted by Iran-linked terrorists in Iraq and a day after she was freed.

Trump announces:

Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov freed from captivity

US President announces the release of Elizabeth Tsurkov, held by Kata’ib Hezbollah in Iraq since 2023. She is now safe at the US Embassy.

Iraqi forces eliminate ISIS terrorists in airstrike in Salahuddin

Iraqi forces carry out a precision airstrike on an ISIS hideout in Salahuddin province, killing at least three terrorists including a senior commander.

Top terrorist captured

Key ISIS hideouts destroyed in Iraqi airstrikes

Iraqi forces conduct two airstrikes, eliminating ISIS terrorists in Salahuddin and Kirkuk. A top terrorist, once linked to Al-Qaeda, also captured.

Judgment and misjudgment

In Iran the Foreign Minster, Kamal Karrazi, told Arafat, “No Muslim can allow holy Jerusalem to remain under occupation, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference will never let any deal be made over Jerusalem.” Opinion.

Iran launches attack on US base in Qatar

Iran launched at least ten missiles at US bases in Qatar and Iraq in retaliation to strike on its nuclear sites. Qatar was notified about the attack ahead of time.

Tensions rise:

Iran proxies eye US bases amid retaliation fears

US officials detect Iran-backed militias preparing retaliatory attacks on US bases in Iraq and potentially Syria, following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, according to The New York Times.

Iraq blocks internet to prevent cheating on finals

Access to the internet in Iraq was disconnected during exam periods to prevent students from cheating.

US denies breakthrough in Tsurkov hostage release talks

Senior US official refutes Arab media claims of a breakthrough in negotiations for the release of Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, abducted in Iraq in March 2023.

Report: Deal reached for release of Israeli academic held in Iraq

Elizabeth Tsurkov, kidnapped by a Shiite militia in March 2023, may soon be freed; Arab media report deal involving her handover to Iraqi authorities.

'Bring her home now!'

Trump envoy urges Iraq to free hostage Elizabeth Tsurkov

Trump’s Special Envoy Adam Boehler calls on Iraqi PM Sudani to act swiftly in freeing Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton student held by Kata’ib Hezbollah since 2023.

Iran defies Trump, bolsters militias in Iraq with missiles

Iran has delivered advanced long-range missiles to militias in Iraq for the first time, heightening regional tensions as nuclear negotiations with the US loom.

Amid US pressure

Iran-backed militias in Iraq consider disarmament

Iraqi militia groups aligned with Iran are weighing disarmament to avoid US military action, amid rising tensions and pressure from both Washington and Baghdad.

Nationwide raids

Iraqi forces capture seven ISIS terrorists

Iraqi security forces arrest seven wanted ISIS terrorists in a series of counter-terror operations in the provinces of Anbar, Kirkuk, and Nineveh.

Report:

Iran’s Quds Force chief orders militias to stand down

Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, reportedly instructs leaders of Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq to refrain from attacking Israel. Same message reportedly also relayed to Houthis in Yemen.

Senior Iraqi official:

'Elizabeth Tsurkov might have been taken to Iran'

Senior Iraqi official says Iraqi PM does not know whereabouts of Israeli-Russian researcher, kidnapped in 2023 in Baghdad.

Report:

Trump envoy traveled to Iraq to push for Israeli's release

Sources familiar with the matter say Trump’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, traveled to Iraq last month in bid to secure the release of Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov.

Iraq confirms efforts to locate kidnapped Israeli-Russian scholar

Iraq's national security adviser confirms that authorities are actively working to locate Elizabeth Tsurkov, the Israeli-Russian academic who was abducted in Baghdad nearly two years ago.

Elizabeth Tsurkov kidnapping

Cruz slams Iraq, pledges action under Trump

Senator Ted Cruz says the Iraqi government is complicit in the kidnapping of Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov: This will end under President Donald Trump and the GOP Congress.

US envoy urges Iraq to free Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov

Adam Boehler, US Envoy for Hostages, calls Iraq’s Prime Minister to release Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov: He has an opportunity to show the world why he should or should not be prime minister.

Elizabeth Tsurkov's sister:

'Biden admin kept showering corrupt Iraqi officials with cash'

Emma Tsurkov, whose sister, Elizabeth, has been held hostage by a Shia militia in Iraq since 2023 expressed hope that the Trump administration would bring her sister home: 'Thank God a tough leader with a backbone of steel is in the White House.'

Report:

Elizabeth Tsurkov to be exchanged for Hezbollah terrorists

Israeli citizen Elizabeth Tsurkov will reportedly be exchanged for 8 Hezbollah terrorists 2 years after she was kidnapped in Iraq.

Iraqi FM:

Abducted Israeli researcher still alive

Minister Fuad Hussein says Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was abducted two years ago by a Shia militia, is still alive and the Prime Minister is working for her release.

US Army targets ISIS in Iraq and Syria

CENTCOM says it and its partner forces conducted operations in Iraq and Syria, from December 30 to January 6, targeting known ISIS locations. One Coalition member was killed but no US personnel were harmed.

Report:

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq halt attacks on Israel

A leader of one of the armed militias confirmed that they have reached an agreement with the Iraqi Prime Minister to stop attacking Israel and to remain quiet on the developments in Syria.

A proactive Israel must seize the day

The left’s dangerous plans ignore a critical truth about the Middle East: things change rapidly, and no peace agreement can be relied upon. Only the strong survive in this neighborhood. Opinion.

Amid rebel advances

Assad stresses resolve 'in the face of all terrorists'

Syrian President speaks to leaders from UAE and Iraq as rebels reportedly take over Aleppo from the Syrian army.

Iraqi threat to attack Israel and its allies

Terrorist organizations in Iraq threaten to escalate attacks against Israel and its allies in the region if the Israel Air Force attacks targets in Baghdad.

US warns Iraq: Israel may attack Shiite militias

Diplomatic attempts to prevent Israel from striking in Iraq following daily launches from that country towards Israel have been exhausted, Arab reports say.

Iraqi PM:

'We'll take steps to prevent attacks from our territory'

As pro-Iranian militias claim UAV attacks on Israel, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announces the country will be taking steps to prevent attacks carried out from its territory.

Sa'ar to Security Council:

'Take action against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq'

Foreign Minister urges UN Security Council to act to stop the activity of the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, who have claimed UAV attacks on Israeli territory.

Israel considering striking Iran's proxies in Iraq

The number of attacks carried out by the Iranian militias in Iraq against Israel has led to a debate on whether to strike in the country's territory in order to harm Iranian activities there.

US warns Iraq:

'Don't let Iran attack from your soil, Israel could retaliate'

Axios reports that the Biden administration has warned the Iraqi government that failure to prevent any Iranian-led attack on Israel from Iraqi territory could prompt Israel to launch a retaliatory strike on Iraq.

CENTCOM:

163 ISIS terrorists eliminated in Syria and Iraq since Aug. 29

US Central Command announces that, since August 29, its forces have conducted 95 operations against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria, eliminated 163 terrorists and captured 33.

Iranian military: Israel attacked Iran from Iraqi airspace

Israeli aircraft did not enter Iranian airspace, targeted military and radar sites from Iraq, reports say.

Strike on Iran:

Iraq submits complaint to UN against Israeli use of airspace

Iraq submitted an official memorandum of protest which condemns 'the flagrant violation committed by the Zionist entity by its aggressor aircraft violating Iraq's airspace and sovereignty, and using Iraqi airspace to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran.'

Saudi channel suspended by Iraq for calling Hamas terrorists

MBC network's offices in Iraq stormed and ransacked by Shi'ite militia supporters angered by the network's description of Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar as terrorists.

UAV fired towards Eilat intercepted outside Israel's borders

UAV fired towards Eilat successfully intercepted by the IAF successfully over the Red Sea. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq claim responsibility.

Iraq:

Rockets launched at military base housing US forces

At least two Katyusha rockets launched at military base housing US forces near Baghdad International Airport. Air defenses successfully intercept the rockets.

Navy ship intercepts UAV fired at Eilat from Iraq

UAV fired from Iraq at southern Israel intercepted over Red Sea.

UAV from Iraq hits Eilat, two lightly injured

Two UAVs were identified approaching Eilat, one was intercepted but the other struck a building in the city. Two individuals were lightly injured by falling shrapnel.

Militias claim responsibility

IAF intercepts UAV fired from Iraq

Sirens activated around 4:45 a.m. in southern Golan Heights. UAV fired from Iraq intercepted. No injuries reported.

Arab reports:

Israel eliminated senior Hezbollah figure in Damascus

Israel eliminated senior figure in Iraqi Hezbollah battalions, Arab reports say.

UAV from Iraq intercepted over Sea of Galilee

A UAV that was approaching from Iraq was intercepted by IAF fighter jets, sirens sounded in the area following the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception.

Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq:

'We will resume targeting US forces'

Iranian-backed militias in Iraq announce they are ending the truce that was meant to give the Iraqi government time to negotiate the withdrawal of US troops from the country.

After attack on US troops in Iraq

Austin: We will not tolerate attacks on our personnel

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin responds after rocket attack on the Ain al-Asad base in Iraq, which houses US troops, wounded seven US personnel.

House Speaker:

'Biden must release all held up Israeli munitions, deter Iran'

Mike Johnson reacts to rocket attack that left US servicemen injured in Iraq, says US must do more to defend its allies and its troops, make it clear to Iran it will face serious consequences for aggression.

Iraq:

Several US personnel injured in rocket attack on Ain al-Asad base

The attack marks the third time in recent weeks that the base has come under attack, but the first time that any injuries have been reported.

US strikes targets in Iraq 'in self-defense'

Blasts heard inside a base south of Baghdad used by Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, four reported killed. US official says a strike was carried out because of a threat to US-led coalition forces.

Paris Olympics:

Iraq's request to remove Israeli flag denied

Head of Iraq’s delegation says Olympic chiefs rejected their request not to display Israel’s flag next to Iraq’s, explaining that flags of all participating countries are displayed in alphabetical order.

Iraq:

Rockets fired at base which houses US forces

Multiple rockets launched at Iraq's Ain al-Asad airbase which houses US-led forces, the second time in a week the base has been targeted.

Iraq:

Base which hosts US troops attacked by drones

Iraqi forces say there were no casualties in the attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase.

Iraq:

ISIS terrorist who manufactured car bombs arrested

Iraqi security forces arrest ISIS terrorist, who was responsible for manufacturing car bombs, in a village some 30 km south of Baghdad.

Iraq:

UNESCO finds ISIS bombs hidden inside Mosul mosque

UN cultural agency discovers five bombs hidden within the walls of the historic al-Nouri Mosque in the city of Mosul.

Report: Hamas planning to leave Qatar for Iraq

Hamas planning to leave Qatar due to US pressure; Iran to take responsibility for Hamas leaders' security.

Iraqi terror group:

'We will join the war between Israel and Hezbollah'

Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada' threatened that if Israel 'does something crazy with Hezbollah in Lebanon, there will be a big cemetery for this entity, and everyone will partake in burying it.'