Iraq’s F-16s grounded after United States contractor pulls maintenance crews

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Lockheed Martin said Monday that it was withdrawing its maintenance teams for Iraq’s F-16 fighter jets for security reasons, as the Iraqi government struggles to end rocket attacks by militias suspected of being backed by Iran. The departure by the U.S. weapons manufacturer from Balad air base, 40 miles north of Baghdad, highlights the Iraqi … Read more

Kurdish leader Lahur Talabany says he fears Islamic State comeback in Iraq

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A senior Kurdish official has said there are growing indications that Islamic State is trying to make a comeback after an uptick in attacks in Iraq. At least 19 members of Iraqi and Iraqi Kurdish security forces have been killed in recent days across the country, according to military statements and security officials, prompting calls … Read more

Covid live: Indian PM Narendra Modi says ‘storm’ of coronavirus infections has shaken country

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Coronavirus has killed at least 3,100,659 people since the outbreak emerged in China in December 2019, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 10am GMT today. At least 146,337,640 cases of coronavirus have been registered. The vast majority have recovered, though some have continued to experience symptoms weeks or even months … Read more

A growing challenge for Iraq: Iran-aligned Shiite militias

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It was a stark message: A convoy of masked Shiite militiamen, armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, drove openly through central Baghdad denouncing the US presence in Iraq and threatening to cut off the prime minister’s ear. The ominous display underscored the growing threat that rogue militias loyal to Tehran pose for Iraq. It … Read more