Ali Saray

Ali Saray
Arab World The pro-Iran factions in Iraq have for weeks been toning down their rhetoric and hostile activity after coming under international pressure and given the American strikes against the Houthis. (Reuters file)

Sources: Qaani Warns Iraqi Factions against Provoking the Americans

Trusted sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat that commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Forces Esmail Qaani has warned Iraqi armed factions “against…

Ali Saray (Baghdad)
Arab World An Iraqi wades through rainwater flooding the streets of Baghdad on March 7, 2025 (AP)

Washington Signals Gradual, Sweeping Sanctions on Iraq

Two American diplomats have revealed that the US administration is preparing to impose “comprehensive, phased sanctions” on Iraqi individuals and entities…

Ali Saray (London)
Features Mustafa al-Kadhimi (AP)

Why and How Did al-Kadhimi Return to Baghdad?

Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the former Prime Minister of Iraq, arrived in Baghdad last Tuesday aboard a private jet. He was greeted by a security detail typically…

Ali Saray (London)
Arab World Iraq Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani - AP/File

Baghdad Halts Symbolic Talks on Disbanding Armed Factions

Iraq’s plans to tackle the issue of armed factions have stalled due to a lack of communication with the administration of US President Donald Trump, an Iranian…

Ali Saray (London)
Arab World Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Iraqi FM: We Informed Tehran that Factions Issue is for Iraq to Decide

“How do we protect Baghdad from fire?" Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein repeated this question as he reflected on the challenges his country faced in 2024…

Ali Saray (London)
Arab World Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

SDF Commander to Asharq Al-Awsat: Syria Must Remain United

Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi revealed that coordination had been taking place on the ground since the second day of the…

Ali Saray (London)
Features A Saddam Hussein mural is seen in Baghdad in 1991. (Getty Images)

25 Years of Unanswered Questions in Iraq

People in Iraq often wonder dejectedly: What if Saddam Hussein were alive and ruling the country today? Many will reply with fantastical answers, but Saddam’s…

Ali Saray (London)
Features  
US helicopters accompany Secretary Antony Blinken as he heads to the US Embassy in Baghdad on December 13, 2024 (Reuters)

Baghdad After Damascus: Questions About the Day After

On November 24, 2024, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed what seemed to be its final attack on Israel. The announcement came two weeks after Syrian…

Ali Saray (London)