Hamza Mustafa

Hamza Mustafa
Arab World Members of the Iraqi security forces stand guard near the Victory Arch monument during preparations for Sovereignty Day celebrations, marking the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, in Baghdad, Iraq, October 2, 2026. (Reuters)

'National Day' Stirs Debate over Independence in Iraq

Senior officials in Iraq celebrated the National Day on October 3, which marks the country's independence from the British mandate and its entry into the…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
Arab World Members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces parade in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to mark the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq (DPA)

Iran-Aligned Faction Demands Downsizing of ‘World’s Largest Embassy’

As Iraq’s government steps up celebrations marking the end of the international coalition’s mission and the US withdrawal, an Iran-aligned armed faction is…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
Arab World  Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US President Donald Trump in New York on September 23, 2026. (Iraqi government)

Halt of Iranian Flights Sparks Debate within Iraq’s Ruling Coalition

The Iraqi government's decision to enforce the US Treasury Department's ban on Iranian aviation remains highly contentious, as factions within the ruling…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
Arab World Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi meets with US President Donald Trump in New York on September 23, 2026. (Iraqi government)

Meeting between al-Zaidi, Trump Raises Questions in Baghdad

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in New York has raised questions due to the complete absence of the Iraqi…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
Arab World Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (L)speaks with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaid during a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) multilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2026. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

Postwar Arrangements Top al-Zaidi’s New York Talks

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is seeking to restore normal relations with neighboring and regional countries through a series of meetings in New York,…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
Arab World An American helicopter flies near the Harir Air Base in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan (Rudaw file photo)

US Withdrawal Fears Grip Baghdad

The Sept. 30 withdrawal of US forces will mark Iraq’s shift toward full security self-reliance and remove any justification for armed activity outside state…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
Arab World The exterior of Baghdad International Airport (Reuters)

Iraq Reopens Airspace to Civilian Flights After Years of Military Restrictions

Iraq said on Friday it had reopened parts of its airspace that had been reserved for military operations against ISIS to civilian aviation after a 10-year…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
Arab World A suspected ISIS member arrives for questioning at Karkh Prison in Baghdad (AP) 

French Lawyers Object to Handling of ISIS Detainees in Iraq

An Iraqi official said the cases of ISIS detainees transferred from Syria to Iraq earlier this year were being handled exclusively by the Counter-Terrorism…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)