Mohammed Salih

ARBIL – The security situation in the northern, oil-rich city of Kirkuk has further deteriorated over the past few weeks after the Iraqi government formed a committee assigned to "normalize the situation." The creation of that committee under a constitutional provision has led to a rise in ethnic tensions between Kirkuk’s Kurdish, Arab, and Turkmen … Continue reading “Kirkuk Fearful of Future”

BAGHDAD – The national unity government led by Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has failed to deliver its promises to improve life for Iraqis. Five months after the government took over, the country still faces a rising tide of sectarian violence and inadequate public services. There is little sign of government in Baghdad other than … Continue reading “Maliki Govt Fails to Provide Security – or Anything Else”

KIRKUK – Rahman Aziz, 37, laughs out loud with his friend Rahman as they sit together across from the old citadel in this northern Iraqi city. The city needs their laughter. Rahman is a Kurd, and his friend, Sa’ad, 34, a Turkomen. "We have been good friends for years," said Rahman, who now owns a … Continue reading “Kirkuk Confronts an Uncertain Future”

ARBIL, Iraq – Hanan’s family could never have thought three years ago of leaving Baghdad. They had lived for years in peace with their Shi’ite neighbors in the ethnically mixed Shaab district. All that changed the morning they saw a letter in their courtyard giving them three days to leave. Hanan left for Arbil with … Continue reading “Ever Closer to Fears of Civil War”

ARBIL, Iraq – Amid failed moves for a peace deal between the government and insurgents through a national reconciliation plan, the Shia majority in Iraq are pushing ahead for creating a federal region for themselves in the southern part of Iraq. The move is hugely sensitive in the light of the increasingly hard political positions … Continue reading “Iraq’s Shias Going Their Own Way”

ARBIL – Sipping tea at a café in Arbil, Moayed Rafiq, 25, watches news of a car bombing in Baghdad on an Arab television channel. Others around him also watch, quietly. “When I see this every day on TV, I think there is no need for us to tie our destiny with Iraq,” Moayed said. … Continue reading “Iraqi Kurds Keep an Eye on Independence”

ARBIL – Clasping his hands together in a sign of unity, a cheerful Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Shia-dominated United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), entered the hall in this Kurdish city amid applause. Al-Hakim was here to bring Shia groups from the south and Kurds from the north together in government. "We struggled together against dictatorship, … Continue reading “Quarrels Overshadow Talk of Iraq Consensus”