The New Region

The New Region A news outlet covering Iraq and the Middle East The New Region provides reporting and fresh perspectives from the ground in Iraq and across the Middle East.

As geopolitical alliances shift and sway, we help keep both Iraqis and the international community abreast of what they need to know, when they need to know it. Our team is committed to providing news, in-depth stories, and opinion pieces from Iraq to the wider world.

A verbal dispute between the parliamentary speaker and his deputy precipitated a physical fight between a Sunni and Shii...
05/08/2025

A verbal dispute between the parliamentary speaker and his deputy precipitated a physical fight between a Sunni and Shiite MP over a vote to appoint the heads of the Federal Public Service Council and the Council of State, an Iraqi MP told The New Region.

A loud altercation broke out between Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and his first deputy Muhsin al-Mandalawi over a vote to choose the head of the Federal Public Service Council, with a physical brawl arising between a Sunni and a Shiite MP over the same issue.

The Iraqi parliament convened on Tuesday to vote on a number of issues, including the selection of the heads of the Federal Public Service Council and the Council of State. Iraqi MP Amr Abdul Jabar told The New Region that a verbal spat broke out between the parliament’s speaker and his first deputy, who had added the matter to the parliament’s agenda.

“An article was added, which led to a disagreement between the speaker and the first deputy,” said Jabar. “The article was [about voting on] the members of the service council.”

Read more on The New Region website.

As temperatures reach record highs this summer, hospitals in the southern Iraqi city of Basra are reporting dozens of sk...
05/08/2025

As temperatures reach record highs this summer, hospitals in the southern Iraqi city of Basra are reporting dozens of skin rash cases. Medical officials and environmental activists say the cases are likely linked to worsening water pollution and increasing salt levels in the region’s water supply.

More than 40 cases have been recorded in just one week, mostly in northern Basra and the city center. Abu al-Khaseeb district has reported the highest number of infections so far.

Security and medical sources told The New Region that cases are spreading quickly, especially among children and older residents. Patients are showing symptoms such as skin irritation, red spots, and ulcers. Most of the cases have been treated at al-Fayhaa, al-Jumhuriya, and Basra Teaching Hospitals.

Despite the rising number of infections, the Basra Health Directorate has not released any official statement on the situation.

“We are seeing more cases each day, and the numbers could rise further,” a local security source said. “The water quality is getting worse, and there hasn’t been an adequate health response.”

Read more on The New Region website.

The Iraqi electoral body has disqualified Qamar al-Samarrai and Zainab Jawad, two prominent lawyers and women's rights a...
05/08/2025

The Iraqi electoral body has disqualified Qamar al-Samarrai and Zainab Jawad, two prominent lawyers and women's rights activists, for allegedly violating conditions of “good conduct.” The women have previously faced backlash for their staunch advocacy of women’s rights and freedoms, criticism of Iran-affiliated armed groups, and opposition to the contentious amendments to the Personal Status Law which were passed in February.

Read more on The New Region website.

Abdi said that "integration means partnership" and can only be achieved through understanding.The integration of armed f...
04/08/2025

Abdi said that "integration means partnership" and can only be achieved through understanding.

The integration of armed forces and institutions of north and east Syria into the Syrian state cannot be achieved by force, said the general commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), expressing their willingness to take “practical steps” toward an understanding with Damascus.

After months of deliberation and negotiations, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF chief Abdi signed an agreement on March 10 to officially integrate the Kurdish-led forces and all other institutions in northeast Syria into the Syrian state institutions.

In an interview with the SDF-affiliated Hawar News Agency (ANHA) published on Monday, Abdi said that the March agreement was “necessary” in light of the ongoing tensions in Syria and the region at the time.

Read more on The New Region website.

Iraqi lawmakers are split over a new law to formalize the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The vote has been delayed d...
04/08/2025

Iraqi lawmakers are split over a new law to formalize the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The vote has been delayed due to political disagreements inside the parliament, strong opposition from the United States, and warnings from Iraqi officials.

The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law continues to stir controversy in Iraq’s parliament, as lawmakers remain divided between supporters and opponents of its passage. Intense pressure from the United States and strong domestic opposition are seen as key reasons the proposed legislation remains off the parliamentary agenda, though some officials also cite ongoing political and technical disagreements.

MP Jawad al-Yasari explained why the PMF bill has not been added to recent parliamentary sessions, even though the security and defense committee recommended it for a vote.

Read more on The New Region website.

A fire broke out in a storage depot in Sulaimani's Tanjaro on Monday morning, but was extinguished by civil defense team...
04/08/2025

A fire broke out in a storage depot in Sulaimani's Tanjaro on Monday morning, but was extinguished by civil defense teams before causing any casualties, the civil defense directorate announced

📸: Sulaimani Civil Defense Directorate

With Parliament repeatedly failing to hold sessions, Iraqi lawmakers and analysts warn that the political process is und...
03/08/2025

With Parliament repeatedly failing to hold sessions, Iraqi lawmakers and analysts warn that the political process is under threat. A majority of members skipped Saturday’s session, prompting calls for accountability.

Iraqi lawmakers and political analysts are raising alarms after the parliament failed once again to hold a scheduled session on Saturday due to the absence of 164 members.

In comments to The New Region, MP Ahmed al-Sharmani said the repeated disruptions are unacceptable and damaging to the entire political process.

“What’s happening in the parliament is no longer tolerable,” Sharmani said. “The repeated absence of MPs and the deliberate blocking of sessions is a clear betrayal of the trust people placed in us.”

He added that the empty halls and delayed laws reflect poorly on the institution, accusing some MPs of treating the legislature as a “social club” rather than a place to represent citizens’ interests.

Read more on The New Region website.

Iraq’s parliament is set to vote on a new law about freedom of expression and peaceful protest.The Iraqi parliament is s...
02/08/2025

Iraq’s parliament is set to vote on a new law about freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

The Iraqi parliament is set to discuss and vote on several draft laws during Saturday’s session, including a proposed bill on freedom of expression and peaceful protest that has raised concerns among journalists and political figures.

Lawmakers say the current version of the draft includes vague and broad language that could be used to restrict, rather than protect, basic freedoms.

“There is wide opposition in the parliament to the law in its current form,” MP Hadi al-Salami told The New Region. “It includes unclear terms that could be interpreted in a way that limits freedoms instead of defending them.”

Read more on The New Region website.

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Saturday visited the site of the Camp Speicher massacre in TikritIn one of ISIS’ mo...
02/08/2025

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Saturday visited the site of the Camp Speicher massacre in Tikrit

In one of ISIS’ most heinous crimes in Iraq, the group executed over 1,500 Shiite cadets undergoing training at the camp in June 2014

📸: Sudani’s office

The festival marks the 40th day of the summer season.The Kurdistan Region’s top leaders on Saturday sent out congratulat...
02/08/2025

The festival marks the 40th day of the summer season.

The Kurdistan Region’s top leaders on Saturday sent out congratulatory messages to Yazidis on the occasion of Midsummer holidays, reiterating their continued support for the ethnoreligious minority group.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani wished Yazidis everywhere a happy Midsummer, expressing wishes for a better future for the community.

“I wish a better future for the Yazidi brothers and sisters, and we reiterate the support of the Kurdistan Regional Government for their legitimate rights and demands,” wrote the Kurdish premier.

Read more on The New Region website.

The Iranian foreign ministry described the sanctions as "illegal" and a violation of human rights.The United States on W...
31/07/2025

The Iranian foreign ministry described the sanctions as "illegal" and a violation of human rights.

The United States on Wednesday imposed a series of new sanctions targeting Iran’s oil and petroleum industry, including its largest Iran-related action in years. Tehran condemned Washington’s measures as a violation of human rights.

The US Department of State on Wednesday announced imposing sanctions on 20 entities and identifying 10 vessels as blocked property for their involvement in Iran’s petroleum industry.

On the same day, Department of the Treasury said it was designating more than 50 individuals and entities and identifying more than 50 vessels “that are part of the vast shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani (Hossein),” son of Ali Shamkhani, senior political advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Read more on The New Region website.

The Barzani Genocide was one of the most heinous atrocities carried out by the Saddam Hussein regime against the Kurdish...
31/07/2025

The Barzani Genocide was one of the most heinous atrocities carried out by the Saddam Hussein regime against the Kurdish population, during which around 8,000 people were abducted, executed, and buried in mass graves.

Read more on The New Region website.

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