Yahoo! News: Iraq

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• Nuclear deal marks US-Iran thaw, but Saudis sulk
• Fifth American released in Iran is traveler, reporter, rower
• Australia PM tells Europe to step up fight against Islamic State during Iraq visit
• IS 'massacre' in east Syria city kills scores
• Thumbnail bios of those freed in US-Iran prisoner swap
• Drowned Syrian toddler's father wept over French cartoon
• Timeline: U.S.-Iran relations from 1953 coup to 2016 prisoner swap
• Remains of German victims of Istanbul attack flown home
• Islamic State kills dozens in Syria's Deir al-Zor city
• Australia PM makes surprise visit to Iraq
• U.S., allies launch 29 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military
• Senate to take up bill for more scrutiny of Syrian refugees
• IS attack on Syria's Deir Ezzor kills 35 regime forces: monitor
• Turkey asks Berlin to step up military involvement in Syria
• The Latest: Germany floats gas tax idea to pay migrant costs
• Iraq's southern oil exports running at 3.3 million bpd, unaffected by clashes
• 600 British jihadists stopped from entering Syria: Hammond
• Economic 'tsunami' undermines war against Islamic State in Iraq - Kurdish deputy PM
• Turkish soldier dies after clashes with Kurdish militants
• 60 migrants suspected of trying to illegally enter Romania
• Offensive against Islamic State in Mosul unlikely in 2016: Iraqi Kurdish deputy PM
• Iraq’s Kurds may sell parts of power sector to plug budget gap: regional deputy PM
• Bush sees similarities in his foreign policy and his dad's
• Pentagon releases video of strike on Islamic State cash
• UN demands aid access to Syria's besieged towns
• Man accused of financing Jakarta attacks with IS funds arrested

Nuclear deal marks US-Iran thaw, but Saudis sulk Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:36 PM PST The implementation of the Iran nuclear deal marked a major step forward in Washington's cautious rapprochement with Iran, but will further strain ties with Saudi Arabia. While President Barack Obama's government insists its goal was simply to halt the spread of atomic weapons, experts detect an effort to bring a new balance to its Middle East relationships. "One of Obama's visions for this region, at least in the Gulf, is equilibrium.

Fifth American released in Iran is traveler, reporter, rower Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:23 PM PST By Jonathan Landay and Scott Malone WASHINGTON/BOSTON (Reuters) - The fifth American released by Iran on Saturday after 40 days in prison is a journalist and student who had traveled and worked in conflict-torn nations including Syria, Mali and Afghanistan, pausing along the way to try to start a rowing team. Matthew Trevithick was released from Evin Prison in Tehran by Iranian authorities independently of four other Americans who were released in a prisoner swap as international sanctions were due to be lifted on Iran. It is unclear why Trevithick, who was in Tehran studying Dari, was imprisoned and his detention had not been reported by major media outlets.

Australia PM tells Europe to step up fight against Islamic State during Iraq visit Posted: 16 Jan 2016 02:09 PM PST By Jane Wardell SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on European countries to "step up" efforts to defeat Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria during a surprise visit to Iraq on Saturday. Turnbull, who met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi on the brief trip, also flagged possible further Australian contributions in future but stressed that the military commitment would not last forever. Australia, a staunch ally of the United States in its battle against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, has been one of the largest contributors to the U.S.-led bombing campaign against the group.

IS 'massacre' in east Syria city kills scores Posted: 16 Jan 2016 01:55 PM PST An Islamic State group attack Saturday in the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor killed at least 85 civilians and 50 regime forces, a monitor said, with state media denouncing a "massacre". Syria's state news agency SANA, quoting residents, said "around 300 civilians" were killed in the onslaught. If confirmed it would be one of the highest tolls for a single day in Syria's nearly five-year war.

Thumbnail bios of those freed in US-Iran prisoner swap Posted: 16 Jan 2016 01:38 PM PST The following are short biographies of the four Americans being released Saturday by Iran, and the seven Iranians freed by the United States under a prisoner swap. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, the dual American-Iranian citizen had relatively little exposure to Iran until he was in his 20s and his father began visiting his homeland. After completing his studies at the New School, a university in New York, in 2000, he spent more and more time in Iran, freelancing for Western news organizations.

Drowned Syrian toddler's father wept over French cartoon Posted: 16 Jan 2016 12:41 PM PST Arbil (Iraq) (AFP) - The father of a drowned Syrian toddler wept when he saw a cartoon depicting his son as an adult involved in sexual harassment, and said Saturday that the family is "in shock."

Timeline: U.S.-Iran relations from 1953 coup to 2016 prisoner swap Posted: 16 Jan 2016 12:20 PM PST Iran freed five Americans including a Washington Post reporter on Saturday as the two countries staged a series of goodwill gestures ahead of the expected announcement of the lifting of international sanctions against Tehran under a nuclear deal. Following is a chronology of major events in relations between the Iran and the United States: 1953 - CIA helps orchestrate overthrow of Iran's popular Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, restoring to power the Shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. 1957 - The United States and Iran sign an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.

Remains of German victims of Istanbul attack flown home Posted: 16 Jan 2016 12:09 PM PST The remains of 10 Germans killed in a suicide attack blamed on the Islamic State (IS) group in the Turkish city of Istanbul were flown home on Saturday. The bodies of those killed in Tuesday's attack were taken to Berlin's Tegel airport onboard a German army transport plane. Relatives of the victims were waiting in a makeshift chapel set up in a hangar at the Berlin airport.

Islamic State kills dozens in Syria's Deir al-Zor city Posted: 16 Jan 2016 11:38 AM PST By Mariam Karouny BEIRUT (Reuters) - Islamic state militants killed dozens of people execution style in attacks on government-held areas in Syria's city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday, a source and a monitoring said. A source close to the Syrian government side said the Islamic State fighters killed at least 250 people, including pro-government fighters and their families when they attacked the neighborhoods of Begayliya and Ayash in the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the violence in the country through a wide network of local sources, said the militants killed dozens.

Australia PM makes surprise visit to Iraq Posted: 16 Jan 2016 11:17 AM PST Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made an unannounced visit to Baghdad Saturday and held talks with his Iraqi counterpart on the fight against the Islamic State group, the premier's office said. Australia is part of a US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against IS and providing training to Iraqi forces. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he and Turnbull discussed the war against IS, strengthening relations between the two countries as well as economic and agricultural cooperation.

U.S., allies launch 29 strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military Posted: 16 Jan 2016 09:37 AM PST The United States and its allies targeted Islamic State with 18 strikes in Iraq and 11 in Syria on Friday, the U.S. military said. Eight of the strikes in Iraq hit Islamic State tactical units and five command and control nodes near Mosul, a statement issues on Saturday said. In Syria, five of the strikes were near Mar'a and hit Islamic State tactical units.

Senate to take up bill for more scrutiny of Syrian refugees Posted: 16 Jan 2016 08:15 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate will consider new rigorous screening procedures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees seeking to enter the United States as national security looms large for voters in an election year.

IS attack on Syria's Deir Ezzor kills 35 regime forces: monitor Posted: 16 Jan 2016 07:18 AM PST At least 35 Syrian soldiers and pro-regime militiamen were killed Saturday in a multi-front attack by the Islamic State group on the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, a monitor said. The fighting came as regime forces battled IS in the northern province of Aleppo, repelling a jihadist assault and killing at least 16 fighters from the group. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said IS had advanced into the northern tip of Deir Ezzor city, in eastern Syria, and captured the suburb of Al-Baghaliyeh.

Turkey asks Berlin to step up military involvement in Syria Posted: 16 Jan 2016 06:13 AM PST Germany must step up its involvement in Syria if it wants to stem the flow of refugees into Europe, Turkey's deputy prime minister Mehmet Simsek in remarks to German daily Die Welt on Saturday. "If Germany and others want to stop the influx of refugees, they must stop the bombings by Syrian and Russian forces against the Syrian opposition," Simsek said, speaking days after 10 German tourists were killed in a suicide attack in Turkey. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for talks next Friday, with discussions to centre on the Istanbul attack and the flow of migrants to Europe.

The Latest: Germany floats gas tax idea to pay migrant costs Posted: 16 Jan 2016 05:41 AM PST ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The latest on the continuing wave of migration to Europe by people fleeing war or seeking better lives:

Iraq's southern oil exports running at 3.3 million bpd, unaffected by clashes Posted: 16 Jan 2016 04:14 AM PST Iraq's exports from its southern region have been running at an average daily rate of 3.297 million barrels per day (bpd) so far this month, higher than December's average and unaffected by tribal clashes, an oil company executive said on Saturday.All the fields are running normally, state-run South Oil Co.'s deputy director general Salah Mahdi told Reuters in an interview in Basra. "The security situation is very good, I don't see any impact on our oil operations," he said.Iraq sent an armored army division and a police strike force into the southern oil city of Basra to disarm residents as fighting between rival Shi'ite Muslim tribes intensified, local officials and security sources said on Friday.Iraq exported 3.215 million bpd on average in December, according to the oil ministry.

600 British jihadists stopped from entering Syria: Hammond Posted: 16 Jan 2016 03:40 AM PST Some 600 Britons have been stopped from going to Syria to try to join Islamic State and other jihadist groups, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in comments reported Saturday. "Approximately 800 Brits have been to Syria, of whom half are still there. The foreign secretary said the number of Britons stopped in Turkey had gone up in the past eight months due to Ankara reassessing the scale of the threat posed to Turkey by Islamic State (IS).

Economic 'tsunami' undermines war against Islamic State in Iraq - Kurdish deputy PM Posted: 16 Jan 2016 02:30 AM PST By Isabel Coles ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraq's Kurdistan region is in danger of being drowned by an economic "tsunami" as global oil prices plunge, its deputy prime minister said, warning it could undermine the war effort against Islamic State. Four months in arrears and deeply in debt, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which depends on oil revenue to survive, has been hit hard by oil's slump below $30 per barrel this week from over $100 a barrel two years ago. "The world is focused on the war against ISIS but nobody wins a war bankrupt," Qubad Talabani said in the interview on Thursday, using an acronym for Islamic State.

Turkish soldier dies after clashes with Kurdish militants Posted: 16 Jan 2016 02:21 AM PST A Turkish soldier died early on Saturday from wounds sustained during clashes with militants from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and seven others were injured in the fighting, the chief of the General Staff said. The soldiers had been in a firefight on Friday in the Sur district of the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, which has been under a round-the-clock curfew since early December due to persistent fighting between security forces and PKK militants. Hundreds of soldiers, thousands of insurgents and an estimated 170 civilians have died since Turkey's three-decade-long conflict with the PKK started again in July.

60 migrants suspected of trying to illegally enter Romania Posted: 16 Jan 2016 02:06 AM PST BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian border authorities say they have stopped a group of 60 migrants who are suspected of trying to enter illegally across Romania's southwest border from Serbia.

Offensive against Islamic State in Mosul unlikely in 2016: Iraqi Kurdish deputy PM Posted: 16 Jan 2016 01:59 AM PST A much anticipated campaign to recapture Iraq's northern city of Mosul from Islamic State is unlikely to happen this year, the Kurdistan region's deputy prime minister said, dampening hopes the militants could be driven from the country in 2016. Despite recent gains on the battlefield, Qubad Talabani said he doubted the country's armed forces would be ready for an operation to drive the Sunni insurgents out of their de facto capital in Iraq before 2017. "I don't think the Mosul offensive could happen this year," Talabani told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.

Iraq’s Kurds may sell parts of power sector to plug budget gap: regional deputy PM Posted: 16 Jan 2016 12:21 AM PST The autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq may sell parts of its electricity sector to raise funds to help plug a budget gap left by sinking oil prices, the region's Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani told Reuters. The KRG is also "considering monetizing assets including oil infrastructure", Talabani said in an interview on Thursday in the region's capital Erbil, declining to give more details on what might be offered to investors and on what terms. The Iraqi Kurdish government "is working with the private sector to hand over some elements of the electricity sector" such as bill collection, he said.

Bush sees similarities in his foreign policy and his dad's Posted: 15 Jan 2016 11:58 PM PST CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Jeb Bush believes he's got the best prescription for American foreign policy, from his strategies for deterring North Korea's nuclear ambitions, to destroying the Islamic State.

Pentagon releases video of strike on Islamic State cash Posted: 15 Jan 2016 07:41 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department has released a video showing the U.S. bombing of an Islamic State cash stockpile in Mosul, Iraq, on Monday.

UN demands aid access to Syria's besieged towns Posted: 15 Jan 2016 07:39 PM PST United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Condemning Syria's "barbaric" sieges, the United Nations demanded immediate access to besieged towns to deliver food, medicine and other life-saving aid to civilians facing starvation.

Man accused of financing Jakarta attacks with IS funds arrested Posted: 15 Jan 2016 04:53 PM PST Indonesian police announced Saturday they had arrested a man they believe financed the deadly Jakarta attacks, alleging the suspect received the funds from the Islamic State group (IS). National police chief Badrodin Haiti said 12 suspects had been detained in nationwide raids since Thursday's attacks, including one accused of bankrolling the suicide bombings and shootings that left seven dead. The attack has been claimed by IS, which has ruthlessly carved out a self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq, and Indonesian police have more specifically blamed a Southeast Asian affiliate of the group known as Katibah Nusantara.

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