Iraq launches investigations into ISIL detainees from Syria with 7,000 expected to arrive in total.
![A protester in Baghdad burns a photo of Donald Trump, rejecting the US president’s demand that former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki not return to the premiership. [Screenshot via AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/4633743_HD_1080i50_cropped-1769630949.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Iraq’s dominant Shia political bloc nominated al-Maliki to become prime minister.
Abu Hussein al‑Hamidawi, leader of Iraqi armed group, says war against Iran will not be a ‘walk in the park’.
Marco Rubio’s call with Mohammed Shia al-Sudani comes as new government expected in Iraq, US-Iran tensions rise.
Nouri al-Maliki’s third term as prime minister is likely to escalate sectarian politics in the country.
Trump says US ‘armada’ is heading towards the Gulf, raising fears of a military escalation in the region.
Al-Maliki remains potent force despite longstanding claims he fuelled sectarianism and failed to stop ISIL expansion.
The US military said up to 7,000 people will be moved from a detention facility in Hasakah, Syria.
The Kurds are widely believed to be the largest stateless ethnic group in the world.
US president threatens a 25 percent tariff on countries that do business with Iran as he piles pressure on Tehran.
The reported capture of Venezuelan president evokes previous eras when other leaders were seized by US.
![Rubio spoke with al-Sudani as Washington has deployed additional military assets to the Middle East [File: Sam Navarro/Imagn Images via Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-19T234858Z_1106920932_MT1USATODAY28041091_RTRMADP_3_NCAA-FOOTBALL-CFP-NATIONAL-CHAMPIONSHIP-MIAMI-VS-INDIANA-1769418467.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
