None.

Air strike targets pro-Iranian paramilitary group base near Iraq’s Kirkuk

An Iraqi security source said that an air strike has targeted the headquarters of the 40th brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) located northwest of Kirkuk province.

It was not clear who launched the attack.

The PMF, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella organization of mostly Shia armed groups. Some of them first emerged during Iraqi resistance to US occupation.

Iraqi group claims 37 operations against ‘enemy bases’

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says its fighters have carried out 37 operations targeting “enemy bases in Iraq and the region” over the past 24 hours.

The pro-Iranian group said it used dozens of drones and missiles in the attacks.

Five killed in attack on pro-Iranian militia base near Iraq’s Kirkuk

There was an attack on the headquarters of the 40th brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq’s Kirkuk.

An Iraqi security source said that at least five people were killed and 18 others wounded in two air attacks on the headquarters.

It is not clear who launched the attack.

The PMF, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella organization of mostly Shia armed groups, including some that emerged during Iraqi resistance to US occupation.

Iraq deploys troops to stop frontier with Iran becoming new front line

Iraqi authorities have deployed additional security forces as tensions from the rising conflict continue to spill over into northern Iraq.

The frontier with Iran is a mountainous area that has long been used by Iranian Kurdish groups to move between the two countries. Now, this move of deploying additional security forces seems to be sending several messages at once.

Firstly, it signals to Iran that Iraq is serious and does not want Iranian opposition groups launching operations into Iran.

Secondly, it shows Iran that Iraq is serious about the 2023 security agreement. Under that agreement, Baghdad said it would clamp down on Iranian Kurdish opposition groups inside northern Iraq.

Also, it signals to those specific Iranian Kurdish armed opposition groups that the additional forces will make it very difficult for them to move into Iran – something that Iran has accused those groups of doing.

All this comes as there are increased tensions here in the Iraqi Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

But right now, both Baghdad and authorities are determined not to make this border and this frontier the new front line in this widening conflict.

Saudi Arabia condemns attack on UAE consulate in Iraq’s Kurdistan

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned an attack on the UAE’s Consulate General in Iraq’s Kurdistan autonomous region.

The “repeated targeting” of diplomatic buildings is a “clear violation” of international law, the ministry said.

This comes after the UAE also called for an investigation into the incident, which caused damage to the building. There were no casualties.

IRGC says it hit US airbase in Iraq’s Kurdistan

The IRGC’s PR office has issued a statement saying it hit the headquarters of the US army at the Harir Air Base in Erbil, in Iraq’s Kurdistan.

Five missiles were launched against the military site, the statement added.

Iraq PM tells US Iraqi airspace must not be used against neighbors

Iraq’s PM al-Sudani has told US Secretary of State Rubio that Iraq should not be used as a launch pad for attacks in the Middle East war.

Within hours of the start of the war, fighter jets and missiles coming from every direction filled Iraq’s airspace.

Sudani stressed in a phone call with Rubio “the importance of ensuring that Iraqi airspace, territory, and waters are not used for any military action targeting neighboring countries or the region”, the PM’s media office said.

Sudani rejected “any attempt to drag the country into ongoing conflicts”, as well as “violations of its airspace by any party”.

Iraq was drawn into the war from the outset, with strikes blamed on the US and Israel against Iran-backed groups, which in turn have since claimed attacks on US bases in Iraq and the wider region.

Closure of Iraqi airspace extended

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announcing the extension of the closure of the country’s airspace to all arriving, departing and overflying aircraft for 72 hours.

The “temporary precautionary measure” started at noon (09:00 GMT) today and will last until the same time on Friday, it said.

“This decision is based on the ongoing assessment of the security situation and regional developments, and it will be reviewed in light of any new updates,” the authority added.

Iraqi PM says territory must not be used to launch attacks

Iraq’s prime minister has rejected what he described as the targeting of Iraqi cities.

The prime minister added that Baghdad would not permit Iraqi territory to become a launching point for attacks against any country.

US embassy camp near Baghdad airport hit by drone

A logistical support camp belonging to the US embassy near Baghdad International airport has been hit by a drone strike.

It’s unclear if there are any casualties or damage.

The area in Iraq’s capital has been repeatedly attacked over the past few days.