Displaced Iraqi children who fled the violence around the northern Iraqi city of Mosul as a result of a planned operation to retake the Iraqi city from ISIS stand at the Jadaah camp on the outskirts of Al-Qayyarah, south of Mosul, on July 19, 2017. SAFIN HAMED/AFP/Getty Images
Iran
U.S. Levies New Sanctions on Iran, Despite Certifying JCPOA Compliance
Despite having certified Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA (nuclear deal), the United States on July 18 sanctioned 18 Iranian individuals for “supporting Iran’s ballistic missile program,” as well as for “egregious” human rights violations. On the same day, the Trump administration also certified that Iran is complying with the nuclear deal.
Iran Vows Reciprocity Amid New Sanctions
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, in an interview with CBS News on Wednesday, July 20, said that new U.S. sanctions against Iran violate “the spirit of the [nuclear] deal,” and reiterated comments made by President Hassan Rouhani that Iran will “stand up to the United States” by leveling its own reciprocal sanctions. “The great nation of Iran will have an appropriate answer,” Rouhani said at his weekly cabinet meeting.
Kuwait Closes Iranian Cultural Mission Amid Terror Allegations
After new reports surfaced allegedly showing Iran’s contacts with and support of Hezbollah cells, the Kuwaiti government on July 20 has elected to close the Iranian cultural mission and reduce the number of Iranian diplomats in the country. The move comes as a number of countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have become increasingly hostile to Iran.
Iraq
U.S. to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Iraq
On June 13, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $119 million in humanitarian aid to Iraq. Since 2014, the U.S. has contributed more than $1.4 billion to the country. The new funds will be used for additional “emergency food and nutrition assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene kits, improved sanitation kits, emergency shelter and protection” for displaced Iraqis, according to Voice of America. [According to journalist Bob Woodward, in 2002 U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell warned President George W. Bush of the consequences of his planned invasion of Iraq : “You are going to be the proud owner of 25 million people,” he told the president. “You will own all their hopes, aspirations, and problems. You’ll own it all.” Privately, Powell and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage called this the Pottery Barn rule: You break it, you own it.”]
Iraqi Troops Parade Through Baghdad in Celebration of Mosul Victory
To celebrate the liberation of Mosul, the Iraqi military paraded through Baghdad on July 15. Among the forces included in the parade were the Iraqi army, the counterterrorism forces, the federal police, and the Popular Mobilization Forces. The parade went forward in Baghdad and other cities despite continued fighting in Mosul’s Old City.
U.N. Expresses Concern Over Punishment of ISIS Families
Jan Kubis, the U.N. envoy for Iraq, spoke out on June 17 against attacks targeting civilians in Mosul believed to be ISIS members or sympathizers. He warned the U.N. Security Council that there is a “rising popular sentiment in favor of collective punishment of families perceived to be associated” with ISIS. Iraqis who are accused of having connections to ISIS are reportedly being put through “evictions, confiscations of homes, and other retribution and revenge measures.” Kubis also warned that such actions without evidence violate Iraq’s constitution, as well as international law.
After More Allegations of Iraqi Security Forces Abuse, Prime Minister Responds
Following the latest accusations of abuse against civilians by Iraqi forces in Mosul, Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi on July 18 finally responded to the numerous reports. “Any violation against the law or any violation against a person’s dignity is not acceptable and we will chase them [perpetrators] down, ” he said. “These are individual acts and not widespread and we will not tolerate such acts.”
Iraqi Trade Minister to Face Questioning Over Alleged Corruption
On July 18, the Iraqi parliament said it will question acting trade minister Salman Ali-Jumaili on August 3 about allegations of corruption in the trade ministry. He will be questioned about several issues, including import deals for contaminated rice and licenses for new mills. This is not the first time Iraq’s trade ministry has been accused of corruption.
Iraqi Forces Take Back Imam Gharbi From ISIS
On July 20, Iraqi forces recaptured the town of Imam Gharbi, south of Mosul, from ISIS. Shortly after Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi declared victory in Mosul on July 10, ISIS took most of the town.
—Compiled by David DePriest and Alex Shanahan
