Drought and extreme heat that scientists link to climate change are altering the UNESCO-protected marshlands. Iraq's average annual temperatures are increasing at nearly double the rate of Earth's.
The current parties in power — many backed by militias involved in deadly attacks on protesters — are poised to dominate parliamentary elections scheduled to take place Sunday. Here's what to know.
A massive fire at a hospital dedicated to COVID-19 patients also left more than 100 people injured. Amid calls for action by international organizations, the prime minister ordered an investigation.
Women from Iraq's Yazidi minority get together to perform centuries-old sacred songs. They've survived captivity by ISIS and loved ones' deaths. "They are trying to heal," says a Yazidi politician.
The pontiff arrived at Baghdad International Airport where he was greeted by the prime minister. During his four-day visit, Francis will focus on Iraq's ancient but dwindling Christian community.
The Pentagon said the unnamed U.S. national was taking shelter and suffered a "cardiac episode," dying shortly thereafter. The attack followed U.S. strikes against Iran-backed militants last week.
Domestic tourism has been strong in Iraq's northern Kurdish region, but sites in more impoverished, insecure areas tend to be visited less. A few Iraqi tourism companies are trying to change that.
Many Iraqis — Christian and Muslim — say they are excited about the first papal visit to the country, raising hopes of religious tolerance in the face of extremist violence.
"Iraq's economic situation can probably best be described as being dire," says an International Energy Agency expert. Government revenues have plummeted and its currency has been devalued.
Suicide bombings have been rare in the Iraqi capital since the country's military pushed out the Islamic State in 2017. The last such attack occurred three years ago.
"We were surprised that the American president issued a decision to pardon these criminals, murderers and thugs," says an Iraqi man who was shot in the 2007 massacre at Baghdad's Nisour Square.
The attack killed one Iraqi civilian and caused damage to the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad as well as surrounding residential areas. No embassy personnel were hurt.
Thousands of Yazidis who were in displacement camps in northern Iraq's Kurdistan Region have returned to Sinjar. "It's a beautiful feeling to be home," says a Yazidi woman who recently arrived.
Investigators have discovered 17 mass graves containing bodies of some of the 3,000 Yazidis killed by ISIS. For survivors, a grave with remains of older and pregnant women prompts a special anguish.
