Baghdad

Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, is currently a focal point for several significant developments. The city is experiencing internal challenges, including protests by medical and health graduates demanding government jobs due to an unemployment crisis, and a deadly crackdown on illegal housing that resulted in the death of an Iraqi brigadier general. Additionally, Baghdad has seen security incidents such as explosions and fires at the Al-Dora power plant and anti-corruption raids leading to the arrest of dozens of officials. Regionally, Baghdad is implicated in a drone attack on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, with Iraqi authorities investigating the launch site. The city is also seeing the return of US diplomatic staff after previous evacuations due to tensions with Iran. Furthermore, Baghdad was the site where Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf addressed attendees near the location of Qassem Soleimani's killing. The Iraqi government is also preparing to bring weapons held by armed factions under state control.