Iraq

Iraq is increasingly becoming a battleground in the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. The US has been conducting airstrikes targeting the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iran-aligned Shia umbrella group, within Iraq, including in Baghdad. This has drawn Iraq further into the regional war, exacerbating its existing economic problems. The PMF, while integrated into the Iraqi security apparatus, maintains close ties with Iran, making Iraq a key arena for the US-Iran proxy conflict. This situation is newsworthy due to the escalation of the US-Iran war and Iraq's unwilling involvement, raising concerns about Iraqi sovereignty and stability. The conflict also impacts global energy markets due to Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz.