Tensions between Baghdad, autonomous Kurdish region increased late Nov with week-long standoff along contested internal border. Military leaders from both sides 26 Nov agreed to work to defuse tensions; bombs 27 Nov killed 4 ethnic Kurds in Kirkuk. 1 died 16 Nov in clashes between Iraqi forces, troops guarding office of Kurdish political party in Tuz Khurmato. Car bombs 6 Nov killed at least 27 outside army base in Taji, 9 Nov killed over 30 and injured over 100 in Shiite cities outside Baghdad, 14 Nov killed at least 14 across country. PM al-Maliki’s rivals mid Nov began campaigning for introduction of term limits in attempt to block Shiite leader running for 3rd term in 2014. Court 1 Nov again sentenced fugitive VP al-Hashemi to death for alleged involvement in plot to assassinate interior ministry official. 2 Iraqi civilians killed, 3 wounded 6 Nov in Turkish air strike targeting PKK separatist rebels. Suspected Hezbollah operative Ali Musa Daqduq freed 16 Nov following acquittal by Iraqi court of involvement in killing of 5 U.S. soldiers.

Arrest warrants issued for Central Bank governor, suspended from post 16 Oct, and other bank officials over currency manipulation allegations. PM al-Maliki 5 Oct requested electoral commission plan for April provincial elections. Shootings and bombings targeting Shia communities throughout country 27-28 Oct left at least 43 dead, 92 injured. 9 killed, 26 wounded 23 Oct in attack on Shiite neighbourhoods in Baghdad. At least 17 killed 20 Oct in Baghdad in bombing near Shia Muslim shrine and shootings targeting govt official; 3 killed same day in attack on Mosul police checkpoint. Govt 2 Oct announced stoppage of Syria-bound Iranian planes in Baghdad for weapons inspections. Govt agreed weapon deals with U.S., Russia, Czech Republic, as part of program to control airspace. Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq 5 Oct claimed responsibility for 30 Sept bomb attacks and 27 Sept Tikrit jailbreak.

Court 9 Sept sentenced in absentia VP al-Hashemi to death for masterminding 2 murders; Trade Ministry stopped registering Turkish companies over Turkey’s refusal to extradite al-Hashemi. Govt oil payment dispute with Kurdistan Regional Govt (KRG) ended 13 Sept following KRG pledge to continue exports, Baghdad agreement to pay producing companies working in Kurdistan region; oil payments transferred 30 Sept from Baghdad to KRG. Govt 8 Sept closed border at al-Qaim town after rockets fired from Syria 8 Sept killed 1,18 Sept re-opened border to Syrian refugees, refused entry to young men citing security. FM Hoshiyar Zebari 30 Sept announced plans to conduct random inspections of Iranian planes following allegations planes carrying military supplies to Syrian govt. Asaib Ahl al-Haq militia 13 Sept threatened U.S. interests over controversial anti-Islam film; PM al-Maliki called for non-violent reaction; hundreds protested in Baghdad. 7 Sept blasts in Kirkuk, including at 2 Shiite mosques, killed at least 8, wounded 70. Attacks 9 Sept throughout country killed over 70, wounded over 200. Suicide car bomber 17 Sept killed 7, including MP, in Baghdad; Car bomb attacks throughout country 30 Sept targeting security forces, Shia pilgrims, killed at least 32. Militants 27 Sept attacked Tasfirat prison in Tikrit, 12 guards killed, 90 inmates freed.

Kurdistan Regional Govt (KRG) 7 Aug resumed oil exports through Iraq’s national pipeline following 4-month standstill; 8 Aug claimed govt closed Representation Office of KRG in Baghdad Prime Ministry; govt said office can reopen elsewhere in Baghdad. Kurdish Deputy PM Rosh Nuri al-Shawish 30 Aug said Kurdistan ready to restart negotiations with Baghdad on oil law. Govt 3 Aug protested 2 Aug unannounced visit by Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoğlu to Kirkuk, said visit violated sovereignty; Turkey warned Iraqi govt to be “careful” of remarks. Communications Minister Mohammed Allawi resigned 27 Aug citing interference by PM al-Maliki. Sunni cleric Mehdi al-Sumaidaie, who preached Sunni-Shiite reconciliation, critically wounded, 4 bodyguards killed 19 Aug by car bomb, Baghdad. Series of bombings, shootings across country 16 Aug killed over 70. Several explosions 15 Aug killed at least 9 in Baquba, Muqdadiya. At least 9 soldiers, including colonel, killed 28 Aug when insurgents fired rockets at army convoy north of Baghdad. PM al-Maliki’s media advisor 20 Aug rejected reports Iraq breached sanctions on Iran.

Kurdistan early-July began exporting crude oil to Turkey; Chevron Corp 19 July announced oil contract with Kurdistan; central govt 15 July called moves illegal, barred Chevron from oil deals with central govt. Kurdish separatists blamed for 20 July bombing of pipeline from Kirkuk to Turkish port Ceyhan. Govt 17 July warned Turkey against violating airspace, threatened to lodge complaint with UNSC. PM Maliki, parliamentary speaker al-Nujaifi 12 July met in first meeting since start of political crisis. 15 Baquba neighborhood officials resigned 27 July in protest against govt’s inability to protect them from al-Qaeda. Bombings killed, wounded many throughout month; al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for 23 July attack killing over 107, wounding at least 268, as part of new “Destroying the Walls” campaign. National Security Advisor al-Fayadh 31 July announced Iranian dissident group Mujahadine Khalq (MEK) must relocate from Camp Ashraf to former U.S. military base.

Political crisis continued: Shiite Cleric Moqtada Sadr 24 June said PM al-Maliki must be removed for govt reforms to take place; al-Maliki proposed early elections unless parties agreed to negotiate end to power-sharing problems. Month saw numerous attacks against Shiites across Baghdad: Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for 4 June attack on Shiite endowment office killing several, 11 June suicide bombing outside Shiite religious office killed some 26, wounded over 190; 10 June bombings killed at least 6, wounded 38 in Kadhimiya; Shiite pilgrims attacked 13 June, at least 93 killed, more than 50 wounded; 2 car bombs 16 June killed at least 32 near Kadhimiya; 2 bombs 22 June targeted market in Husseiniya killing at least 8, injuring more than 50; 27 June bombings targeted tribal sheikh in Mada’in, killed 3 children in Ghazaliya district; bombs 28 June targeted Washash, police patrol in Aby Dsheer killing 1. Govt building targeted same day in Taji. Suicide bomber 18 June killed at least 15, injured over 40 at funeral in Baquba. Turkish airstrikes began 22 June against PKK bases in Iraqi-Kurdistan (see Turkey).

Series of bombings, shootings across country left several dead, dozens injured. Roadside bomb near Baghdad 27 May injured 24 Pakistani pilgrims. Bombings 31 May in Baghdad killed at least 13 people. Trial in absentia of Vice President al-Hashemi opened in Baghdad 15 May; Turkey 9 May refused to extradite al-Hashemi despite 8 May Interpol Red Notice for his arrest. Kurdistan regional govt (KRG) President Barzani 28 May warned of desire for “Arabisation and ethnic cleansing” among some politicians. KRG Oil minister Hawrami 20 May outlined plans to export oil, gas directly to Turkey.

Country-wide bombings 19 April killed 35; Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility. 21 April bombings in Baghdad killed 3; Diyala province Governor al-Hiyali’s convoy bombed same day; 2 explosions 26 April in Diyala province killed 10. Electoral commission head al-Haidari briefly detained 15 April on suspicion of corruption. Qatar 3 April refused Iraqi request to hand over VP al-Hashemi; al-Hashemi 19 April warned of Iraq “break up” over sectarian polarisation by PM al-Maliki; 30 April charged with several murders, including those of 6 judges. Kurdistan regional President Barzani 1 April declared suspension of oil exports to Baghdad. New Kurdistan Regional Govt sworn in 6 April, headed by PM Nechirvan Barzani; Turkish PM Erdoğan 19 April criticised PM al-Maliki’s treatment of minority coalition partners; al-Maliki denounced Turkish “illusion of regional hegemony”, “stoking of sectarian tensions”.

Sustained violence by suspected al-Qaeda militants ahead of 27-29 March Arab League summit in Baghdad: militants 5 March killed 27 policemen, senior officers in Haditha; suicide attacks 7 March killed at least 12 in Tal Afar (Nineveh); gunmen 12 March attacked Baghdad gold market killing 9; series of coordinated attacks 20 March killed over 50 people in 14 cities, including Baghdad, Kirkuk, Karbala. Tensions between ruling coalition partners continued: Iyad Allawi-led Iraqiya bloc 18 March reiterated threat to withdraw from ruling coalition unless govt implement Erbil power-sharing agreement. Opposition Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) mid-month split from Badr Organisation after Badr refused to withdraw its minister from ruling coalition. Kurdish regional President Barzani 20 March criticised PM Maliki’s “monopolisation of military power”. Higher Judicial Council 17 March announced VP al-Hashimi to be tried in absentia 3 May for allegedly running death-squads. Estimated 1 million supporters of Shiite Cleric Moqtada Sadr staged demonstration in Basra marking 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Militant group loyal to Sadr 17 March released former U.S. soldier abducted in June 2011.

Series of bombings, shootings across country 23 Feb left at least 50 dead, hundreds injured; umbrella group including al-Qaeda, Islamic State of Iraq, claimed responsibility. Suicide car bombing 19 Feb killed 19 police officers, cadets outside Baghdad police academy. At least 6 killed 29 Feb by car bombs in Baghdad, Tuz Khurmatu. Activists 11 Feb announced creation of new opposition party Union of Patriotic Figures, vowing to act as a check on govt. Judicial panel 16 Feb said Sunni VP al-Hashemi ran death squads since 2005, responsible for attacks on security officials and Shiite pilgrims; al-Hashemi 20 Feb denounced charges as politically motivated.