Iraqiya ministers, MPs 29 Jan ended parliament and council of ministers boycott over Dec arrest warrant for VP Tariq Al-Hashimi. Iraqiya-linked Diyala deputy governor Ghadban al-Khazraji arrested 21 Jan; Iraqiya leader Allawi 18 Jan accused PM Maliki of using security services to torture opposition. UNHCHR Pillay 24 Jan called for immediate moratorium on death penalty following 19 Jan execution of 34 people for terrorism-related offences. 5, 14 Jan bomb attack on Shiite pilgrims in south killed over 100; gunmen disguised as police 15 Jan attacked police compound in Ramadi killing 9. Bomb 1 Feb targeted Iraqi MP Qais al-Shadhr’s convoy in Baghdad, wounding five.

Political situation deteriorated sharply following 18 Dec official withdrawal of last U.S. combat troops, though few hundred military trainers remain under private contracts. Authorities 19 Dec issued arrest warrant for VP Tariq Al-Hashimi, accusing him of involvement in acts of terrorism, specifically assassinations; Hashimi and other senior Sunni leaders fled to Kurdistan region. In response Iraqiya Alliance began boycott of parliament and govt. Maliki 21 Dec threatened to abandon power-sharing agreement, warned Kurds there would be “problems” if they protected Hashimi. Diyala’s Provincial Council 15 Dec voted in favour of forming federal region (4th province to do so); armed protesters occupied much of provincial capital Baquba. Wave of bombings 22 Dec killed at least 72, injured over 200 in Baghdad; al-Qaeda affiliate Islamic State of Iraq 27 Dec claimed responsibility. UN, govt 26 Dec agreed to relocate several thousand Iranian exiles from northeast Camp Ashraf; rocket struck camp 25 Dec, no casualties.

U.S. military official 15 Nov said troops will remain in Iraq as military trainers after year-end withdrawal; radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr 3 Nov said he would resist any U.S. presence beyond year-end, including civilian one. Regular bombings continued across country including 19 people killed, 64 injured 24 Nov in series of bombings in Basra. Governor of Anbar province 7 Nov survived assassination attempt just outside Baghdad. Govt 22 Nov said it would sanction U.S. oil company Exxon Mobil for signing “illegal” exploration deal 13 Nov with Kurdistan regional govt. Iraq abstained from 12 Nov Arab League vote to suspend Syria, and 27 Nov sanctions; FM Zebari denied accusations of Iranian pressure on vote. 16 al-Qaeda members convicted of involvement in massacre of 70 people at 2006 wedding executed.

U.S. President Obama 21 Oct announced all U.S. troops will be withdrawn as scheduled at year-end; PM Maliki 22 Oct said talks will continue over U.S. trainers staying after withdrawal. Wave of bombings across Baghdad 10-13 Oct killed scores. Govt and administration of Iraqi Kurdistan condemned 19 Oct Turkish ground operation and air strikes against PKK in northern Iraq. Maliki 29 Oct said 615 detained in anti-Baathist security sweep late month.

President Barzani of federal Kurdistan region 6 Sept said Iraq needs U.S. military presence beyond year-end withdrawal for fear of civil war. Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr 11 Sept called on his followers to halt attacks on U.S. troops unless they remain after scheduled withdrawal. FM Zebari 21 Sept said Iraq will need U.S. trainers even after combat troops withdraw, ruled out any renewal of 2008 troop agreement. Thousands of al-Sadr’s followers 16 Sept demonstrated for govt to provide more electricity, jobs. More than 15 killed, 80 wounded 25 Sept in 4 successive explosions in Karbala; no immediate claim of responsibility. Head of leading anti-corruption body Judge al-Uqaili resigned 8 Sept over govt failure to act on corruption.

Escalation in violence throughout month; deadliest day of year 15 Aug with some 90 people killed, 300 injured in series of over 40 nationwide attacks. Govt 3 Aug announced readiness to open formal discussions with U.S. on keeping troops beyond scheduled year-end withdrawal; radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr 9 Aug called for U.S. troops to leave or risk more attacks. Tensions with Ankara after Turkish airstrikes on PKK bases in Iraqi-Kurdistan (see Turkey). Several rockets fired from Iraq hit border area with Kuwait near site of controversial Kuwaiti mega-port; no claim of responsibility.

U.S. Sec Defense Panetta on visit to Iraq 11 July pressed lawmakers to decide on scheduled year-end withdrawal of U.S. troops, accused Iran of arming Iraqi Shiite militias who have stepped up attacks on U.S. troops; Iran rejected “baseless claims”. Political leaders 24 July failed to meet self-imposed deadline on U.S. troop withdrawal. U.S. colonel 24 July said from 1 Aug U.S. troops no longer part of trilateral operation in northern zones. At least 37 killed, 54 wounded 5 July in twin suicide attack in Taji, north of Baghdad; al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility. Security official 24 July said 16 suspected members of al-Qaeda cell arrested during month; group blamed for over 100 killings in Baghdad. 2 Iraqi Kurds killed 25 July by Iranian shelling in northern Kurdish region along Iranian border; FM Zebari 24 July called for end to shelling inside Iraq.

Escalation in violence continued, including at least 34 killed 23 June in triple bombing of SW Baghdad neighbourhood. 5 U.S. soldiers killed 6 June in Shiite militia attack on army base in E Baghdad, deadliest attack on U.S. forces in 2 years; 15 American soldiers killed in month. Leon Panetta, nominee for U.S. Defense Sec, 10 June said about 1,000 al- Qaeda insurgents remain in Iraq, predicted Tehran will ask U.S. troops to stay beyond planned end-2011 withdrawal deadline, though decision is contingent upon PM Maliki’s request. Several demonstrators injured 11 June in clashes between pro- and anti-govt protesters in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square; several protest leaders detained, reportedly tortured. Maliki following expiration of 100 day deadline to improve govt performance 23 June said he wanted to shrink govt, promised to fire weak ministers.

Increase in assassinations, bombings throughout month, particularly in northern Kirkuk where 19 May triple bombing killed 27, wounded scores. Al-Qaeda in Iraq claimed responsibility for 5 May suicide bombing that killed 24 policemen in Hilla; indicated attack was revenge for U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden, vowed further revenge attacks (see Pakistan). PM Maliki 11 May said he would extend presence of U.S. troops beyond year-end deadline if majority of political blocs supported decision; thousands of supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr 26 May rallied in Baghdad against extension. Parliamentary blocs 12 May reached agreement on nomination of 3 vice presidents, one since resigned, but key defence and interior posts remain unfilled. 18 killed 8 May, including 11 senior al-Qaeda militants, in failed jailbreak in Baghdad prison.

At least 125 wounded in clashes 17-18 Apr between protesters and security forces in city of Sulaimaniya, semi-autonomous Kurdistan. Authorities in Kurdish province of Sulaimaniyah 18 Apr announced ban on unauthorised protest; one week earlier federal govt banned street protests in Baghdad. Tens of thousands of supporters of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Baghdad 9 Apr protested U.S. military presence; al-Sadr threatened to reconstitute Mahdi army if U.S. did not withdraw by year-end. U.S. senior military official Adm Mike Mullen 22 Apr warned Iraq has only weeks to decide on withdrawal. 34 killed by security forces in 8 Apr raid on Iranian dissident camp in Diyala province; U.S. denounced “unacceptable” military action. Arab League 20 Apr again postponed annual summit originally scheduled for March in Baghdad.