Islamic State (ISIS) continued to increase level of activity – including engaging in direct clashes with security forces, stepping up attacks on infrastructure, and targeting civilians – while parliament approved new govt amid resuming protests. ISIS early May launched series of attacks in Salah al-Din, Diyala and Kirkuk provinces; clashes between ISIS fighters and paramilitary coalition Popular Mobilisation Unit (PMU) forces in Salah al-Din province 2 May killed at least 10 PMU militants. Suspected ISIS fighters 7 May sabotaged three high voltage towers in Nineveh province, 11 May set fire to farm crop in Makhmour in Erbil province. In retaliation, coalition-backed security forces stepped up anti-ISIS operations; coalition 15 May launched airstrikes targeting ISIS infrastructure near Mosul, killing seven ISIS fighters. Turkish air raids targeted Kurdistan Workers’ Party militants in northern Sulaymaniyah province 27 May. Meanwhile, parliament 7 May approved PM designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s cabinet, U.S. and Iran both welcomed move; U.S. same day renewed sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to import Iranian electricity and gas for 120 days. However, Kataib Hizbollah 7 May criticised parliamentarians for endorsing Kadhimi whom they accuse of involvement in U.S. killing in Jan of Iran’s Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani and PMU deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Unclaimed rockets 6 and 9 May struck capital Baghdad, one near U.S. facilities; no casualties reported. PM Kadhimi following first cabinet meeting 9 May reinstated and promoted popular Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saedi to head Counter-Terrorism Service; al-Saedi’s demotion by previous govt triggered protests in Sept. New govt 9 May ordered release of all protesters detained since demonstrations erupted in Oct 2019 and set up committee investigating crimes committed against protesters. Thousands of anti-govt protesters 10-11 May took to streets in south and central Iraq demanding government hold early elections and accountability for abuses against protesters. After militants of Iran-backed militia Thar Allah 10 May reportedly fired live rounds at protesters in Basra city that killed one protester, PM Kadhimi 11 May ordered closing of group’s headquarters. Following renewed clashes nationwide between protesters and security forces mid-May, UN 23 May published report documenting armed groups’ abductions of more than 100 people during anti-govt protests since Oct, including allegations of torture.

Amid ongoing open hostility between U.S. and Iran-backed militias, President Salih appointed new PM designate in attempt to resolve political paralysis, while Islamic State (ISIS) stepped up attacks on civilians and security forces. U.S. President Trump 1 April accused Iran or proxies of planning “sneak attack” on U.S. forces in Iraq; Iranian FM Zarif next day denied accusations. Iran-backed militia Kataib Hizbollah early April warned U.S. against striking group, demanded full withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Unknown perpetrators 6 April fired rockets near U.S. company Halliburton in south causing no casualties. U.S. 10 April offered $10mn reward for information on Muhammad Kawtharani, senior Hizbollah military commander overseeing Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Nine pro-Iranian militias 4 April jointly announced efforts to confront U.S. in Iraq. U.S. Sec State Pompeo 7 April announced U.S.-Iraq “strategic dialogue” in June. Efforts to form govt continued: PM designate Adnan al-Zurfi 8 April withdrew nomination due to lack of support from Shiite parties, especially pro-Iranian Fateh coalition; President Salih 9 April appointed intelligence director Mustafa al-Kadhimi as PM designate. Leader of Fateh coalition Hadi al-Amiri attended Kadhimi’s nomination ceremony in sign of support but Kataib Hizbollah 10 April condemned nomination, accusing al-Kadhimi of involvement in U.S. killing of Iran’s Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani and deputy chief of Shiite militia coalition Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Jan. Following 5 April killing of activist Anwar Jassem Mhawwas in Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province, violent clashes ensued between security forces and protesters, which left two dead. Clashes between ISIS and security forces increased throughout month in Kirkuk, Erbil, Nineveh, Diyala and Salah al-Din provinces, with group planting IEDs targeting civilians and security forces; in retaliation, security forces 13 April killed 20 ISIS fighters in Kirkuk. Suspected ISIS suicide attack 28 April targeted Iraqi intelligence directorate in Kirkuk; Iraqi officials said at least three security personnel wounded.

Violent confrontation between U.S. and pro-Iranian groups intensified, while stalemate persisted over formation of new govt amid ongoing anti-govt protests. Rocket attack on Camp Taji base north of capital Baghdad 11 March killed two U.S. and one UK personnel. U.S. blamed attack on Iran-backed militia Kataib Hizbollah and retaliated next day with strikes against five of its alleged weapons’ depots, killing three Iraqi soldiers, two police officers and one civilian. U.S. 13 March deployed Patriot and C-Ram missile systems to Iraq to protect U.S. bases. Rockets hit Camp Taji again 14 March, injuring five U.S. servicemen and Iraqi forces. Kataib Hizbollah 14 March denied involvement in attacks; previously unknown group League of Revolutionaries (Usbat al-Thairin) 16 March claimed responsibility, calling for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Rockets struck Iraqi Basmaya base south of Baghdad which hosts U.S. soldiers 16 March and hit Baghdad’s Green Zone near U.S. embassy 17 March. PM designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi 1 March withdrew nomination after failing to win support of Sunni and Kurdish blocs and losing support from Shiite parties. Shiite parties organised committee to find consensus candidate but two major coalitions, Ammar al-Hakim’s al-Hikma and Muqtada al-Sadr’s Sairoon, 16 March withdrew from negotiations. In response, President Salih 17 March appointed former governor of Najaf province Adnan Al-Zurfi as new PM and tasked him with forming govt; several Shiite parties rejected nomination. Clashes between anti-govt protesters and govt forces in Baghdad and Nasiriyah 8 March left three protesters dead; clashes 10-11 March injured a dozen more. To counter spread of COVID-19, authorities 15 March suspended all flights to and from Baghdad International Airport until 24 March and imposed weeklong curfew in Baghdad starting 17 March, later extending measures till 11 April. U.S. 20 March announced “temporary” troop drawdown due to COVID-19. Turkish airstrikes in northern Iraq 14 March “neutralised” eleven members of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

President Salih appointed former minister Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as new PM but parliament failed to approve his cabinet, anti-govt protesters continued to face violent repression and security forces kept up operations against Islamic State (ISIS). Salih 1 Feb appointed former communications minister Allawi as PM and tasked him with forming govt. Shiite parliamentary blocs Sairoun and Fatah same day endorsed Allawi’s nomination. Anti-govt protesters rejected Allawi on grounds that he is part of ruling elite. Popular Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr 2 Feb instructed his supporters to help security forces clear roads and public spaces occupied by protesters: Sadr’s supporters same day began attacking protesters including in Najaf city 5 Feb that left around two dozen dead, and attack in Karbala next day that left over ten dead; Sadr 8 Feb called on his supporters to leave protest sites and 11 Feb said he would disband Peace Brigades unit within his support base responsible for violence. Sadr expressed support for Allawi’s nomination. Allawi 19 Feb said he had formed cabinet of independents. Parliament late Feb failed to approve Allawi’s cabinet after Sunni and Kurdish parties boycotted vote. Unclaimed rockets 13 and 16 Feb struck military bases hosting U.S. troops in Kirkuk province and in Green Zone in capital Baghdad. ISIS attacks 2-28 Feb left at least twelve civilians, ten security force members and six militants dead in Diyala, Nineveh, Kirkuk and Salah ad-Din provinces. Security forces continued anti-ISIS operations, reportedly killing around 80 militants 4-28 Feb in Diyala, Salah ad-Din and Kirkuk provinces. Despite parliament’s non-binding resolution in Jan instructing govt to expel foreign troops from Iraq, NATO Sec Gen Stoltenberg 13 Feb said govt had asked NATO to continue training Iraqi security forces. U.S. 13 Feb renewed sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to continue importing Iranian energy for 45 more days.

U.S.’s killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in capital Baghdad provoked Iranian missile strikes on U.S. assets in Iraq and reinvigorated efforts to evict U.S. and coalition forces, and security forces continued to violently repress anti-govt protests. Following tit-for-tat attacks between U.S. and Iran-backed militia Kataib Hizbollah late Dec, U.S. drone strike in Baghdad 3 Jan killed ten including militia’s commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, also deputy commander of Shiite militia coalition Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), and Soleimani, whom Washington claimed had been planning attacks on U.S. targets. Iran 8 Jan retaliated with missile strikes on two air bases in Anbar and Erbil provinces hosting U.S. troops, causing material damage and injuring 64 U.S. soldiers. Shiite militia Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq 8 Jan called for militant action against U.S.. Numerous unclaimed aerial attacks targeting U.S. assets and PMU continued throughout month, notably three rockets 26 Jan reportedly hit U.S. embassy. Parliament by slim majority 5 Jan passed non-binding resolution tasking govt to expel U.S. and other foreign troops from Iraq. U.S. threatened govt with sanctions if it forced American troops to leave. U.S. 10 Jan rejected PM Mahdi’s request to draw up plan for troop withdrawal. Responding to call by influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, hundreds of thousands demonstrated in Baghdad 24 Jan, demanding end to U.S. military presence. Anti-govt protests persisted in Baghdad and south, clashes with security forces left at least ten dead 20-21 Jan. Sadr 24 Jan withdrew support for protests and his supporters next day left protest camps in Baghdad and southern cities; security forces proceeded to raid camps leaving at least twelve dead. Sadr 31 Jan called on his supporters to rejoin protests. Following Soleimani’s killing, NATO and U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State (ISIS) suspended operations 4 and 5 Jan respectively and some participant states removed small numbers of troops. Army 30 Jan said it was resuming joint operations with U.S.-led coalition. ISIS attacks 2-29 Jan left at least thirteen security force members and two civilians dead.

Following PM Mahdi’s resignation, wrangling over his successor extended political paralysis; security forces continued deadly crackdown on anti-govt protests; and in response to increasing attacks on U.S. assets, U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed militia triggered violent protest at U.S. embassy raising risk that U.S.-Iran tensions fuel further escalation in Jan. After parliament 1 Dec accepted PM Mahdi’s resignation, two main parliamentary coalitions both claimed constitutional right to name new PM by virtue of being largest bloc; President Salih 15 Dec tasked parliament speaker to determine largest bloc. Parliament 24 Dec passed electoral law allowing people to vote for individual candidates instead of party lists. Iran-backed bloc proposed governor of southern Basra province Asaad al-Eidani, but Salih 26 Dec refused to appoint him PM “to avoid more bloodshed” and offered his resignation to parliament. Protesters 1 and 3 Dec stormed Iranian consulate in Najaf. U.S. 6 Dec sanctioned leaders of Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) for roles in repressing protests. In capital Baghdad, gunmen night of 6-7 Dec killed at least 22 protesters and three policemen. Drone 7 Dec hit home of Moqtada al-Sadr, Shiite cleric and leader of Reform and Construction parliamentary bloc, causing no casualties. Attacks on U.S. assets intensified: unidentified assailants 3, 5, 9 and 11 Dec launched rockets at military bases housing U.S. troops; rocket attack on base outside Kirkuk 27 Dec killed U.S. contractor. U.S. Sec State Pompeo blamed “Iran’s proxies”. U.S. airstrikes 29 Dec hit bases of Iran-backed Kataib Hizbollah militia, part of PMU, in Iraq and Syria killing at least 25 fighters. In response, supporters and members of Kataib Hizbollah protested outside U.S. embassy, 31 Dec broke into compound. Islamic State (ISIS) attacks in Diyala and Kirkuk provinces left at least 26 security force members dead. Police 3 Dec announced capture of alleged deputy of ISIS leader al-Baghdadi. Security forces 15-31 Dec killed 57 ISIS militants in Diyala, Nineveh, Erbil and Salah al-Din provinces.

Security forces continued to brutally suppress protests against ruling elite leaving over 100 dead, pushing toll since early Oct over 400, and PM Mahdi resigned; political vacuum could lead to greater unrest in Dec. President Salih late Oct said PM Mahdi was willing to step down if largest political blocs could agree on his replacement and promised electoral reform and early elections; protesters continued to call for overhaul of political system. UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) 10 Nov proposed roadmap to resolve crisis including release of detained protesters, investigation into enforced disappearances and use of excessive force against protesters, and electoral reforms. Top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani 11 Nov expressed support for UN’s proposals and said protesters should continue until govt meets their demands. Several political parties 18 Nov agreed to give Mahdi 45 days to implement reforms while threatening to withdraw support for his govt and call for early elections if he fails. Protesters 27 Nov burned down Iranian consulate in Najaf; Iran condemned attack and called on Iraq to take action against perpetrators. Security forces 28 Nov killed at least 44 protesters in Najaf and Nasiriya. After al-Sistani 29 Nov called on parliament to retract its support for govt, Mahdi same day said he would resign in bid to calm protesters. Unidentified assailants 8 Nov fired seventeen rockets at military base housing U.S. troops in Nineveh province in north west; no casualties reported. In Kirkuk province in north, roadside bombing 10 Nov seriously injured five Italian soldiers deployed to train Iraqi forces. Clashes between security forces and Islamic State (ISIS) 1-29 Nov left at least twenty militants and seven security force members dead in several provinces. In north, Turkey continued its air campaign against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) including 20 Nov raid that left at least ten dead in Haftanin. Kurdistan Regional Govt (KRG) and federal govt 25 Nov reached preliminary oil-sharing agreement.

Anti-govt protests erupted in capital Baghdad and southern provinces leading to violent crackdown on protesters that left at least 250 dead and 8,000 wounded; violence and political instability could rise further in Nov. After demotion of iconic general stirred anger late Sept, protesters 1 Oct took to streets in Baghdad calling for jobs, improved public services and end to corruption. Security forces’ violent attempts to disperse protests, including with live ammunition, caused protests to swell and spread to southern provinces. Before unrest subsided 7 Oct clashes left 149 protesters and eight members of security forces dead. PM Mahdi 9 Oct announced measures including cabinet reshuffle, punishment of corrupt officials, job creation schemes and stipends for poor. Highest Shiite authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani 11 Oct denounced repression and called on govt to investigate; Mahdi next day launched commission of inquiry, which 22 Oct blamed security officials for losing control of forces; govt same day fired 44 army and police commanders. Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr 19 Oct expressed support for protests and called on govt to resign. Protesters 25 Oct returned to streets in Baghdad and southern provinces calling, among other things, for Mahdi to resign. Further clashes left scores killed and wounded; notably in Karbala, about 100km south of Baghdad, security forces 29 Oct sought to disperse crowds violently leaving at least fourteen dead. Explosion at weapons depot near Baghdad reportedly linked to Iran-backed paramilitaries 14 Oct injured twelve security force members. Unclaimed rocket strike on Baghdad’s Green Zone 30 Oct killed one soldier. U.S. 17 Oct renewed sanctions waiver allowing Iraq to continue importing Iranian energy for 120 more days. Islamic State attack in Salah al-Din province 21 Oct left two dead. U.S. 20 Oct said it would move forces it withdrew from Syria to western Iraq; Iraqi military 22 Oct said U.S. troops did not have permission to stay. In north, Turkish airstrikes 1-15 Oct left five PKK members dead.

Govt continued efforts to remain neutral amid U.S.-Iran tensions as unclaimed drone strikes continued to target Iran-backed paramilitaries, and security forces pursued operations against Islamic State (ISIS). Unclaimed drone strike on weapons depot of Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) in Anbar province 10 Sept killed 21 PMU members. PMU next day said it had downed surveillance drone in Diyala province. Unclaimed drone 22 Sept struck PMU base in Anbar province, no casualties reported. PM Mahdi 30 Sept said Israel was responsible for airstrikes on PMU. Govt 19 Sept said it would not join U.S.-led maritime security coalition for Middle Eastern waterways. PM Mahdi 25 Sept visited Saudi Arabia and held talks with Crown Prince Bin Salman aimed at reducing regional tensions. Iran’s ambassador to Iraq 27 Sept said Tehran would not hesitate to attack U.S. in Iraq if it launched attack on Iran. Three attacks by unidentified gunmen in capital Baghdad 21-22 Sept left seven PMU militants and family members dead. Unidentified assailants 23 Sept launched several rockets at Green Zone in Baghdad, no injuries reported. Fight against ISIS continued. In Salah al-Din, Nineveh and Anbar provinces, clashes between security forces and ISIS 2-25 Sept reportedly left 46 militants and three members of security forces dead. In Karbala province, ISIS claimed 21 Sept bombing of minibus that killed twelve pilgrims. In Erbil, Nineveh and Diyala provinces, U.S.-led coalition and govt airstrikes 8-24 Sept killed twenty militants. In north, Turkey said it “neutralised” several dozen PKK militants 1-30 Sept. Clashes between Turkish forces and PKK in Haftanin region 22 Sept reportedly left seven militants and three soldiers dead. Govt 30 Sept reopened al-Qaim border crossing with Syria after years of closure.

Suspected Israeli drone strike on Iran-backed militia killed two, prompting Iran-allied parliamentary bloc to call it a declaration of war against Iraq, and security forces continued operations against Islamic State (ISIS). Following suspected Israeli airstrikes on assets of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iraq late July, PM Mahdi 16 Aug banned all unauthorised military flights. Explosion and large fire in missile depot of Iran-backed paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) in central Baghdad 12 Aug killed one person, prompting interior minister to order investigation. Explosion of unknown cause also damaged weapons depot of PMU militia Kataib Hezbollah in al-Balad base in Salah al-Din province 20 Aug. In al-Qaim near Syrian border, suspected Israeli drone strike 25 Aug killed at least two Kataib Hizbollah fighters; parliamentary bloc Fatah Alliance 26 Aug held U.S. responsible for suspected Israeli attack, which it called “declaration of war” against Iraq, and demanded withdrawal of U.S. troops; U.S. State Department same day denied responsibility and said it would cooperate with investigations. Security forces continued operations against ISIS. In Kirkuk province, Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) 4 Aug launched New Dawn operation, deploying troops and warplanes to Hawija, al-Rashad and al-Abassi and reportedly killing several militants. In Diyala province, military 7 Aug said it had killed four ISIS militants as part of ongoing operation Will of Victory. In Anbar province, CTS 14 Aug killed ten militants. U.S. soldier 10 Aug died in gunfight with suspected ISIS militants in Nineveh province. In Daquq, south of Kirkuk city, suspected ISIS mortar fire 12 Aug killed two policemen.