An Iraqi supporter waves the national flag ahead of the Fifa Arab Cup 2021 group A football match between Qatar and Iraq. AFP
An Iraqi supporter waves the national flag ahead of the Fifa Arab Cup 2021 group A football match between Qatar and Iraq. AFP
An Iraqi supporter waves the national flag ahead of the Fifa Arab Cup 2021 group A football match between Qatar and Iraq. AFP
An Iraqi supporter waves the national flag ahead of the Fifa Arab Cup 2021 group A football match between Qatar and Iraq. AFP

MENA

Iraq

A look back at 2021 in Iraq: a year of hopes and challenges

From visits by senior world leaders such as Pope Francis to security and political upheavals, Iraqis experienced ups and downs

Sinan Mahmoud
Sinan Mahmoud
Baghdad

December 27, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Iraq has gone through an eventful year, with the hopes raised by it hosting its first papal visit and its first election under revamped electoral laws tempered by increasing extremist attacks and bitter divisions among major political players.

The year kicked off with ISIS staging a bombing in central Baghdad for the first time since the extremist group was declared defeated in late 2017. More than 30 civilians were killed and 100 wounded when two suicide bombers detonated their explosives on January 26.

Weeks later, hopes for peace were rising amid preparations to receive a special guest: Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The pontiff’s historic three-day trip in early March spread a message of tolerance, diversity, and hope in a nation ravaged by years of war and sectarian conflict.

During his visit, the pope met Iraqi officials and religious leaders, including Shiite spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani whose words carry great weight with ordinary Iraqis.

Pope Francis arrives to hold a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives to hold a mass at the Grand Immaculate Church, in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
An Iraqi security force officer guards as people wait to greet Pope Francis in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
An Iraqi security force officer guards as people wait to greet Pope Francis in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Children with flags wait for Pope Francis to arrive at a meeting with the Qaraqosh community at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. AP Photo
Children with flags wait for Pope Francis to arrive at a meeting with the Qaraqosh community at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. AP Photo
People wait for Pope Francis before his arrival inside the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh (Baghdeda). AFP
People wait for Pope Francis before his arrival inside the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, in the predominantly Christian town of Qaraqosh (Baghdeda). AFP
Pope Francis arrives to hold a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis arrives to hold a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis sits down before holding a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Pope Francis sits down before holding a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
A girl sits down before Pope Francis holds a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
A girl sits down before Pope Francis holds a prayer at the Grand Immaculate Church in the town of Qaraqosh. Reuters
Ignatius Joseph III Yunan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, reads from a book as Pope Francis listens while on the throne at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. AFP
Ignatius Joseph III Yunan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, reads from a book as Pope Francis listens while on the throne at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception. AFP

Francis called for the protection of Iraq's Christian communities, whose numbers have dropped to roughly a third of the 1.5 million who lived in the country before the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, mainly as a result of persecution.

But Iraq's other troubles quickly overshadowed the atmosphere of hope and joy brought by his visit.

In April, a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion inside a Covid-19 isolation ward in a hospital on Baghdad’s outskirts claimed at least 82 lives, highlighting the problems faced by the healthcare system and other public services in Iraq: mismanagement, corruption, and political wrangling.

Nearly three months later, another inferno in a coronavirus ward in the southern city of Nasiriyah killed at least 92 people.

A fire ripped through and destroyed a Covid-19 unit at a hospital in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
A fire ripped through and destroyed a Covid-19 unit at a hospital in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
More than 90 people died in the fire that destroyed much of a hospital in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
More than 90 people died in the fire that destroyed much of a hospital in Nasiriyah, Iraq.
The exact cause of the blaze at Al Hussein hospital is not clear, but local media reports suggested it broke out after an oxygen tank exploded.
The exact cause of the blaze at Al Hussein hospital is not clear, but local media reports suggested it broke out after an oxygen tank exploded.
Witnesses described fire crews battling the blaze in a Covid-19 ward as it spread quickly through the building.
Witnesses described fire crews battling the blaze in a Covid-19 ward as it spread quickly through the building.
A view of the damage caused by the fire at Al Hussein hospital in Nasiriyah.
A view of the damage caused by the fire at Al Hussein hospital in Nasiriyah.
People inspect the damage after a fire at a hospital in the city of Nasiriyah in southern Iraq. At least 92 people were killed while dozens were injured.
People inspect the damage after a fire at a hospital in the city of Nasiriyah in southern Iraq. At least 92 people were killed while dozens were injured.
Initial police reports suggest an oxygen tank explosion in the hospital's Covid-19 ward caused the fire.
Initial police reports suggest an oxygen tank explosion in the hospital's Covid-19 ward caused the fire.
Health sources said the death toll could rise because many patients were still missing.
Health sources said the death toll could rise because many patients were still missing.
Angry relatives of patients gathered in front of the hospital where they clashed with police.
Angry relatives of patients gathered in front of the hospital where they clashed with police.
Iraqi President Barham Salih condemned the corruption and mismanagement that he said led to the catastrophe.
Iraqi President Barham Salih condemned the corruption and mismanagement that he said led to the catastrophe.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi ordered the suspension and arrest of health and civil defence managers.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi ordered the suspension and arrest of health and civil defence managers.
Iraq's healthcare system is struggling to cope with the coronavirus crisis, which has killed 17,592 people and infected more than 1.4 million.
Iraq's healthcare system is struggling to cope with the coronavirus crisis, which has killed 17,592 people and infected more than 1.4 million.
There is little left to salvage after the catastrophic blaze.
There is little left to salvage after the catastrophic blaze.
Search operations continued after the fire was brought under control, but thick smoke made work difficult.
Search operations continued after the fire was brought under control, but thick smoke made work difficult.
'I heard a big explosion inside the coronavirus wards and then fire erupted very quickly,' said Ali Muhsin, a hospital guard who helped to carry injured patients away from the fire.
'I heard a big explosion inside the coronavirus wards and then fire erupted very quickly,' said Ali Muhsin, a hospital guard who helped to carry injured patients away from the fire.

In July, an ISIS suicide bomber hit another market in Baghdad, killing at least 35 shoppers on the eve of Eid Al Adha. The extremist group staged attacks throughout the year in different parts of the country.

The summer brought a succession of heatwaves with temperatures around 50°C. A combination of climate change, acute water shortages caused by the damming of rivers in Turkey and Iran, and rising salinity levels in the soil have created an environmental crisis that threatens Iraq's food security.

On October 10, millions of Iraqis cast their ballots in early national elections demanded by the pro-reform, youth-led protest movement that began two years earlier in response to rampant corruption, poor services, and a lack of jobs.

Although the major political players retained control, a handful of independent politicians and newly formed parties were able to enter parliament thanks to changes in the electoral laws demanded by the protests movement.

Followers of Iraq’s populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr emerged as clear winners with 73 seats in the 329-seat parliament. His main rival, the Fatah Alliance of politicians affiliated with Iran-backed Shiite militias, won only 17 seats, compared with 45 in 2018.

The political wrangling over the results among rival Shiite groups spilt over into violent street protests.

Two protesters were killed and more than 100 protesters and security personnel wounded in early November, raising tensions between the Iran-backed militias and prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi.

A few days later, Mr Al Kadhimi escaped unharmed after a drone attack on his official residence in the Green Zone, in the first assassination attempt on an Iraqi prime minister since 2003. There was no claim of responsibility and an investigation is continuing.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Federal Court is reviewing claims of electoral fraud filed by the Shiite militias and allied political parties.

As challenging as 2021 was, the past 12 months also brought some positive news for Iraqis.

The country welcomed home more than 17,000 ancient artefacts retrieved from the US and other countries, celebrated as a triumph in its long-running fight against cultural theft.

The priceless relics, some dating as back as far as 4,000 years, include a rare clay tablet that bears a portion of the Epic of Gilgamish.

In their efforts to tap vast natural resources, Iraq signed a $27 billion deal with France’s Total that includes four projects to develop an oilfield, produce gas, build large energy infrastructure and generate solar energy.

The country took its first steps in transitioning to clean energy, awarding several deals to build solar energy plants.

And for the first time in decades, Iraq regained some of its regional influence in an attempt to ease tensions and boost cooperation.

Baghdad hosted several meetings between Iran and Saudi Arabia as well as a regional summit in coordination with France that was attended by the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwaiti, Iran, and Turkey.

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
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Try out the test yourself

Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

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May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

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Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

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Denmark 1-1 Ireland 

7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier 

Denmark 0-0 Ireland

19/11/2018, Nations League

Ireland 0-0 Denmark

13/10/2018, Nations League

Ireland 1 Denmark 5

14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier

Denmark 0-0 Ireland

11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier

 

 

 

Strait of Hormuz

Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.

The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.

Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.

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Director: Tim Miller

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis 

Rating: 3/5

FFP EXPLAINED

What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.

What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.

What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.

Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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FULL%20FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Abdullah%20Al%20Qahtani%20v%20Taha%20Bendaoud%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Ali%20Taleb%20v%20Nawras%20Abzakh%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Xavier%20Alaoui%20v%20Rachid%20El%20Hazoume%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Islam%20Reda%20v%20Adam%20Meskini%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Tariq%20Ismail%20v%20Jalal%20Al%20Daaja%0D%3Cbr%3EBantamweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Elias%20Boudegzdame%20v%20Hassan%20Mandour%0D%3Cbr%3EAmateur%20Female%20Atomweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Hattan%20Al%20Saif%20v%20Nada%20Faheem%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Maraoune%20Bellagouit%20v%20Motaz%20Askar%0D%3Cbr%3EFeatherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Ahmed%20Tarek%20v%20Abdelrahman%20Alhyasat%0D%3Cbr%3EShowcase%20Featherweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Mido%20Mohamed%20v%20Yazeed%20Hasanain%0D%3Cbr%3EShowcase%20Flyweight%20Bout%3A%0D%20Malik%20Basahel%20v%20Harsh%20Pandya%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EXare%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%2018%2C%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPadmini%20Gupta%2C%20Milind%20Singh%2C%20Mandeep%20Singh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20Raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2410%20million%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E28%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMS%26amp%3BAD%20Ventures%2C%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Astra%20Amco%2C%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%2C%20Fintech%20Fund%2C%20500%20Startups%2C%20Khwarizmi%20Ventures%2C%20and%20Phoenician%20Funds%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

UAE currency
Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Vault%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBilal%20Abou-Diab%20and%20Sami%20Abdul%20Hadi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELicensed%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EInvestment%20and%20wealth%20advisory%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOutliers%20VC%20and%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E14%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
  • November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Company%20Profile
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New UK refugee system

 

  • A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
  • Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
  • A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
  • To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
  • Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
  • Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
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