The city is Baghdad’s chief strategic, political and economic objective in the struggle for Iraq

Operation to wrest control of Islamic State stronghold marked by careful planning

Thirteen years after the US-British invasion, we are still reaping a whirlwind of violence

149 people dead and 192 injured after Islamic State bombers targeted Karrada district

UNHCR says €15m urgently needed to provide relief supplies to 85,000 in desert camps

Iraq’s post-US occupation army is sectarian with Sunnis excluded as officers and soldiers

Analysis: The country needs to move away from politics based on religion and ethnicity

Kuwaiti sheikh: attacks ‘counter to all teachings of holy faith and humanitarian values’

Saudi-Turkish policy shifting in face of battlefield setbacks for extremists

Haidar al-Abadi takes anti-corruption measures in face of mounting unrest

US secretary of state fell while cycling a portion of the Tour de France route

Shia militia play leading role in bid to reverse ultra-radical insurgents’ advances

Shia militias ignore preconditions for US air strikes, as tiny IS force holds on to city

US and Iran have joined soldiers, militiamen and tribesmen in crucial campaign for strategic city

Washington to give anti-IS tribesmen $18-$24m worth of arms

Iraq’s new prime minister taking cautious steps to build a more united front

House of Commons recalled to vote on involvement in effort to combat militants in Iraq

Military aid promised to Iraq at Paris conference for conflict with jihadists

US and Iranian co-ordinated attacks on IS have blessing of Obama and Ayatollah

US expands reach of air strikes to help wrest control of areas seized by Islamic State fighters