Shafaq News- Baqubah

A waste dump in the Nahr al-Hijiya area of central Baqubah has given way to Diyala province's largest tennis complex, now training dozens of players across age groups, according to the head of the provincial tennis federation.

Majid Khalil told Shafaq News that the center was established roughly ten years ago on a site previously used as a landfill, transformed through individual initiative into a multi-court facility drawing an increasing number of male and female trainees.

The center runs structured programs beginning with children of four years old, with curricula and equipment adapted to each age group through to advanced competitive levels, Khalil said. It currently operates dedicated courts for juniors, youth, and adult players of both sexes, preparing athletes for local and international competition.

Tennis has a long history in Diyala, according to Khalil, who traced the sport's roots in the province to the 1950s, when a European company constructing the Iron Bridge in Baqubah brought engineers and technicians who built courts near their residential compounds. The game took hold and has remained part of the province's sporting culture since.

Several players trained at the center have gone on to represent both Diyala and Iraq in Arab, Asian, and international tournaments, Khalil said, naming Nour Majid and Naba Abbas among them. He called on relevant authorities to broaden support for individual sports and not limit institutional attention to football.

Player Sara Nawar told Shafaq News she began training at the center roughly nine years ago, practices four days a week during school holidays, and reduces sessions to Fridays and Saturdays during the academic term. “I competed in multiple tournaments across Iraq, placing fourth nationally at a competition held in Erbil.”

Player Mohammed Tariq Mohammed, who joined the center seven years ago, has also since competed in tournaments in Baghdad and other provinces, finishing in top positions. “Consistent training is central to the sport, but academic schedules concentrate most sessions around weekends and holidays.”

Shafaq News- Damascus

Several airstrikes on Friday by the US-led Coalition in northern Idlib killed a person believed to be a member of ISIS, a Syrian security source told Shafaq News.

Coalition aircraft launched several strikes targeting a motorcycle and another location near the Mashhad Rouhin camp in the Deir Hassan area.

According to Syria TV, citing local sources, two guided missiles hit the target, killing the individual instantly, while residents reported hearing four consecutive explosions. "The other blasts were likely caused by coalition drone strikes on vehicles in the Sheikh Barakat mountain area in western Aleppo countryside."

Syrian authorities and the US-led Coalition have not commented on the incidents.

Shafaq News- Washington

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain next week as part of a Middle East tour, Axios reported on Friday.

No details were provided regarding the trip, and the State Department has not commented on the news.

Earlier today, Rubio spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and pointed to Washington's support for the Lebanese government to promote security and sovereignty.

Shafaq News- Seattle

The United States secured a 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday in the second round of Group D matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The match kicked off at Seattle Stadium, with the hosts taking control early through an own goal by Australia's Cameron in the 11th minute before Alex Freeman doubled the lead in the 43rd minute.

The victory lifted the United States to the top of the group and secured qualification to the next round regardless of the outcome of its final group-stage match against Turkiye.

Shafaq News- Damascus

Syrian exports to Iraq face a range of logistical and market challenges, with growing competition from Turkish products emerging as one of the main pressures on Syrian manufacturers, a Syrian official told Shafaq News on Friday.

The head of the Economic Sciences Association at the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, Mohammad Hallaq, explained that logistical obstacles include transportation and border-crossing procedures that affect the flow of goods, noting that Turkish products benefit from competitive pricing and are backed by substantial operating capital that supports extensive warehousing and distribution networks across Iraq.

The reopening of border crossings between Syria and Iraq has facilitated trade, but Iraqi consumer preferences and demand patterns have changed. Declining purchasing power and reduced liquidity in Iraq have altered the business environment compared with previous years, when trade activity was stronger and commercial exhibitions were more common.

Despite these constraints, Hallaq indicated, Syrian products still have opportunities in Iraq due to their reputation and consumer trust. Strengthening their presence will require greater support for domestic producers, lower production and transportation costs, and more reliable access to target markets.

Last month, Osama Al-Qadi of Syria's Ministry of Economy told Shafaq News that Baghdad and Damascus are seeking to double bilateral trade within the next two years and expect bilateral trade to surpass pre-war levels before the end of 2027.

Shafaq News- Washington

Iraq has accepted to work with an international financial monitoring body to address deficiencies in combating money laundering, corruption, and terrorism financing, a US administration official told Shafaq News on Friday, adding that Baghdad has already begun taking positive steps in that direction.

In a written statement obtained exclusively by Shafaq News through the US Embassy in Baghdad, the official said after almost a two-year process to review Iraq’s anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism regime, “Iraq has agreed to cooperatively work with the FATF to address its most strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.”

The official noted that Iraq has already begun taking positive steps, and demonstrating political will to abide by FATF international standards. “We encourage Iraq to continue this positive momentum and quickly address its FATF action plan.” 

Iraq made a “high-level political commitment” in June to work with FATF and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force to strengthen its financial crime controls. Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has also made economic reform, foreign investment, and anti-corruption central pillars of his program since taking office in May.

Read more: A guide to Ali Al-Zaidi's ministerial program

Shafaq News- Beirut

A drone strike killed two people in Nabatiyeh district, southern Lebanon, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, Lebanon's NNA reported on Friday.

At least 47 people were killed and 97 wounded in Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley today, according to the Lebanese Emergency Operations Center.

Meanwhile, President Joseph Aoun and the US Secretary of States Marco Rubio discussed the situation in the country and the region. During a phone call, Rubio reaffirmed US support for Beirut, emphasizing efforts to strengthen security and stability and extend state authority across Lebanon.

تلقى رئيس الجمهورية العماد جوزاف عون مساء اليوم اتصالاً هاتفياً من وزير الخارجية الأميركية ماركو روبيو تم خلاله التداول في الأوضاع الراهنة في لبنان والمنطقة في ضوء التطورات الأخيرة.وخلال الاتصال اكد الوزير روبيو على وقوف الولايات المتحدة الأميركية إلى جانب لبنان والعمل من اجل…

— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) June 19, 2026

Israel and Hezbollah agreed earlier today to a ceasefire brokered by US and Qatari mediators with Iranian assistance. Despite the truce taking effect at 4 p.m. local time (GMT+3), Israel accused Hezbollah of violating the agreement and said it retained full operational freedom to address threats, while Hezbollah warned that any Israeli action outside the agreement framework would be met with a response.

Shafaq News- Washington

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran reflects a departure from “failed policies of appeasement, cash payoffs, and endless wars,” the White House stated on Friday.

The agreement was “forged through American strength,” and is intended to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, the White House said, noting that the MoU provides for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation.

US national interests remain the priority under the memorandum, which is intended to reduce the risk of further military escalation and support diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran.

Earlier this month, the United States and Iran signed an agreement opening a 60-day negotiating period on Tehran's nuclear program. The deal fueled speculation about broader cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency after US envoy Steve Witkoff announced that Iran would allow inspectors access to nuclear sites and account for its enriched uranium stockpile. Iranian Foreign Ministry later denied reports that it had invited the agency to inspect facilities beyond those already under IAEA monitoring.

Read more: Iraq PM al-Zaidi to Washington with energy deals front, “militia file” unresolved

Shafaq News- Algiers

Algeria filed a formal complaint with FIFA over refereeing decisions in their 3-0 World Cup defeat to Argentina, turning Lionel Messi’s hat-trick into a wider dispute over two incidents the Algerian side claims changed the match.

The complaint centers first on a 32nd-minute challenge by Messi on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi, after the Argentina forward stepped on the defender’s calf. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak showed no card, and VAR did not intervene.

Reuters reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter, that Algeria sent the complaint to FIFA’s refereeing commission after the Group J match in Kansas City.

A second incident was also included in the complaint, according to Algerian media, involving Alexis Mac Allister and Ibrahim Maza in the 74th minute, with Mac Allister allegedly striking Maza in the face with his elbow inside the penalty area, but Marciniak neither awarded a penalty nor issued a disciplinary sanction.

Algeria believes both incidents could have led to Argentine red cards and allowed the North African side to play part of the match with a numerical advantage.

FIFA has not publicly commented on the complaint.

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic had already acknowledged after the match that defensive errors gave Messi too much freedom, but the federation’s complaint shifted part of the focus from Algeria’s mistakes to the referee’s handling of the game.

Algeria next face Jordan in Group J, while Argentina continue their campaign against Austria.

Shafaq News- Paris/ Baghdad

Iraq returned to the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list on Friday, eight years after leaving the watchdog’s monitoring process, over gaps in its fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, and financial crime.

FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo clarified that the group’s plenary added Iraq to the list because more work is needed to address cash-related risks, increase money laundering and terrorism financing investigations, and strengthen the use of financial information.

The grey list, formally known as “jurisdictions under increased monitoring,” covers countries that have committed to fixing strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and proliferation financing systems within agreed timeframes.

Iraq made a “high-level political commitment” in June to work with FATF and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force to strengthen its financial crime controls. Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has also made economic reform, foreign investment, and anti-corruption central pillars of his program since taking office in May.

Read more: A guide to Ali Al-Zaidi's ministerial program

Iraq’s action plan requires stronger assessment of money laundering and terrorism financing risks, better detection of informal money transfer services, a legal framework for virtual asset service providers, and effective sanctions for breaches of anti-money laundering requirements. The plan also calls for more suspicious transaction reports from high-risk sectors, wider use of financial information, stronger beneficial ownership measures, more money laundering and terrorism financing investigations and prosecutions, tighter controls over non-profit sector risks, and improved ability to combat proliferation financing sanctions evasion.

FATF nevertheless noted progress since Iraq’s mutual evaluation report was adopted in November 2024, including stronger market entry controls, guidance for non-banking financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses, real estate risk measures, and authorities’ understanding of how legal entities can be misused for money laundering and terrorism financing.

Countries on the grey list remain under increased monitoring, but FATF does not call for enhanced due diligence measures against them. Instead, it advocates a risk-based approach that avoids cutting off entire classes of customers.

Shafaq News- Washington

US intelligence agencies have warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to take steps that could undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement with Iran, The Washington Post reported on Friday.

Citing current and former US officials, the newspaper said Israel appears determined to continue military operations against Hezbollah, adding that Netanyahu is facing intense political pressure ahead of national elections scheduled for this fall. The assessment noted that his “political survival” is increasingly tied to demonstrating that he will not withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon and that he intends to intensify military operations against Hezbollah.

The report also described Israeli dissatisfaction with the terms of the peace memorandum promoted by Trump, arguing that “the agreement weakens Israel’s broader objective of maintaining maximum pressure on Tehran.”

US intelligence analysts reportedly assessed that Israeli officials believe the agreement could restrict Israel’s ability to act against Hezbollah, the report argued.

“An escalation of Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon could threaten not only the US-Iran MOU, but also strain Netanyahu’s relationship with Trump,” the report concluded.

On June 12, Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would not be a party to the memorandum between US and Iran.

Trump called on Netanyahu to exercise greater restraint in Lebanon, saying that the conflict had gone on too long and that civilian casualties had mounted beyond what he considered acceptable.

Shafaq News- Beirut

The campaign to eliminate Hezbollah from Lebanon has failed, Secretary-General Naim Qassem declared on Friday, hours after Israel killed about 50 people in southern Lebanon.

In a televised speech, Qassem described Lebanon’s current stage as “the most dangerous” for the country’s future, as Israel aims to “completely end the resistance and its people,” including through the closure of air, sea, and land routes to prevent weapons and technology from reaching Hezbollah, blocking reconstruction to keep displaced people away from their homes, and imposing financial pressure to obstruct the group’s recovery.

Still, Israel will withdraw “from every last inch” of Lebanese territory, Qassem vowed.

Reuters reported earlier on Friday, citing a senior US official, that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon beginning at 4:00 PM local time, brokered with assistance from Iran, though local Lebanese sources later reported more than 13 Israeli airstrikes on villages across the Nabatieh district after the ceasefire was said to have taken effect. Lebanon’s Health Ministry put the toll from Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2 at 3,980 dead and 12,001 wounded.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said Hezbollah killed four of its soldiers, including the commander of Battalion 52 of the Givati Brigade, and injured 17 others during fighting in southern Lebanon overnight.

Shafaq News- Greenbrier

Iraq returned to training in West Virginia on Friday with a full squad and a clear task before facing France: correcting the mistakes that turned a competitive first half against Norway into a 4-1 World Cup defeat.

The squad trained at the Greenbrier complex under coach Graham Arnold’s program, four days before Iraq meet France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia in their second Group I match. All players attended the session, Ali Riyah, the press envoy accompanying Iraq’s delegation, told Shafaq News, adding that no influential injury currently threatens any player’s availability before the France match.

Tactical correction “dominated” the session, with Arnold focusing on errors from the Norway match and overseeing practical exercises aimed at preventing a repeat against one of the tournament’s strongest teams. Arnold also placed clear emphasis on the “psychological and motivational” side of the squad, alongside the physical and technical work shaping Iraq’s preparation for the match.

The players showed strong commitment during training, Riyah noted, and remain convinced they have more to offer if they avoid the mistakes that made the Norway defeat heavier than the balance of play suggested.

Iraqi fans in the United States expressed disappointment after the opening loss, but confirmed they would continue travelling to support the team in Philadelphia against France and later in Canada against Senegal. The defeat also triggered criticism from Iraqi writers and journalists following the team, with attention focused on Arnold’s selections, the goalkeeping position, defensive organization, and Iraq’s inability to limit the damage after Norway regained control.

The result was heavier than expected, writer Faleh Hassoun Al-Daraji argued, even if he had not anticipated Iraq beating a Norway side led by Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth. He also questioned Arnold’s decision to start goalkeeper Jalal Hassan against a team built around strong aerial threats, as Ahmed Basil’s height and ability on high balls could have offered Iraq a different option.

The selection of Ibrahim Bayesh also drew criticism from Al-Daraji, who argued that the match’s pace and physical demands required a different midfield profile and that Iqbal Zidane could have offered greater technical control. Defensive frailties were another concern, particularly Zaid Tahseen’s performance and Iraq’s need for stronger preparation at center-back against opponents of World Cup caliber.

The pressure now shifts to Philadelphia, where Iraq need a positive result to revive their hopes of reaching the next round before closing the group stage against Senegal. France, meanwhile, arrive with three points after a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opener, giving Didier Deschamps’ side early control of Group I and leaving Iraq with little room for another defeat.

FIFA assigned Canadian referee Drew Fischer to officiate Iraq’s meeting with France, scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at 00:00 Baghdad time at Lincoln Financial Field.

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran's Foreign Ministry denied on Friday reports that Tehran had invited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect its nuclear facilities, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.

Quoted by local media outlets, Baqaei stated that IAEA work at facilities would be conditional on the progress of negotiations and any agreements reached, adding that inspections would continue at sites already subject to monitoring, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

The arrangement is linked to the preliminary steps required to launch negotiations under Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding. Article 9 requires Iran's nuclear program to remain unchanged throughout the 60 days, while Article 8 stipulates that nuclear talks will be conducted within the same timeframe, Baqaei pointed out.

On June 18, the Associated Press quoted US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff saying during a closed-door briefing that Iran would invite the UN nuclear watchdog to inspect its sites and begin identifying and accounting for Tehran's stockpile of enriched material. He noted that granting IAEA personnel access to Iranian facilities is not included in the deal signed by Washington and Tehran.

Planned US-Iran talks in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock were cancelled before they began after Tehran suspended its delegation's travel, citing ongoing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. A White House spokesperson said the negotiations had not been finalized and that the US delegation remained ready to depart at the first available opportunity.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi dismissed Sami al-Sudani from his post as adviser for border ports and customs affairs on Friday, replacing him with Hassan al-Akeili, an informed source told Shafaq News on Thursday.

The reshuffle extends a wave of senior appointments al-Zaydi issued this week, including appointing Adel al-Yasiri as the head of the Investment Commission, replacing Haidar Makia.

Al-Zaydi also assigned Qassem al-Aboudi to serve as acting national security adviser, succeeding Qassem al-Aaraji, and tasked Bassem al-Badri with leading the National Intelligence Service in place of Abdul Karim al-Basri, according to the same source.

Governor Ali al-Allaq was also removed from his post, with Nizar Nasser appointed in his place.

Shafaq News- Tehran

A planned meeting in Switzerland between US and Iranian officials was postponed, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated on Friday, explaining that a memorandum of understanding with the United States to end the war had been signed electronically, reducing the immediate need for the talks.

The ministry added that the agreement’s implementation depends on the activation of specific provisions within the memorandum and continued compliance by both sides, noting that preparations are underway for a new round of meetings in the coming days to follow up on the negotiations.

Despite Switzerland’s announcement that the US-Iran talks would not take place as scheduled, Pakistan said there were no obstacles preventing the negotiations from proceeding.

The developments followed remarks from a White House spokesperson on Thursday, who said US Vice President J. D. Vance had canceled a planned trip to Switzerland, where he was expected to meet Iranian negotiators to begin discussions on implementing the memorandum reached between Tehran and Washington to end the war.

According to the spokesperson, the memorandum was signed by US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump vowed that Iran would not receive any funds during the current negotiation period, criticizing statements from Democrats about the MOU. 

Shafaq News- Kirkuk

At the edge of Iraq’s Kirkuk province's ancient citadel, where mud-brick walls bear witness to centuries of shifting empires and civilizations, the story of the "Seven Girls" continues to echo through the city's collective memory.

Passed down through generations, the tale remains deeply rooted in local folklore. Some regard it as a historical event whose details have faded over time, while others see it as a legend that reflects Kirkuk's rich oral heritage.

Perched atop an archaeological mound overlooking the city, Kirkuk Citadel is considered one of Iraq's oldest continuously inhabited sites. Its origins date back to the mid-12th century BC, when Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II built the fortress between 884 and 850 BC as a military stronghold and administrative center.

Within the citadel, one of the eastern gates is known as the "Gate of the Seven Girls," a name that has become a powerful symbol where history and folklore intersect. According to popular accounts, the story dates back to one of the sieges that struck the citadel centuries ago. Faced with capture, seven young women are said to have thrown themselves from the fortress walls rather than surrender, transforming their memory into a symbol of sacrifice and courage.

Despite its enduring popularity, historians and heritage specialists caution that there is no conclusive evidence to verify the story of the Seven Girls as a historical event.

Raed Atla al-Obeidi, director of Kirkuk's Antiquities and Heritage Department, told Shafaq News that Kirkuk Citadel is among Iraq's most significant archaeological sites and that several of its gates, including the Gate of the Seven Girls, bear names rooted in local tradition rather than documented history. He noted that centuries of architectural changes and urban development have erased many original details, making it difficult to separate historical fact from inherited narratives.

Academic researcher Abdul Karim Khalifa said the story fits a broader pattern of legends that often emerge around ancient cities with long and complex histories. The absence of documentary sources, he explained, makes it difficult to establish the account as a verified historical event.

Heritage researcher Tawfiq al-Attar added that the tale has become an integral part of Kirkuk's collective memory regardless of its historical accuracy. He noted that the city's oral history relies heavily on intergenerational storytelling rather than written records, helping preserve the story and other local narratives over time.

In recent years, authorities have launched restoration projects aimed at preserving the citadel's historical character. Specialists say the site's significance extends beyond its architecture. The citadel serves as a living archive of Kirkuk's history, where documented events and popular narratives intertwine to form a layered portrait of the city across the centuries.

Read more: Discover Iraq: Kirkuk, a city of oil, culture, and conflict

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Finding a parking space in Baghdad has become an increasingly costly challenge, drivers find themselves choosing between paying high parking fees, risking traffic fines, or leaving their vehicles in unauthorized lots.

When Asmaa Rahim returned to her car after a brief stop, she found a traffic ticket on the windshield. Unable to locate the traffic officer who issued it, she had little choice but to pay the fine to avoid additional penalties.

Mohammed Ali, 40, said someone demanded 2,000 dinars ($1.53) after he parked for a few minutes outside a pharmacy. “He insisted on charging me even though the location was public and he had no authority to collect fees,” Ali said.

Earlier this year, Baghdad Operations Command set official parking charges at 3,000 dinars ($2.29) and vehicle transfer contract costs at 50,000 dinars ($38.17), to be shared equally between buyers and sellers. The command also closed 14 parking sites in Al-Rusafa for violating regulations, saying the measure was intended to protect citizens from illegal fee collection.

The municipality also offers incentives to landowners willing to convert their properties into parking facilities in accordance with legal requirements, particularly in commercial districts, medical centers, and government service areas.

Many residents, however, argue that enforcement alone will not solve the problem, calling for larger parking spaces, expanded capacity in busy districts, and a unified pricing system to prevent overcharging.

Mustafa Karim, a parking lot employee, said licensed facilities provide receipts and rely on surveillance cameras to monitor vehicles. He noted that parking fees vary according to the duration of use, reaching 3,000 dinars for regular parking and 5,000 dinars for overnight stays.

Baghdad Municipality spokesperson Uday Al-Jandil told Shafaq News that the officially approved parking fee for both public and private lots is 3,000 dinars per visit, adding that any amount above that violates municipal regulations. The municipality is implementing plans to expand existing parking facilities and establish new ones on both sides of the capital, but limited land availability remains the main obstacle.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon beginning at 4 p.m. local time on Friday, Reuters reported, citing a senior US official.

US and Qatari negotiators brokered the agreement with assistance from Iran, the source added.

Despite the announcement, Israeli strikes continued after the ceasefire was reported to have taken effect. Local Lebanese sources said more than 13 airstrikes targeted villages across the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military spokesperson accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire by "trying to prevent our forces from completing the destruction of capabilities it built over many years," stressing that the Israeli military retains "full operational freedom" to address threats wherever they emerge.

🔸حزب الله خرق وقف إطلاق النار محاولًا منع قواتنا من انجاز تدمير قدراته التي بناها على مدار سنين ونحن قمنا بالرد عليه بقوة. 🔸خلال ساعات الليلة الماضية وحتى الآن هاجم جيش الدفاع اكثر من 100 هدف لحزب الله في مناطق مختلفة من لبنان ومنها في البقاع والنبطية. لقد قضى جيش الدفاع خلال… pic.twitter.com/HHqQoMhZfH

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) June 19, 2026

A Hezbollah official told Al Jazeera that "any Israeli action outside the framework of the comprehensive ceasefire will be met with a response."

Meanwhile, Iran condemned the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and warned of their implications for regional peace and security. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei held the United States directly responsible for the situation. He said ending the war in Lebanon is an “integral part” of any agreement aimed at halting hostilities across all fronts.

The ceasefire announcement followed continued accusations by both sides of violating the truce. Earlier on Friday, the Israeli military announced the deaths of four soldiers, including the commander of Battalion 52 of the elite Givati Brigade. Israeli media also reported that 17 soldiers were wounded during fighting in southern Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes continued to strike several towns in the Nabatieh district. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said the attacks killed 48 people and injured 97 others.

Shafaq News

Five World Cup matches fall on Saturday’s Baghdad schedule, with Scotland facing Morocco at 01:00, Brazil meeting Haiti at 03:30, Turkiye playing Paraguay at 06:00, the Netherlands facing Sweden at 20:00, and Germany meeting Ivory Coast at 23:00.

Scotland vs Morocco

The day opens with Group C pressure in Boston, where Scotland face Morocco at Boston Stadium after taking different but encouraging starts from their opening matches.

Scotland began with a 1-0 win over Haiti, putting Steve Clarke’s side in position to move close to a historic knockout-stage place. Clarke has warned that Morocco are “the real deal,” pointing to the pace, power, and technical level of a side that reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals and opened this tournament with a 1-1 draw against Brazil.

Morocco enter with confidence after that result against the five-time champions. Their balance between Achraf Hakimi’s width, midfield control, and fast transitions gives the match a clear tactical edge, while Scotland are likely to rely again on organization, set pieces, and the energy of their travelling support, which has already made Boston one of the loudest stops of their campaign.

Brazil vs Haiti

Brazil then face Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium in a Group C match that carries pressure for both sides for very different reasons.

Brazil opened with a 1-1 draw against Morocco, leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s team searching for rhythm, balance, and a first win. Neymar will not travel for the match as he continues his recovery from a calf injury, keeping Brazil without their record scorer and increasing the focus on the rest of Ancelotti’s attack.

For Haiti, the match is a rare World Cup stage against one of football’s most decorated teams. Sebastien Migne’s side lost 1-0 to Scotland in their opener, but their return to the tournament for the first time since 1974 has already given the country a powerful symbolic moment. Against Brazil, Haiti have little to lose and a chance to turn discipline, running, and national pride into a difficult night for the favorite.

Turkiye vs Paraguay

The early Baghdad schedule then moves to Group D, where Turkiye and Paraguay meet at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in a match already shaped like an elimination fight.

Both teams opened with defeats. Turkiye lost 2-0 to Australia despite controlling long spells and creating chances, while Paraguay were beaten 4-1 by the United States. Gustavo Alfaro has put the pressure on himself, defending his players and describing the Turkiye match as a final for both sides.

Turkiye need more end product from a talented attacking group led by Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz. Paraguay, meanwhile, need to recover the defensive structure and aggression that carried them through qualifying. With the United States and Australia already ahead in Group D, defeat would leave either side close to the exit.

Netherlands vs Sweden

Later on Saturday, the Netherlands and Sweden meet at Houston Stadium in one of the day’s strongest European matchups.

Sweden enter on a high after beating Tunisia 5-1, their biggest scoring performance at a World Cup in decades. Under Graham Potter, Sweden have looked more compact and direct, with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres giving them one of the tournament’s most dangerous forward pairings.

The Netherlands are under more pressure after a 2-2 draw with Japan, where Ronald Koeman’s side failed to protect their lead. Memphis Depay’s fitness remains a concern after recent thigh trouble, while Cody Gakpo, Frenkie de Jong, Denzel Dumfries, and Virgil van Dijk will be central to the Dutch response.

Germany vs Ivory Coast

The day closes in Toronto with Germany against Ivory Coast, a Group E meeting between two opening-match winners.

Germany began with a 7-1 win over Curacao, giving Julian Nagelsmann’s side immediate control of the group and a chance to all but secure qualification. The four-time champions enter with attacking momentum and the expectation that they will dictate the ball again at Toronto Stadium.

Ivory Coast, however, arrive with their own confidence after a 1-0 win over Ecuador, sealed by Amad Diallo’s late goal. Emerse Fae’s side are not expected to dominate possession, but their pace, physicality, and counterattacking threat make them a harder test than Germany’s opener.

Striker Elye Wahi has also been cleared to travel to Canada for the Germany match after an earlier visa issue, adding another attacking option for Ivory Coast in a fixture that could decide early control of Group E.

Shafaq News- Basra

Two giant oil tankers docked at Basra Oil Port to load 2.3 million barrels of crude, a source in Iraq’s General Company for Ports told Shafaq News on Friday, marking one of the first signs of Iraqi oil exports resuming through the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Iran Islamabad Agreement.

The tankers, Lucia and Romania, have begun loading crude for export.

In a June 18 notice, Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced that vessels seeking passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around 20% of global oil supplies, during the period specified in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding must submit transit requests. Compliant vessels will be cleared for passage provided they submit valid contact information and complete their requests at least 48 hours before reaching the strait area.

Following the Islamabad MoU and official directives, vessels that submit compliant transit requests will be permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the announced period.Details: https://t.co/7SPYB6INvI https://t.co/UjXJxljD6E pic.twitter.com/78Jte5aFpg

— PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس (@PGSA_IRAN) June 19, 2026

The Strait of Hormuz has remained largely closed since Feb. 28 after Iran restricted maritime traffic in response to the US-Israeli war launched against it. Washington and Tehran have since agreed to restore shipping under a memorandum of understanding.

Iraq, OPEC's second-largest producer, exports about 95% of its crude through southern terminals, making it particularly vulnerable to prolonged disruption in Gulf shipping.

Read more: Iraq's oil lifeline is blocked: The crisis runs deeper than Hormuz

Shafaq News

Iraq's new prime minister, Ali Falih al-Zaidi, is preparing for an official visit to Washington in mid-July, his first face-to-face engagement with the Trump administration since taking office on May 14, with a bilateral agenda that places energy investment and economic partnership at its center, while leaving the harder issue of Iran-backed armed factions to negotiate in the margins.

In Washington policy circles, the reception has been broadly positive, though calibrated. Al-Zaidi is the youngest prime minister in Iraq's modern history, a former banker and businessman with no prior cabinet experience and no deep factional patron inside the Coordination Framework that backed his nomination. That profile, untested but untarnished, is precisely what makes him legible to an administration that prizes transactional relationships over ideological alignment.

William Lawrence, senior fellow at the National Council on US-Arab Relations and a former US diplomat, described Washington's posture toward al-Zaidi as broadly positive, driven in part by the novelty of his profile and his emergence as a consensus figure acceptable to Iraq's competing political blocs.

Lawrence noted that despite the fundamental differences between al-Zaidi and Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria's post-Assad leader, Washington is applying a similar playbook to both: extend early engagement, set an informal probationary window, and measure the relationship against outcomes rather than commitments. “It’s almost like they’re going to wait and see,” he said.

The July visit was organized by US Special Envoy Tom Barack and reflects an American interest in anchoring Iraq's new government to the bilateral relationship before regional dynamics reassert themselves. Lawrence said that Washington had been acutely worried during the recent Iran-Israel conflict, using Iraqi territory to launch missiles and drones toward Saudi Arabia —an episode that exposed the limits of Baghdad's control over factions operating within its borders. "That could have really caused problems in Iraq if the war had been sustained and if Saudi Arabia had been hit more and more by projectiles coming from Iraq, but now that the war looks like it's ending, that's going to help al-Zaidi."

What Washington wants from the visit, in practical terms, is less a strategic declaration than a commercial opening. Todd L. Belt, director of the Political Management program at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, detailed the US administration's hierarchy of concerns: "It seems to be a significant effort at providing stability in the area. Also, Donald Trump is very concerned about energy and would like to have some new deals. I think the militia groups and disarming them are also a secondary concern, but Donald Trump's concerns are always about business first."

Al-Zaidi's own priorities align closely enough to make the visit viable, as he officially announced he will travel to Washington, accompanied by Iraqi businesspeople, framing the trip around investment and economic partnership. A $10 billion Central Bank contribution to a private sector development fund is part of the government's program.

The prize project on the bilateral agenda is an oil pipeline that would run from southern Iraq to Jordan's Aqaba Port, a route that would give Iraqi crude direct Red Sea access and, for Washington, represents exactly the kind of infrastructure deal the current administration finds compelling.

The energy dimension carries an uncomfortable backstory. Since March 2025 and until now, the Trump administration has declined to renew the sanctions waiver that had previously exempted Baghdad from penalties for purchasing Iranian gas, a waiver that had allowed Iran to deliver roughly 30 million cubic meters of gas daily to Iraq, supporting nearly a third of the country's power generation capacity. After the waiver lapsed in March 2025, Iranian gas flows to Iraq dropped by approximately 40 percent. Iraq now faces peak summer demand of around 40 gigawatts against production capacity of approximately 29 gigawatts, a gap that domestic alternatives have not bridged. The new government's program commits to ending Iranian energy dependency through accelerated domestic gas capture, a commitment made under structural pressure Washington helped create.

Read more: 40-GW electricity gap forces Iraq to back private generators

On that basis, the factions file is the most politically sensitive and the most diplomatically obscured item on the bilateral agenda. Al-Zaidi's ministerial program commits to consolidating all weapons under exclusive state authority but does not dissolve the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF-Al-Hashd al-Shaabi) —the umbrella of predominantly Shiite armed factions with deep ties to Tehran. Political sources told Shafaq News that Washington's categorical rejection of any candidate perceived as close to armed factions was the principal obstacle to filling the Defense and Interior ministries after the May 14 confidence vote. Those portfolios remain vacant.

Heba Abd al-Wahhab, a Washington-based researcher specializing in Middle East affairs, cautioned against reading American enthusiasm as confidence. The administration, she told Shafaq News, views the al-Zaidi government with considerable caution and is attempting a fundamental reset in the bilateral relationship, one made urgent by what the Iran-Israel confrontation revealed about Iraq's inability to restrain Iran-aligned factions on its soil.

Read more: The end of a waiver: Iraq's struggle for energy independence

"Washington is seeking through this government to build a different foundation for the relationship," she said, "particularly given the complications that emerged during the recent Iran-Israel confrontation and what it exposed about the fragility of the Iraqi state's capacity to restrain the Iran-backed armed factions."

She noted that Washington is also fully aware that al-Zaidi emerged from a complex and constrained political process, and that his room for maneuver is limited. The American approach, she argued, is deliberately focused on practical results rather than political statements.

Lawrence described the factions file as Washington's central preoccupation, distinct from al-Zaidi's own immediate priorities. "Washington's biggest issue is the Al-Hashd al-Shaabi…Whereas al-Zaidi's biggest issue probably is getting the economy flowing, this pipeline project to Jordan's Aqaba Port and other things to get the Iraqi economy humming with American assistance."

Asked whether reducing armed forces influence formed part of the broader US-Iran understanding, Lawrence said, "It's not explicitly included.”

“Al-Zaidi would do well to try to calm things down within Iraq so that there's no tit-for-tat involving PMF. That's sort of his job. And that will be one of the things that he will be measured by as the Trump administration views his leadership in Iraq, if he can get things under control vis-à-vis the militias."

In this regard, Abd al-Wahhab noted that the factional problem encompasses political networks, economic interests, and institutional penetrations built inside the Iraqi state over more than a decade. Dismantling or even constraining that architecture cannot be accomplished by a single government in a single term, let alone in the months between now and a White House meeting.

“The general impression [of the US] is that he [al-Zaidi] is good, he’s a businessman, he’s transactional like Trump, and hopefully, if things go well and he doesn’t get too close to Iran, things will work out fine,” Lawrence concluded.

Read more: How the US pushed Iraq's armed factions toward disarmament

Written and edited by Shafaq News staff.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Israel had never fully adhered to any ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah stated on Friday, accusing it of continuing to violate understandings and carry out attacks on civilian areas in Lebanon.

In a statement, the Lebanese group said the Israeli army targeted "safe villages" after Hezbollah fighters confronted an Israeli attempt to advance toward Ali al-Taher Hill in southern Lebanon.

"The resistance is ready to confront any aggression and will continue defending its land and people," Hezbollah added, claiming that recent clashes had resulted in dozens of Israeli officers and soldiers being killed or wounded.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah would pay a "very heavy price" for what he described as a violation of the ceasefire. Netanyahu said he had instructed the Israeli military to strike the group forcefully following security consultations with the defense minister and military chief of staff.

אני משתתף מעומק הלב בצער משפחותיהם של מפקד גדוד 52 בשריון, סגן-אלוף דור גדליה בן שמחון, ושל שלושה לוחמים גיבורים ששמם טרם פורסם, השם ייקום דמם, ואני מאחל החלמה מלאה לפצועים בחילופי האש אתמול. בעקבות ההתקפה הנפשעת של חיזבאללה, שהיא הפרה בוטה של הפסקת האש, הנחיתי אמש את צה״ל…

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 19, 2026

Earlier in the day, the Israeli military announced the deaths of four soldiers, including the commander of Battalion 52 of the elite Givati Brigade. Israeli media also reported that 17 soldiers were wounded during fighting in southern Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes continued to carry out airstrikes on several towns in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon. Local media reported that more than 18 civilians were killed, and that the strikes are still ongoing. The military also said its aircraft targeted “a Hezbollah command headquarters” in the Beqaa province.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the "continued Israeli escalation," saying it was undermining ongoing efforts to consolidate the ceasefire, particularly following recent developments involving the United States and Iran. Aoun noted that the escalation “would not deter efforts to secure a comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible,” adding that he had instructed the Lebanese negotiating delegation to prioritize that objective during the next round of talks in Washington. The Lebanese president stressed that a comprehensive ceasefire was essential for addressing other outstanding issues, including an Israeli withdrawal, the deployment of the Lebanese army in affected areas, and the return of prisoners.

الرئيس جوزاف عون مديناً التصعيد الإسرائيلي المستمر: ما نشهده اليوم في الجنوب والبقاع من توسع للاعتداءات الاسرائيلية والمزيد من القتل والتدمير، يشكل تصعيداً خطيراً ومداناً، لا سيما وأنه طاول عشرات الابرياء، بينهم نساء واطفال، ويستهدف عملياً كل المحاولات الجارية لتثبيت وقف اطلاق…

— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) June 19, 2026

Shafaq News- Kirkuk

Feyli Kurds in Kirkuk, north-central Iraq, opened their annual Husseini mourning gatherings on Friday, marking the start of Muharram ahead of Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic calendar’s first month and one of the most important Shiite commemorations.

Feyli Kurds are a mostly Shiite Kurdish community with roots along the Iraq-Iran border and communities across Iraq. During the first 10 days of Muharram, like millions of Shiite Muslims across the world, they commemorate the killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, with members of his family and companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. The rituals include mourning gatherings, processions, sermons, and service activities across Iraq and other countries.

Read more: Discover Iraq: Karbala, where memory breathes and future beckons

The gathering was held at the Feyli Kurdish Union headquarters in Kirkuk, with religious figures, community leaders, and mourners attending the first majlis, a mourning assembly dedicated to Imam Hussein. 

Sheikh Hassan Al-Issawi delivered the opening lecture from the Husseini pulpit, focusing on lessons from the Battle of Karbala and Imam Hussein’s stand against injustice. The gathering also included recitations of the maqtal, the account of Imam Hussein’s killing, along with elegies and mourning poems.

Holding Husseini gatherings is “an authentic part of the religious and social identity of Feyli Kurds,” Asaad Dawood Al-Feyli, head of the Feyli Kurdish Union in Kirkuk, told Shafaq News, and the community had preserved the rituals across generations despite “difficult conditions.”

“Muharram serves to recall the principles Imam Hussein died for, including justice, human dignity, and opposition to oppression."

The Feyli Kurdish Union organizes the gatherings every year and receives mourners from different communities in Kirkuk, according to Al-Feyli, making them part of the province’s tradition of coexistence.

Meanwhile, Abu Ali Al-Feyli told Shafaq News that Feyli Kurds mark Husseini rituals annually to renew their link to Imam Hussein’s legacy and introduce younger generations to the meaning of Ashura. These ceremonies remain part of the Feyli community’s religious and cultural heritage and “help promote solidarity, tolerance, and social unity.”

Shafaq News- Boston

Iraqi national team forward Aymen Hussein has the qualities to play for major European clubs, Norway coach Stale Solbakken said after the striker “forced us into tactical changes” during their World Cup opener.

Solbakken told reporters he was surprised Hussein had not yet joined a major European side, pointing to the striker’s physical strength, movement, and technical ability after Norway’s 4-1 win over Iraq in Group I.

Hussein headed Iraq level in the first half, finishing a fine Ali Jassim assist after Erling Haaland had opened the scoring for Norway. Norway regained the lead before halftime through Haaland and later pulled away, but Hussein’s aerial presence and movement remained Iraq’s clearest attacking threat.

Hussein’s goal was Iraq’s first at the World Cup since the country’s only previous appearance in 1986, giving the striker a historic moment despite the defeat.

Iraq now face France in their second Group I match, offering Hussein another chance to test himself against one of the tournament’s strongest teams.