Key facts
- The Iraq Conflict is an insurgency / instability in the Middle East, currently Active (Medium intensity).
- Iraq faces a residual Islamic State insurgency, the influence of armed militias, and recurring political instability, even as large-scale conventional fighting has subsided.
- Key actors: Iraqi security forces, Islamic State remnants, Armed militias.
- What's at stake: ISIS resurgence, Sovereignty, Sectarian stability.
Latest developments
The headlines below are pulled automatically from Google News (the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and link to primary reporting. They are updated periodically; last refreshed 2026-06-21.
- Washington Wants a Relationship With Iraq Focused On Business, but Security Can’t Be Ignored2026-06-18 — Foundation for Defense of Democracies
- Can a Business-First Partnership Work in Iraq if the Guns Remain Unchecked?2026-06-20 — Kurdistan24
- Iraq deploys security forces to border crossings - Shafaq News | Latest breaking news in Iraq and the world2026-06-20 — شفق نيوز
- Drone crashes near Iraqi parliament speaker’s guest house in western Anbar2026-06-20 — Anadolu Ajansı
- Iraq Shakes Up Top Security and Economic Posts in Surprise Reshuffle2026-06-19 — Asharq Al-Awsat | Explore World News Today
- Iran’s Guards set up covert cells in Iraq to target Gulf neighbours2026-06-19 — The Arab Weekly
- Iraq plans to reshuffle its military, security leadership soon2026-06-15 — The New Arab
- Iraq's Sovereignty Test: A New Government Between Washington and Tehran2026-06-19 — orfonline.org
Overview
Iraq faces a residual Islamic State insurgency, the influence of armed militias, and recurring political instability, even as large-scale conventional fighting has subsided.
This page is an evergreen orientation. Figures and control change continually — confirm the latest with the primary sources listed below.
Key actors
- Iraqi security forces — the national military and police.
- Islamic State remnants — conducting a low-level insurgency.
- Armed militias — including Iran-aligned groups.
- Kurdish authorities — governing the autonomous north.
What's at stake
- ISIS resurgence: preventing a return of large-scale insurgency.
- Sovereignty: balancing foreign influence and militia power.
- Sectarian stability: managing political and sectarian tensions.
- Regional spillover: links to Syria and the Iran–Israel confrontation.
Iraq Conflict explained: the key dynamics
A contained ISIS insurgency
Iraq no longer faces large-scale conventional war, but Islamic State remnants sustain a low-level insurgency, particularly in rural and contested areas between federal and Kurdish control.
Militias and sovereignty
Powerful armed militias, including Iran-aligned groups, operate alongside the state, complicating questions of sovereignty and occasionally drawing Iraq into the regional confrontation.
Fragile political stability
Periodic political crises, protests, and disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdistan region shape a tense but largely contained security environment.
Timeline: how the iraq conflict unfolded
- 2003 — A US-led invasion topples the government and triggers years of insurgency.
- 2014 — The Islamic State seizes Mosul and much of northern and western Iraq.
- 2017 — Iraqi forces and partners declare military victory over the Islamic State.
- 2018–26 — A residual ISIS insurgency and militia influence persist amid political instability.
How this conflict is mapped and tracked
Iraq's violence is now lower-intensity and episodic, captured by ACLED as scattered attacks and security operations. UCDP records the residual insurgency dyads. Because incidents are sporadic, trend lines matter more than any single month; figures are estimates.
For how these datasets differ, see ACLED vs UCDP vs CFR and our guide to conflict-tracking tools.
How it fits the global picture
This is one of 29 active armed conflict theaters tracked on the Global Armed Conflicts Map. Explore related and concurrent conflicts:
Frequently asked questions
Is Iraq still at war in 2026?
Iraq faces a low-level insurgency and militia-related violence rather than large-scale conventional war. Confirm the current status with primary sources such as ACLED, UCDP, and the CFR Global Conflict Tracker.
Is ISIS still active in Iraq?
Islamic State remnants continue a low-level insurgency, contained but not eliminated.
How can I follow it live?
Use the interactive conflict map to see this theater alongside 28 other active conflicts, filter by intensity and region, and open intelligence briefings for each.
Is Iraq safe in 2026?
Iraq is far more stable than during the peak of the war against ISIS, but it still faces a low-level insurgency, militia activity, and political tension. Security varies sharply by region.
Are there still US troops in Iraq?
Foreign forces and the question of their presence remain a live political issue tied to militia activity and the regional confrontation; consult current reporting for the latest status.