Iraq April Security Situation Review

Researcher No. 006

Based on monitoring reports from Hanwei International security officers stationed in Iraq and relevant media coverage, Hanwei International assesses that Iraq remained in an extremely high-risk state of external proxy warfare and internal disorder throughout April, with no absolutely safe areas across the country.

Politically and economically, Iraq ushered in a new President and Prime Minister, yet deep sectarian divisions remain unresolved, laying major obstacles ahead for governance. Oil revenue plunged sharply, commodity prices soared, and the United States seized Iraqi oil funds, pushing Iraq to the brink of dual economic and fiscal collapse. Anti-U.S. protests spread nationwide, while anti-Kuwait demonstrations in Basra targeting the Kuwaiti Consulate further strained Iraq–Kuwait diplomatic ties.

In terms of regional conflicts, Iraq has become a core battlefield for conflict stakeholders. Civilian livelihood facilities, stronghold positions of various armed factions, and U.S. military installations have all sustained severe attacks. Regarding social security risks, shootings and abductions occurred frequently, leaving ordinary civilians and foreign nationals without adequate safety guarantees.

1. Political and Economic Situation

(1) Critical Month for Presidential and Prime Ministerial Transition; Fierce Sectarian Power Struggles

April 2026 marked a critical period for Iraq’s presidential and prime ministerial reshuffle, with political factions engaged in unprecedentedly intense contention.

Presidential Election: The presidential transition was mired in political deadlock from the outset. Although most political blocs announced participation in parliamentary voting, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) maintained a wait-and-see and boycott stance and refused to actively engage in the electoral process.

On April 11, Nizar Al-Amidi, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), was elected as the new President of Iraq. However, the KDP publicly rejected the election result, arguing the entire process violated established parliamentary rules and procedures and lacked legal validity. It announced a parliamentary boycott, further complicating the political deadlock.

Prime Minister Appointment: The Shiite Coordination Framework originally planned to shortlist nine candidates for Prime Minister but repeatedly postponed meetings due to internal divisions. Some political factions proposed reinstating the Vice President post to balance power distribution. Caretaker Prime Minister Al-Sudani was a frontrunner for re-election yet faced internal fragmentation; Maliki announced conditional withdrawal from the race.

After multiple rounds of negotiations failed to reach a consensus, the nomination process was repeatedly delayed. Finally, on April 28, President Al-Amidi formally appointed Ali Al-Zaidi, a figure with strong business backgrounds, as the Prime Minister-designate and authorized him to form a new cabinet.

Iraq now suffers severe sectarian fragmentation: rivalry between the two major Kurdish political parties and internal divisions within Shiite factions. The KDP’s rejection of the presidential election result may escalate tensions between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region, as well as internal friction and protests within the region. Although the new government completed constitutional procedures, political consensus remains fragile, and it will face enormous governance challenges.

(2) Soaring Livelihood Prices; Sharp Drop in Oil Output and Revenue

Iraq faced four overlapping severe crises this month: worsening livelihood inflation, near-collapse of the oil-based economy, a huge fiscal deficit, and mounting external financial pressure.

Prices of staple food commodities continued to surge: edible oil rose by approximately 20%, and vegetable prices peaked at a 300% increase. The government reduced the frequency of ration card distribution, forcing residents to rely on open markets and further burdening household livelihoods. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture attributed the crisis to insufficient production capacity, import restrictions and rising logistics costs, reflecting structural problems including exchange rate volatility, geopolitical tensions and political deadlock.

Meanwhile, amid Middle East conflicts and disrupted navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq’s crude oil daily output plummeted to 1.6 million barrels, with oil revenue dropping by over 70% month-on-month. The fiscal deficit is estimated at 5 trillion Iraqi dinars, raising risks of public salary payment delays in May. The UN warned that Iraq’s heightened risk of oil supply disruption would further undermine economic resilience.

In addition, the United States withheld approximately 500 million U.S. dollars of Iraqi oil revenue, accusing Iraq of failing to effectively counter Iran-aligned armed groups. Intensified financial and geopolitical games further destabilized Iraq’s fiscal position.

Skyrocketing prices have deepened public hardship, raising risks of street protests and mass demonstrations among low-income groups and deteriorating grassroots public security. Fiscal austerity may exacerbate tensions between the central government and regional authorities and heighten local conflict risks. The U.S. seizure of oil revenue has reignited anti-U.S. sentiment among the Iraqi public and political circles, increasing the threat of attacks on U.S.-related targets in Iraq.

(3) Nationwide Mass Protests; Escalation of Local Diplomatic Frictions

Two major types of protests and conflicts emerged across Iraq: nationwide anti-U.S. and anti-Israel demonstrations, and escalating diplomatic tensions in certain regions.

On one hand, Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada Al-Sadr called for nationwide peaceful protests on April 4 against U.S. and Israeli military operations targeting Iran. Demonstrations spread across southern provinces including Basra, Maysan, Dhi Qar, Wasit, Al-Muthanna, Al-Diwaniyah, Babylon and Karbala; central provinces such as Baghdad and Diyala; and northern provinces including Kirkuk and Nineveh. Despite calls for "peaceful assembly", large-scale gatherings inherently carry risks of escalating out of control.

On the other hand, fierce anti-Kuwait protests erupted in Basra, southern Iraq. Protesters stormed the Kuwaiti Consulate, removed the Kuwaiti national flag and replaced it with the Iraqi flag. Security forces dispersed the crowd with tear gas. The unrest stemmed from a missile allegedly launched from Kuwait that struck an armed stronghold in Basra, causing casualties.

The consulate raid seriously violated international law, directly damaged Iraq–Kuwait bilateral relations, and triggered widespread vigilance among Gulf countries. Basra has become a hotspot for protests and armed clashes, with elevated security risks surrounding oil facilities, ports, diplomatic missions and foreign-funded enterprises. The incident may set a precedent, encouraging copycat attacks on foreign institutions in other Iraqi regions and compounding security and diplomatic crises in the south.

2. Regional Conflict Situation

Iraq’s health authorities confirmed that the death toll has exceeded 100 since the latest round of conflicts erupted, including civilians, Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) militias, military personnel, police, and armed groups in the Kurdistan Region. Overall, regional conflicts continue to simmer with no immediate easing in sight, inflicting severe impacts on civilian infrastructure, armed strongholds and U.S. military presence.

(1) Civilian Livelihood Facilities

Continuous waves of drone, missile and rocket attacks struck across Iraq this month, keeping the overall security situation at a critical high-risk level.

Northern Iraq (Kurdistan Region)

Erbil emerged as the worst-hit area, enduring over 500 drone attacks since late February.

March 31: U.S.-led coalition air defense forces shot down an unidentified drone near Erbil International Airport, causing minor property damage. On the same day, a drone interception accident in Harbat District, Erbil left three children injured and damaged agricultural and civilian facilities from falling debris.
April 1: A Castrol oil warehouse along the Erbil–Mosul highway was targeted three times by precise drone strikes; the first strike triggered a severe warehouse fire.
April 3: Drone strike debris hit the Karizan neighborhood in central Erbil, damaging at least five residential buildings and causing casualties. On the same day, Kurdistan Region air defense forces and fighter jets intercepted multiple incoming drones over Erbil, with multiple explosions recorded during interception operations.

Southern Iraq

March 31: A drone crashed in a remote desert area near West Qurna 1 Oilfield in Basra Governorate without detonation.
April 7: A rocket attack destroyed a residential house in Basra, killing 3 people and leaving 2 missing. Although the attack source remains unconfirmed, reports suggest the missile may have been launched from Kuwait targeting an armed group stronghold.

Central Iraq

April 7: Multiple missile and airstrikes targeted the Al-Karkh and Al-Rusafa districts along the Tigris River in Baghdad. The Iraqi Ministry of Interior confirmed 2 civilian deaths and 5 security personnel injuries.

Western Iraq

April 3: An airstrike hit a sand and gravel plant in Rutba District, Anbar Governorate, damaging on-site facilities with no reported casualties or major property losses.

(2) Strongholds of Various Armed Forces

Iraq has degenerated into an uncontrolled battlefield for proxy warfare between the U.S.-Israel bloc and Iran, with frequent strikes targeting positions held by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Kurdish armed forces.

Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)

March 31: A PMF stronghold in Anbar Governorate was shelled, leaving two militants injured. An joint Iraqi army–PMF checkpoint in Nineveh Governorate was hit by an airstrike.
April 1: Security sources confirmed to Shafaq News that U.S. forces launched multiple rounds of airstrikes against PMF positions, causing a total of 71 deaths and 196 injuries.
Targeted locations included: the headquarters of PMF 57th Tribal Brigade in Haditha (western Anbar); PMF 58th Brigade Command in Kayarah (Nineveh); PMF 30th Brigade (Shabak Militia) headquarters in Bartella (Nineveh); PMF facilities in Tuz Khurmatu (eastern Salahuddin); and PMF construction sites at Ashraf Camp (northwestern Khalis District, Diyala).

Kurdistan Region Armed Forces

April 5 evening: Four explosive-laden drones targeted the General Headquarters of the Kurdistan Regional Government Peshmerga Forces, causing casualties and heavy material losses; the exact location was not officially disclosed.
April 5: Two consecutive drone attacks targeted an office affiliated with Iranian Kurdish political parties in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, causing substantial property damage with no casualties reported.

(3) U.S. Military Presence

U.S. military and diplomatic facilities in Iraq have become primary attack targets, with security conditions deteriorating comprehensively.

U.S. Security Alert Upgrade

On April 2, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a highest-level security alert, warning that Iran-aligned armed groups may launch targeted attacks in central Baghdad within 48 hours against U.S. personnel, Western enterprises, diplomatic missions and energy facilities. All U.S. citizens in Iraq were urged to evacuate immediately. The embassy advised residents to stay away from diplomatic compound areas in Baghdad and Erbil to avoid rocket and drone attacks.

Sustained High-Frequency Attacks

On April 6, at least four drones targeted the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, all intercepted by air defense systems with no casualties. On the same day, Iraq’s Islamic Resistance Group claimed responsibility for 19 military strikes against "enemy targets" inside and outside Iraq within 24 hours, reflecting unabated conflict intensity.

U.S. Retaliation and Intervention Escalation

The U.S. offered a 10-million-U.S.-dollar bounty to hunt down leaders of the Iran-aligned armed group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, accusing it of orchestrating attacks on U.S. military bases in Jordan and U.S. diplomatic missions in Iraq. The group has coordinated over 750 attacks since the conflict escalated. The U.S. State Department called for the complete disbandment of all Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq, linking the demand to U.S. aid to Iraq. Such interference in Iraq’s internal affairs has further exacerbated domestic divisions.

3. Other Security Risks

(1) Social Security Risks

Public security deteriorated sharply this month. Widespread illegal civilian possession of small arms has turned trivial disputes into street gunfights, continuously worsening daily living safety conditions for residents.

Armed Clashes

Sulaymaniyah Governorate: A routine brawl in Bakhtiyari Street escalated into a shooting, leaving one injured; a gunman opened fire on two women in Sayed Sadek District, causing one death and one critical injury.
Babylon Governorate: Two motorbike-riding gunmen shot and wounded civil activist Majid in the leg; the injured was hospitalized.
Salahuddin and Anbar Governorates: Tribal armed clashes broke out over land disputes with small arms exchanges, leaving 2 dead and multiple injured.

Abduction Cases

An American female journalist, Shelley Kittleson, was abducted by armed militants near an unsecured budget hotel in Baghdad. The armed faction Kata'ib Hezbollah later announced her release and ordered her to leave Iraq immediately, with speculation linking the release to secret government negotiations.

Separately, Kirkuk police dismantled a social media lure abduction ring, arresting two suspects and rescuing an abducted Baghdad girl.

Prevention Recommendations for Chinese Enterprises and Citizens in Iraq

For Enterprises

Strengthen internal risk control and avoid political sensitivity.
Assign dedicated staff to track local security developments, political faction dynamics, protests and security alerts. Maintain political neutrality, refrain from taking sides or commenting on local sectarian struggles, and avoid deep alignment with any political bloc to prevent operational and security risks.
Flexibly adjust operational plans; appropriately downsize personnel deployment and business scale in politically sensitive and high-risk areas including Baghdad, Kurdistan Region and PMF strongholds. Avoid large-scale outdoor operations and material transportation during peak periods of elections and demonstrations. Scale back operations at oil and energy projects temporarily to prioritize personnel safety, and resume normal work only after the situation stabilizes.
Upgrade compound security and establish liaison mechanisms with diplomatic institutions.
Improve security facilities at office compounds, project camps and material warehouses by installing surveillance, explosion-proof and fire-fighting equipment, designating security perimeters, and implementing 24-hour patrols to guard against illegal intrusion, armed attacks, theft and fire risks. Strengthen security management at idle oilfields and supporting facilities with dedicated on-site guards.
Optimize personnel allocation; temporarily recall non-core staff. Implement compound zoning management and real-name registration, and strictly restrict hiring local personnel with unknown backgrounds. Proactively engage with Chinese embassies, consulates and overseas Chinese chambers of commerce to establish emergency contact channels; register personnel and compound information in a timely manner, and seek consular protection and evacuation support immediately in emergencies.

For Individuals

Maintain political neutrality and prepare for identity protection and emergency evacuation.
Remain politically neutral amid Iraq’s political transition and U.S.-Iranian tensions; do not participate in, comment on or take sides in party disputes, election rallies or religious and ethnic issues. Avoid association with political parties, militias and external forces.
Keep a low profile in daily life; avoid flaunting wealth or wearing valuable jewelry. Safeguard passports and visas with both physical and electronic backups. Keep emergency numbers of diplomatic missions, company contacts and reliable security teams on standby.
Minimize unnecessary travel and stay clear of high-risk zones.
Adhere to the principle of no non-essential outbound travel. Implement closed management at accommodation; travel only in daytime, in pairs, with professional security escorts where possible. Shorten travel routes and avoid lingering in public places.
Inter-regional travel must use officially approved security vehicles. Stay away from presidential palaces, party institutions, U.S. diplomatic missions, military strongholds, checkpoints, high-risk governorates and conflict zones in Kurdistan. In the event of explosions or attack warnings, lie low immediately and take shelter in windowless load-bearing rooms or basements.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Iraq Police Emergency: 130

Iraq Medical Emergency: 105

Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of China (24-hour):

+86-10-12308 / +86-10-65612308

Chinese Embassy in Iraq Consular Hotline: +964-7901912315

Chinese Consulate General in Erbil Consular Hotline: +964-7515477820

Chinese Consulate General in Basra Consular Hotline: +964-7858618940

Iraq April Security Situation Review- April 2026 (Issue No. 297)