Azhar Al-Rubaie

Azhar Al-Rubaie is a freelance journalist based in Iraq. He has been working in the field of media since 2014. His writing focuses on politics, health, society, wars and human rights. Follow him on Twitter: @AzherRubaie

Author Articles

An Iraqi anti-government demonstrator waves the national flag as he protests in Baghdad’s Tahrir square, January 10. (AFP)
Demonstrations continue despite attempts to derail protests after Soleimani’s killing
January 18, 2020
Fed up with foreign meddling. Iraqi anti-government protesters burn an Iranian flag during protests in Baghdad. (AP)
What Iraqis wish for 2020
January 04, 2020
Elusive wishes. An Iraqi demonstrator looks at a wall of wishes in Baghdad, December 20. (Reuters)
Elusive consensus on prime minister makes early Iraqi elections more likely
December 21, 2019
Anti-government protesters gather in Tahrir Square during protests in Baghdad. (AP)
For Iraqi protesters, PM’s resignation is ‘a drop in the ocean’
December 07, 2019
Bypassing the shutdown. An Iraqi demonstrator reads a copy of Tuktuk,  a newspaper that aims to be the voice of the largest grassroots protest, during anti-government protests in Baghdad, November 17.(Reuters)
Baghdad targets media outlets covering protests
November 30, 2019
Anti-government protesters try to sneak past as security forces close the bridge leading to the Green Zone during a demonstration in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, October 26. (AP)
Iran-backed militias accused of violently quashing Iraq's protest
November 15, 2019
Defying the crackdown. An Iraqi demonstrator takes photos during an anti-government protest at Tahrir Square, November 1. (DPA)
Despite crackdown, thousands of students join anti-government demonstrations
November 02, 2019
Protesters gather for a demonstration in Baghdad, October 26. (AP)
Demonstrators met with lethal force as they resume protests in Iraq
October 26, 2019
Youth frustrations. An Iraqi protester hides behind a wall during demonstrations in Baghdad, October 4. (AFP)
Iraqi demonstrators vow to continue protests ‘until government is changed’
October 05, 2019
Shadow war. Members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces at the scene of a drone attack near the Qaim border crossing in Anbar province, August 25. (AFP)
Iraq struggles to stay out of US-Iran conflict
August 31, 2019
An Iraqi man carries his sick child during a demonstration outside a children’s hospital in Basra to demand the delivery of medical supplies for cancer patients. (AFP)
Basra cancer patients decry poor health-care conditions
August 31, 2019
Plumes of smoke rise after an explosion at a military base south-west of Baghdad, August 12. (AP)
Explosion at Iraqi weapons depot sparks speculation about Israeli role
August 17, 2019
Family feud. Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani delivers a speech during his inauguration in Erbil, June 19. (Office of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government)
Baghdad-Erbil disputes set to continue amid divisions in Kurdistan
August 03, 2019
Iraqi Shia cleric and head of Hikma party Ammar al-Hakim gives a speech in Najaf, last May. (AFP)
Hikma plans to become Iraq’s main opposition party but challenges abound
July 20, 2019
Family feuds. A cartoon depicting an Iraqi tribal leader with the words “Law of Basra” written above him in Arabic (Arkan Qasim).
Tribal feuds pushing many Iraqis to leave Basra
June 29, 2019
Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani during his inauguration ceremony, June 10. (DPA)
Nechirvan Barzani’s presidential pick draws mixed reactions from Iraqis
June 15, 2019
Limited options. Products on display at a shop in al-Ashar market in central Basra, May 9. (Maher al-Hashimi)
Iraqis complain Basra market filled with Iranian produce
June 01, 2019
Traumatic memories. A 2017 file picture shows an Iraqi woman and her child walking by the destroyed al-Nuri mosque while fleeing from the Old City of Mosul. (AFP)
Iraqis see Baghdadi’s video as threat of more terror
May 04, 2019
A boy plays the online game PUBG on his mobile phone. (AP)
Iraqi youth frustrated with video game ban
April 27, 2019
Left to their fate. Vehicles sit at the edge of a flooded area in al-Qurna district in the Iraqi province of Basra, April 10.(AFP)
Iraqis furious with militiamen aiding Iran while ignoring troubles at home
April 20, 2019