What happened to ISIL?
At the height of its power, ISIL held around a third of Syria and 40% of Iraq.

At the height of its power, ISIL held around a third of Syria and 40% of Iraq.









French lawyers for suspected ISIL members transferred from Syria say men suffering inhumane treatment in Iraqi jails.
![A protester in Baghdad burns a photo of Donald Trump, rejecting the US president’s demand that former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki not return to the premiership. [Screenshot via AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/4633743_HD_1080i50_cropped-1769630949.jpg?resize=730%2C410&quality=80)
Protesters in Baghdad burned photos of Donald Trump, rejecting the US president’s demands regarding Nouri al-Maliki.
Al-Maliki rejects Trump’s threat as violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, suggesting that he will not withdraw his candidacy.
Whoever is nominated from the two Kurdish parties still needs approval from the Shia and Sunni blocs in the parliament.

Iraq’s dominant Shia political bloc nominated al-Maliki to become prime minister.
Abu Hussein al‑Hamidawi, leader of Iraqi armed group, says war against Iran will not be a ‘walk in the park’.
Marco Rubio’s call with Mohammed Shia al-Sudani comes as new government expected in Iraq, US-Iran tensions rise.
Nouri al-Maliki’s third term as prime minister is likely to escalate sectarian politics in the country.
Trump says US ‘armada’ is heading towards the Gulf, raising fears of a military escalation in the region.
Al-Maliki remains potent force despite longstanding claims he fuelled sectarianism and failed to stop ISIL expansion.