500 Drones Launched From Iraq Toward Saudi Arabia — Region on Edge

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Iraq Becomes Drone War Battlefield as Iran-Backed Militias Strike Gulf States. Five Hundred drone attacks from Iraqi territory hit Saudi Arabia and beyond, raising fears of a hidden regional war spiraling out of control By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj, SULAIMANI,   Kurdish Policy Analysis , April 21--  Iraqi militia groups close to Iran have fired dozens of drones at Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries during the war; This has created a “silent” war in the midst of the Great War. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, half of the 1,000 drone strikes against Saudi Arabia were from within Iraqi territory. The report cited a Saudi security assessment that said the attacks targeted sensitive positions, including the Yanbu refinery on the Red Sea and oil fields in eastern Saudi Arabia. The report said the drones hit not only Saudi Arabia, but also Kuwait's only civilian airport. Even after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire earlier this...

Iraq Bets on Najaf “White Gold” to Build Billion-Dollar Mining Future

 


Kurdish Policy Analysis / SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq-- --Baghdad moves to develop high-purity silica reserves in Najaf and Al-Anbar, positioning the country inside global clean energy and semiconductor supply chains.

Iraq is accelerating mining investment in Najaf, promoting high-purity silica sand—known as “white gold”—as a strategic resource for solar panels, semiconductors, and advanced technologies, with reserves potentially reaching 1 billion tons.

Iraq is positioning Najaf as a strategic mining hub, banking on vast reserves of high-purity silica sand—often referred to as “white gold”—to attract investment and expand its industrial base, the Iraqi Geological Survey said on Tuesday.

Officials estimate silica reserves at around 350 million tons, with projections suggesting total deposits across Najaf and Al-Anbar could reach up to 1 billion tons. The material is essential for solar panels, semiconductors, and fiber optics, placing Iraq in a potential upstream position within global clean energy and advanced technology supply chains.

The Geological Survey said it is expanding mining investment under existing legal frameworks to support industrial development and diversify national revenues, highlighting Najaf’s geological and industrial potential. The province also contains limestone, quartz, and industrial sands used in cement, glass, and ceramics production.

Authorities estimate the sector could generate billions of dollars and more than 10,000 jobs, as global demand for silica continues to grow, with the market projected to reach $85.86 billion by 2033.

Iraq also holds additional mineral reserves including sulfur, phosphate, and limestone, reinforcing its long-term ambition to develop a broader extractive and industrial economy.

#Iraq #Mining #Silica #CleanEnergy #SolarEnergy #Semiconductors #Najaf #AlAnbar #Economy #Investment #EnergyTransition

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