Jane Arraf

Militant Islamist fighters hold the flag of Islamic State (IS) while taking part in a military parade along the streets of northern Raqqa province in this June 30, 2014 file photo.

In Iraq, the battle against ISIS rages — in Syria there is little resistance

In the Syrian city of Raqqa, residents have come to accept life under ISIS. In Iraq, the battle is raging to wrest Tikrit from ISIS control.

In Iraq, the battle against ISIS rages — in Syria there is little resistance
Vehicles are seen on a street in Baghdad as the Iraqi government lifted a night-time curfew.  Officials hope to demonstrate that Baghdad no longer faces a threat from Islamic State.

Baghdad residents can stay out late and go big on Valentine's Day

Baghdad residents can stay out late and go big on Valentine's Day
The view across the Kawar Gosk refugee camp for Syrian refugees in Northern Iraq.

Refugees who have escaped ISIS will soon have to battle winter weather

Refugees who have escaped ISIS will soon have to battle winter weather
A Kurdish peshmerga fighter holds a rocket-propelled grenade launcher as he takes up position in an area overlooking a village controlled by the Islamic State near Mosul, Iraq.

Iraqis welcome further US airstrikes, but worry they'll get more than they asked for

Iraqis welcome further US airstrikes, but worry they'll get more than they asked for
People with portraits of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki rally in support of him in Baghdad on August 11, 2014.

The fight against ISIS takes a back seat to squabbles in Baghdad

The fight against ISIS takes a back seat to squabbles in Baghdad
Displaced families from the minority Yazidi sect flee violence in the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar. Iraq's Prime Minister, Nuri al-Malik, ordered his air force for the first time to back Kurdish forces against Islamic State fighters after the Sunni milit

The battle against ISIS leads to odd alliances in Iraq

Iraq's prime minister is putting aside his differences with Kurdish forces in the north of Iraq as both groups fight militants from ISIS. The United States is also finding an unusual ally in Iran as both countries try to shore up the government in Baghdad.

The battle against ISIS leads to odd alliances in Iraq
Families fleeing the violence in the Iraqi city of Mosul arrive at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Arbil.

Why some residents of Mosul see a silver lining in the jihadi takeover

Fear has rippled across Iraq since jihadist militias overran Mosul — Iraq's second city — on Tuesday. But correspondent Jane Arraf has talked with some Mosul residents who say the extremists have brought clean streets and running water.

Why some residents of Mosul see a silver lining in the jihadi takeover
A woman in Baghdad shows her ink-stained finger after voting.

The purple finger remains a hopeful symbol in Iraq, as Iraqis go to the polls

Iraqis voted Wednesday in parliamentary elections. Voters held up fingers dipped in purple ink to show they had voted, as they did in previous elections in Iraq. The purple finger remains a symbol of hope.

The purple finger remains a hopeful symbol in Iraq, as Iraqis go to the polls
Baghdad book market

A young Iraqi hopes to unite and heal his country — through books

A decade of war has destroyed lives, schools and other social institutions in Iraq, killing hope for many Iraqis. Now, a young government worker is trying to awaken cultural pride and optimism by leaving books at the cafes frequented by young Iraqis.

A young Iraqi hopes to unite and heal his country — through books

Insurgents are in a standoff with Iraqi forces over control of Fallujah

Ten years after the US fought to free Fallujah from insurgents, insurgents have retaken control of the Iraqi city. The Iraqi government is working to retake the city, with help from local tribes, but already hundreds of people have died and tens of thousands have had to flee their homes.

Insurgents are in a standoff with Iraqi forces over control of Fallujah
Yasser Faisal al-Jumaili during the battle of Fallujah, Iraq, in November 2004.

A journalist killed in Syria is remembered for his keen eye

More than 60 journalists have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in 2011. Among the most recent is Iraqi journalist Yasser Faisal al-Julaimi, who was killed last month by Islamic extremists. Baghdad-based reporter Jane Arraf knew Yasser well and recalls his keen sense of beauty.

A journalist killed in Syria is remembered for his keen eye

Bomb Attacks in Baghdad as Iraq on High Alert Over Syria

Dozens killed in Baghdad in the latest wave of violence to hit Iraq. The security forces are put on high alert. Anchor Marco Werman asks Jane Arraf, of Al Jazeera English and the Christian Science Monitor, to connect the dots between Syria and Iraq.

Bomb Attacks in Baghdad as Iraq on High Alert Over Syria

Iraq Ten Years Later: Violence and Instability Still the Norm

It's been 10 years since American troops entered Iraq and helped topple Saddam Hussein. Marco Werman speaks with veteran Middle East reporter Jane Arraf on what life is like for Iraqis a decade since the US-led invasion.

Iraq Ten Years Later: Violence and Instability Still the Norm

Iraq's President Talabani Suffers Stroke

Iraq's President Jalal Talabani is recovering from a stroke. The 79-year-old former Kurdish warlord was taken ill on Tuesday. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Baghdad based reporter, Jane Arraf.

Iraq's President Talabani Suffers Stroke

Iraq: Al-Qaeda Declares New Offensive as Sectarian Violence Kills More than 100

A staggering wave of coordinated bombings and attacks swept across 15 Iraqi cities on Monday killing more than 100 people.

Iraq: Al-Qaeda Declares New Offensive as Sectarian Violence Kills More than 100