Iraq

Activism

I witnessed the Baghdad bombing that the West is trying so hard to ignore

With my own eyes — In the early hours of Sunday morning, a car bomb in Iraq exploded, leaving in its wake a wave of devastation. The death toll currently stands at 250 lives lost, and it's a number that keeps on rising. Just meters away from the explosion was Ahmed Twaij. This is his story.

Written by: Ahmed Twaij

Reportage

Protestors demanded justice after damning Chilcot report into Iraq War

Chilcot Report #5: The fight for justice goes on — As the Chilcot report was presented in a packed-out Westminster conference suite, protestors outside made it clear that this report is only the beginning for justice and accountability.

Written by: Max Gayler

Activism

Don’t Attack Iraq: The protests that politicised a generation

Chilcot Report #2: Where are they now? — When millions of British people failed to stop the disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003, it led to years of anger and apathy. But those experiences weren’t wasted; they have gone on to shape a bright new generation, who developed tactics to create change when politicians refuse to adhere to the will of the people. But what became of those young protestors? Huck tracks down four activists who were mobilised as teens by the biggest anti-war demonstration in British history.

Written by: Alex King

Music

Kirkuk's only metal band are defying ISIS in Iraq

Death and metal in a divided state — Forged in the crucible of oil-rich and conflict-ridden Kirkuk, the story of Iraqi band Dark Phantom is pure metal. But in a city littered with Isis sleeper cells, going underground is no affectation. It’s a means of survival.

Written by: Campbell MacDiarmid

Magazine

The heavy metal bands fighting authority in the Middle East

Defiant Sounds — Huck 54 is packed with stories of defiance, like Iraqi heavy metal band Dark Phantom, whose provocative music rallies against government corruption. Constantly forced under the radar by political leaders and Islamic extremists, they are part of a wave of metal acts fighting the power across the the Middle East. Here are some of the loudest voices.

Written by: Adam White

Photography

In Pictures: What does a war photographer shoot after the guns fall silent?

Yan Morvan: Battlefields — Photographer Yan Morvan repeatedly cheated death to become one of the best war photographers of his generation. His ambitious new project looks at historic ancient and modern battle sites after the troops have gone home.

Written by: Alex King

Art

The Iraqi artist rebuilding Baghdad University’s destroyed art library

One book at a time — Artist Waffaa Bilal’s new exhibition 168.01 looks at the dynamics of destruction and reconstruction, using Kickstarter engage his audience in rebuilding.

Written by: Joshua Gabert-Doyon

Activism

How do we break the cycle of violence after the Paris attacks?

Imagine a peaceful world — As France launches airstrikes on ISIS and declares it is at war, Alex King asks is there a way to stop the escalating violence?

Written by: Alex King

Culture

Huck's Best of the Week

Sheffield Doc/Fest, Secret Cinema, All This Mayhem and Copson — Documentary, drama and DIY: this week we're all about cinema.

Written by: HUCK HQ

Why I do what I do

We Are Many

Field Notes from Sheffield Doc/Fest — Amir Amirani's incredible documentary We Are Many looks at the events and repercussions of the global anti-Iraq war protests in 2003.

Written by: Alex King

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to stay informed from the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, with personal takes on the state of media and pop culture in your inbox every month from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...