Kurdistan

UN Security Council set to meet in Iraq following elections

The council will be sending 15 delegates to Iraq in support of the upcoming parliamentary elections. The meeting is scheduled to be held sometime this month. Holland’s ambassador to the U.N. spoke to local press while visiting the U.N. in New York, he confirmed the meeting would be in an effort by the U.N. to […]

Kurdish official kidnapped over Hashd al-Shaabi’s missing dead

A Kurdistan government official was recently abducted by armed men in Baghdad who demanded the remains of fallen Hashd al-Shaabi be returned to Iraq. The demands were about the events of October last year, when Iraqi supported paramilitary forces took over the city of Kirkuk from Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Several casualties were had by both sides […]

Iran protests continue as government cracks down

Iran has been plagued with nationwide protests since last December as its citizens continue to demand fundamental rights from the government. Recently, Iran has banned the use of Telegram — a secure messaging app — to block communication and collaboration efforts by protesters. This has led to activists relying on more creative methods to get […]

Committee formed to investigate ethnic cleansing in Kirkuk

When the city of Kirkuk changed hands between the Peshmerga and Hashd al-Shaabi militants last October, many residents fled their homes as looting and murder began. Now, order has been somewhat restored by Iraqi security forces but these same displaced citizens believe they cannot return home. An investigative committee has been established by the central […]

KDP says they will fight for Kurdistan’s independence

Kurdistan’s current Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, is making some rousing statement amidst the current parliament electoral race in the region. In a campaign speech Barzani told supporters that, “The Democratic Party of Kurdistan agrees thoroughly with the right of self-determination, here, in Baghdad, or any place in the world. The KDP will struggle for it and seek […]

Korea contributes to Kurdistan government modernization

The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) met with the Kurdistan Regional Government in Erbil last week to sign a memorandum. The memorandum was titled “Modernization of the Public Procurement System in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq.” The directer of KOICA, Ra Kapchae, met with the Minister of Planning, Dr. Ali Sindi, to sign the document. A statement from the […]

SDF now fighting Syrian regime in southern Rojava

The Syrian Democratic Forces stationed near Deir ez-Zor, a city on the border of Syrian regime territory and not far from the Iraqi border, have been engaged by President Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime government forces along with supporting militia elements. Based on conflict monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, findings so far 6 SDF soldiers […]

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports on Afrin

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is a United Kingdom based conflict zone monitor that has documented the current situation in Afrin, Syria. They have focused heavily on the Turkish occupation that has resulted from their military incursion into Syria under Operation Olive Branch. On Wednesday they released the statement that, “Demographic change is being carried out, […]

US may send ISIS fighter to foreign country to face trial

An American Islamic State militant that was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces last year and is currently being held in Iraq by the United States military. He has a dual U.S./Saudi Arabian citizenship but will most likely not face a trial stateside. Court documents that had previously been redacted were unsealed this week disclosing […]

New United States consulate will be built in Erbil, Kurdistan

Douglas Silliman, the United States ambassador to Iraq, has announced that the U.S. will be constructing a new consulate structure in Erbil, Kurdistan. The announcement was made alongside Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani who expressed his vehement support of the expansion. The United States presently has an existing consulate compound within the city of Erbil but […]

3 Peshmerga POWs rescued by Kurdish Counter Terror Group

Three Peshmerga that had been captured by the Islamic States, were finally rescued after 96 days in captivity by Kurdistan’s elite Counter Terrorism Group. The CTG is part of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s 70th forces, a coalition of PUK politically affiliated Peshmerga based military units. The rescue took place over the weekend in the Dubiz […]

Iraq criticizes United States for supplying financial aid to the Kurdish Peshmerga

Once again the United States is stepping up to handle the salaries of the Peshmerga despite Iraqi criticism and their apparent inability or unwillingness to do it themselves. The United States will be giving the Ministry of Peshmerga approximately $365 million this year over several installments. The ministry confirmed they have received the first on and […]