Kurt

Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution and CTG director Lahur Talabani

Controversy over the proposal of Article 140 to the Iraqi constitution continues, as Kurdish leaders push to renew efforts towards Kurdish independence. Article 140 would give the Kurdish Regional Government the ability to reacquire disputed territories lost during the previous referendum. Lahur Talabani, who leads the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s CTG (Counter Terror Group), addressed […]

Turkish business in Iraq and economic stability

Turkey is moving to financially support Iraq by revisiting several business and investment agreements that were signed in 2009 by the two nations. The Ankara based government wants to give Iraq $5 billion in reconstruction support, they also desire the opening of a new border crossing which will develop further trade between the two countries. […]

Assassinated journalists in Kurdistan and a call for justice

As World Press Freedom Day has passed this Thursday on May 3rd, a Kurdish based advocacy organization known as Metro Center is asking the authorities and courts of Kurdistan to, “review the cases of assassinated journalists.” In a public statement they claimed, “Metro Center calls on the Kurdistan Regional Government to work to pave the way to a […]

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 […]

The Cooper color code and threat assessment

The Cooper color code system of awareness gives us a baseline to identify the psychological condition of a person dealing with a life threatening situation. Developed by Lt. Col Jeff Cooper, Marine Corps retired, the system includes four stages or colors that denote a person’s mental state during a dangerous event. The sequence of these […]

Yezidis kidnapped in Afrin by armed men

The activist organization Yazda is claiming that “11 Yezidi civilians” were abducted by unknown armed men in Afrin this week. In a statement released by Yazda last week they said, “Ten vehicles carrying masked gunmen stormed houses and arrested people. The group later released a man named Hanan Prem after torturing him and demanding a ransom of […]

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 […]