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Kurdistan

US up to plunge in dangerous game in Syria with idea of unified Kurdistan, Lavrov

Moscow - TASS

The United States is up to plunge into a dangerous game in Syria with idea of unified Kurdistan, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with RT France, Paris Match and Le Figaro. "Neither the United State nor France nor other Western countries want to create conditions for the return of refugees on the territories that are controlledRead more

A year of crisis since Iraqi Kurdistan’s bid for independence

Irbil - Arab Today

Iraq’s autonomous region of Kurdistan, which votes for a new parliament on Sunday, has endured a year of unrest and open crisis with the Baghdad government since it overwhelmingly backed independence in a referendum a year ago. Here is a recap: Referendum The September 25, 2017 referendum on Kurds’ long-cherished dream of independence for their mountainous northern enclave returns aRead more

EU deplores Kurdish referendum in Iraq

Brussels - Arab Today

The European Union stressed that it has consistently confirmed its full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq. "It therefore appealed for the referendum not to be held in this unilateral manner, and especially not in disputed areas. It regrets that these calls have not been heeded," said a spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini inRead more

Five dead as protests rock Iraqi Kurdistan

Sulaimaniyah - Arab Today

Five people were killed and dozens wounded in Iraqi Kurdistan on Tuesday as security forces opened fire after protesters torched the offices of political parties in the autonomous region, a medical official said. "Clashes erupted with the security forces who opened fire, leaving five dead and at least 70 wounded," said Taha Mohammad, spokesman for the local health department inRead more

Iraqi Kurds take to the streets for lack of funds

Baghdad - Arab Today

Thousands of Iraqi Kurds took to the streets in the Kurdish region on Monday to protest the lack of funds and basic services. The demonstrators also demanded the resignation of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), eye witnesses and officials told Arab News. Riots broke out when protesters set fire to a number of government buildings and party headquarters in Sulaimaniyah,Read more

Dispute over who speaks for Kurds at Syria peace talks

Ankara - Arab Today

Turkey has given Russia a list of Kurdish groups it believes should be invited to a proposed Syrian peace and reconciliation conference sponsored by Moscow. The conference was planned for the Black Sea resort of Sochi this month, but has been postponed amid disputes over who should attend. There are differences over the role of the People’s Protection Units (YPG)Read more

Kurdish referendum unconstitutional

Baghdad - Arab Today

Iraq's Supreme Federal Court ruled on Monday that the Sept. 25 Kurdish independence referendum was unconstitutional and the results void, a court spokesman said. Kurds voted overwhelmingly to break away from Iraq in the referendum, defying the central government in Baghdad and alarming neighbouring Turkey and Iran who have their own Kurdish minorities. The court is responsible for settling disputesRead more

Iran hunts for survivors as quake kills 300 near Iraq border

Tehran - Arab Today

Iranian rescue workers dug through rubble in a hunt for survivors on Monday after a major earthquake struck the Iran-Iraq border, killing more than 300 people and injuring thousands. The 7.3-magnitude quake rocked a border area 30 kilometres (20 miles) southwest of Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan at around 9:20 pm (1820 GMT) on Sunday, when many people would have beenRead more

Abadi underlines threats facing Middle East and world

Baghdad - Najla Al Taee

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has warned against targeting or opening fire against federal troops at disputed regions, warning that whoever violates will not be safe. During the weekly press conference held in Baghdad on Tuesday, Abadi said, “Kurdistan’s authorities suspended the negotiations between the military federal and Kurdish delegations and conditioned a political agreement to resume the talks.” AbadiRead more

Kurdistan’s parliament approves Barzani’s resignation

Baghdad - Najla Al Taee

Iraqi Kurdistan’s long-serving leader Masoud Barzani said he would step down as president this week, triggering a factional dispute in parliament over how his powers should be distributed that has amplified tensions in the autonomous region. “I refuse to continue in my post as the Kurdistan regional president,” Mr Barzani said in a letter that was read out in theRead more