No clashes yet as tensions between the Iraqi forces and Iranian backed Hashd al-Shaabi and the Kurdish Peshmerga in Kirkuk keep escalating. Despite rumors of an imminent attack by the Iraqi security forces on the Kurdish forces in the southern province of Kirkuk, thousands of volunteers have gone to the front lines in case war breaks out. Religious and international leaders continue to call for a peaceful resolution to the aftermath of the Sep. 25 referendum.
Meanwhile in Raqqa, a deal has been struck to evacuate civilians by bus from the Syrian city, where the Islamic State (IS) is on the brink of defeat by the US-led coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been besieging the city for nearly four months and say about 100 IS fighters have surrendered in recent days.
Lastly, Hamas and Fatah have signed a landmark reconciliation deal in Cairo in a key step towards ending a decade-long rift between the two Palestinian factions. The deal will see administrative control of the Gaza Strip handed to a Fatah-backed unity government. Egypt has been brokering the reconciliation talks in Cairo, giving hope to other nations in the region.
