Read more
Sunday’s earthquake was the deadliest of 2017 as more than 400 people were killed and over 7000 injured. A huge rescue effort is under way after the powerful quake struck Iran’s mountainous border with Iraq. The Kurdish areas who were most affected are already among some of the poorest in Iran. Entire buildings in Derbandikhan […]
Read More Read more
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has rattled the northern border region between Iran and Iraq, killing at least 135 people and injuring hundreds more. At least 129 people died in western Iran’s Kermanshah province. Six more were reported dead in Iraq. The death toll is likely to rise. The earthquake sparked panic, with fears of aftershocks sending […]
Read More Read more
Lots of changes in the Middle East as 11 princes and dozens of current and former ministers were arrested on charges of corruption in Saudi Arabia. The detentions came hours after the new committee, headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was formed by royal decree. Prince Mohammed, who already serves as defense minister, now […]
Read More Read more
One month later, the KRG has offered to freeze the results of the referendum to allow negotiations with Baghdad to begin. The KRG early Wednesday morning put out a statement calling for the immediate ceasefire and halt of all military operations in disputed areas, and that it would freeze the results to have an open […]
Read More Read more
Things might be evolving as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Baghdad yesterday on a surprise visit for talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and President Fuad Masum. Tillerson on Sunday had said Iranian fighters and militias must leave Iraq for the country to rebuild. In response, Abadi defended the Iranian-backed militias […]
Read More Read more
Opposition unites as Turkish President Erdogan met with his Iranian counterpart, President Rouhani, yesterday and announced they will not accept changing the borders in the region. They warned they would isolate the Kurdistan Region, the same day Baghdad confirmed it would no longer sell dollars to four Kurdish-owned banks. Nevertheless, Iraqi and Peshmerga Forces are […]
Read More Read more
Iran threatens to close its borders and withdraw its diplomatic mission in Erbil should the Kurdistan Region proceed with the referendum. Supreme National Security Council explained that the relationship between Tehran and Erbil only exists as part of a united Iraq. The Kurdistan Region’s High Council for the Independence Referendum on Sunday however announced the […]
Read More Read more
Political drama as Iran’s president has warned that it could restart its nuclear programme “within hours” if the United States imposes any new sanctions. Hassan Rouhani also said the programme would be more advanced than in 2015, when Iran curbed its nuclear activities as part of a deal with world powers. At the same time, an Iranian […]
Read More Read more
It’s going to be a hot one! Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered all government staff to take Today off work because of exceptionally high temperatures. Forecasters expect temperatures in the capital of Baghdad, to reach 50C (122F) on Thursday afternoon. Heatwave conditions are also expected in the cities of Basra and Mosul. Never […]
Read More Read more
Trump’s not the only building walls. Turkish media claim Turkey has begun the construction of a wall along the country’s border with Iran, much like the Turkish barrier along the Syrian border. Ankara is allegedly building the 2-meter wide, 3-meter high wall with portable blocks. The wall is set to be 144 kilometers long and […]
Read More