Kurdistan

In Iraqi Kurdistan, book clubs make space for young authors and discussions on social issues

The eight book clubs that have sprung up in Kurdistan in recent months make a point of giving homegrown authors a platform, and regularly discuss narratives tackling social issues.

Indian Embassy in Baghdad directed to ensure safe return of seven Punjab youths stranded in Iraq’s Erbil, says Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Badal said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has directed the Indian Embassy in Iraq to take immediate steps to ensure the return of seven Punjab-based youths stranded in Erbil for the past seven months

Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey warplanes have dealt heavy blow to Kurdish rebels, killed 35 of their leaders

Turkish President Erdogan has said that the warplanes have eliminated 35 leaders of the Kurdish rebels in Iraq

Islamic State attack kills 45 pro-Assad regime fighters in east Syria, reclaims 4 villages in Euphrates Valley

Islamic State attacked eastern Syria and has killed 45 members pro-regime Shiite militia and has retaken four villages in Euphrates Valley.

Iran opposes Iraqi Kurdish independence vote, says decision an create new problems

Iran voiced its opposition on Saturday to an announcement by Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region that it will organise a vote on independence later this year.

Pro-Assad air strikes in Eastern Ghouta kill over 200; Syria sends troops to fight Turkey in Kurd-held border

Regime air strikes on Wednesday pushed the death toll from three days of bombing in Syria's rebel Eastern Ghouta to over 200 as Damascus pitched pro-government forces into the fray against Turkey in a Kurdish-held border region.

Mosul after Islamic State: Ulemas battle to rid locals of extremist ideas following city's recapture from jihadists

The ulema, or Islamic scholars, aim to set up "brigades" tasked with ridding Mosul residents of extremist ideas of Islamic State following city's recapture

Quake leaves trail of death and destruction in Iraq

The 7.3-magnitude quake hit on the Iraq-Iran border area on Sunday night, killing hundreds of people and injuring thousands of others.

Over 400 dead, 2,500 injured as 7.3 magnitude earthquake rocks Iran-Iraq border; landslides, powercuts hinder rescue ops

At least 328 people were killed and as many as 2,500 were injured when a 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook the mountainous Iran-Iraq border on Sunday.

Iran reopens border crossing with Iraqi Kurdistan after independence vote

Iran on Wednesday reopened one of its three border crossings with Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, which it closed in response to last month's vote for independence, its director said.