Kurds

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Iraqi Army and its Shiite militia adjuncts have taken Kirkuk city and raised the Iraqi flag over the state house, taking down the Kurdistan flag. They also have an army base and oil fields in Kirkuk province, which they are returning to the control of […]

Donald Trump

In Absence of US Leadership, War Breaks out between Kurds and Baghdad

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The “Voice of Iraq” reports that last night artillery duels broke out between Iraqi army forces and Kurdish Peshmerga paramilitary personnel to the south of the city of Kirkuk. The report is sourced to Peshmerga officers who declined to have their names used. For their part, […]

Iraq

Alarmed Kurdistan forces Mobilized at Kirkuk as Iraqi troops said to Mass on Border

contributors

Kurds say Shiite militias heading for Kirkuk

Democracy

Could Kurdish Secession bid derail Iraq’s Democracy?

contributors

Mustafa Habib | (Baghdad) | (Niqash.org) | – – In Baghdad, the Kurdish referendum has dominated all other official proceedings. Lack of progress on electoral laws means federal elections could be postponed – again. The controversial Iraqi Kurdish referendum on independence has also had a divisive impact on politics in Baghdad. For one thing it […]

Donald Trump

Former US Allies peeling off under Trump: Turkey halts US Visas

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The US and Turkey have ceased processing non-immigrant visas for one another’s citizens. That’s right. If you’re an American and were planning to visit Istanbul this fall, unpack your bags. In a world of abnormal goings-on, this one is really weird. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has […]

Iraq

Iraq: How Saddam Hussein’s Ghost haunts Kurdish Referendum

contributors

Mustafa Habib | (Baghdad) | (Niqash.org) | – – Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein tried to exterminate the Kurds in Iraq. Now Iraqis angry about the Kurdish desire to secede are bringing back bad memories online. Saddam Hussein is making a comeback in Iraq – well, at least on Iraqi social media he is. Despite […]

Israel

Iran and Turkey tag team Iraqi Kurds over Secession

contributors

TeleSur | – – “The only beneficiaries are the Zionist regime and the U.S.,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. Warning against alleged foreign plots, the leaders of Turkey and Iran said harsh measures would be taken against Iraqi Kurdistan to maintain Iraq’s territorial integrity from attempts to secede from Baghdad following an independence referendum. The Iranian President […]

Iraq

Last Flight Departs as Iraq punishes Kurds’ Secession Vote

contributors

TeleSur | – – Domestic flights are still allowed, so travelers are expected to travel to Kurdistan mostly via Baghdad’s airport. The last international flight left Erbil airport on Friday as the Baghdad government imposed an air ban on Iraqi Kurdistan in retaliation for an independence vote that has drawn widespread opposition from foreign powers. […]

Iraq

Iraq: Kurds, United, Confident in Negotiated Settlement

contributors

Histyar Qader | Erbil | (Niqash.org) | – – In the end, the Kurdish people and politicians united around the independence referendum. But what happens next? Some senior politicians believe negotiations with Baghdad will begin again. While many uncertainties remain about Iraqi Kurdistan’s referendum on independence, there is one thing that seems clear to the […]