Iraq bans PKK as security ties with Turkey gain momentum The decision comes after the high-level talks between Turkish and Iraqi officials in Baghdad. Turkey
Three top Turkey officials to visit Iraq as Erdogan threatens Kurdish militants The officials’ visit signals a fresh drive to dial up pressure on the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which Ankara accuses of collaborating with Kurdish militants. Turkey
Turkey’s FM tackles long-held disputes with Iraq in first official visit Hakan Fidan chose Iraq for his first official visit as Turkey's new foreign minister, but the visit appeared to yield little progress on long-standing disputes between Ankara and Baghdad. Turkey
Syrian rebels kill IS caliph as attacks continue in Iraq, Syria The Islamic State’s third caliph has been killed in southern Syria as Iraqis retain control of the organization amid concerns and confusion about identities, fighter whereabouts and security gaps. Iraq
Analysis Iran strikes Iraqi Kurdistan again, warns of possible ground operation By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Iraqi Kurdistan's Movement for Change faces rebellion from within The Gorran movement is facing accusations of nepotism, as the two sons of the movement’s founder have gained ownership of its financial assets. Iraq
Fires and armed conflict take toll on Kurdish flora, fauna The mountains of Iraq's Kurdistan region are threatened by man-made and natural wildfires that are difficult to control because of a lack of firefighting resources and manpower. Iraq
Long road to justice for Yazidis who escaped IS Yazidi women who were once held captive by the Islamic State still struggle to have their voices heard in Iraqi courtrooms, where their captors are being tried. Iraq
Will Iraq's Qandil become Erdogan’s quagmire? Although Turkey's military excursion into northern Iraq could be an electoral stunt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an expanded operation into Qandil Mountains could become a quagmire for Erdogan and pose great risks for regional stability. Iraq
Iraq faces uncertainty as parliament orders manual election recount As the Iraqi parliament orders a manual recount of ballots, the Kurdish opposition that lost in the election May 12 pushes for a cancellation of the result, while the PUK is adamant that the outcome should stand. Iraq
Iran faces new threat as Kurdish jihadis join IS in Afghanistan The rise of the Islamic State's branch in Afghanistan poses a new challenge for the Islamic Republic, as it is becoming a magnet for Iranian Kurdish recruits. Iraqi-Kurdistan
What's behind Turkish threats to invade PKK stronghold in Iraq? Turkish leaders have raised the specter of a ground offensive on the Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq, home to the main camps of the PKK, but the motive and viability of such an operation remain questionable. Iraq
Disputes over election results threaten conflict in Iraq's Kirkuk Kirkuk has witnessed major political and security tensions since the elections on May 12, which may cause an ethnic crisis between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens. Iraq
Politicized peshmerga adds to Iraqi Kurdistan destabilization There's long been talk of unifying the fractured peshmerga forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, but action is direly needed. Iraq
New Iraqi government will again require Iranian blessing While Iran may not be the winner in Iraq’s election, it will likely remain the final broker. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds look to open new chapter with Iran The Iraqi Kurdish leadership forges ahead with efforts to improve ties with Iran, both in hopes of reviving their economy and also to regain lost clout in Baghdad. Iraq
Violence taints election in Iraq's Kurdistan region Several cities in Iraq's Kurdistan region witnessed violence following recent parliamentary elections on May 12, leading to calls from Kurdish opposition parties for the results to be canceled. Iraq
