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
As Mosul battle nears end, Iraqi Christians wary of return Despite the liberation of the Ninevah Plains, very few Iraqi Christians have returned to their historical homeland, while the majority of them refuse to return due to security concerns. Iraq
Congress threatens to cut payments to Iraqi Kurds if they break with Baghdad The House defense bill makes continued peshmerga funding contingent on participation in a “unified Iraq.” Iraq
Iraq's Kurds question motives behind independence vote Opponents of the Iraq Kurdistan referendum on independence question the real agenda behind the Kurdistan Democratic Party's push for the vote. Iraq
Iran draws line in the sand in Syrian desert Iran stakes claim in eastern Syria; Saudi move against Hamas; Qatar risks confrontation in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia
The reason Tehran is against referendum on Iraqi Kurdistan Iranian leaders and media have expressed strong opposition to the September referendum on the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan. Israel
For many of Iraq's Yazidis, going home is not an option Although Sinjar has mostly been liberated from the Islamic State, the traumatized Yazidi community remains largely displaced and reluctant to return home to where the suffering began. Iraq
Public fuss over KRG referendum gives way to private nods The regional players are buzzing after the Kurdistan Regional Government announced it will hold a referendum on independence, and signs point to tacit support from the United States and Turkey. Iraq
Iraqi Kurdistan-Russia oil deal could have major implications for region The Kurdistan Regional Government quietly signed a major deal June 2 with Russian oil giant Rosneft, allowing Russia its first entry to the Kurdish oil market, which was dominated by the United States and Turkey. Iraq
Kirkuk’s oil to play big role in Kurdish independence The post-Islamic State era will be crucial for Kirkuk, as conflicts over the governorate's territory and oil will determine the future of relations between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Iraq
Kurdish cantons in northern Syria already linked One of the most heated issues of the Syrian war has been the possibility of Kurdish cantons connecting, overcoming Turkey’s threatening objections. And now, with the Aleppo road open, Kurdish cantons are connected for the first time in four years. Iraq
Despite deadly border clash, Iran-PKK war unlikely Though attributed to the PJAK, the recent deadly border clash along Iran’s border with Turkey involved the PKK and is unlikely to escalate. Turkey
Iraqi Kurdistan faces many obstacles to independence referendum Amid a strong regional disagreement, Iraqi Kurdistan is insisting on holding a referendum on independence in the fall. Iraq
