It used to be presented as a huge success story. We were told that in the middle of a ravished Middle East, surrounded by despair, death and pain, a land of milk and honey was shining brightly like a torch of hope. Or was it more like a delicious cake surrounded by rot? This exceptional place was called Iraqi Kurdistan, or officially the “Kurdistan Region.” This is where the vi
Read MoreThe Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG) has been embroiled in a heated dispute over the election - or re-election - of its president. The term of the incumbent Massoud Barzani, who has served as president of the KRG since 2005, expired on 19 August 2015. Since then, the question of what should happen in the aftermath of this expiry has been a topic of great controversy,
Read MoreSirwan Barzani, telecoms magnate and president’s nephew, is on the front line against critics and the ‘world’s most dangerous terrorists’ MAKHMOUR, Iraq - Before reaching the Black Tiger Peshmerga Base, which borders the frontline with the Islamic State-controlled area south of Mosul, one can see a banner that proclaims “Kurdistan or Death”. This is the base named after a high
Read MorePeshmerga forces 'appear to be spearheading a concerted campaign to forcibly displace Arab communities,' Amnesty says Kurdish forces have destroyed thousands of homes in northern Iraq in an apparent attempt to uproot Arab communities, Amnesty International said on Tuesday. The rights group said the destruction took place after Kurdish forces captured areas from the Islamic Sta
Read MoreA combination of Islamic State attacks and collapsing oil prices has hit the KRG economy Iraq's Kurdish region announced that it will pay only partial salaries for all government employees except security personnel as it struggles with an economic crisis due to low oil prices. The decision was taken "in order to ensure the continued distribution of part of the monthly salaries
Read More
