Middle Orient News

NATO hopes Erbil, Baghdad to solve differences through peaceful dialogue

The North Atlantic Alliance Organization (NATO) supports constructive and peaceful dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve their differences, said Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. “We would like very much to see constructive negotiations between the Peshmerga forces and the government of Baghdad,” Stoltenberg said on Tuesday, urging the sides not to …

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US Defence Secretary to discuss IS with NATO counterparts

US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis has plenty of pressing issues as he begins talks with NATO allies on Wednesday. NATO defence ministers are meeting over two days at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters. The talks will also look at efforts to revamp NATO’s command structure to help it better combat the …

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Iraqi forces to resume ops if handing over control of borders delayed

Iraqi forces threatened on Wednesday to resume operations to capture northern Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-held territory after accusing authorities there of delaying handing over control of Iraq’s borders with Turkey, Iran and Syria. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday declared a pause in an offensive that began on Oct. …

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Iraqi forces liberate al-Qaim

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday announced the full liberation of the city of al-Qaim near the border with Syria from the Islamic State (IS) militants. A statement by the premier’s office said Abadi, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi forces, “congratulated the people of Iraq for the …

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US Coalition drived out IS from 95% of former lands

Syria’s army announced it had taken Deir al-Zour early on Friday. IS had held most of Deir al-Zour since 2014, important because of its proximity to the border with Iraq. While the Syrian army said it had been re-captured, other reports said government forces and their allies were clearing the …

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Iraqi forces raid Qaem city

Iraqi government forces on Friday raided Al-Qaem city west of Anbar province in pursuit of fighters of the so-called Islamic State (IS) and eliminate their strongholds. Regular military troops, anti-terrorism squads, popular and tribal forces began the raid starting from Saada, Al-Karablah, and Hasiba areas, part of Al-Qaem surrounding towns, …

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Macron says France supports full recognition of Kurdish rights

he French Republic’s President on Monday paid tribute to President Barzani’s historic role and his contribution to the fight against the Islamic State (IS), which Kurdish Peshmerga forces determinedly helped defeat. President Barzani on Sunday announced in a national address that he would not seek an additional term of presidency.

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Iraqi PM says govt forces now in control of all "disputed" areas

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced that federal forces now control all parts of country “disputed” between Baghdad, Erbil and also accused certain KRG-linked media outlets of “openly inciting violence against federal forces.” At a press conference held in the capital, al-Abadi also accused certain KRG-linked media outlets – …

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Iraq retakes Habur crossing with Turkey

Iraqi authorities were handed on Tuesday control of the main land border crossing between Turkey and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, announced three Iraqi officials. One of the officials released photos of the Iraqi flag as it was being raised above the border gate. Iraqi and Turkish forces have been deployed …

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