Exclusive Iraq's Kurds air fury over PM Sudani's stance after attack on gas field “We were shocked at Sudani’s audacity. Imagine the state we would have been in had he gotten his way,” a senior Iraqi Kurdish official speaking not for attribution told Al-Monitor. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Grenade attack on IRGC kills 2 in Iran’s Kurdistan province: What to know The deadly assault comes amid recurring tensions and clashes in Iran’s Kurdish-majority western region. Iran
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
Analysis Iran strikes Iraqi Kurdistan again, warns of possible ground operation By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
How Islamic State is trying to lure Kurds to its ranks The Islamic State released a video Aug. 3 in which militants refer to prominent Kurdish leaders in a bid to attract the Kurds to their ranks. Iraq
Will KRG be next target of Turkey's Gulenist purge? Though the Gulen movement has long been a major player in education, business and public facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan, observers doubt that the Turkish government will let its influence hinder relations between the two important trading partners. Iraq
Baghdad-Erbil bickering overshadows Mosul battle Since the Iraqi central government excluded the Kurdistan Regional Government from a meeting for the anti-IS coalition in Washington, tension has been escalating between Baghdad and the Kurds, who stressed that they will not leave areas in Ninevah liberated from IS. Iraq
Maliki’s visit to Sulaimaniyah deepens split among Iraq's Kurds Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Sulaimaniyah to welcome the coalition between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Movement for Change, deepening the dispute between Sulaimaniyah and Erbil. Iraq
Christians in Iraqi Kurdistan complain about land seizure Christians in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq complain of attempts to seize their land, which will push them to emigrate, as happened in Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces. Iraq
How new alliance among Iraq's Kurds might actually deepen divisions The recently formed alliance between Gorran and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has raised the ire of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, deepening divisions in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
Why Iranian Kurdish party is stepping up fight against Tehran The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan broke the two-decade cease-fire by launching attacks on IRGC forces, which triggered Iranian attacks against Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
After 20-year break, these Iranian Kurds are taking up arms again In a surprise development, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, which has not used guns against the Iranian regime for 20 years, has resumed fighting, reportedly instigated by regional powers. Iraq
The myth of a tripartite Iraq Although it is often claimed that a federal state with an autonomous region for Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds would stabilize Iraq, this proposition has little bearing to the realities on the ground. Iraq
Will unity deal deepen rivalries in Iraqi Kurdistan? Long-time Kurdish rivals Gorran and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan recently reached an agreement that might further entrench Kurdish division in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
How Russia sees Kurdish quest for autonomy Russia is carefully crafting its policies regarding Kurds, seeking to take a leadership role in the Syrian situation without actually offending anyone. Iraq
