Iraq – Page 37 – CounterVortex

Iraq

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Authorities in Ezidikhan, the self-declared Yazidi autonomous homeland in northern Iraq, issued a statement protesting a Turkish air-raid on their territory. The attack was apparently a targeted assassination of Yazidi leader Zeki ?engali, who is a representative of the Union of Communities in Kurdistan (KCK), the international body in the political orbit of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Four members of the Yazidi territorial militia, the Sinjar Protection Units (YBS), were also killed in the attack, and a home destroyed. The raid actually took place as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi was on an official trip to Turkey, sparking outrage from some Iraqi officials. (Photo: Kurdistan 24)

Iraq

Iraq’s hero shoe-thrower to face trial

Muntader al-Zaidi, the journalist who threw his shoes at George Bush, will face trial on Feb. 19 for assaulting a visiting head of state, with a maximum 15-year term, Iraqi officials announced.

Iraq

Iraq: US forces violate security agreement

Iraqi officials charge that twice in the last two weeks the US military violated the security agreement signed in November by attacking criminal suspects without coordinating with Iraqi forces.

Iraq

Iraq: US forces kill Shi’ite pilgrims?

US forces shot two Shi’ite pilgrims Saturday night as they walked to Karbala for the Arbaeen holy day, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said.

Iraq

4,000 women run in Iraq’s provincial elections: how significant?

Iraq’s provincial elections saw 4,000 women as candidates for provincial councils, many guaranteed seats under a quota system. But some woman candidates questioned how significant the change really is.

Iraq

Potsdam peaceniks give Obama a chance

For six years, since before the Iraq war began, peace activists in the upstate New York town of Potsdam have held a weekly vigil in front of the village post office. On Jan. 24, they gathered one last time. The… Read morePotsdam peaceniks give Obama a chance

Iraq

Iraq: quotas for women in provincial seats weakened

In the lead-up to Iraq’s provincial elections, there is growing anger that the draft version of the election law has weakened provisions to set aside seats for women.

Iraq

Iraq: more astonishing success of the “surge”

Now relegated to the back pages, near-daily rocket and suicide attacks continue to claim lives in Baghdad and central Iraq. Several civilians have been killed in attacks this week alone.

Iraq

Obama inspires Black Iraqi freedom movement

Iraqi and US military forces will beef up security ahead of landmark provincial elections set for Jan. 31, when up to 15 million Iraqis could go to the polls in 14 of Iraq’s 18 provinces. Already candidates have been targeted… Read moreObama inspires Black Iraqi freedom movement

Iraq

Turkey and Iran in joint air-strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan

Turkish warplanes and Iranian artillery bombarded Kurdish rebel hideouts in northern Iraq on Jan. 5, a spokesman for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) said. “Turkish planes and Iranian artillery bombarded Aquwan and the Iranians bombarded Maradu. The bombardment lasted for… Read moreTurkey and Iran in joint air-strikes on Iraqi Kurdistan

Iraq

Iraq unions call for international labor conference in Irbil

From the General Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI), Dec. 13: Dear Brothers and Sisters in the global struggle for workers’ rights, peace and justice: Plans are underway to hold an International Labor Conference in Iraq in… Read moreIraq unions call for international labor conference in Irbil

Iraq

Iraq: Shi’ite pilgrims massacred as Muharram holy days open

A female suicide bomber killed at least 35, including women and children, and wounded 65 others in an attack on a religious procession near the holy Kadhimiyah shrine in northern Baghdad Jan. 4. The woman blew herself up at a… Read moreIraq: Shi’ite pilgrims massacred as Muharram holy days open