A stampede&nbsp;near Jaza’a Al Nakhla Stadium in the southern Iraqi city of Basra ahead of a football match killed two, and left over 60 injured,&nbsp;according to an AFP report.&nbsp;The stampede took place hours ahead of the Gulf Cup final between&nbsp;Iraq and Oman. Thousands of supporters had gathered without tickets outside the stadium attempting to gain entry ahead of the&nbsp;7 PM kickoff (16000 GMT) of the final match of&nbsp;the first international soccer tournament held in the country in four decades.

"There have been two&nbsp;deaths and dozens are injured," a medic was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reportedly urged the residents to avoid the area near the stadium until the situation is resolved.&nbsp;

According to local media reports,&nbsp;Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is holding urgent meetings to assess the situation.&nbsp;

Despite the stampede, the&nbsp;Iraqi Football Association said the match will go ahead.&nbsp;

“The match between the Iraqi and Omani national teams will take place as scheduled.&nbsp;We call on honorable fans to refrain from coming to the match stadium because the stands are completely full.”

Incidentally, this was the first time that Iraq had been granted the hosting duties for the Gulf Cup since 1979. The tournament was an opportunity for Iraq to show that it can be entrusted with the hosting duties as four decades of conflict have kept football away from the country.&nbsp;

The tournament started on January 6 with Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates as the eight participants.&nbsp;

The stadium stampede in Iraq comes months after over 130 were killed in Indonesia&nbsp;at the Kanjuruhan stadium in&nbsp;one of the worst sporting disasters in modern history.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/trial-begins-in-the-indonesia-stadium-disaster-that-killed-over-130-553137">Read more:&nbsp;Trial begins in the Indonesia stadium disaster that killed over 130</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

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A stampede near Jaza’a Al Nakhla Stadium in the southern Iraqi city of Basra ahead of a football match killed two, and left over 60 injured, according to an AFP report.

A stampede near Jaza’a Al Nakhla Stadium in the southern Iraqi city of Basra ahead of a football match killed two, and left over 60 injured, according to an AFP report. The stampede took place hours ahead of the Gulf Cup final between Iraq and Oman. Thousands of supporters had gathered without tickets outside the stadium attempting to gain entry ahead of the 7 PM kickoff (16000 GMT) of the final match of the first international soccer tournament held in the country in four decades. "There have been two deaths and dozens are injured," a medic was quoted as saying by AFP. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reportedly urged the residents to avoid the area near the stadium until the situation is resolved. According to local media reports, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is holding urgent meetings to assess the situation. Despite the stampede, the Iraqi Football Association said the match will go ahead. “The match between the Iraqi and Omani national teams will take place as scheduled. We call on honorable fans to refrain from coming to the match stadium because the stands are completely full.” Incidentally, this was the first time that Iraq had been granted the hosting duties for the Gulf Cup since 1979. The tournament was an opportunity for Iraq to show that it can be entrusted with the hosting duties as four decades of conflict have kept football away from the country. The tournament started on January 6 with Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates as the eight participants. The stadium stampede in Iraq comes months after over 130 were killed in Indonesia at the Kanjuruhan stadium in one of the worst sporting disasters in modern history. Read more: Trial begins in the Indonesia stadium disaster that killed over 130 (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iraq: Two dead, over 60 injured in stampede outside stadium ahead of football match

Iraq hosts the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup in Basra. The event may give Iraq an opportunity to boost ties with Arab states.

The West Asia Post: Iraq hosts Arab Gulf cup

In an attack on Sunday near Kirkuk in the north of the nation, where jihadists from the Islamic State group are still active, at least seven personnel of the federal police of Iraq were killed, according to police and government sources. A truck carrying the men was initially the target of a bomb attack. On condition of anonymity, a federal police official who linked the assault to IS told AFP that it was followed by "a frontal attack with small arms" close to the town of Chalal al-Matar. The attack's perpetrators were not immediately identified by any organisation.

"An assailant has been killed and we are looking for the others," the officer said, adding that two policemen were also wounded in the attack.

Seven police, including one officer, were killed in the incident, according to a Ministry of Interior spokesman in Baghdad.

IS took huge portions of Iraqi and Syrian territory starting in 2014, establishing a barbaric "caliphate," which they ruled until they were routed by Iraqi forces supported by a US-led military coalition in late 2017.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-send-patriot-missile-defence-system-to-ukraine-all-you-need-to-know-543385">US to send Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine: All you need to know</a>

Near the Iraqi border, IS lost their final stronghold in Syria in 2019.

Up until December of last year, the US-led anti-IS coalition retained a combat presence in Iraq, but some 2,500 American soldiers are still stationed there as trainers.

But there are still active IS relics across Iraq.

Security forces in Baghdad are still engaged in counterterrorism operations against the organisation, and news of the deaths of IS fighters in bombings and raids is frequently released.

Also watch |&nbsp;NATO: Russia's President Putin is planning for long war; Putin meets top military brass

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Despite the losses that have reduced IS to a shell of its former self, a UN study published earlier this year stated that the organisation can still depend on an underground network of between 6,000 and 10,000 militants to carry out assaults on both sides of the porous Iraqi-Syrian border.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In an attack on Sunday near Kirkuk in the north of the nation, where jihadists from the Islamic State group are still active, at least seven personnel of the federal police of Iraq were killed, according to police and government sources.

In an attack on Sunday near Kirkuk in the north of the nation, where jihadists from the Islamic State group are still active, at least seven personnel of the federal police of Iraq were killed, according to police and government sources. A truck carrying the men was initially the target of a bomb attack. On condition of anonymity, a federal police official who linked the assault to IS told AFP that it was followed by "a frontal attack with small arms" close to the town of Chalal al-Matar. The attack's perpetrators were not immediately identified by any organisation. "An assailant has been killed and we are looking for the others," the officer said, adding that two policemen were also wounded in the attack. Seven police, including one officer, were killed in the incident, according to a Ministry of Interior spokesman in Baghdad. IS took huge portions of Iraqi and Syrian territory starting in 2014, establishing a barbaric "caliphate," which they ruled until they were routed by Iraqi forces supported by a US-led military coalition in late 2017. Also read | US to send Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine: All you need to know Near the Iraqi border, IS lost their final stronghold in Syria in 2019. Up until December of last year, the US-led anti-IS coalition retained a combat presence in Iraq, but some 2,500 American soldiers are still stationed there as trainers. But there are still active IS relics across Iraq. Security forces in Baghdad are still engaged in counterterrorism operations against the organisation, and news of the deaths of IS fighters in bombings and raids is frequently released. Also watch | NATO: Russia's President Putin is planning for long war; Putin meets top military brass Despite the losses that have reduced IS to a shell of its former self, a UN study published earlier this year stated that the organisation can still depend on an underground network of between 6,000 and 10,000 militants to carry out assaults on both sides of the porous Iraqi-Syrian border. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iraq: At least seven police officials killed near Kirkuk in suspected IS attacks

Iraq's Walnut farmers in the Kurdish region stare at a bleak future as the dry season has affected this year's yield. Ghadi Francis brings us all the latest updates on this week's The West Asia Post.

The West Asia Post: Trouble for Iraq's Walnut market

Turkish President Recep Erdogan said on Monday (November 28) that nobody should be "disturbed" by the country's military operations into Syria, which are aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. He reiterated the nation's determination to form a 30-kilometre-long security corridor along the southern border with Syria.&nbsp;

Erdogan recently said that the Turkish military could launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq besides the air campaigns.&nbsp;

But Russia urged Turkey to exercise "restraint" and warned against "destabilising" Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said that Moscow understands Turkey's concerns regarding its security, but also called on all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to "seriously destabilising the situation".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-calls-on-chinese-government-to-respect-right-to-peaceful-protests-538311">United Nations calls on Chinese government to respect right to peaceful protests</a>&nbsp;

Erdogan said, "Nobody should be disturbed by Turkey's military operations aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. Because in the history of this country, there is no colonisation, no brutality, no selfishness, and there is no cruelty."&nbsp;

Turkey also carried out strategic air strikes against the bases of Kurdish militants across northern Syria and Iraq. Erdogan's administration claimed that those bases were used to launch "terrorist" attacks on Turkish soil.&nbsp;

The strikes came a week after a bomb attack in Istanbul killed six people and left 81 wounded, which Ankara blamed on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). But the Kurdish groups and authorities have denied the allegations.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Iranian regime won't spare its own kin?&nbsp;

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While speaking after a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, the Turkish president further said: "The due date of these terrorists has now passed as their concrete tunnels in which they take refuge today, will soon become their graves."&nbsp;

"Neither the countries they trust so much, nor the terror barons who put their lives on the market will be able to save them from the tragic fate that awaits at the end," he added.&nbsp;

Turkish officials said that the army just needs a few days to prepare for a ground incursion into northern Syria. A concrete decision regarding this was expected to come at a cabinet meeting on Monday.&nbsp;

But, Erdogan did not directly address it. But it is said that a formal decision might be anounced after the cabinet meeting.&nbsp;

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Turkish President Recep Erdogan said on Monday (November 28) that nobody should be "disturbed" by the country's military operations into Syria, which are aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan said on Monday (November 28) that nobody should be "disturbed" by the country's military operations into Syria, which are aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. He reiterated the nation's determination to form a 30-kilometre-long security corridor along the southern border with Syria. Erdogan recently said that the Turkish military could launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq besides the air campaigns. But Russia urged Turkey to exercise "restraint" and warned against "destabilising" Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said that Moscow understands Turkey's concerns regarding its security, but also called on all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to "seriously destabilising the situation". ALSO READ | United Nations calls on Chinese government to respect right to peaceful protests Erdogan said, "Nobody should be disturbed by Turkey's military operations aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. Because in the history of this country, there is no colonisation, no brutality, no selfishness, and there is no cruelty." Turkey also carried out strategic air strikes against the bases of Kurdish militants across northern Syria and Iraq. Erdogan's administration claimed that those bases were used to launch "terrorist" attacks on Turkish soil. The strikes came a week after a bomb attack in Istanbul killed six people and left 81 wounded, which Ankara blamed on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). But the Kurdish groups and authorities have denied the allegations. WATCH | Gravitas: Iranian regime won't spare its own kin? × While speaking after a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, the Turkish president further said: "The due date of these terrorists has now passed as their concrete tunnels in which they take refuge today, will soon become their graves." "Neither the countries they trust so much, nor the terror barons who put their lives on the market will be able to save them from the tragic fate that awaits at the end," he added. Turkish officials said that the army just needs a few days to prepare for a ground incursion into northern Syria. A concrete decision regarding this was expected to come at a cabinet meeting on Monday. But, Erdogan did not directly address it. But it is said that a formal decision might be anounced after the cabinet meeting. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Erdogan says that nobody should be 'disturbed' by Turkey's military operations

Iraq said that it has&nbsp;recovered a “part” of $2.5 billion in public funds which were embezzled from the government’s tax authority after a massive scheme involving officials and businesses, on Sunday. The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said that they have retrieved at least $125 million (182 billion Iraqi dinars) from a businessman detained in connection with the fraud.&nbsp;

“The competent authorities have been able to retrieve a first tranche amounting to 182.6 billion Iraqi dinars,” said al-Sudani, in a statement released by his office. It added that the amount was recovered in the form of seized properties and assets of Noor Zuhair Jassim, a businessman, implicated in the theft of more than $1 billion that he “confessed” he had received.&nbsp;

The businessman will also be subjected to an assets freeze and will be released on the condition that the remaining funds be recovered within two weeks, said al-Sudani. The country’s PM has also stressed that an investigation is underway and will not be spared anyone while the government works to recover the full amount stolen.&nbsp;

Jassim was one among the several people involved in the corruption scheme including officials from the country’s tax authority, some of whom have been identified, said the statement. According to officials, the funds were withdrawn from the tax deposit account between September 2021 to August 2022 through almost 250 cheques cashed by five firms. Subsequently, the money had been withdrawn from the companies’ accounts, said AFP citing a document from the tax authorities.&nbsp;

The businessman was arrested in late October at the Baghdad International Airport and is allegedly the CEO of at least two of five shell companies through which the funds were stolen. Referring to the officials and higher-ups the Iraqi PM said that their identity will be revealed after the investigation has concluded. “Arresting the thieves and those who aided them is very important,” said al-Sudani.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Iraq said that it has recovered a “part” of $2.5 billion in public funds which were embezzled from the government’s tax authority after a massive scheme involving officials and businesses, on Sunday.

Iraq said that it has recovered a “part” of $2.5 billion in public funds which were embezzled from the government’s tax authority after a massive scheme involving officials and businesses, on Sunday. The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said that they have retrieved at least $125 million (182 billion Iraqi dinars) from a businessman detained in connection with the fraud. “The competent authorities have been able to retrieve a first tranche amounting to 182.6 billion Iraqi dinars,” said al-Sudani, in a statement released by his office. It added that the amount was recovered in the form of seized properties and assets of Noor Zuhair Jassim, a businessman, implicated in the theft of more than $1 billion that he “confessed” he had received. The businessman will also be subjected to an assets freeze and will be released on the condition that the remaining funds be recovered within two weeks, said al-Sudani. The country’s PM has also stressed that an investigation is underway and will not be spared anyone while the government works to recover the full amount stolen. Jassim was one among the several people involved in the corruption scheme including officials from the country’s tax authority, some of whom have been identified, said the statement. According to officials, the funds were withdrawn from the tax deposit account between September 2021 to August 2022 through almost 250 cheques cashed by five firms. Subsequently, the money had been withdrawn from the companies’ accounts, said AFP citing a document from the tax authorities. The businessman was arrested in late October at the Baghdad International Airport and is allegedly the CEO of at least two of five shell companies through which the funds were stolen. Referring to the officials and higher-ups the Iraqi PM said that their identity will be revealed after the investigation has concluded. “Arresting the thieves and those who aided them is very important,” said al-Sudani. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Millions from the embezzled $2.5 billion in public funds recovered, says Iraqi PM’s office

Following a series of airstrikes by Iran and Turkey against opposition organisations in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Baghdad announced on Wednesday that it will redeploy federal troops along its borders with the two nations.

In a statement following a government security meeting presided over by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the nation said that authorities had decided to "establish a plan to redeploy Iraqi border guards... along the border with Iran and Turkey".

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Kurds bear brunt of Iran's brutal crackdown

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According to the statement, the effort will be carried out "in coordination with the government of the Kurdistan region and the peshmerga ministry," referring to the Kurdish regional forces.

Currently, the peshmerga are in charge of policing the borders of Iraqi Kurdistan; however, they are subject to directions from Baghdad's federal defence ministry.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-people-including-a-child-killed-by-rocket-attack-in-northern-syrian-city-of-azaz-536599">Five people, including a child, killed by rocket attack in Northern Syrian city of Azaz</a>

AFP reports that the announcement appears to be a response to Iran, which had earlier this week expressed hope that the Iraqi government would deploy "border guards at the common border so that Iran does not have to take other deterrent measures to repel threats."

The recent spate of strikes follows the unrest over the death of 22-year-old Mahasa Amini while in the custody of Iran's so-called "morality police".&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-organisations-accuse-iran-of-gunning-down-citizens-as-part-of-its-bloody-crackdown-on-protests-536575">Iran | Human rights organisation claims 72 civilians, including women and children, killed in past week</a>

Tehran has blamed "outside powers and exiled Kurdish groups" for stoking the wave of protests.&nbsp;

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, issued a warning earlier in the day, saying that the country would continue to take action against foreign "threats". He added that Tehran's forces would continue operations inside Iraq's Kurdistan until Baghdad's national forces were deployed on the border and "we would no longer need to act to defend our territorial integrity." 
&nbsp;

Following a series of airstrikes by Iran and Turkey against opposition organisations in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Baghdad announced on Wednesday that it will redeploy federal troops along its borders with the two nations.

Following a series of airstrikes by Iran and Turkey against opposition organisations in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, Baghdad announced on Wednesday that it will redeploy federal troops along its borders with the two nations. In a statement following a government security meeting presided over by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the nation said that authorities had decided to "establish a plan to redeploy Iraqi border guards... along the border with Iran and Turkey". Watch | Gravitas: Kurds bear brunt of Iran's brutal crackdown According to the statement, the effort will be carried out "in coordination with the government of the Kurdistan region and the peshmerga ministry," referring to the Kurdish regional forces. Currently, the peshmerga are in charge of policing the borders of Iraqi Kurdistan; however, they are subject to directions from Baghdad's federal defence ministry. Also read | Five people, including a child, killed by rocket attack in Northern Syrian city of Azaz AFP reports that the announcement appears to be a response to Iran, which had earlier this week expressed hope that the Iraqi government would deploy "border guards at the common border so that Iran does not have to take other deterrent measures to repel threats." The recent spate of strikes follows the unrest over the death of 22-year-old Mahasa Amini while in the custody of Iran's so-called "morality police". Also read | Iran | Human rights organisation claims 72 civilians, including women and children, killed in past week Tehran has blamed "outside powers and exiled Kurdish groups" for stoking the wave of protests. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the foreign minister of Iran, issued a warning earlier in the day, saying that the country would continue to take action against foreign "threats". He added that Tehran's forces would continue operations inside Iraq's Kurdistan until Baghdad's national forces were deployed on the border and "we would no longer need to act to defend our territorial integrity."

Iraq will redeploy federal troops along its borders amid strikes by neighbours Iran and Turkey

During a phone call with the Iraqi Prime Minister on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Western proposals to impose oil price caps might have "grave consequences" for the energy markets.&nbsp;

The Kremlin released a readout of Vladimir Putin's conversation with Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. "Vladimir Putin stressed that such actions are contrary to the principles of market relations and are highly likely to lead to grave consequences for global energy markets," the Kremlin said.&nbsp;

The Kremlin said that both parties had expressed support for the two nations' cooperation with OPEC +, which aids in stabilising the world oil market.

After Putin committed soldiers to Ukraine on February 24, Western nations hit Russia with unprecedented sanctions.

In an effort to cut off a vital source of revenue for Moscow, the US Treasury Department announced on Tuesday that Washington and its partners were now seeking to finalise a price ceiling for Russian oil in "the next few days."&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-fda-approves-most-expensive-drug-ever-costs-35-million-per-dose-537186">US: FDA approves most expensive drug ever, costs $3.5 million-per-dose</a>

The price ceiling would serve as the foundation that would prohibit businesses from shipping or providing insurance for Russian oil shipments sold over the preset price and is scheduled to go into effect on December 5.&nbsp;

In recent days, efforts by the European Union and the United States to reach a consensus on where to impose a price restriction on their imports of Russian oil have increased.&nbsp;

Major oil producers Russia and Iraq are both parties to the OPEC+ agreement, which regulates oil output.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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During a phone call with the Iraqi Prime Minister on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Western proposals to impose oil price caps might have "grave consequences" for the energy markets.

During a phone call with the Iraqi Prime Minister on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Western proposals to impose oil price caps might have "grave consequences" for the energy markets. The Kremlin released a readout of Vladimir Putin's conversation with Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. "Vladimir Putin stressed that such actions are contrary to the principles of market relations and are highly likely to lead to grave consequences for global energy markets," the Kremlin said. The Kremlin said that both parties had expressed support for the two nations' cooperation with OPEC +, which aids in stabilising the world oil market. After Putin committed soldiers to Ukraine on February 24, Western nations hit Russia with unprecedented sanctions. In an effort to cut off a vital source of revenue for Moscow, the US Treasury Department announced on Tuesday that Washington and its partners were now seeking to finalise a price ceiling for Russian oil in "the next few days." Also Read: US: FDA approves most expensive drug ever, costs $3.5 million-per-dose The price ceiling would serve as the foundation that would prohibit businesses from shipping or providing insurance for Russian oil shipments sold over the preset price and is scheduled to go into effect on December 5. In recent days, efforts by the European Union and the United States to reach a consensus on where to impose a price restriction on their imports of Russian oil have increased. Major oil producers Russia and Iraq are both parties to the OPEC+ agreement, which regulates oil output. (with inputs from agencies)

Putin discusses West's bid for capping oil price with Iraqi PM, warns of 'grave consequences'

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday that Turkey's military had hit nearly 500 Kurdish targets across Iraq and Syria as part of an air strikes’ campaign.&nbsp;“So far, 471 targets have been struck and 254 terrorists were neutralised in the operation,” Akar was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu news agency.

Ankara began the series of air strikes as part of Operation Claw-Sword on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-claw-sword-strikes-syria-ahead-of-turkiyes-general-elections-535913">WATCH |&nbsp;Operation-claw-sword strikes Syria ahead of Turkiye's general elections</a>

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday threatened to launch a ground&nbsp;operation&nbsp; in&nbsp;Syria "with tanks and soldiers" in defiance of international pressure not to do so.

Turkey's air raids followed a bombing in Istanbul on November 13 that killed six people and wounded 81.

Turkey blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is blacklisted as a terror group by the European Union and the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ankara-launches-bomb-strikes-over-northern-syria-after-istanbul-bomb-blast-535695">Read more:&nbsp;Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead</a>

The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, denied any role in the bombing -- the deadliest in five years after a spate of attacks in Turkey between 2015 and 2017.

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Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday that Turkey's military had hit nearly 500 Kurdish targets across Iraq and Syria as part of an air strikes’ campaign.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday that Turkey's military had hit nearly 500 Kurdish targets across Iraq and Syria as part of an air strikes’ campaign. “So far, 471 targets have been struck and 254 terrorists were neutralised in the operation,” Akar was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu news agency. Ankara began the series of air strikes as part of Operation Claw-Sword on Sunday. WATCH | Operation-claw-sword strikes Syria ahead of Turkiye's general elections × President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday threatened to launch a ground operation in Syria "with tanks and soldiers" in defiance of international pressure not to do so. Turkey's air raids followed a bombing in Istanbul on November 13 that killed six people and wounded 81. Turkey blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is blacklisted as a terror group by the European Union and the United States. Read more: Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, denied any role in the bombing -- the deadliest in five years after a spate of attacks in Turkey between 2015 and 2017. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nearly 500 Kurdish targets hit in Iraq and Syria, 254 terrorists killed, claims Turkey's defence minister

At least four people have been killed in a deadly explosion in Iraq. 27 people have been injured and the search for survivors is underway.

Gas tank explosion in Iraq: At least four killed in a deadly explosion

Iran on Tuesday (November 22) launched fresh cross-border missile and drone strikes against Iranian-Kurdish groups in northern Iraq. Iran has been accusing these groups of stoking new wave of protests inside the country.&nbsp;

Iran has witnessed two months of nationwide protests that started after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini's custodial death. Amini was detained by Iran's morality police over her 'inappropriate' attire.

Iran's Tasnim news agency said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had "launched a new round of attacks against terrorist groups based in the Iraqi Kurdistan region", the second such strikes in two days.

Headquarters of Kurdish Freedom Party "was targetted by missiles and suicide drones" near Kirkuk, the report said.

An Iraqi Kurdish military official, a local police officer and a party spokesman confirmed renewed strikes on the region to AFP.

"We had taken our precautions and emptied the premises, there were no casualties," Kurdistan Freedom Party spokesman Khalil Nadri told AFP.

Kurdistan regional government spokesman Lawk Ghafuri said on Twitter: "Today the Islamic Republic of Iran targeted Iranian opposition groups in two areas in the Kurdistan region with rockets".

As per Ghafuri, &nbsp;the sites that were hit were in the city of Perdi, the Kurdish name of Altun Kupri, north of Kirkuk, and the Degala region east of Arbil, the regional capital.

Iraqi Kurdistan has since the 1980s hosted several Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups which have in the past waged an armed insurrection against Tehran.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iran on Tuesday (November 22) launched fresh cross-border missile and drone strikes against Iranian-Kurdish groups in northern Iraq. Iran has been accusing these groups of stoking new wave of protests inside the country.

Iran on Tuesday (November 22) launched fresh cross-border missile and drone strikes against Iranian-Kurdish groups in northern Iraq. Iran has been accusing these groups of stoking new wave of protests inside the country. Iran has witnessed two months of nationwide protests that started after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini's custodial death. Amini was detained by Iran's morality police over her 'inappropriate' attire. Iran's Tasnim news agency said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had "launched a new round of attacks against terrorist groups based in the Iraqi Kurdistan region", the second such strikes in two days. Headquarters of Kurdish Freedom Party "was targetted by missiles and suicide drones" near Kirkuk, the report said. An Iraqi Kurdish military official, a local police officer and a party spokesman confirmed renewed strikes on the region to AFP. "We had taken our precautions and emptied the premises, there were no casualties," Kurdistan Freedom Party spokesman Khalil Nadri told AFP. Kurdistan regional government spokesman Lawk Ghafuri said on Twitter: "Today the Islamic Republic of Iran targeted Iranian opposition groups in two areas in the Kurdistan region with rockets". As per Ghafuri, the sites that were hit were in the city of Perdi, the Kurdish name of Altun Kupri, north of Kirkuk, and the Degala region east of Arbil, the regional capital. Iraqi Kurdistan has since the 1980s hosted several Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups which have in the past waged an armed insurrection against Tehran. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran launches fresh strikes in Iraq against Kurdish groups

Iran has struck opposition Kurdish groups in Iraq. It has also blamed the Kurdish group for the ongoing unrest. Watch this video for all the details.

Iran strikes opposition Kurdish groups in Iraq

On Monday, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two&nbsp;people and injuring at least 10 people, said officials in Turkiye. This comes after Ankara launched deadly airstrikes on suspected militants in Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;

According to the Turkiye’s interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, the rockets hit the Turkish town of Karkamis, near the Syrian border. Among those killed were a teacher and a child while a soldier and seven police officers were wounded overnight in separate shelling by suspected Kurdish militants, he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ankara-launches-bomb-strikes-over-northern-syria-after-istanbul-bomb-blast-535695">Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead</a>

The rockets struck a high school and two houses and a truck in Karkamis in the country’s Gaziantep province, said the governor Davut Gul, adding that at least six people have been injured. According to CNN Turk, rockets were fired from the Kobani area of Syria which is controlled by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units or the YPG militia.

Soylu also said that Turkiye will respond to these attacks in the “strongest way possible”. While the Kurdish-led forces in Syria have not claimed the responsibility, they had previously promised retaliation on Monday after Turkish airstrikes over northern regions of Syria and Iraq. The airstrikes reportedly targeted Kurdish groups which Ankara holds responsible for the bombing in Istanbul on November 13. The bombing had reportedly killed at least six people and injured at least 80.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-changes-name-to-turkiye-un-recognises-the-new-name-484751">Turkey changes name to Turkiye; UN recognises the new name</a>

According to Turkish authorities, nearly 90 targets were destroyed by their warplanes during the airstrikes and destroyed many of what it calls “terrorists” were killed. Meanwhile, Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they are also mulling over ground operations against militant groups which will not be “limited to an air campaign.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/istanbul-bombing-turkiye-rejects-us-condolences-hours-before-g20-summit-534002">Istanbul bombing: Turkiye 'rejects' US condolences hours before G20 summit</a>

The Turkish air raid in Syria killed at least 31 people, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. While Ankara has accused PKK of the bombing in Istanbul, the country reportedly considers YPG the PKK’s affiliate in Syria. However, PKK, which is also considered a terror group by Washington, has since denied involvement in the bombing while the Turkish defence ministry said it was retaliating against the incident in Istanbul.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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On Monday, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two people and injuring at least 10 people, said officials in Turkiye.

On Monday, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two people and injuring at least 10 people, said officials in Turkiye. This comes after Ankara launched deadly airstrikes on suspected militants in Syria and Iraq. According to the Turkiye’s interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, the rockets hit the Turkish town of Karkamis, near the Syrian border. Among those killed were a teacher and a child while a soldier and seven police officers were wounded overnight in separate shelling by suspected Kurdish militants, he added. ALSO READ | Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead The rockets struck a high school and two houses and a truck in Karkamis in the country’s Gaziantep province, said the governor Davut Gul, adding that at least six people have been injured. According to CNN Turk, rockets were fired from the Kobani area of Syria which is controlled by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units or the YPG militia. Soylu also said that Turkiye will respond to these attacks in the “strongest way possible”. While the Kurdish-led forces in Syria have not claimed the responsibility, they had previously promised retaliation on Monday after Turkish airstrikes over northern regions of Syria and Iraq. The airstrikes reportedly targeted Kurdish groups which Ankara holds responsible for the bombing in Istanbul on November 13. The bombing had reportedly killed at least six people and injured at least 80. ALSO WATCH | Turkey changes name to Turkiye; UN recognises the new name According to Turkish authorities, nearly 90 targets were destroyed by their warplanes during the airstrikes and destroyed many of what it calls “terrorists” were killed. Meanwhile, Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they are also mulling over ground operations against militant groups which will not be “limited to an air campaign.” ALSO READ | Istanbul bombing: Turkiye 'rejects' US condolences hours before G20 summit The Turkish air raid in Syria killed at least 31 people, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. While Ankara has accused PKK of the bombing in Istanbul, the country reportedly considers YPG the PKK’s affiliate in Syria. However, PKK, which is also considered a terror group by Washington, has since denied involvement in the bombing while the Turkish defence ministry said it was retaliating against the incident in Istanbul. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At least two people killed, several wounded after rocket strikes by Kurdish militants in Syria: Turkiye

The Turkish military can launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq in addition to the ongoing air campaigns, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. According to Turkish media reports, the president hinted at ongoing discussions regarding the subject and the military has been informed about a possible campaign in the future. State broadcasters TRT and CNN Turk reported that the decision will be taken after a meeting between the defence ministry and the high-ranking military officials of Turkiye.&nbsp;

“There is no question that this operation be limited to only an aerial operation,” Erdogan told reporters.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-earthquake-jolts-indonesias-capital-jakarta-535980">At least 50 killed, 300 injured after strong earthquake jolts Indonesia</a>

The Turkish air force carried out strategic attacks on Kurdish bases both in Syria and Iraq on Sunday, the defence ministry said. A total of 89 targets were reportedly destroyed in the operation.&nbsp;

The operation was launched in response to missile strikes on Gaziantep in southern Turkey.&nbsp;

“According to the first information, three of our citizens lost their lives including a citizen, a teacher and a child due to mortar fire that hit a residential area,” Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Saturday.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-twitter-account-restored-will-he-accept-musks-invitation-why-was-it-suspended-in-the-first-place-536075">Trump’s Twitter account restored: Will he accept Musk's invitation? Why was it suspended in the first place?</a>

Erdogan recently returned from a trip to Qatar after attending the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Sunday. After the star-studded ceremony in the capital city of Doha, he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at a special reception hosted by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. &nbsp;

The event was also attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, according to AFP.&nbsp;

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The Turkish military can launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq in addition to the ongoing air campaigns, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

The Turkish military can launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq in addition to the ongoing air campaigns, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. According to Turkish media reports, the president hinted at ongoing discussions regarding the subject and the military has been informed about a possible campaign in the future. State broadcasters TRT and CNN Turk reported that the decision will be taken after a meeting between the defence ministry and the high-ranking military officials of Turkiye. “There is no question that this operation be limited to only an aerial operation,” Erdogan told reporters. Also read | At least 50 killed, 300 injured after strong earthquake jolts Indonesia The Turkish air force carried out strategic attacks on Kurdish bases both in Syria and Iraq on Sunday, the defence ministry said. A total of 89 targets were reportedly destroyed in the operation. The operation was launched in response to missile strikes on Gaziantep in southern Turkey. “According to the first information, three of our citizens lost their lives including a citizen, a teacher and a child due to mortar fire that hit a residential area,” Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Saturday. Also read | Trump’s Twitter account restored: Will he accept Musk's invitation? Why was it suspended in the first place? Erdogan recently returned from a trip to Qatar after attending the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Sunday. After the star-studded ceremony in the capital city of Doha, he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at a special reception hosted by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The event was also attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, according to AFP.

Turkiye considering ground operations in Northern Iraq and Syria, says Erdogan

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword air raids against outlawed Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria on Sunday, almost a week after a deadly blast in central Istanbul, the defence minister said.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword air raids against outlawed Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria on Sunday, almost a week after a deadly blast in central Istanbul, the defence minister said. “We are starting Operation Claw-Sword from now on,” said Türkiye's defence minister Hulusi Akar as per an AFP report. A defence ministry statement said he directed the offensive from the air force operations centre with top commanders, before the planes left their bases to hit the targets. Türkiye's air force launched an attack on Kurdish bases in northern Syria. The Turkish defence ministry tweeted, “The hour of reckoning has come.” In another post, the ministry shared a video of the Kurdish base being hit with precision strikes. Hesap zamanı! Alçaklardan hain saldırıların hesabı soruluyor! 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/pnEbFDkOF7 — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) November 19, 2022 × Terör yuvaları tam isabet vuruşlarla yerle bir ediliyor! 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/9jiFRn0hej — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) November 19, 2022 × British-based war monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said that at least 31 people have been killed so far in the air raids. Notably, Türkiye has blamed the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its affiliate Syria Kurdish groups for the blast that rocked central Istanbul last week, killing 13. WATCH | Istanbul street blast suspect arrested × According to reports, the target of Turkish attacks has been the northern Syrian border city of Kobane. Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed that the city had been targetted in the attacks. “Kobane, the city that defeated ISIS, is subjected to bombardment by the aircraft of the Turkish occupation,” tweeted SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami. updated#Kobane, the city that defeated ISIS, is subjected to bombardment by the aircraft of the Turkish occupation. — Farhad Shami (@farhad_shami) November 19, 2022 × “The Turkish occupation aircraft are shelling the al-Beilonya village which is heavily populated with Afrin IDPs who were forcibly displaced from Afrin in 2018,” he added. Notably, Turkish interior minister Suleyman Soylu in the aftermath of the blast said that the order for the attack was given in Kobane, where Turkish forces have carried out operations against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia in recent years. Soylu added that the bomber had passed through Afrin, another region in northern Syria, which has been bombed by Turkish jets on Sunday. Read more: Forty-six, including Syrian woman accused of planting the bomb, detained for Istanbul blast The PKK and YPG have denied any involvement in the blast. Meanwhile, Turkish police has captured the chief suspect Alham Albashir -- a Syrian woman who is said to have been working for Kurdish militants, in an Istanbul suburb. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead

The effects of climate change are being felt around the world. Now, Iraq's fertile crescent dries up. Water scarcity is also threatening lives in Iraq.

WION Climate Tracker | Iraq's fertile crescent dries up

The first reading of a measure to reinstate military conscription in Iraq that was scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been postponed. From 1935 until 2003, when a US-led operation deposed previous tyrant Saddam Hussein, military service in Iraq was required. The parliament's press office said that the first reading of the measure, which was originally set for Sunday, has been moved to Tuesday. The press agency did not provide a justification for the postponement.

According to MP Yasser Iskander Watout, the measure would allow for the conscription of young males between the ages of 18 and 35 for durations ranging from three to eighteen months, depending on their degree of schooling.

Their compensation would be in the range of 600,000 to 700,000 Iraqi dinars (more than $400), noted Watout, a member of the defence committee of the assembly.

Watout stated that it would take two years after the law's passage for conscription to be completely reinstated and that only-sons and breadwinners would be exempt.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/somalia-suicide-bombing-targeting-a-military-training-camp-kills-five-531643">Somalia: al-Shabaab suicide bombing at military training camp kills five recruits, injures many</a>

Since Saddam Hussein was removed from power, Iraq has seen sectarian strife that culminated in the Islamic State organisation taking vast tracts of land, before the jihadists were routed by Iraqi troops supported by a US-led military coalition in late 2017.

Up until last December, that anti-IS coalition fought in Iraq, but there are still about 2,500 American soldiers there to teach, advise, and support the local forces.

Under the administration of the then-prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, the defence ministry first proposed the bill in August 2021.

Also WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Infra war takes its toll, blackout in Kyiv and seven other regions

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&nbsp;

After a year of political gridlock, Iraq later that year elected a new parliament, which only last month swore in a cabinet led by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Despite the declared victory over IS, members of the group continue to stage intermittent attacks on government forces and the former paramilitary organisation Hashed al-Shaabi, now integrated into the regular forces.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The first reading of a measure to reinstate military conscription in Iraq that was scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been postponed. From 1935 until 2003, when a US-led operation deposed previous tyrant Saddam Hussein, military service in Iraq was required.

The first reading of a measure to reinstate military conscription in Iraq that was scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been postponed. From 1935 until 2003, when a US-led operation deposed previous tyrant Saddam Hussein, military service in Iraq was required. The parliament's press office said that the first reading of the measure, which was originally set for Sunday, has been moved to Tuesday. The press agency did not provide a justification for the postponement. According to MP Yasser Iskander Watout, the measure would allow for the conscription of young males between the ages of 18 and 35 for durations ranging from three to eighteen months, depending on their degree of schooling. Their compensation would be in the range of 600,000 to 700,000 Iraqi dinars (more than $400), noted Watout, a member of the defence committee of the assembly. Watout stated that it would take two years after the law's passage for conscription to be completely reinstated and that only-sons and breadwinners would be exempt. Also read | Somalia: al-Shabaab suicide bombing at military training camp kills five recruits, injures many Since Saddam Hussein was removed from power, Iraq has seen sectarian strife that culminated in the Islamic State organisation taking vast tracts of land, before the jihadists were routed by Iraqi troops supported by a US-led military coalition in late 2017. Up until last December, that anti-IS coalition fought in Iraq, but there are still about 2,500 American soldiers there to teach, advise, and support the local forces. Under the administration of the then-prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, the defence ministry first proposed the bill in August 2021. Also WATCH | Russia-Ukraine War: Infra war takes its toll, blackout in Kyiv and seven other regions After a year of political gridlock, Iraq later that year elected a new parliament, which only last month swore in a cabinet led by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Despite the declared victory over IS, members of the group continue to stage intermittent attacks on government forces and the former paramilitary organisation Hashed al-Shaabi, now integrated into the regular forces. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iraq considers reinstating mandatory military service

Iraq has long drilled the desert for oil, but now climate stress, drought and reduced river flows are forcing it to dig ever deeper for a more precious resource: water.&nbsp;

The war-scarred nation and major crude exporter is one of the world's five countries most impacted by key effects of the climate crisis, says the United Nations.

Compounding the water stress, upstream dams, mainly in Turkey, have vastly reduced the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates, the once mighty rivers that gave birth to Mesopotamian civilisation.

One of Iraq's millions of hardscrabble farmers bearing the brunt of this ecological crisis is Jabar al-Fatlawi, 50, a father of five with a rough beard and wearing a white robe.

Like his father before him, he has grown wheat and rice in the southern province of Najaf -- but not this year, he said, blaming the "severe water shortage".

To help him keep alive at least his date palms and livestock, he has paid local authorities to dig a well on his dusty patch of land near the town of Al-Mishkhab.

Fatlawi watched as a noisy drill churned up the ground and eventually hit the water table far below, sending up a jet of muddy water that will allow him to battle on, for now.

As Iraq endures its worst drought since 1930, and frequent sandstorms turn the sky orange, he hopes the precious water will allow him to at least grow dill, onions and radishes.

His well is one of hundreds recently drilled in Iraq -- at ever greater depth as the groundwater table below keeps dropping.

Fatlawi said he had once dug his own, small-scale well, before the government declared it illegal.&nbsp;

At any rate, he recalled, "sometimes the water was bitter, sometimes it was salty".

Vanished lake&nbsp;

The short-term solution for farmers like Fatlawi exacerbates a long-term problem as frantic competition heats up for ever more scarce water, experts warn.

Another southern farmer, Hussein Badiwi, 60, said he had been planting barley and grass for livestock on the edge of the Najaf desert for 10 years.&nbsp;

Like his neighbours, he relies exclusively on water drilling and said the area had seen "a drop in the water level because of the multitude of wells".&nbsp;

"Before, we used to dig 50 metres (165 feet) and we had water," Badiwi said. "Now we have to go down more than 100 metres."

Iraq, a country of 42 million, is seeing a race to the bottom for the precious groundwater.

The Sawa Lake in the south, a pilgrimage site, this year vanished for the first time in recorded history as some 1,000 illegal wells had sucked away the water table below.&nbsp;

In a country where one in five people work in agriculture, water shortages have destroyed livelihoods and driven a rural exodus into crowded cities, heightening social tensions.

Anger has flared at a government seen as incompetent and corrupt, and sporadic protests have broken out in the south demanding Baghdad pressure Turkey to release more water from its dams.

'Stolen country'&nbsp;

Iraq's ministry of water resources warned during the blistering summer that "excessive groundwater use has led to many problems" and called for "the preservation of this wealth".&nbsp;

To tackle the crisis, authorities have shuttered hundreds of illegal wells.

But they have also drilled some 500 new ones in this year's first half, with plans for more in at least six provinces ahead of what the ministry predicts will be "another year of drought" in 2023.

Najaf's head of water resources, Jamil al-Assadi, said fees to drill wells had been reduced by half, and many new ones had been sunk into areas formerly irrigated by rivers and canals.&nbsp;

The water is intended for "livestock, irrigating orchards and limited plantations", but insufficient and too salty for wheat fields or rice paddies, he said.

In exchange, "the farmers must use modern irrigation methods" rather than the wasteful flooding of fields they have practised since ancient times.

A United Nations agency has welcomed Iraq's new regulations, but also suggested water meters on wells and "a pricing system to limit groundwater use".&nbsp;

On a national level, Iraq provides "no incentives to encourage the use of modern irrigation technologies," said the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

Another Iraqi wheat and rice farmer, Salah al-Faraon, complained that the authorities had limited the land he could cultivate "because there is not enough water".&nbsp;

"Without rice and wheat, how can we live without income?" asked the 75-year-old. "We can migrate, but to where? The whole country is being stolen."

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Iraq has long drilled the desert for oil, but now climate stress, drought and reduced river flows are forcing it to dig ever deeper for a more precious resource: water.

Iraq has long drilled the desert for oil, but now climate stress, drought and reduced river flows are forcing it to dig ever deeper for a more precious resource: water. The war-scarred nation and major crude exporter is one of the world's five countries most impacted by key effects of the climate crisis, says the United Nations. Compounding the water stress, upstream dams, mainly in Turkey, have vastly reduced the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates, the once mighty rivers that gave birth to Mesopotamian civilisation. One of Iraq's millions of hardscrabble farmers bearing the brunt of this ecological crisis is Jabar al-Fatlawi, 50, a father of five with a rough beard and wearing a white robe. Like his father before him, he has grown wheat and rice in the southern province of Najaf -- but not this year, he said, blaming the "severe water shortage". To help him keep alive at least his date palms and livestock, he has paid local authorities to dig a well on his dusty patch of land near the town of Al-Mishkhab. Fatlawi watched as a noisy drill churned up the ground and eventually hit the water table far below, sending up a jet of muddy water that will allow him to battle on, for now. As Iraq endures its worst drought since 1930, and frequent sandstorms turn the sky orange, he hopes the precious water will allow him to at least grow dill, onions and radishes. His well is one of hundreds recently drilled in Iraq -- at ever greater depth as the groundwater table below keeps dropping. Fatlawi said he had once dug his own, small-scale well, before the government declared it illegal. At any rate, he recalled, "sometimes the water was bitter, sometimes it was salty". Vanished lake The short-term solution for farmers like Fatlawi exacerbates a long-term problem as frantic competition heats up for ever more scarce water, experts warn. Another southern farmer, Hussein Badiwi, 60, said he had been planting barley and grass for livestock on the edge of the Najaf desert for 10 years. Like his neighbours, he relies exclusively on water drilling and said the area had seen "a drop in the water level because of the multitude of wells". "Before, we used to dig 50 metres (165 feet) and we had water," Badiwi said. "Now we have to go down more than 100 metres." Iraq, a country of 42 million, is seeing a race to the bottom for the precious groundwater. The Sawa Lake in the south, a pilgrimage site, this year vanished for the first time in recorded history as some 1,000 illegal wells had sucked away the water table below. In a country where one in five people work in agriculture, water shortages have destroyed livelihoods and driven a rural exodus into crowded cities, heightening social tensions. Anger has flared at a government seen as incompetent and corrupt, and sporadic protests have broken out in the south demanding Baghdad pressure Turkey to release more water from its dams. 'Stolen country' Iraq's ministry of water resources warned during the blistering summer that "excessive groundwater use has led to many problems" and called for "the preservation of this wealth". To tackle the crisis, authorities have shuttered hundreds of illegal wells. But they have also drilled some 500 new ones in this year's first half, with plans for more in at least six provinces ahead of what the ministry predicts will be "another year of drought" in 2023. Najaf's head of water resources, Jamil al-Assadi, said fees to drill wells had been reduced by half, and many new ones had been sunk into areas formerly irrigated by rivers and canals. The water is intended for "livestock, irrigating orchards and limited plantations", but insufficient and too salty for wheat fields or rice paddies, he said. In exchange, "the farmers must use modern irrigation methods" rather than the wasteful flooding of fields they have practised since ancient times. A United Nations agency has welcomed Iraq's new regulations, but also suggested water meters on wells and "a pricing system to limit groundwater use". On a national level, Iraq provides "no incentives to encourage the use of modern irrigation technologies," said the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Another Iraqi wheat and rice farmer, Salah al-Faraon, complained that the authorities had limited the land he could cultivate "because there is not enough water". "Without rice and wheat, how can we live without income?" asked the 75-year-old. "We can migrate, but to where? The whole country is being stolen." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

For water-stressed Iraq, wells threaten race to the bottom

Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday, a key step forward after bitter infighting between Shiite Muslim factions and deadly violence following contested elections.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's 21-member cabinet is expected to face myriad challenges.

The oil-rich but war-ravaged country is plagued by endemic corruption, rampant unemployment and decaying infrastructure.

"Our ministerial team will shoulder the responsibility at this critical period, in which the world is witnessing tremendous political and economic changes and conflicts," Sudani's office said in a statement after the vote.

Those changes will "add new challenges to our country, which is already suffering from accumulated crises, that have had economic, social, humanitarian and environmental impacts on our citizens", it added.

It said that Sudani's government obtained the confidence of&nbsp;parliament, but did not gave a breakdown of the vote which took place by a show of hands.

It added, however, that 253 MPs out of&nbsp;parliament's 329 members were present at the session.

Sudani, 52, was chosen to form the new government on October 13 following months of infighting between key Shiite Muslim factions that plunged the country into political deadlock.

Elections 'within a year'

The movement of firebrand cleric Moqtada, Sudani's rival in&nbsp;Iraq's majority Shiite camp, refused to join the government.

But Sudani had the backing of the Coalition for the Administration of the State, which includes the Coordination Framework, an alliance of powerful pro-Iran Shiite factions that hold 138 out of 329 seats in&nbsp;parliament.

Other members include a Sunni grouping led by&nbsp;parliament&nbsp;speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi, and two key Kurdish parties.

Of the 21 ministries nominated, 12 posts go to Shiites supported by the Coordination Framework, six to Sunni leaders, two to Kurds and one to a Christian woman -- one of three females in the new government.

Some analysts say a new government does not mean the end of the power struggle between the Sadr and Coordination Framework camp that spilled into deadly clashes in August.

Ihsan al-Shammari, a political scientist at the University of Baghdad, said in order to avoid fresh unrest the new cabinet and the Coordination Framework should deliver reforms as demanded by Sadr.

Sudani has pledged to hold early elections "within a year" as requested by Sadr, a grey-bearded preacher who once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces.

Endemic corruption

The new prime minister and his government were confirmed at a time when&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;is facing numerous challenges and a battered economy.

State institutions have been weakened by decades of war, and corruption is endemic.

Official figures published last year estimated that well over $400 billion had gone missing from state coffers in the near two decades since dictator Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003.

One of Sudani's first task would be to adopt a budget for 2022 -- a move key to unblock huge revenues from oil exports earned this year that are locked up in the central bank's coffers.

The colossal $87 billion in foreign exchange reserves are needed to put in motion much-needed reforms and kickstart infrastructure projects.

Despite its immense oil and gas reserves, about one-third of&nbsp;Iraq's 41 million population now lives in poverty, while some 35 per cent of young people are unemployed, according to the UN.

On Thursday, the UN mission in&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;said it "welcomes confirmation of Iraqi government, reaffirms readiness to support".
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Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday, a key step forward after bitter infighting between Shiite Muslim factions and deadly violence following contested elections.

Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday, a key step forward after bitter infighting between Shiite Muslim factions and deadly violence following contested elections. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's 21-member cabinet is expected to face myriad challenges. The oil-rich but war-ravaged country is plagued by endemic corruption, rampant unemployment and decaying infrastructure. "Our ministerial team will shoulder the responsibility at this critical period, in which the world is witnessing tremendous political and economic changes and conflicts," Sudani's office said in a statement after the vote. Those changes will "add new challenges to our country, which is already suffering from accumulated crises, that have had economic, social, humanitarian and environmental impacts on our citizens", it added. It said that Sudani's government obtained the confidence of parliament, but did not gave a breakdown of the vote which took place by a show of hands. It added, however, that 253 MPs out of parliament's 329 members were present at the session. Sudani, 52, was chosen to form the new government on October 13 following months of infighting between key Shiite Muslim factions that plunged the country into political deadlock. Elections 'within a year' The movement of firebrand cleric Moqtada, Sudani's rival in Iraq's majority Shiite camp, refused to join the government. But Sudani had the backing of the Coalition for the Administration of the State, which includes the Coordination Framework, an alliance of powerful pro-Iran Shiite factions that hold 138 out of 329 seats in parliament. Other members include a Sunni grouping led by parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi, and two key Kurdish parties. Of the 21 ministries nominated, 12 posts go to Shiites supported by the Coordination Framework, six to Sunni leaders, two to Kurds and one to a Christian woman -- one of three females in the new government. Some analysts say a new government does not mean the end of the power struggle between the Sadr and Coordination Framework camp that spilled into deadly clashes in August. Ihsan al-Shammari, a political scientist at the University of Baghdad, said in order to avoid fresh unrest the new cabinet and the Coordination Framework should deliver reforms as demanded by Sadr. Sudani has pledged to hold early elections "within a year" as requested by Sadr, a grey-bearded preacher who once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces. Endemic corruption The new prime minister and his government were confirmed at a time when Iraq is facing numerous challenges and a battered economy. State institutions have been weakened by decades of war, and corruption is endemic. Official figures published last year estimated that well over $400 billion had gone missing from state coffers in the near two decades since dictator Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. One of Sudani's first task would be to adopt a budget for 2022 -- a move key to unblock huge revenues from oil exports earned this year that are locked up in the central bank's coffers. The colossal $87 billion in foreign exchange reserves are needed to put in motion much-needed reforms and kickstart infrastructure projects. Despite its immense oil and gas reserves, about one-third of Iraq's 41 million population now lives in poverty, while some 35 per cent of young people are unemployed, according to the UN. On Thursday, the UN mission in Iraq said it "welcomes confirmation of Iraqi government, reaffirms readiness to support". WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Iraq parliament approves new government after year of deadlock

Who is Iraq's new Prime Minister-designate, Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani? Ghadi Francis tells you more on The West Asia Post

The West Asia Post | Iraq's PM-elect, Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani

Iraq elected a new President last week and he put forward Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani as the Prime Minister-designate. Who is Al Sudani? Will he be able to bring Iraq out of the political crisis?

Iraq's new Prime Minister-designate, who is Al Sudani?

Iraq unveils archaeological park with 'monumental' ancient carvings

Lawmakers on Thursday (October 13) elected Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid as Iraq's new president, who then named Mohammad Shia al-Sudani as prime minister-designate.&nbsp;

Now two days after that, Moqtada Sadr's movement on Saturday announced that it won't join a new government that is being formed by Sudani, the news agency AFP reported. &nbsp;

Mohammed Saleh al-Iraqi, a close associate of Sadr, said in a statement posted on Twitter: "We stress our firm and clear refusal for any of our affiliates to participate... in this government formation."&nbsp;

The 52-year-old Shiite former minister Sudani is supported by the Coordination Framework, which holds 138 of the 329 members in the Iraqi legislature.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clash-between-nato-and-russian-forces-will-lead-to-a-global-catastrophe-warns-putin-525575">Clash between NATO and Russian forces will lead to a 'global catastrophe', warns Putin</a>&nbsp;

The upcoming government has a "clear subordination to militias" and would "not meet the people's aspirations", Iraqi said in his statement on Saturday.&nbsp;

Sadr had ordered the 73 lawmakers in his bloc to resign, leaving parliament in the hands of the Framework.&nbsp;

"Anyone who joins their ministries does not represent us... rather, we disavow them," Iraqi said.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Iran's anti-Hijab protests enter fifth week: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warns protesters&nbsp;

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What do we know about Iraq's presidency?

In Iraq, the presidency is traditionally occupied by a Kurd. It is a largely ceremonial position but the vote for Rashid was a key step toward forming a new government.&nbsp;

The 78-year-old was the Iraqi minister of water resources from 2003-2010. The British-educated engineer won against former President Barham Salih, who was running for a second term.&nbsp;

He invited Sudani, who previously served as Iraq’s human rights minister as well as minister of labour and social affairs, to form a government.&nbsp;

Sudani now has 30 days to form a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval.&nbsp;

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Lawmakers on Thursday (October 13) elected Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid as Iraq's new president, who then named Mohammad Shia al-Sudani as prime minister-designate.

Lawmakers on Thursday (October 13) elected Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid as Iraq's new president, who then named Mohammad Shia al-Sudani as prime minister-designate. Now two days after that, Moqtada Sadr's movement on Saturday announced that it won't join a new government that is being formed by Sudani, the news agency AFP reported. Mohammed Saleh al-Iraqi, a close associate of Sadr, said in a statement posted on Twitter: "We stress our firm and clear refusal for any of our affiliates to participate... in this government formation." The 52-year-old Shiite former minister Sudani is supported by the Coordination Framework, which holds 138 of the 329 members in the Iraqi legislature. ALSO READ | Clash between NATO and Russian forces will lead to a 'global catastrophe', warns Putin The upcoming government has a "clear subordination to militias" and would "not meet the people's aspirations", Iraqi said in his statement on Saturday. Sadr had ordered the 73 lawmakers in his bloc to resign, leaving parliament in the hands of the Framework. "Anyone who joins their ministries does not represent us... rather, we disavow them," Iraqi said. WATCH | Iran's anti-Hijab protests enter fifth week: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warns protesters × What do we know about Iraq's presidency? In Iraq, the presidency is traditionally occupied by a Kurd. It is a largely ceremonial position but the vote for Rashid was a key step toward forming a new government. The 78-year-old was the Iraqi minister of water resources from 2003-2010. The British-educated engineer won against former President Barham Salih, who was running for a second term. He invited Sudani, who previously served as Iraq’s human rights minister as well as minister of labour and social affairs, to form a government. Sudani now has 30 days to form a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iraq's Sadrist movement refuses to join new government, says it won't meet people's aspirations

Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid was elected the new president of Iraq signaling the end to the longest political deadlock in the country’s history since the United States military left.

During the vote which took place on Thursday, 269 lawmakers out of the total 329 took part and the British-educated engineer was able to claim the position after securing a majority.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-shehbaz-sharif-says-want-talks-with-india-but-remains-silent-on-terrorism-525119">Pak PM Sharif says 'want talks with India', but remains silent on terrorism</a>

In the recent few months, Iraq has seen widespread protests due to the confusion regarding the country’s new premier and as a result, the coalition government had to organise another vote on Thursday. Rashid will now have 15 days to form the government along with the political partners.

According to Al Jazeera, Rashid was the minister of water resources from 2003-2010.

Since March this year, Iraq has been deadlocked when it comes to the formation of the new government. The first round of voting which took place in February and March did not result in majority for any candidate and public support strongly consolidated behind Muqtada al-Sadr.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-offers-to-redirect-nord-stream-gas-flows-through-hub-in-turkiye-525126">Putin offers to redirect Nord Stream gas flows through 'hub' in Türkiye</a>

The well-known Muslim leader and his party emerged as the ones with the highest number of seats in the Iraqi parliament but failed to win majority. As a result, the opposition was able to form a coalition alliance which eventually came to power through strategic partnerships.

The position of president in Iraq is mainly ceremonial but the biggest responsibility of Rashid will be to invite the nominee from the largest parliamentary bloc to form a government. At present, the system dictates that the president of Iraq is Kurdish while the prime minister is generally Shia.

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Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid was elected the new president of Iraq signaling the end to the longest political deadlock in the country’s history since the United States military left.

Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid was elected the new president of Iraq signaling the end to the longest political deadlock in the country’s history since the United States military left. During the vote which took place on Thursday, 269 lawmakers out of the total 329 took part and the British-educated engineer was able to claim the position after securing a majority. Also read | Pak PM Sharif says 'want talks with India', but remains silent on terrorism In the recent few months, Iraq has seen widespread protests due to the confusion regarding the country’s new premier and as a result, the coalition government had to organise another vote on Thursday. Rashid will now have 15 days to form the government along with the political partners. According to Al Jazeera, Rashid was the minister of water resources from 2003-2010. Since March this year, Iraq has been deadlocked when it comes to the formation of the new government. The first round of voting which took place in February and March did not result in majority for any candidate and public support strongly consolidated behind Muqtada al-Sadr. Also read | Putin offers to redirect Nord Stream gas flows through 'hub' in Türkiye The well-known Muslim leader and his party emerged as the ones with the highest number of seats in the Iraqi parliament but failed to win majority. As a result, the opposition was able to form a coalition alliance which eventually came to power through strategic partnerships. The position of president in Iraq is mainly ceremonial but the biggest responsibility of Rashid will be to invite the nominee from the largest parliamentary bloc to form a government. At present, the system dictates that the president of Iraq is Kurdish while the prime minister is generally Shia.

Abdul Latif Rashid elected new president by Iraqi parliament

Iraq is struggling to cope with drought. According to officials, some 1200 people have been forced out of Southern marshes and farmlands over the past six months.

WION Climate Tracker | Drought displaces over a thousand in Iraq

Muslims across world mark Prophet Muhammad's birthday with processions, chanting of religious slogans and by visiting mosques. The tradition of celebrating prophet Muhammad's Birthday goes back to the 12th century.

Iraqi's mark Prophet's birth with pomp and show

According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, Turkish warplanes "neutralised" 23 Kurdish militants who were killed during 140 kilometres (90 miles) in Iraq.

Whenever a militant is killed, the ministry uses the term "neutralised." It further stated that more causalities are anticipated during the expedition in the Asos region of northern Iraq, which is governed by the independent Kurdistan Regional Government.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-refuses-to-ratify-sweden-and-finlands-nato-membership-bid-521606">Also read |&nbsp;Turkey refuses to ratify Sweden and Finland's NATO membership bid</a>

The Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, in a statement on Thursday, said that airstrikes had hit 16 targets in the Asos region.

Since 2019, Turkey has carried out several operations in northern Iraq, claiming that the military is targeting the Kurdistan Worker's Party, or PKK, to restrain it from launching assaults across the border into Turkey.

A joint effort, "Operation Claw-Lock," between ground and air forces, was started in April. Since 1984, the PKK has been engaged in an intermittent insurgency against the Turkish government, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-and-turkey-pushing-back-afghan-refugees-violating-international-law-says-amnesty-511623">Also read |&nbsp;Iran and Turkey pushing back Afghan refugees, violating international law, says Amnesty</a>

Turkey, along with the United States and the European Union, has designated the group as a "terrorist" organisation. In response to the death of a Turkish police officer in a missile assault on Sunday, the defence ministry later&nbsp;claimed that seven terrorists have been neutralised in northern Syria.

As per official claims, Kurdish militants from the People's Protection Units, or YPG, attacked a Turkish base close to Al Bab.

Despite having ties to the PKK and participating in the US-led campaign against the Islamic State, the YPG has not been regarded as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union till now.

(With inputs from agencies)

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According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, Turkish warplanes "neutralised" 23 Kurdish militants who were killed during 140 kilometres (90 miles) in Iraq. Whenever a militant is killed, the ministry uses the term "neutralised.

According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, Turkish warplanes "neutralised" 23 Kurdish militants who were killed during 140 kilometres (90 miles) in Iraq. Whenever a militant is killed, the ministry uses the term "neutralised." It further stated that more causalities are anticipated during the expedition in the Asos region of northern Iraq, which is governed by the independent Kurdistan Regional Government. Also read | Turkey refuses to ratify Sweden and Finland's NATO membership bid The Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, in a statement on Thursday, said that airstrikes had hit 16 targets in the Asos region. Since 2019, Turkey has carried out several operations in northern Iraq, claiming that the military is targeting the Kurdistan Worker's Party, or PKK, to restrain it from launching assaults across the border into Turkey. A joint effort, "Operation Claw-Lock," between ground and air forces, was started in April. Since 1984, the PKK has been engaged in an intermittent insurgency against the Turkish government, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. Also read | Iran and Turkey pushing back Afghan refugees, violating international law, says Amnesty Turkey, along with the United States and the European Union, has designated the group as a "terrorist" organisation. In response to the death of a Turkish police officer in a missile assault on Sunday, the defence ministry later claimed that seven terrorists have been neutralised in northern Syria. As per official claims, Kurdish militants from the People's Protection Units, or YPG, attacked a Turkish base close to Al Bab. Despite having ties to the PKK and participating in the US-led campaign against the Islamic State, the YPG has not been regarded as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union till now. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Turkish warplanes 'neutralises' 23 Kurdish militants in Iraq

Major oil companies are not declaring a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, reveals a news report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).&nbsp;These companies include British multinational oil and gas company BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell, according to the report.

Claiming that their reporting method was standard industry practice, the companies have defended themselves and denied any wrongdoing.

The "wasteful" burning of excess gas released during oil production, which is known as the flaring of natural gas, is not being reported.

Polluting the air and accelerating global warming, flared gases emit a potent mix of carbon dioxide, methane and black soot.

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High levels of potentially cancer-causing chemicals were found in Iraqi communities near oil fields where there is gas flaring.

As per a 2015 World Bank pledge, BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell are committed to declaring and ending routine flaring by 2030.

But instead of taking responsibility for their actions, they said that where they have contracted with another company to run day-to-day operations.

Highlighting that almost 20 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent went unreported from these flares, the report raises concerns that flaring increases the risk of some cancers for people living near oil fields.

Previously, there were several reports that childhood leukaemia is on the increase in some of the world's biggest oil fields in Basra.

"The children have strikingly high levels … this is concerning for [their] health and suggests they should be monitored closely," BBC quoted Dr Manuela Orjuela-Grimm, professor of childhood cancer at Columbia University, as saying.

According to a leaked Iraq health ministry report, new cases of all types of cancer rose by 20 per cent between 2015 and 2018.

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Major oil companies are not declaring a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, reveals a news report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). These companies include British multinational oil and gas company BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell, according to the report.

Major oil companies are not declaring a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, reveals a news report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). These companies include British multinational oil and gas company BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell, according to the report. Claiming that their reporting method was standard industry practice, the companies have defended themselves and denied any wrongdoing. The "wasteful" burning of excess gas released during oil production, which is known as the flaring of natural gas, is not being reported. Polluting the air and accelerating global warming, flared gases emit a potent mix of carbon dioxide, methane and black soot. × High levels of potentially cancer-causing chemicals were found in Iraqi communities near oil fields where there is gas flaring. As per a 2015 World Bank pledge, BP, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Shell are committed to declaring and ending routine flaring by 2030. But instead of taking responsibility for their actions, they said that where they have contracted with another company to run day-to-day operations. Highlighting that almost 20 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent went unreported from these flares, the report raises concerns that flaring increases the risk of some cancers for people living near oil fields. Previously, there were several reports that childhood leukaemia is on the increase in some of the world's biggest oil fields in Basra. "The children have strikingly high levels … this is concerning for [their] health and suggests they should be monitored closely," BBC quoted Dr Manuela Orjuela-Grimm, professor of childhood cancer at Columbia University, as saying. According to a leaked Iraq health ministry report, new cases of all types of cancer rose by 20 per cent between 2015 and 2018. Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Major oil companies not declaring significant source of greenhouse gas emissions: Report

Several people were killed after Iranian armed forced bombed Kurdish targets in Iraq for the third time in five days. Iraq responded by summoning the Iranian envoy in Baghdad. Is the anti-hijab unrest spiraling into a broader conflict? Priyanka Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Iran bombs Kurds amid anti-hijab unrest

Iran bombed Kurdish targets in northern Iraq after accusing the Kurds of orchestrating the ongoing anti-hijab protests. The custodial death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini has revealed the fault lines in Iranian society. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Iran bombs Kurdish targets amid anti-hijab protests

Iraq's mighty Tigris river is slowly dying. With drought looming over the region and pollutants contaminating the waters of the river, the second largest river in West Asia is facing a major threat.

WION Climate Tracker | Human activity, climate change chokes Tigris river in Iraq

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