Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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The silhouette of an armed fighter with the Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) is seen as he runs to take position along the front line on October 16, 2013, in the Syrian town of Ras Al-Ain, close to the Turkish border. (AFP PHOTO/STR)

Syria’s Kurds: In or Out?

by Sherzad Shekhani | Nov 17, 2013 | Features

Erbil/Beirut, Asharq Al-Awsat—Following military gains in northeastern Syria, the war-torn country’s Kurds have taken steps towards bolstering their geopolitical presence this week. On November 12, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) released a statement...

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Vehicles drive past a giant poster featuring Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who is also the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) running as a candidate in the Kurdistan’s parliamentary elections on September 18, 2013 in Iraq’s northern city of Sulaimaniyah. (AFP/ PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE)

Iraq: Talabani health in the spot-light again

by Sherzad Shekhani | Oct 23, 2013 | Middle East

Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—The health of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani was a subject of some speculation once more this week after Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party spokesman, Azad Jindiyani, said that Talabani would remain head of the party “as long as he is...

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Iraqi Kurdish security forces gather at the site of a car bomb explosion in Arbil, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region, on September 29, 2013. (AFP PHOTO / SAFIN HAMED)

Kurdistan: ISIS attack on security base was attempted prison break

by Sherzad Shekhani | Oct 8, 2013 | Middle East

Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—Last month’s suicide attack on the headquarters of the Security Directorate in Erbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, which the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for, was intended to free ISIS-linked prisoners, Asharq...

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Kurdish security forces inspect the site of a bomb attack in the city of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region, about 217 miles (350 km) north of Baghdad, on September 29, 2013. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)

Erbil governor: Al-Qaeda may be behind Sunday car bombings

by Sherzad Shekhani | Sep 30, 2013 | Middle East

Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—The Interior Ministry and the Security Department of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Erbil came under attack on Sunday, resulting in six deaths and 42 injuries. Eyewitnesses said two car bombs driven by suicide attackers detonated...

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Finek Mohammad Abdul Kareem smiles and waves after being crowned Miss Kurdistan Region 2013 in the city of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region, about 271 miles (350 kilometers) north of Baghdad, on September 28, 2013. (REUTERS/Azad Lashkari)

Iraqi Kurdish region crowns Miss Kurdistan 2013

by Sherzad Shekhani | Sep 29, 2013 | Lifestyle & Culture

Erbil, Asharq Al-Awsat—For the second year running in Erbil, the Miss Kurdistan pageant was in full swing. Following the launch of the contest last year, it is hoped that the contest will become an annual tradition for Iraqi Kurdistan. Last year’s winner, Shene Aziz,...