Capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; a historic, economic and cultural hub
The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
The United States has escalated strikes against Iran, while Iran and its IRGC retaliate with missiles and drones targeting Gulf bases and shipping. The renewed hostilities threaten global energy flows as both sides threaten further action and diplomatic talks remain fragile. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, with U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and Iran responding with strikes and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rise as shipping through Hormuz tightens, while regional actors report ongoing fighting and injuries.
Iranian strikes on Kurdish dissident camps in Iraqi Kurdistan have intensified, with drones, missiles, and air defenses reported. Erbil and nearby bases have faced downed drones and fires, while Iraqi Kurdish authorities condemn the attacks and call on Tehran to stop the escalation. The United States-led coalition is monitoring the developments as violence threatens regional stability.
Iran has launched fresh attacks across the Gulf and Jordan as US-led strikes continue; Kuwait is hit for a fifth day running; two tankers back away from Bab al‑Mandeb after Houthis warn of Red Sea disruption. Lebanon deploys troops in pilot zones; France summons Iran’s envoy over a diplomatic spat. Israeli strikes kill a family in Gaza amid broader regional strain.
The Iran conflict has escalated with threats of strikes and shifting diplomacy as both sides test red lines. U.S. officials warn of hard actions while Iran asserts control over Hormuz. A ceasefire cycle and domestic political pressures frame new steps as global oil markets react.
Iraq and Turkiye have renewed efforts to cooperate on energy and transport after the expiry of the 1975 oil-export agreement. Turkiye seeks new routes and expanded export capacity, with talks focusing on an energy framework, water management, security, and regional development.
Iraq and Turkey have extended and refreshed arrangements for the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, aiming to diversify exports and reduce reliance on Hormuz. A one-year extension is set to keep flows through Ceyhan at about 750,000 barrels per day while broader energy cooperation is pursued. Talks include oil, electricity and water resources, with Ankara signaling a longer-term framework.
The movements of personnel and equipment between Harir Air Base, Erbil, and the US consulate are described as preparation for the withdrawal of remaining US troops under the 2024 agreement. Washington and Baghdad have framed the shift as a routine repositioning and a step toward ending the mission by September.
Kurdistan Regional Government president Barzani has met Syria's leadership in Damascus to discuss strengthening cooperation and the integration of the SDF into state institutions, with language and cultural rights on the agenda amid ongoing negotiations.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
Iraq has set Sept. 30 as the fixed date to end the military mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and to transfer bases to Iraqi forces, with US-led coalition drawing down in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Officials say the pullout is on track, though disarmament of non-state groups remains unresolved and militias may resist the deadline.
The United States plans to withdraw its military coalition from Iraq by Sept. 30, 2026, as Baghdad and Washington finalize the exit, with air defence systems in Erbil to be removed and weapons under state control to follow. The transition aims to prevent a security vacuum while maintaining security cooperation.
Iran and the United States have intensified hostilities. US strikes on Iran’s southern coast target military assets while Iranian forces respond with missiles at bases in Jordan, Bahrain and elsewhere. A wedding party in Kuhestak has been hit, killing several civilians and injuring dozens, including children. Both sides warn of further actions as tensions flare around the Strait of Hormuz.
A Paris court has opened a three-week trial for 14 men linked to the 2021 Channel crossing disaster in which 27 to 31 people died. Prosecution says the defendants helped launch a substandard boat; defendants deny responsibility and some are being tried in absentia. Victims’ families attend the proceedings.
Protests over the killing of Sami Shekhmous Hiso in Hasakeh Province have sparked prison violence at Kobani. Inmates set dormitories ablaze as security forces wage a crackdown; authorities call for restraint while Kurdish groups demand a transparent investigation.
The United States is finalizing a drawdown in northern Iraq, with hundreds of troops set to depart by September 30. Iraq’s government links the exit to a demand for militias to disarm, but Iran-backed groups are signaling that disarmament is unlikely and favor regulation instead. Tehran seeks to keep influence in Iraq while Baghdad weighs its options amid regional tensions.
The US-led coalition has formally concluded its combat and operational presence in Iraq, winding down to an advisory role. Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga are expected to lead security efforts, with the government emphasising sovereignty while pro-Iran factions press for disarmament and continued influence.
The final U.S. troops have withdrawn from Iraq, ending Operation Inherent Resolve. Tehran and its allies call the pullout a victory and push for American forces to leave the region. Iraqi leaders warn security gaps could follow, as militias and Islamic State remnants pose fresh risks.
The United States-led coalition has completed its orderly withdrawal from Erbil, handing security responsibilities to Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga. Iraq aims to preserve sovereignty amid Iran-aligned pressure and regional volatility. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is pushing to place weapons under state control while diversifying the economy to reduce external influence.
Six men have been found guilty of involuntary homicide over the November 2021 Channel disaster that claimed 31 lives, many Iraqi Kurds, with sentences ranging from six to 10 years. Seven others face lesser charges; one was acquitted. The trial underscores the greed of smugglers exploiting vulnerable migrants as authorities investigate seven military personnel for aiding survivors. The case coincides with changes to the UK-France migrant return pilot scheme.