Shafaq News-Erbil

The Kurdish Ministryof Health confirmed Wednesday the first two cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagicfever (CCHF) recorded in the Kurdistan Region in 2026, both members of the sameErbil family.

The patients area father and son, aged 71 and 29, residents of a neighborhood in Erbil city.Both were exposed to an infected animal and its byproducts following aslaughter carried out inside their home over the past two weeks.

Afterpresenting to hospital with symptoms consistent with CCHF, diagnosticprocedures were initiated and both cases were confirmed. The two patients arecurrently under medical observation and receiving treatment. One is in arelatively stable condition; the other remains unstable.

Severalsuspected cases had been followed up and tested across the Kurdistan Regionearlier this year, of which only these two were confirmed.

According tothe Shafaq News tracker, Iraq has recorded 152 CCHF cases this year, including10 deaths.

Read more: Blood, ticks, and broken systems: The resurgence of CCHF in Iraq

Shafaq News- Halabja

Search and rescue teams in Iraqi Kurdistan's HalabjaCivil Defense Directorate recovered the body of Ruqaya, an 11-year-old touristfrom Iraq's Karbala province, nearly 10 days after she fell into the waters ofthe Zalm waterfall at the Ahmad Awa resort, spokesperson Zanyar Omar told Shafaq News on Wednesday.

Provincial Civil Defense Director Brig. Gen. AbidinAbdulrahman had earlier revealed that teams were concentrating on the springsand waterways surrounding the site after days of intensive sweeps.

Authorities in neighboring Al-Sulaymaniyah province divertedpart of the water flow through large pipes on Tuesday to reach the deep anddifficult section where Ruqaya was believed to have been trapped.

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and BaghdadGovernor Atwan Al-Atwani discussed expanding cooperation with Erbil during a meetingon Wednesday.

Discussions covered public services, municipaladministration, and development projects to improve living conditions forresidents. Barzani expressed support for broader partnerships and called fordrawing on successful experiences to enhance governance and administrativeperformance.

سەرۆک نێچیرڤان بارزانی پشتگيرى له‌ په‌يوه‌ندييه‌كانى هه‌ردوو پارێزگاى هه‌ولێر و به‌غدا ده‌كاتhttps://t.co/wimNpfGSw3 pic.twitter.com/R4olbP21BZ

— Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) June 17, 2026

The meeting also highlighted the need to maintaincommunication to advance reconstruction efforts and shared interests.

Shafaq News- Halabja

Authorities have narrowed the search for 11-year-oldRuqaya, who disappeared after falling into the Zalm waterfall several days ago,to the surrounding springs and waterways at the Ahmad Awa resort in Iraqi Kurdistan’sHalabja province, a local official announced on Wednesday.

Provincial Civil Defense Director Brig. Gen. AbidinAbdulrahman told a press conference that the decision followed extensive sweepsof the resort and nearby terrain. Additional teams from neighboring provincesand autonomous administrations in the Kurdistan Region, he added, could jointhe mission if needed.

Abdulrahman also urged residents and volunteers to refrain from conducting individual searches, warning that uncoordinatedattempts could put more lives at risk and hinder ongoing efforts.

A day earlier, Al-Sulaymaniyah provincial authorities divertedpart of the water flow through large pipes to improve access to the area whereRuqaya is believed to have fallen into the water.

Shafaq News- Erbil (Updated on Wed. June 17, at 20:34)

A drone struck the Zewi Spi camp in the Koysinjaq districtof Erbil province on Tuesday, according to a senior official from the KurdistanDemocratic Party of Iran (KDPI).

Karim Parwezi, a member of the party’s leadership, toldShafaq News that the drone exploded on a house inside the camp, causingsignificant material damage to the building, adding that no casualties orinjuries were reported among camp residents.

Kurdistan Region Government’s Security Council announced later on Wednesdaythat a drone targeted the refugee camp at 10:05 p.m., without causing anycasualties, or identifying the party responsible for the attack.

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi discussed developments in Syria and efforts toaddress Kurdish issues in the country during a meeting in Erbil on Tuesday, theKurish presidency noted.

The talk also reviewed efforts to promote understanding between Kurdishparties and strengthen coordination with Damascus, as well as ways to confrontterrorism threats and maintain security and stability.

Both parties pointed to the importance of continuing dialogue, preservingstability, and advancing peace in the region.

سەرۆک نێچیرڤان بارزانی و مەزڵووم عەبدی دۆخی کورد له‌سووریا تاوتوێ ده‌که‌نhttps://t.co/gt4dYxxDKX pic.twitter.com/jzkAqedI4f

— Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) June 16, 2026

Earlier this year, Abdi met Barzani to discuss developments in Syria anddialogue with Damascus. He later returned to Erbil for talks with the KursdistanDemocratic Part (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani and French Foreign MinisterJean-Noel Barrot on the status of SDF-held territories.

Shafaq News- Erbil

US Special Envoy for Iraq and SyriaTom Barrack reiterated Washington's support for Iraqi Prime Minister Alial-Zaidi's efforts to place weapons under state control during talks on Tuesdaywith Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

Meeting in Pirmam, Barrack conveyedgreetings from US President Donald Trump and stressed the need for stability inIraq and the wider region, highlighting the Kurdistan Region's role insupporting that objective.

For his part, Barzani reiterated hissupport for al-Zaidi, affirming that partnership, balance, and consensus inaccordance with the constitution are the only ways to address Iraq's challenges.

The two sides also exchanged viewson regional developments and agreed to work together on priorities aimed atstrengthening stability in Baghdad and Erbil, while advancing long-term cooperationin the economic and investment sectors.

The US envoy arrived in Erbil on Tuesday and met Kurdish President NechirvanBarzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)Commander Mazloum Abdi, after holding talks in Baghdad a day earlier with al-Zaidi, where both sides identified completing Iraq'sdisarmament process as a shared priority.

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

Authorities in Al-Sulaymaniyah onTuesday diverted part of a watercourse at the Ahmad Awa resort to facilitatethe search for Ruqaya, 11, a girl from Karbala, after falling into the watersof Halabja’s Zalm waterfall last week.

Shafaq News correspondent said civildefense and rescue teams, in coordination with authorities in Halabja, arecontinuing search operations. Technical teams have begun reducing water levelsusing large pipes and specialized pumping equipment in critical sections of thestream to allow divers and rescue personnel to access areas that could not beinspected.

Halabja Civil Defense Spokesperson,Zanyar Omar, told Shafaq News that the measure does not involve altering theriver's entire course, and the affected stretch does not exceed six meters. Thewater diversion operation will remain confined to the accident site.

According to Omar, search effortshave covered nearly six kilometers from the accident site to Khurmal district.He noted that civil defense teams have carried out extensive search operationsin all potential locations, including the area currently undergoing partialwater diversion. After completing field surveys, the number of search teams hasbeen reduced compared with the first days of the operation.

Meanwhile, volunteer swimmer andrescuer Karzan Ahmed said he would join the search efforts, citing experiencethat includes recovering 15 bodies and rescuing more than 200 people fromdrowning incidents.

Local authorities have temporarilyclosed the Ahmad Awa resort to visitors and tourists to facilitate operationsand prevent interference with efforts to locate the missing girl.

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, US SpecialPresidential Envoy Tom Barrack, and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) CommanderMazloum Abdi reviewed the political and security developments in the region,the situation in Syria, and cooperation between Kurdish parties and the Damascusgovernment, the Kurdish presidency stated on Tuesday.

The meeting also focused on strengthening coordination andjoint efforts to confront terrorism threats and achieve lasting peace andstability across the region.

Dialogue, mutual understanding, andguaranteeing the rights of Kurds and other communities in Syria remain the key toresolving disputes, Barzani said, expressing the Kurdistan Region's readinessto provide support and cooperation aimed at promoting security.

Barrack pointed to continued US support for maintaining stability and for finding appropriate solutions to Syria'schallenges.

Earlier this month, Syrian authorities began reviewingapplications under Presidential Decree No. 13 of 2026, which restorescitizenship rights to Kurds stripped of nationality after the 1962 census inHasakah province.

Read more: Trump's new Iraq-Syria envoy faces an Iran test Syria never posed

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzaniand US Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack on Tuesdayagreed on the importance of restricting weapons to state control during talksin Erbil, Kurdistan Region Presidency said.

Barzani reiterated the Region'ssupport for the government of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and for resolvingIraq's outstanding issues, particularly disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, in accordance withthe constitution.

For his part, Barrack reaffirmedWashington's support for Iraq's new cabinet.

Both sides also agreed on the needto transform US-Iraq relations into a balanced, long-term economic partnershipthat serves the interests of all parties.

I am pleased to have received U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack. We discussed strengthening bilateral relations, recent regional developments, and the importance of continued cooperation and dialogue to promote stability and prosperity in the region. I reaffirmed… pic.twitter.com/3vH4QMRnwV

— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) June 16, 2026

Barrack arrived in Erbil on Tuesday and met Kurdish Prime MinisterMasrour Barzani after holding talks in Baghdad a day earlier with al-Zaidi. Thediscussions covered bilateral relations as well as security, energy, and tradeissues.

Shafaq News-Erbil

SyrianDemocratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi is expected to meet KurdishPresident Nechirvan Barzani and US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrackin Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, a source within the SDF toldShafaq News on Tuesday, as talks continue over the implementation of agreementsbetween the Kurdish-led force and the Syrian government.

Discussions betweenAbdi, who arrived in Kurdistan yesterday, and the US envoy will focus on theintegration of SDF forces into Syrian state institutions and the implementationof the January 29, 2026 agreement between the SDF and Damascus, which providesfor a halt to hostilities, the withdrawal of military units from contact lines, and the deployment of Syrian Interior Ministry forces in Hasakah and Qamishli.

The meetingscoincide with the arrival in Erbil of members of the Kurdish National Council's(KNC) presidential body. A source told Shafaq News that council officials willhold talks with Kurdistan Region leaders over the coming days before returningto Syria to prepare for a council conference.

Barrackarrived in Erbil on Tuesday and met Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzaniafter holding talks in Baghdad a day earlier with Iraqi Prime Minister Alial-Zaidi. The discussions covered bilateral relations as well as security,energy, and trade issues.

Kurdistan hasrepeatedly hosted high-level meetings involving Abdi, Barrack, and Kurdishofficials as part of efforts to advance dialogue between the SDF and the Syriangovernment.

Shafaq News- Erbil

US Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrackand Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday discussed expanding USeconomic engagement in the Kurdistan Region during a meeting in Erbil, the PM’soffice stated.

Both sides agreed on the importance of expanding traderelations between the United States, Iraq, and Erbil, as well as increasing thepresence of US companies, particularly in the energy sector. They alsoexpressed support for the new Iraqi government led by Prime Minister AliAl-Zaidi, pointing to the need to promote economic prosperity for all Iraqisand address outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil in accordance with theconstitution.

According to the PM’s office, Barrack and Barzani stressedthe need of activating the Kurdistan Parliament and ending the politicaldeadlock to pave the way for the formation of the Kurdistan RegionalGovernment's new cabinet as soon as possible.

Barrack praised the Region's development and reconstructionefforts, saying Trump holds the Kurdish people, the Kurdistan Region, and theleadership of Masoud Barzani in particular, in high regard.

The talks were attended by US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires inBaghdad Joshua Harris and the commander of Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria,General Kevin Lambert.

Prime Minister @masrourbarzani met with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Tom BarrackPrime Minister Masrour Barzani received a U.S. delegation led by Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy to Iraq and Syria and U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye.In the meeting, which was… pic.twitter.com/Gv3rhWtRZC

— Kurdistan Regional Government (@Kurdistan) June 16, 2026

Shafaq News- Erbil

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is hometo eight officially recognized religions and sects and more than 6,800religious sites, according to the Media and Information Department of theKurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The Region's population includesTurkmens, Chaldean Syriac Assyrians, Armenians, and other ethnic groups,alongside Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, Sabean Mandaeans, Kakais, and otherreligious communities. These groups have participated in political life andpublic institutions since the establishment of the Kurdistan Region, with thecurrent ninth cabinet including two ministers representing minority groups,while dedicated ministries oversee minority affairs and religious endowments.

In the education sector, 19Turkmen-language schools serve 1,995 students, while 50 Syriac-language schoolseducate 6,690 others. Thousands more receive instruction in Turkmen and Syriacalongside Kurdish-language education.

Kurdistan contains 6,224 mosques,273 churches and Christian religious sites, and 325 Yazidi shrines, temples,and religious landmarks. It also hosts 36 non-governmental organizations“focused on coexistence, cultural preservation, and the protection of socialdiversity.”

The data also highlighted theRegion's response to the 2014 ISIS offensive, during which it received tens ofthousands of displaced Christians and Yazidis fleeing violence. Authoritieshave since undertaken efforts to restore religious sites and support affectedcommunities.

Read more: Iraqi Kurdistan’s pluralism: A living model of coexistence

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

A new all-female music group, the Kurdistan Girls Music Band, waslaunched on Monday in Al-Sulaymaniyah to preserve Kurdish musical heritage andexpand women’s role in the cultural sector.

Unveiled during a ceremony at the Karim Alaka Foundation in the province,Hawkar Mohammed, the band’s supervisor, described the initiative as areflection of confidence in Kurdish women’s abilities, noting that membershipremains open to female musicians from across the Kurdistan Region.

“Music is a universal language capable of carrying messages of peace andmutual understanding among peoples,” he added, stressing that the project goesbeyond assembling musicians, presenting it instead as a message of unity andsupport for the advancement of Kurdish music and the arts.

Also present at the event, Shakhwan Sadiq, the Foundation’s director,outlined the project’s focus on preserving Kurdish traditions and supportingtalented female musicians through the organization’s sponsorship.

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

The University of Sulaimani on Monday became the first public universityin the Kurdistan Region to obtain an international ISO certification instandardization and business management, the University President KosarMohammed said on Monday.

According to Mohammed, the certification confirms that the university'smanagement systems meet internationally recognized standards, providing globalrecognition of its administrative and organizational practices.

Founded in 1968 and re-established in 1992 with support from the latePresident Jalal Talabani and other political and academic leaders, theUniversity of Sulaimani is one of Kurdistan’s oldest higher educationinstitutions. It currently ranks first in the Kurdistan Region and thirdnationwide, according to international assessments.

Shafaq News- Duhok

The decision by the Duhok Directorate of Endowments (Awqaf)to regulate loudspeaker volumes in mosques has sparked debate, with supporters callingit a necessary step to reduce noise and overlapping broadcasts, while criticsargued it could affect the Islamic call to prayer.

Denying the claim, the Directorate said the measure does nottarget the adhan (Islamic prayer calling) and is intended only to regulate sound levelsinside and outside mosques.

Abdul Razzaq Kofli, deputy director-general of the Directorate,told Shafaq News that the decision applies across all six districts of Duhokprovince and was introduced following requests and proposals from worshippersand residents living near mosques.

He noted that Duhok province has 1,106 mosques, clarifyingthat the directorate is working to improve their performance and organize theuse of loudspeakers.

The issue is not about preventing or reducing the call toprayer, he argued, explaining that it is about addressing significantdifferences in volume levels between mosques. “Some operate at very low levels,while others use loudspeakers at excessively high volumes.”

According to Kofli, the proximity of some mosques to oneanother can also lead to overlapping calls to prayer and prayer recitations,affecting worshippers’ concentration and creating audio disturbances in certainneighborhoods. He vowed the directorate will continue implementing themeasure, adding that, alongside criticism, the directorate has receivedmessages of appreciation from worshippers and residents who said the changesimproved audio quality and reduced noise disturbances.

Read more: Discover Iraq: Duhok —haven and hardship in Iraqi Kurdistan's frontier

Shafaq News- Duhok

Authorities in Duhok province, inIraq's Kurdistan Region, have allowed residents of several border villages toreturn for daytime visits for the first time in nearly a decade, easingrestrictions imposed during years of conflict between the Turkish military andthe Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Derkar Mayor Jawhar Mohammed toldShafaq News that the decision covers between nine and 10 villages within thesubdistrict, along with several villages in Batifa district. Residents will bepermitted to visit daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Before implementing the measure,local authorities coordinated with village representatives and informedresidents of safety precautions, particularly the risks posed by landmines andunexploded ordnance in areas that had remained closed for a prolonged period.

Hashim Kashani, Mukhtar of Kashanvillage, noted that residents of 13 villages received permission to visit in2026 after years of waiting, while several others remain off limits because ofdamage caused by shelling and armed clashes. Villages including Sili, Ek Male,and Nazur (نزور) are no longer suitable for habitation, with residents now visitingmainly to inspect their land and property.

The PKK, founded in 1978, maintainsa significant presence in parts of northern Iraq and southeastern Turkiye. Thegroup has been engaged in an armed conflict with the Turkish state since 1984,which has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths. Turkiye, the United States, andthe European Union designate the group as a terrorist organization, while Iraqclassifies it as a “banned organization.” Last year, the group's imprisonedfounder, Abdullah Ocalan, urged the PKK to convene a congress, lay down itsarms, and formally disband.

Human rights organizations havereported that 145 villages in Duhok's border areas have been evacuated since2015 because of airstrikes and sustained military pressure linked to theconflict.

Read more: Duhok —haven and hardship in Iraqi Kurdistan's frontier

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and British Ambassador to Iraq Irfan Siddiq on Monday welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that it would contribute to lasting peace and stability in the region.

During a meeting in Erbil, the two sides discussed relations between the United Kingdom, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, as well as recent political developments in the country.

سەرۆک نێچیرڤان بارزانی و باڵیۆزی بەریتانیا دۆخی ناوچەکە تاوتوێ دەکەنhttps://t.co/8sYoIz7eQz pic.twitter.com/XqLT9RkISf

— Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) June 15, 2026

Both sides emphasized the need for continued dialogue and understanding between Erbil and Baghdad to address outstanding issues.

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday reaffirmed the Region's commitment to protecting its Christian community and promoting peaceful coexistence, describing Christians as an integral component of Kurdistan and Iraq.

سەرۆک نێچیرڤان بارزانی پیرۆزبایی لە پاتریارک مار پۆڵسى سێيه‌م نۆنا دەکاتhttps://t.co/2t5tpUn4Kn pic.twitter.com/eHx9GJDiks

— Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) June 15, 2026

During Barzani's visit to St. Joseph Chaldean Cathedral in Ankawa, he was received by Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and worldwide, along with senior Christian clerics.

Read more: Christians of Iraq: Where did they go?

The Kurdistan Region is home to around 150,000 Christians, making it one of the last strongholds of Iraq’s ancient Christian presence. Nearly 99% of them live in Erbil and Duhok, where churches and community schools have expanded with government support. By contrast, Iraq’s Christian population nationwide has declined from about 1.5 million before 2003 to less than 250,000 today.

Read more: Iraqi Kurdistan’s pluralism: A living model of coexistence

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani said on Mondaythat outstanding disputes between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdadwill top the agenda of US Special Envoy to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack'supcoming trip to Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Speaking to Kurdistan 24 television, Barzani notedthat it would be Barrack's first visit in his current role and indicated thatdiscussions would cover broader Iraqi affairs alongside efforts to easetensions between the federal government and Erbil.

US President Donald Trump appointed Barrack, who is alsoWashington's ambassador to Ankara, as special presidential envoy to Iraq andSyria on May 31. A source previously told Shafaq News that Barrack is expectedto travel to Baghdad and Erbil in the coming days.

Read more: Trump's new Iraq-Syria envoy faces an Iran test Syria never posed

Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Mondaywelcomed the nuclear agreement reached between the United States and Iran,expressing hope that all parties would work toward full implementation of thedeal.

Barzani said the agreement should serve to strengthenregional stability, security, and prosperity.

I welcome the announcement of the deal between the United States and Iran.I hope all parties will work in good faith toward the full implementation of the agreement, aiming to strengthen regional stability, security, and prosperity.I extend my sincere appreciation to all…

— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) June 15, 2026

Shafaq News- Kermanshah

Bureaucratic hurdles prevented cinemas in Iran's westernKermanshah province from obtaining permits to broadcast FIFA World Cup matcheslive, a local official said on Sunday.

Mohammad Javad Kanjouri, head of the cinema sector at theprovince's government-affiliated cultural organization, told Iran's Fars NewsAgency that cinemas are fully equipped with the necessary infrastructure, pointingout that cafes and public venues are already showing World Cup matches.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States,Canada, and Mexico, is the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams,expanded from 32. The competition began on June 11 and will run through July 19

Shafaq News- Erbil

The 2026 World Cup is turning cafés and entertainment venues in Erbil from ordinary gathering places into small football terraces, drawing fans deep into the night for matches watched with stadium-like noise and emotion.

Across the Kurdistan Region’s capital, cafés are competing for crowds with large screens, stronger sound systems, wider seating areas, and special preparations for high-profile matches that begin late because of the time difference with North America. Streets that usually slow after midnight now echo with commentary, lineup debates, goal celebrations, and the silence that follows a missed chance.

Read more: Baghdad cafes and restaurants ride Iraq’s World Cup wave

Mohammed Raskas, who owns a café in Erbil, explained that preparations for the World Cup began early to bring customers closer to the feel of a stadium. “We made sure to install a large screen, a modern sound system, expand the seating area, and provide services for customers,” he told Shafaq News. “Turnout this year is exceptional, and some fans arrive hours before the major matches.”

For many supporters, cafés have become social spaces where debates, analysis, and collective reactions are part of the match itself, including Barzan Khoshnaw, who said, “Gathering with friends and cheering together gives the match a different energy. We do not come only to watch, we come to live the event among crowds that make it more exciting.”

On Popular Housing Street, the tournament has taken an even more open form: outdoor screens have been set up, and dozens of young people gather to watch matches, turning the area into an open-air viewing platform that stays active late into the night.

Kamran Ahmed, 40, noted that the street atmosphere brings spectators closer to the action. “Here, you feel that you are inside the match. Every attack excites everyone, and the discussions and analysis among those present make the match unforgettable.”

For younger fans, the gatherings are also a break from daily pressures and a space that brings together people of different ages, according to Sirwan Hamza, 22. “Even joy after a win or sadness after a loss becomes easier when we share it together.”

World Cup 2026 is the largest edition in history, with 48 teams, 104 matches, and games spread across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. For Iraqis, the tournament carries added weight. Iraq is back at the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and opens its Group I campaign against Norway at 1:00 AM Baghdad/Erbil time on Wednesday before facing France and Senegal.

Read more: Stage set for Iraq’s World Cup return against Norway

Shafaq News- Ilam

A wildfire burned through around 15 hectares of protected virgin forest in the Kabir Kuh mountain range in Iran's Ilam Province, authorities said on Sunday, as crews remained on alert over the risk of renewed flare-ups in the rugged area.

Speaking to Iran's Mehr News Agency, provincial natural resources official Bassem Khan Mohammadian said the fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in the highlands overlooking the historic Gavmishan Bridge near Darreh Shahr, prompting a large-scale response involving more than 70 firefighters, environmental workers, and local volunteers.

Stretching about 175 kilometersacross western Iran's Ilam and Lorestan provinces, the Kabir Kuh range containsextensive Persian oak forests and a variety of ecosystems, including steppevegetation and pastures.

ShafaqNews- Erbil

Kurdishleader Masoud Barzani discussed Iraq's security landscape and coordinationbetween Baghdad and Erbil during a meeting on Sunday with a high-level Iraqimilitary delegation led by Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir RashidYarallah.

The twosides also reviewed political and security developments in Iraq and the widerregion, along with a number of issues of mutual interest, stressing theimportance of maintaining cooperation to preserve stability and supportprosperity across the country.

Earliertoday, Yarallah arrived in Erbil under orders from Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidito follow up on security arrangements for oil companies operating in theKurdistan Region. He had already met with Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzaniand Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.