English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Latest world news

Iraqi forces push Kurd Peshmargas out of Kirkuk province

Published

on

iraqi forces

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Benjamin Netanyahu lobbies for independent Kurdistan

In a smooth but important development in the post Saddam era, Iraqi forces have, on Saturday, claimed full control of  oil rich Kirkuk province after intense fighting against Kurdish Peshmarga, the forces of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.

According to Doha based Aljazeera TV network, the Araqi army and the mobilization forces captured the last town Altun Kupri, near Erbil, the headquarters of KRG on Saturday.

The Kurds took up new positions three days after they were pulled out of Kirkuk in the aftermath of a dramatic push by Iraqi army.  More than 100,0000 people have fled to the KRG areas since the operation began.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi had ordered army not to enter Erbil’s city limits, saying they will protect civilians and their property respecting the 2003 perimeters of the disputed area.

Meanwhile, Nazm Hrki, Kurd Peshmarga Commander of their 10th Division, complaint against Iraqi government saying, “In reality, when we used to fight ISIL everyone praised the Peshmerga – ‘they are brave they are fighting for the world’. But now they are attacking us. As I see it, everyone is turning their backs on us.”

During 1991 to 2003, (in the post Kuwait invasion) Kurdistan was functioning independent of Baghdad and was supported by oil revenues under UN monitored oil for food plan.  The Americans groomed the region against Saddam regime and helped build infrastructure to enable them to rule their “region” as and when required. During that period Kurdistan had circulated its own currency, attracting more dollars than the currency issued by Baghdad government.

Since 2014, Iraqi forces, along with the mobilization forces dominated by Shias, and Kurd Peshmarga were fighting against Daesh (IS) terrorists shoulder to shoulder. But the independence referendum in the KRG region including oil rich Kirkuk last month, had created severe rift between Baghdad government and Erbil based KRG headed by Masoud Barzani.

The referendum was seen as the final straw for the Iraqi government and neighboring countries that oppose Kurdish independence. Iraqi government had asked all nations to stop international flights operations to the KRG controlled region. Iran and Turkey had threatened to stop all supplies trough land borders while Syria had also expressed its displeasure.

Meahwhile, Tehran based Press TV has reported that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is lobbying world powers to support the independence of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region from the rest of the Iraqi territory. This was disclosed by an unnamed source saying Netanyahu raised the Kurdish plans for independence with German Chancellor Angela Markel last week and the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

The Israeli official, who declined to be named, stated that the Tel Aviv regime has security interests in Kurdistan. He was quoted saying as, “This (territory) is a foothold. It’s a strategic place. It would be best if someone gave them weaponry, and whatever else, which we cannot give, obviously.” 

Recently Reuters had reported that “Israel has maintained discreet military, intelligence and business ties with the Kurds since the 1960s, viewing the minority ethnic group — whose indigenous population is split between Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran — as a buffer against shared Arab adversaries.”

In another development, the foreign minister of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Falah Mustafa had on Thursday said that they have never intended to engage in a confrontation with the Iraqi military.

In an interview with CNN he underlined the need for dialogue between the KRG and Iraqi government in an attempt to achieve a common goal.

Meanwhile KRG has postponed the proposed elections for President and Parliament in their region. They had earlier plans to follow the steps towards complete independence. These elections were supposed to be pressure tactic against Baghdad government.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Latest world news

Musk, Trump claim Sunita Williams was left in space due to politics

Elon Musk and Donald Trump alleged that the Biden administration delayed the return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS for political reasons. Musk stated that SpaceX is now working to bring them back as soon as possible.

Published

on

Sunita Williams

Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump have accused the Biden administration of abandoning NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore at the International Space Station (ISS) for political reasons. The claims were made during an exclusive interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, where the two suggested that the astronauts’ return was postponed unnecessarily.

Musk, who is the CEO of SpaceX, stated, “At the President’s request, we are accelerating the return of the astronauts, which was postponed to a ridiculous degree.” Trump further added, “They got left in space.”

Musk: Return mission being expedited

When questioned about the SpaceX mission to bring the astronauts back, Musk confirmed that his company had been asked to take charge of their return. “We have brought astronauts back from the space station many times before, and always with success,” he said.

The mission to return Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore is expected to take approximately four weeks. Trump, addressing Musk, claimed that his administration had to intervene to ensure the mission proceeded. “You now have the go-ahead,” Trump told Musk, to which Musk responded, “Yes. Well, thanks to you.”

Was the return of Williams and Wilmore politically motivated?

Trump went a step further, asserting that the Biden administration had actively prevented SpaceX from retrieving the astronauts. “He (Biden) was going to leave them in space. I think he was going to leave them there,” he stated.

Musk agreed with Trump’s stance, describing the prolonged stay of the astronauts at the ISS as “terrible” and suggesting that it was influenced by political motivations.

What happened to Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore?

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024 for a mission initially planned to last only 10 days. However, after a series of technical issues with the Starliner, NASA and Boeing decided that it was too risky to bring the astronauts back using the same spacecraft.

In August 2024, NASA announced that it had assigned SpaceX the responsibility of bringing Williams and Wilmore back using its Crew-9 capsule. SpaceX has been conducting regular missions to rotate ISS crews every six months.

Despite this, Musk recently stated that the return of the astronauts was delayed unnecessarily. On January 20, Musk claimed that Trump personally requested him to expedite the astronauts’ return, accusing Biden’s administration of deliberately leaving them stranded at the ISS for months.

Political controversy deepens

The claims by Trump and Musk have added a political dimension to what was originally a technical issue with the Starliner spacecraft. While NASA had already enlisted SpaceX for the astronauts’ return, Trump’s comments suggest that political rivalries may have influenced the timeline.

As of now, neither NASA nor the Biden administration has officially responded to the allegations made by Musk and Trump. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing to bring Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore home, ensuring their safe return after an unexpectedly extended mission.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

Sheikh Hasina vows return, accuses Muhammad Yunus of orchestrating political conspiracy

Bangladesh’s former PM Sheikh Hasina, in a teary address, accuses Muhammad Yunus of orchestrating a conspiracy against her. Dhaka pushes for her extradition as India remains silent.

Published

on

Sheikh Hasina

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently exiled in India, has vowed to return to her country, accusing interim government leader Muhammad Yunus of orchestrating a violent conspiracy to remove her from power. In an emotional address via Zoom, she alleged that Yunus had fostered “lawlessness” and unleashed “terrorists” to overthrow her administration.

Speaking to the widows of four policemen killed during the student-led uprising in July 2024, Hasina reassured them that she would seek justice upon her return. “The killings were part of his meticulous conspiracy to throw me out of power,” she asserted. She further claimed she narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during the coup that led to her exile.

Accusations against the interim government

Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus of dissolving all inquiry committees investigating the deaths of security personnel and unrest in the country. She alleged that the interim government has been involved in suppressing political opposition through violent means.

“They are destroying Bangladesh,” she said, vowing that she would return and ensure justice is served. She labeled Yunus a “mobster” and asserted that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.

Backdrop of political turmoil

The student-led protests that led to Hasina’s downfall initially began as a movement against a controversial quota system but soon escalated into demands for her resignation. The protests culminated in her government’s collapse in August 2024, forcing her to seek refuge in India. During the uprising, nearly 450 police stations were reportedly set on fire, and multiple incidents of violence were recorded.

Muhammad Yunus, the interim government leader, has acknowledged the existence of a “design and conspiracy” to remove Hasina, but he has not explicitly taken responsibility for orchestrating the movement.

Dhaka’s call for extradition

Following Hasina’s remarks, Bangladesh’s interim government reiterated its commitment to securing her return. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the government’s priority is to extradite Hasina and hold her accountable for alleged crimes under her administration.

“The people and political parties of Bangladesh will decide whether her party, the Awami League, should remain in the country’s political framework. But those responsible for killings, enforced disappearances, and other crimes must face justice,” Alam added.

Citing reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Alam emphasized that Hasina’s government had been accused of human rights violations, increasing pressure on India to respond to Bangladesh’s extradition request.

India’s silence on the extradition request

Bangladesh’s Foreign Office has formally requested Hasina’s repatriation through a diplomatic note. While New Delhi has acknowledged receipt, it has yet to provide an official response on the matter.

As Bangladesh’s political crisis deepens, the international community remains watchful of India’s stance on the situation. The ongoing tension between Hasina and the interim government is expected to shape the country’s political trajectory in the coming months.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

Prince William, Kate Middleton celebrate Valentine’s Day, share a romantic photo

“To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis, and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you,” he wrote.

Published

on

On this Valentine’s Day, as the world revels in celebrations of love, social media is awash with heartwarming images, including a particularly poignant photograph of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Shared on the official X account of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this touching image has resonated with people across the globe, sparking a wave of affectionate comments for the beloved royal couple.

The enchanting photo features the couple sitting together on a mat, surrounded by beautiful woodland scenery. Middleton is captured laughing joyfully as Prince William gives her a tender kiss on the cheek. The couple is colour-coordinated, donning outfits in similar shades that enhance their close bond.

Not only a visual delight, this photograph also serves as a tribute to what the couple has described as their “hardest year.” It is taken from a video shared last year where Kate announced her successful completion of chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis she received nine months prior. The emotional weight of the image is underscored by the single red heart emoji accompanying the post.

Earlier this month, on January 9, which marked Kate Middleton’s 43rd birthday, Prince William paid tribute to his wife, expressing admiration for her remarkable strength throughout the challenging year. “To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis, and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you,” he wrote.

In her video marking the end of her cancer treatment, Kate reflected on her journey, stating, “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters.” She also shared her insights on the vulnerabilities faced during such a journey and emphasized the new perspective it brings.

The couple, proud parents to three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—continues to inspire many through their resilience and love.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com