Latest world news

Iraqi Kurds May Face “Siege” By Neighboring Countries

Published

9 years ago

September 26, 2017

Iraqi Kurds May Face “Siege” By Neighboring Countries

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Kurds receive Israeli support to the independence referendum

Exerting pressure on Iraqi Kurds for not insisting for a separate country, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has, on Tuesday, warned Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani that pushing for independence risked sparking an “ethnic war” in the region.

President Erdogan, while speaking in a televised address on Monday night, said, “If Barzani and the Kurdish Regional Government do not go back on this mistake as soon as possible, they will go down in history with the shame of having dragged the region into an ethnic and sectarian war.”

He has also threatened to seal borders with Iraqi Kurdistan and stop oil sale through its territory.

Meanwhile, Aljazeera reports that Iraqi army has joined with Turkish forces to conduct joint military drills on the two nations’ shared border. Earlier Baghdad had called KRG for handing over all the international border posts.

The Iraqi soldiers arrived in Turkey late on Monday, the day when Iraqi Kurds voted for independence referendum, ahead of exercises the two armies carried out on Tuesday in Habur border crossing.

Masoud Barzani, President of KRG, said on Sunday, that he would seek talks with Baghdad on how to implement the outcome of the poll. “If we have a constructive dialogue, then we can give it even more time, in order to secure better relations between Kurds and Baghdad.

However, Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, on Monday night, said that his government will not talk with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) about the results of the Monday’s “unconstitutional” referendum on independence.

He said that “Most of the problems of the (Kurdish) region are internal ones, not and not with Baghdad, and will be increased with the calls for separation.” He further said, “The economic and financial problems the region is suffering from are the result of corruption and misadministration.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker Ali Larijani has expressed regret on Tuesday that the plebiscite had been held even as the Daesh (IS) terrorist campaign had yet to be fully taken care of in Iraq.

Larijani referred to the formation of terrorist groups in Iraq and said certain countries had come to assist those groups in order to deprive the Iraqi people of their right to determine their own fate. Iran has been alleging US, Israel, Saudi Arabia and other regional allies for supporting various terrorist groups in the region.

On Sunday, Iran had discontinued air-link with Iraqi Kurdistan and denied use of its air space by any aircraft taking off from the territory. Earlier Tehran had threatened to stop all trading through the border crossings connecting Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) controlled territory.

Meanwhile, The US Department of State, in a statement issued on Monday, said that it was “deeply disappointed” by the Iraqi Kurdistan’s “unilateral” independence referendum saying that it would increase “hardships” for people in the region.

However, Israel is the only country in the region supporting referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu’s office sent remarks to the foreign correspondents based in Jerusalem on September 13 saying, “(Israel) supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to achieve their own state.”

Reuters reports, “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.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Latest world news

Iranian President Pezeshkian at UN says Iranians have been victims of US terrorism

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said at the UN General Assembly that Iranians had been victims of US terrorism and insisted that Iran had acted in self-defence.

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of subjecting Iranians to what he described as terrorism while addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Pezeshkian said Iran had defended itself against attacks and rejected the characterisation of the country as a terrorist actor. His remarks came during a rare wartime appearance at the UN as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high.

Pezeshkian accuses US and Israel of attacks

Speaking at the General Assembly, Pezeshkian said Iranian civilians had been targeted by attacks and described the actions against his country as aggression.

“We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” he said, according to the report.

Pezeshkian also accused the United States and Israel of attacking Iran, while maintaining that Tehran’s response was an act of self-defence.

The Iranian president displayed photographs of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolchildren who, according to his account, were killed during the early days of the conflict.

Iran’s message at the UN

Pezeshkian’s address came against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and heightened tensions in the region.

Iranian officials had indicated ahead of the UN visit that they intended to highlight what Tehran considers attacks against its people and raise concerns over the international response to the conflict.

The Iranian delegation’s visit to New York also comes amid restrictions imposed by the United States on the delegation’s movement and other aspects of its stay, according to reporting ahead of the address.

Pezeshkian says Iran defended itself

Pezeshkian’s central message at the UN was that Iran’s military actions should be viewed as a response to attacks rather than terrorism.

His description of the conflict and the allegations against the United States and Israel represent the Iranian government’s position. They should therefore be attributed to Pezeshkian rather than presented as independently established facts.

Latest world news

PM Modi’s Canada visit could help wrap trade talks, says Canada PM Mark Carney

Canadian PM Mark Carney said he is looking forward to hosting PM Narendra Modi, with both countries aiming to conclude their ongoing trade negotiations.

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he is looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as India and Canada continue efforts to advance their bilateral relationship and conclude ongoing trade negotiations.

The two countries have been working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with both sides previously setting a target to conclude the negotiations in 2026.

Carney and Modi have held discussions on strengthening economic ties between India and Canada, including trade and investment. Their engagement has gained momentum following Carney’s visit to India earlier this year.

India-Canada trade talks

India and Canada formally resumed efforts towards a broader trade agreement after a period of strained bilateral ties. The two sides have committed to advancing negotiations on a CEPA covering their economic relationship.

In June, Carney and Modi reviewed progress in bilateral economic cooperation during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. They expressed satisfaction with the progress in CEPA negotiations and reaffirmed their shared objective of concluding the talks in 2026.

During Carney’s visit to India in March, the two leaders had also agreed to accelerate negotiations on the CEPA and work towards finalising the agreement during 2026.

Modi’s proposed Canada visit

Carney had invited PM Modi to visit Canada in 2026, and the two leaders agreed to remain engaged through diplomatic channels to work towards a mutually convenient date for the visit.

The proposed visit comes as New Delhi and Ottawa seek to build on renewed diplomatic and economic engagement, with trade negotiations remaining a key part of the relationship.

The focus on completing the trade talks comes as both countries look to expand commercial ties and establish a broader economic framework through the proposed CEPA.

Latest world news

Trump issues fresh Iran warning at UN General Assembly, signals deal after midterms

US President Donald Trump issued a fresh warning to Iran during his UN General Assembly address, saying he faces a choice between a deal and further escalation.

Published

4 days ago

September 22, 2026

APNLive Desk

US President Donald Trump used his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to outline what he described as a major decision over Iran, putting the possibility of a deal against further military escalation.

Speaking at the UN in New York, Trump said he had a “big decision” to make. He questioned whether the United States should pursue an agreement that would allow Iran to rebuild or instead take further action against the Islamic Republic.

Trump later indicated that he believed an agreement with Iran could be reached after the US midterm elections, which are scheduled for November 3.

Trump says deal with Iran remains possible

During his speech, Trump presented two possible paths. He said a deal could allow Iran to rebuild and become a stronger country, while also raising the possibility of destroying the Islamic Republic if an agreement was not reached.

Trump said he believed a deal could eventually be reached, arguing that Iran was waiting to see the outcome of the US midterm elections.

His comments came amid the continuing US-Iran conflict and renewed diplomatic activity surrounding the confrontation. Trump’s UN appearance came as Washington was also engaged in discussions with multiple international leaders over the Iran conflict and other global issues.

Iranian delegation walks out during Trump’s speech

The Iranian delegation reportedly left the General Assembly chamber as Trump began describing the military confrontation with Iran.

According to the report, only one person from the Iranian delegation remained seated as Trump spoke about the conflict and the military strikes of the past six months.

The walkout came as tensions between Washington and Tehran remained high, with both sides facing pressure over the continuation of the conflict.

Trump’s latest warning follows earlier comments

Trump’s UN remarks came days after he said he was approaching a major decision over whether to intensify military action against Iran or pursue another route.

He had also indicated before his UN appearance that he could be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN General Assembly in New York.

The possibility of renewed negotiations comes against the backdrop of continuing military and diplomatic tensions between the two countries.