New York Times: Iraq Escalates Dispute With Kurds, Threatening Military Action
ERBIL, Iraq — The Iraqi government escalated its confrontation with its northern Kurdish region on Wednesday, threatening to send troops and seize oil fields there and taking steps to shut down international flights to and from the region.
The moves came in retaliation for a referendum on Monday in which the region, Iraqi Kurdistan, voted decisively to seek independence from Iraq. Kurdish officials announced Wednesday that nearly 93 percent of voters approved the referendum, which aims to create an independent state for the Kurds, an ethnic minority in Iraq.
Iraq’s Parliament asked the country’s prime minister on Wednesday to deploy troops to the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, one of several disputed areas held by Kurdish troops but claimed by Baghdad, and to take control of all oil fields in the Kurdish region.
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MIDDLE EAST
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ASIA
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UN agency: More reports of sexual violence against Rohingya.
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US Treasury ratchets up pressure on North Korea, sanctioning 10 banks.
S. Korean leader says N. Korea still has chance for peaceful resolution.
China imports 1.6 million tonnes of coal from North Korea in August despite ban.
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Rockets hit Kabul airport after Mattis’s arrival.
Trump pushing Afghan president to close Taliban office in Qatar, sources say.
Rohingya crisis takes heavy toll on Myanmar economy.
Yingluck Shinawatra: ex-Thai PM sentenced to five years in jail. Thai ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra found guilty over rice subsidy policy.
AFRICA
Rescue ship says Libyan coast guard shot at and boarded it, seeking migrants.
Ugandan lawmaker introduces bill to extend president’s rule.
Kiir tells South Sudan police to work with UN.
Libyan rights groups accuse UAE of war crimes.
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Thousands march against corruption in South Africa.
Angola swears in Joao Lourenco as president.
Northern Togo: an unlikely place for a protest movement.
EUROPE
NATO chief says Europe has interest in helping Afghanistan.
Russia reports destruction of all remaining chemical weapons.
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Germany’s uber-powerful finance minister, a staunch defender of austerity, is leaving his post.
German election: Merkel facing tough red lines for coalition.
US and Russia quietly end diplomatict tailspin.
Spain to deploy police to prevent Catalan independence vote. Catalonia referendum: Spanish security forces move to 'neutralize' polling stations.
EU announces plan to take another 50,000 migrants from Africa and create new ways for them to safely reach Europe.
Thousands evacuated in Ukraine as ammunition depot explodes.
Ireland to hold abortion referendum in 2018, weeks before Pope Francis visits.
AMERICAS
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Pentagon: 44 percent of Puerto Ricans lack clean drinking water.
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Venezuelan leader blasts Rajoy, mocks Trump.
US-Mexico border wall prototype construction starts.
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Otto Warmbier: Parents say US student was 'jerking violently' when returned from North Korea.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Spain says Belgian police arrest Spanish IS suspect.
Russia says killed commanders of ex-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
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ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Wall St. gains on financials boost, tax hopes.
Crude oil prices up after Turkey threatens to close Kurdish pipeline.
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Washington pushes for major tax cuts.
Fears of a Transatlantic trade war erupt as the Defence Secretary warns Boeing could be cut out of MoD contracts in the Bombardier row.
Ryanair to cancel flights affecting 400,000 more passengers. Ryanair travel chaos is to last until next MARCH: Beleaguered airline axes 34 entire routes with 18,000 flights in a move that will affect 400,000 passengers.
The Iraqis know that they are up against a battle proven fighting force somewhat better than their own military. Of course things could change with US support especially if Iraq suddenly locates the chemical weapons hidden by the former regime as they have no gumption about using such weapons of mass destruction on the Kurdish population.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ibtimes.com/25-years-after-worst-chemical-weapon-massacre-history-saddam-husseins-attack-halabja-iraq-city
http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/08/26/exclusive-cia-files-prove-america-helped-saddam-as-he-gassed-iran/
https://www.counterpunch.org/2004/06/17/how-reagan-armed-saddam-with-chemical-weapons/