Dilshad Anwar

Lebanese refugee crisis raises political tensions in Iraq and demographic concerns in Kirkuk

Iraqi officials say that as of October 9, about 8,000 Lebanese refugees have entered the country

Iran will check Erdogan's ambitious goals in Iraq, experts say

They think Iran, as regional competitor with more influence in Iraq, will ultimately shape Ankara’s relations with Baghdad

In Major Escalation, Drones Target Key Kurdish Power Base Near Irbil

Kurdish officials confirm that two 'suicide drones' targeted a Peshmerga military headquarters in Pirmam, which is known to be the Kurdish ruling party's stronghold

Kurdistan Warns Gas Company of Deals With Iraq

Kurdistan Regional Government says it will not allow Iraq to transfer gas from the region to Kirkuk

Iran Increases Troops Near Kurdistan Region, Threatening Ground Operation

Grand Mosque of Slemani in Northern Iraq Provides Free Iftar Meals to Poor

During Ramadan, the Grand Mosque of Slemani (Sulaymaniyah) in Iraq's Kurdistan region is serving free meals to the community and those in need. VOA's Dilshad Anwar reports from Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, narrated by Rikar Hussain. Camera: Dilshad Anwar

Kurdish Muslim Clerics Gather to Discuss Countering Radicalization

Dozens of Kurdish Muslim leaders in Iraq’s Kurdish region meet to discuss ways to counter radical ideologies

Growing IS Attacks Put Kurdish, Iraqi Authorities on Alert

Islamic State in the last two weeks has killed at least 25 Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers and civilians in an escalation of insurgency attacks in territories disputed between the Iraqi government and Kurdistan region

Iraqi Kurdish Students Protest Unpaid Stipends

Thousands of Kurdish students took to the streets of several cities in northern Iraq Tuesday, demanding the autonomous government of Iraqi Kurdistan restore their monthly stipends

Iraqi Kurdish Family Turns Home into Animal Shelter

In the northern Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah, a family has turned their home into a shelter for wounded and abused animals. Dilshad Anwar reports from Iraq.

Local Officials Say Iraq's Kakais, Fearing IS, Are Fleeing Their Villages

Kakai men traditionally grow big mustaches, a feature that, members say, has meant certain death for many of them as IS used it to identify them

Local Officials Say Iraq's Kakais, Fearing IS, Are Fleeing Their Villages

Kakai men traditionally grow big mustaches, a feature that, members say, has meant certain death for many of them as IS used it to identify them

Checkpoint Flag Flap Impedes Anti-IS Effort in Iraq

Kurdish forces say a planned joint counterterrorism raid with Iraqi forces against Islamic State militants was called off following a flag brawl with their Iraqi counterparts at a checkpoint in the north.  VOA’s Dilshad Anwar reports from the region in this story narrated by Namo Abdulla. Produced by: Nawid Orokzai

Northern Iraq Sees Surge of IS Violence After Baghdadi's Death

Islamic State militants have increased their activity in some northern Iraqi provinces. Local residents say IS recently kidnapped and threatened to kill civilians in the area, forcing many to flee their homes. VOA's Dilshad Anwar filed this report narrated by Sirwan Kajjo.

Northern Iraq Sees Surge of IS Violence After Baghdadi's Death

Islamic State militants have increased their activity in some northern Iraqi provinces. Local residents say IS recently kidnapped and threatened to kill civilians in the area, forcing many to flee their homes. VOA's Dilshad Anwar filed this report narrated by Sirwan Kajjo.

Iraq Unearths Mass Graves Believed to Contain Kurds Slain in 1987-88

Four mass graves with dozens of bodies believed to be Kurds killed by former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s forces were found in desert of al-Muthanna province in southern Iraq

IS Attacks Drive Members of Iraqi Kakai Minority From Their Villages

Dozens of members of the Kakai minority in Kirkuk province in northern Iraq have been displaced after several attacks by Islamic State (IS) militants who are taking sanctuary in the isolated plains of the region. VOA’s Dlshad Anwar reports.

Kurdish Officials Refuse to Hand Over Suspected IS Militants to Iraq

About 1,000 Islamic State militants recently surrendered to Kurdish Peshmerga forces in southern Kirkuk, and Kurdish officials say they will not accept a request from the Iraqi government to hand over the militants. VOA's Dlshad Anwar reports from the region.

Iraqi Forces Prepare for Assault on Islamic State Stronghold in Hawija

Thousands of Iraqi troops, Kurdish Peshmerga and Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces have been deployed on the outskirts of Kirkuk province amid preparations to retake the nearby district of Hawija from the Islamic State. VOA's Dlshad Anwar reports from the region.

Islamic State Intensifies Efforts to Prevent Civilian Escape From Hawija

As the U.S.-backed Iraqi forces and Shiite militias make preparations to attack the Islamic State (IS) in its last Kirkuk stronghold of Hawija, the terror group has increased checkpoints and landmines around the town to prevent residents from fleeing. VOA's Dilshad Anwar reports.