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Namo Abdulla

Namo Abdulla joined VOA’s Extremism Watch Desk in 2020. As a graduate of Columbia Journalism School, he has contributed to multiple news organizations, including the New York Times, Reuters and Aljazeera English. Prior to joining VOA, Abdulla was the State Department correspondent for Rudaw TV, an Iraqi Kurdish news network.

Produced by Namo Abdulla

November 27, 2020
Pro-Iran Militiamen Torch Massage Parlor in Baghdad, Accuse US, Israel of Corrupting Iraqi Youth

Video shows baton-wielding men assaulting female employees of a massage parlor
November 25, 2020
Report: Far-Right Terrorism Rises as Islamist Terrorism Declines

Global Terrorism Index cites significant rise in killings by far-right extremists, decline in lethality of attacks by radical Islamists
November 19, 2020
Iran-backed Militias Resume Rocket Attacks Toward US Embassy in Iraq

Iraqi officials say at least three of seven rockets fired were intercepted by C-Ram system installed near embassy but some of them fell in nearby civilian areas, killing at least one child and injuring several others
November 17, 2020
Tens of Thousands of Iraqi IDPs Could End Up Homeless as Government Shuts Camps

The Iraqi government has decided to close several camps for tens of thousands of internally displaced persons who had fled the war against Islamic State
November 13, 2020
Iraqis Voice Mixed Reactions to Biden's Election

While Iraqi leaders from across political spectrum welcome Biden's victory, some Iraqis fear return of Democrats may translate into greater influence for Iran and its violent proxy groups
November 09, 2020
Why Is France the Top European Target for Jihadists?

France has witnessed more radical Islamist attacks than any other European Union member since 2014, leaving nearly 300 French citizens dead
October 31, 2020
Why Depicting Prophet Muhammad Is Controversial in Islam?

Illustrations and paintings have long been a controversial topic in Islam because the Koran does not say anything about it, leaving numerous Islamic scholars to issue their own often contradictory fatwas on the subject
October 28, 2020
Arrests in Northern Iraq Trigger Tensions Between Kurdish Groups

Roundup of alleged PKK-linked militants comes amid Turkish military assault on PKK bases
October 21, 2020
Iraq Discovers Remains of More Than 50 IS Victims in Mass Grave

Iraqi officials say they have discovered a mass grave containing the remains of dozens of people who appear to have been executed by Islamic State
October 19, 2020
US Poised to Sanction Iran After UN Arms Embargo Expires

US rejects Sunday's expiration of an international arms embargo on Iran, saying it will use its domestic laws to punish any weapons supplier dealing with the Islamic Republic
October 16, 2020
Syrians Displaced by Turkish Operation Brace for Bleak Winter

A year ago, Turkish military operation in northern Syria displaced more than 150,000 people; a second cold winter approaches those now in Camp Washukani
September 25, 2020
Kurds Warn of Mounting Ethnic Tensions in Iraq

Iraqi Kurdish PM Barzani says in disputed Kirkuk province, Kurdish families are forcibly being evicted from homes, threatening 'peace and stability'
September 19, 2020
Iran Proxies Appear Emboldened by US Drawdown Decision

Iraq’s pro-Iran militias vow to continue fighting US until all American troops have left the oil-rich country
September 09, 2020
Recent US Sanctions Increase Risk for Potential Hezbollah Allies

In a rare move, the Trump administration blacklisted two former Lebanese ministers, sending a message to politicians that their alliance with militant group Hezbollah comes at a risk
September 06, 2020
Iraq’s Pro-Iran Militia TV Active After US Seizes Website

The US on Wednesday seized websites for Al-Etejah TV, a channel affiliated with pro-Iran radical Shiite group, Kataib Hezbollah, but the channel’s content remained accessible on TV and social media
September 05, 2020
Rattled by Protests, Iraqi Kurdish Leaders Punish Journalists

Iraqi Kurdistan, a US partner in the fight against the Islamic State, has moved against independent media amid dissent over the struggling economy
August 27, 2020
Militants Kill With Impunity in Iraq, Report Says

Iraq has seen a spate of assassinations of activists in recent weeks, and a new Human Rights Watch report says the government has done little to hold perpetrators accountable
August 22, 2020
Experts: Iran Evasive on Fuel Seizure by US to Avoid Escalation

Rather than carrying out its threats against the US, Iran has been ambiguous about recent seizure of its tankers carrying Iranian oil to Venezuela
August 20, 2020
Iraqi Kurdistan Closes Two NRT Bureaus Over Protest Coverage

Authorities in Iraq’s northern autonomous Kurdistan region shutter offices belonging to regional broadcaster NRT, arrest three journalists over claims protest coverage incited violence
August 05, 2020
US Action Against IS Financier Shows Jihadists’ Cash Flow Continues from Turkey

US has targeted a Turkey-based member of an Iraqi family that was accused in the past of helping to fund Saddam Hussein’s regime

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