Rikar Hussein

Yazidi sex slave rescued from Gaza in rare, internationally collaborative mission

Iraq-Israel diplomatic rift was complicating factor in rescue of a 21-year-old Yazidi captive of Islamic State militants

Political parties in Kurdistan Region seek female, minority candidates

Dozens of ethno-religious minority and female candidates have joined a heated competition to win votes in October 20 parliamentary elections

Kurdistan Region set to hold long-delayed parliamentary election

The Kurdistan Region formally started its campaign on September 25, a date that coincides with the anniversary of its 2017 referendum for independence from Iraq

Kurds Question Iraq’s Will and US Loyalty After Iran Attacks Their Capital

Autonomous Kurdistan Region is finding itself increasingly caught in the recent round of conflict in the Middle East conflict -- triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

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

Iraqi Kurdish Officials Attend COP28 Looking for Support

Top officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq are in Dubai with the hope of gaining support for their region's climate change battle

Cash-Starved Iraqi Kurds See Iran’s Hand in Budget Crisis

An Iranian military buildup near the border with Iraqi Kurdistan adds to fears that Kurdish self-rule is under threat

Iran Increases Troops Near Kurdistan Region, Threatening Ground Operation

Iran Conducts Missile Attacks in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Leaders of Kurdish opposition groups tell VOA they believe Tehran launched missiles against their headquarters to divert attention from anti-veil protests in Iran

The Politics of Iran's 'Forbidden Names'

A look at the bureaucracy in Iran that decides on people's names

Facebook Removes Kurdish Pages Linked to Misinformation on Belarus Migrant Crisis

After questions from VOA, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, removed two far-reaching pages for spreading misinformation about the Belarus migrant crisis

Iran Ups Pressure on Kurdish Rebels

Tehran in early September launched a major bombing campaign against Iranian Kurdish rebels in Iraq's Kurdistan region

Afghan Migration Swells Amid Taliban Violence, Uncertain Future

Afghans are leaving their country in greater numbers due to increased violence between the government and the Taliban

VOA Exclusive: Iraq Foreign Minister Says Deal Imminent on Withdrawal of US 'Fighting Forces'

Fuad Hussein says he expects an Iraqi delegation to reach an agreement with the Biden administration Friday on the departure of US troops

Indonesian Villagers Demand ‘Firm Action’ After Terror Attack Kills 4

Christian villagers in Indonesia’s Kalemago are appealing for government support after an attack Tuesday by banned group East Indonesia Mujahedeen left four coffee farmers dead

Newlyweds Used Pressure Cooker Bombs in Church Attack, Indonesian Police Say

Officials say perpetrators of Sunday church attack were married months ago, and had ties to Islamic State-linked Jamaah Ansharut Daulah

Some Exiled Rohingya See ‘Rare Opportunity’ in Myanmar Coup

They say minority group can find common cause with those protesting country's military coup

Who Are Iran-backed Militants Struck by US in Syria?

Kataeb Hezbollah and Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada, two of the Iran-backed militias based in Iraq and operating in Syria, were struck Thursday by US military in eastern Syria

What Is Known About Group Claiming Attack on US Base in Irbil

Guardians of Blood Brigade militant group has claimed responsibility for rocket attacks that killed a US-led coalition contractor and injured several other people

Myanmar Religious Leaders Call for Peace, Tolerance Amid Increasing Unrest

Religious leaders in Myanmar are asking for a strong initiative to end unrest and establish tolerance in the country ahead of November elections