Rikar Hussein

Facing Arms Shortages, IS Turns to Homemade Weapons

Commanders in battlefield in Iraq told VOA this week that months of separate bombing campaigns by US coalition, Russian, and Iraqi government planes have wiped out much of terror group's heavy weapons and equipment

Jihadists Celebrate 9/11 on Social Media, Promise More Attacks

Despite difference on jihadi tactics, bin Laden getting praise for his role in September 11 attacks

Turkish Forces, Syrian Kurds Clash Over Border Wall

Turkish government, unsettled by YPG's control of Kobani, began placing concrete barriers along border several days ago

Pregnant IS Rape Victims Face Challenges Upon Returning to Iraq

After spending months in sexual slavery, more Yazidi female rape victims are coming home impregnated by IS militants or with children

Kurdish Forces Seize 11 Villages from IS in Push Towards Mosul

Clouds of smoke could be seen rising in the area as fighting continued

Iraqi Yazidis Break Religious Tradition for American Volunteer 

Community honored family wish of Leland Stanford Scott, 67, who taught English in refugee camps, to bury him in holly shrine of Sharfadin — where hundreds of Yazidis killed by IS are buried

US-backed Syria Forces Open ‘Trade’ Corridor With IS-held Area

Syrian Democratic Forces say corridor will help boost economic activity of its self-declared Afrin Canton in northern Aleppo, will prevent starvation of civilians in besieged IS territories

IS Accused of Hiding Money, Weapons in Mosul

Islamic State group has been hiding weapons and money in churches, mosques and schools of Iraq’s northern city to keep them safe from coalition airstrikes, Iraqi and Kurdish officials tells VOA

Animals, Weather, Human Access Endanger Yazidi Mass Graves

Yazidis fear that human negligence may cause irreparable damage to evidence of genocide of their community by IS

With its Caliphate Faltering, Islamic State Rushes to Indoctrinate Children

In its self-proclaimed caliphate, IS is schooling thousands of children in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and other places in radical, anti-Western thought and ways of terror, VOA has found

With its Caliphate Faltering, Islamic State Rushes to Indoctrinate Children

Islamic State Gets Tougher on Residents During Ramadan

IS institutes ban on TV, stricter dress code for women in Iraq, Syria; 'Get prepared, be ready ... to make it a month of calamity everywhere for the non-believers,' terror group reportedly says

Iraqi, Syrian Sunni Tribal Leaders Seek Influence in Post-IS Scenario

Analysts believe US should help Sunni tribes become Iraqi forces' second line of defense against IS

Disfigured Yazidi Woman to Get Needed Surgery After VOA Details Plight

Organizations and individuals reach out to help former IS captive who was being held as sex slave, then was blinded by land mine while escaping

Yazidi Woman, Disfigured by Mine After Escaping IS, Awaits Aid

Lamiya Hachi Bashar, 18, one of thousands of Yazidis who have suffered under IS violence, requires treatment that is not available in Iraq, doctor tells VOA

Turkish-Syrian Border Pocket is Heart of Fight Against IS

Kurdish and Syrian rebels close in on Manbij pocket in northern Aleppo, the only patch of land connecting IS-controlled Syrian territory to Turkey

Kurdish Officials: IS Spies in Iraqi Army Compromised US Base

Iraqi officials reject the IS spying allegations, and Kurdish officials concede that they do not have any documented evidence that militants have infiltrated Iraqi army ranks

After 2 Years, Iraqi Village Still Living Islamic State Nightmare

Bashir has been under IS control since mid-2014, following fall of Mosul; militants use town as launching point for mortars laden with chemicals, officials say

Russia Sends Arms to Iraqi Kurds for IS Fight

Delivery comes after Russia's ambassador to Iraq met with Kurdish President Masoud Barzani to discuss closer relations between both sides

Sources: Iraqi Kurdish Officials Sought Emergency Aid From Iran

Discussion stalled, sources say, because Tehran demanded share of Kurdish oil revenues; Kurdish officials estimate their debt at $15B to $18B