Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi insisted on Thursday that the Kurdish independence referendum be declared void, in an apparent rejection of an offer by the Kurdistan region to “freeze” its push for independence as part of efforts to resolve the crisis through talks. - Reuters
Earlier this month, the Iraqi army freed the city of Hawija from control by the Islamic State, leading 1,000 militants, who had operated a regime of comprehensive violence in the city, to surrender to Kurdish authorities. Mr. Nordland was able to interview some of the men in detention — an experience he described on Facebook Live on Oct. 24. - New York Times
Iraqi troops and popular mobilization forces began shelling Peshmerga positions from Zummar in northern Nineveh province, the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) said on Thursday. - Reuters
Iran opened a border crossing with the Kurdistan region of Iraq Wednesday after having closed it following last month’s vote in favor of independence in the Kurdish area, Iranian state media reported. - Reuters
A vital force that helped defeat the Islamic State group, or a dangerous tool of Iran? Fighters from Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi are a controversial irregular element battling on the country's frontlines. - Agence-France Presse