Now playing Next Iraq Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani to step down from presidency Barzani's announcement came as a shock to the Iraqi Kurdish population 29/10/2017
Now playing Next no comment Kurds and SDF soldiers celebrate fall of Raqqa Kurdish YPJ and SDF fighters have announced the fall of Raqqa and the end of ISIL's tyranny in the Syrian city. 18/10/2017
Now playing Next Syria Raqqa falls to US-backed coalition forces US backed Syrian forces celebrate after they take Raqqa from so-called Islamic State fighters. 17/10/2017
Now playing Next Iraq Iraq & Iran rattle sabres in military exercise near Kurdish border The Kurds nervously eye joint Iraqi and Iranian military exercises near their border. 03/10/2017
Now playing Next Iraq Baghdad says Erbril airport off limits for international flights from Friday evening The central Iraqi government has told the Kurds in Erbil their international flights will be embargoed from Friday 6pm local time. 28/09/2017
Now playing Next Iraq Iraq announces punitive measures against Kurdistan Iraq announces punitive measures against Kurdistan following an indepedence vote Baghdad says is unconstitutional. 26/09/2017
Now playing Next Iraq Erdogan cranks up warnings after Iraqi Kurdish independence vote Turkey's president says Iraqi Kurds will go hungry if Ankara imposes sanctions in protest at Monday's referendum. 26/09/2017
Now playing Next Iraq Alarm grows over Kurdish independence referendum in Iraq The UN Security Council has expressed concern about the "potentially destabilising impact" of the vote 22/09/2017
Now playing Next France Freed journalist arrives back in France Loup Bureau says he is both relieved and surprised to have been freed on Friday. 17/09/2017
Now playing Next Syria Syria: Deir el-Zour civilians slowly recover from ISIL siege A market has sprung up in the centre of the city where Syrian government forces recently ended a three-year siege by the militants. 16/09/2017
Now playing Next Iraq ISIL fighters flee Iraqi city Tal Afar to defend nearby al Ayadiya Peshmerga troops round up fleeing ISIL fighters after Tal Afar but hundreds mount defence nearby 29/08/2017
Now playing Next Turkey Turkey, Iran warn Iraqi Kurds over indepedence vote Iran and Turkey are again voicing their opposition to a planned referendum on Iraqi Kurdish independence. 16/08/2017
Now playing Next Syria Big operation against ISIL in Raqqa ISIL militants are coming under further attack in the Syrian city of Raqqa by US-backed Kurdish-led forces 29/07/2017
Now playing Next Syria US-backed troops advance into Raqqah's Old City The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has breached the Old City of Raqqah 04/07/2017
Now playing Next USA Turkish security officers charged over US protest attack The skirmish left nine protesters injured outside the Turkish ambassador's residence in Washington 15/06/2017
Now playing Next Syria Allies launch final assault on Raqqa, ISIL's self-styled Syrian capital Kurdish, Democratic Syrian and US forces have begun what they hope will be the fianl assault on ISIL's Syrian stronghold, Raqqa. 06/06/2017
Now playing Next Turkey Campaigners hit out as Turkish court frees brothers for killing sister 31/05/2017
Now playing Next USA Turkey's Erdogan in US to meet Trump at White House The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has arrived in the US for his first meeting with Donald Trump at the White House. 16/05/2017
Now playing Next Turkey US arming of Syrian Kurds will dominate Turkish president's visit to Washington Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he expects talks in Washington with Donald Trump next week will mark a new beginning in their troubled relations. 12/05/2017