UN: Iran using drones to enforce hijab law

A Friday report by the United Nations says Iran is using advanced technology, including drones, facial recognition and a citizen-reporting app to crack down on violations of its mandatory hijab laws.

A key element of the effort is the government-backed Nazer app, which enables the police and vetted members of the public to report alleged violations by women in vehicles, including those in ambulances, mass t...

VOA Kurdish: Senior ISIS leader killed in Iraqi intelligence operation

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani announced that Abu Khadija was killed in an operation by Iraqi intelligence with support from coalition forces. Abu Khadija was one of ISISs most active leaders, responsible for operations along the Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salahaddin borders. He was seen as the driving force behind ISIS attacks on Iraqi forces.

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VOA Kurdish: Release of man’s confession sparks legal concerns

The case of a man whose confession was made public by Irbil security forces last month has raised questions about how the security forces in the Kurdistan Region treat people they arrest. Human rights groups and lawyers say this is not the first time something like this has happened.

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VOA Kurdish: Syria’s interim constitution raises fears of sectarian division

Despite widespread protests, Syrias newly signed interim constitution is raising deeper concerns about the countrys future. Experts warn that its provisions could form the basis of Syrias permanent constitution in five years. And many fear the constitution will lead to sectarian rule and threaten Syrias stability.

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VOA Kurdish: Kurds in Iran celebrate Nowruz despite threats from Iranian Guards

Despite numerous threats from the security institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent days, Nowroz celebrations are taking place in many cities on Friday across Kurdish regions, two Kurdish human rights groups said.

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VOA Kurdish: Debate grows over proposal to shorten fasting hours during Ramadan

The Saudi crown prince plans to discuss reducing the hours of fasting for Muslims during Ramadan. However, the Kurdistan Regional Government Fatwa Committee says it is not right to follow political decisions on fasting. On the other hand, the former director of the Ministry of Religious Affairs told VOA that if Saudi Arabia makes such a decision, others should consider following it, because Saudi Arabia is still s...

VOA Kurdish: Syria's interim constitution raises concerns among Kurds, observers

Syrias interim president, Ahmed al-Sharia, has signed a five-year constitution, raising concerns among Kurdish parties. Critics say it fails to represent Syrias diverse communities.

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Iraq says key Islamic State leader is dead

WASHINGTON — One of the Islamic State terror groups most senior leaders is dead, killed in what U.S. and Iraqi officials describe as a joint operation.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani was first to share word of the successful counterterrorism strike, announcing on social media Friday that the countrys intelligence service successfully eliminated IS deputy caliph Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufa...

Analysts see flaws in Syria's temporary constitution

WASHINGTON — Syrias newly adopted constitution is facing criticism from legal experts and political groups arguing that its loopholes could deepen division and instability in the conflict-ridden country.

Three months after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assads government, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a constitutional declaration Thursday that will serve as Syrias constitution during t...

VOA Kurdish: Barzani urges Syrian Kurdish unity in talks with SDF commander

Former Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani spoke to Mazlum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, to discuss the recent agreement between SDF and the Syrian interim government. Barzani encouraged broader participation from other Syrian Kurdish parties, including the Kurdish National Council in Syria, to strengthen Kurdish representation beyond the SDF alone.

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VOA Kurdish: 3 prisoners face risk of amputation in Iran

Three Kurdish and Lorestan prisoners have been told they may soon have four fingers cut off as punishment for theft. The Iranian court says they must get forgiveness from the people who accused them by next month, or the punishment will go forward. The men have spent nine years in prison. Human rights groups say this kind of punishment is like torture and goes against international laws.

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VOA Kurdish: Iran rejects US talks, raising fears of conflict

The U.S. president sent a letter to Irans supreme leader to restart talks on Irans nuclear program, but Iran refused. Experts think Iran is preparing for war, as shown by its military drills. The U.S. has added new sanctions, and President Donald Trump says military action is still possible, although he hopes for a new deal.

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UN urges end to violence in Syria 14 years after Arab Spring protests

The U.N. special envoy for Syria is calling for an end to violence and for the protection of civilians, as the country grapples with renewed violence three months after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

Geir Pedersen issued his appeal Friday, which is the 14th anniversary of the start of pro-democracy protests of al-Assad that led to more than a decade of civil war.

What began as a plea for refo...

VOA Persian: Iranian American journalist ends hunger strike

Reza Valizadeh, a dual-citizen Iranian American journalist imprisoned in Iran, ended his hunger strike after six days on Thursday out of concern for his mother, who went on the hunger strike with him. Valizadeh said family members asked him to end the strike because his mothers physical and mental condition had severely deteriorated, and he had developed motor impairment and a weakened physical condition.

C...

Turkey warns Iran against hindering peace deal with Kurdish rebels

Tensions are rising between Turkey and Iran, with Ankara warning Tehran not to undermine efforts to end its war with a Kurdish rebel group, the PKK. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, a peace deal with the Kurdish rebels would be a boost for Turkey in its race to gain influence in Syria.