Iran strike sparks dispute with Iraq as fears of regional upheaval grow; Pakistan says Iran violated airspace, killing two children
Dubai, United Arab Emirates/Baghdad, Iraq Reuters An Iranian missile strike on targets in northern Iraq set off an unusual dispute between the neighbouring allies on Tuesday, with Baghdad recalling its ambassador in protest and Tehran insisting the attack was intended to deter threats from Israeli spies. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards hit what they called an Israeli […]
Heavy security in Iranian cities on anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in custody – rights groups, witnesses
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Iranian security forces deployed in the hometown of Mahsa Amini in anticipation of a flare-up in unrest marking this weekend’s first anniversary of her death in morality police custody, witnesses, social media posts and rights groups said on Friday. The 16th September death of Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd arrested for allegedly […]
Digital rights: Iran steps up internet crackdown one year after Mahsa Amini death
SANAM MAHOOZI, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports that one year after nationwide protests erupted in Iran, people suffer rolling internet blackouts, but create an online freedom community to fight for digital rights…
Iran attacks Iraq’s Erbil with missiles in warning to US, allies
Erbil, Iraq Reuters Iran attacked Iraq’s northern city of Erbil on Sunday with a dozen ballistic missiles in an unprecedented assault on the capital of the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region that appeared to target the United States and its allies. The missiles came down in areas near a new US consulate building, according to Kurdish […]
Vatican defends Pope’s Iraq trip amid virus as “act of love”
Vatican CityAP The Vatican defended Pope Francis’ decision to go ahead with his trip to Iraq this weekend despite rising coronavirus infections there, saying Tuesday all healthcare precautions have been taken and that the trip is an “act of love for this land, for its people and for its Christians.” Francis is due to visit […]
Iraqi archbishop tells USAID delegation to hurry up aid delivery
World Watch Monitor An Iraqi Catholic archbishop has said he and other bishops are “delighted” that the US aid arm is to make good on a pledge to send aid directly to non-Muslim communities recovering from the so-called Islamic State’s occupation of their towns and villages, but warned “time is running [out]”. Archbishop Bashar Warda […]
IRAQ: PRAYING FOR A PEACEMAKER – WHAT DO ELECTIONS MEAN FOR THE REMAINING CHRISTIANS?
ABIGAIL FRYMANN ROUCH, in an article first published on World Watch Monitor, looks at what this weekend’s elections mean for Christians in Iraq…
BOOKS: ABDUCTED – ONE CLERIC’S ACCOUNT OF HIS KIDNAPPING IN IRAQ
A World Watch Monitor correspondent looks at an Iraqi bishop’s gripping account of his abduction at the hands of violent Islamic extremists…
New university in Erbil, Iraq, offers fresh hope for young lives disrupted by IS
World Watch Monitor The new Catholic University of Erbil wants to create a diverse and inclusive community and has more female than male students. PICTURE: World Watch Monitor Displaced young Iraqis whose education was halted by Islamic State’s violent seizure of territory are receiving a vital opportunity to catch up and train for professional life, […]