Iraq

A group of Iraqi hackers have created fake Isis propaganda sites to disrupt the communication network used be the terrorist organisation.

Remains of more than 340 Yazidi Kurds were found in a mass grave outside Mosul. They are believed to have been executed by Isis terrorists.

"Sarah is trying her best despite the difficult circumstances," said a representative in an exclusive interview with IBTimes UK.

Iraqi forces, aided by the US and local tribal fighters, have liberated the town of Rawah in western Anbar.

Iraq's interior minister Qasim al-Araji has said agents from his country have infiltrated Isis sleeper cells to prevent further bomb attacks.

Human rights activists protest against Iraq's bill of Jafaari Personal Status Law that could legalise child marriage, marital rape and ban Muslims from marrying non-Muslims.

Zana Yusif has been jailed for 15 years after he killed vulnerable Bangladeshi grandfather Tarek Chowdhury, 64, in a cell at the Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre in London.

At least 61 people have died in Iran after a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Halabja, Iraq, close to the border of Iran.

The former prime minster suggested that the UK may never have entered had crucial intelligence been revealed sooner.

Hours after the Syrian army liberated the city of Deir al-Zour from Isis, came the news that Iraqi forces had entered al-Qaim.

A six-month pregnant American teenager, who was taken to Syria against her will by her father, is set to return home to Kansas.

Mohamad Khweis found life in Syrian and Iraq distasteful and escaped after a few months. He surrendered in northern Iraq to Kurdish forces, who broadcast his capture around the world.

Even at these taxing times, the urge only to punish has to be curbed. If it isn't, a liberal democracy will become an elected autocracy. And then no one is safe.

Kurdish forces, called the peshmerga, had driven Isis out of Kirkuk. Now their positions in the city are under attack from the Iraqi army, its former ally against Islamic State.

At least 6,000 Kurdish troops are believed to have been deployed to the oil-rich city in response to Baghdad's alleged threats.

Iraqi forces and Shia paramilitaries have entered the town of Hawija, one of just two pockets of territory still under control of Islamic State (Isis/Daesh) in Iraq.

Talabani served Iraq from 2005 to 2011 as leader, during a time of immense upheaval. He had been in poor health for a number of years.

The holiest day in the Shia calendar is observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year, to mourn the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Move part of Baghdad's stepped-up efforts to isolate the Kurds following their vote on independence earlier this week.

Many devotees beat their heads and chests with chains and knives, and gash their heads with swords to show their grief and echo the suffering of Imam Hussein.

The reclusive Isis warlord has not been seen in years and has a $25m (£19m) US bounty on his head.

Companies allege Baghdad is employing strong-arm taxation tactics to extort more money.

Isis, which controls pockets of the country, said it was behind the attacks.

The outcome, almost certain to be "yes," will further rattle a region still engulfed in the fight against the Isis.

Turkish state media said 22 of the jihadists, detained in Istanbul, were foreign nationals.

Countries are working to boost ties in their bid to diminish Iran's growing influence in the Middle East.

One soldier was also taken hostage, the terror group said in a statement.

Mosul was recently declared liberated from Isis after months of fighting.

The former UK Prime Minister discussed her plans with US defence secretary Dick Cheney.

"Of all the wars I have covered in various countries, Mosul has been the worst."