The People’s Equality and Democracy Party, known as DEM, played a key role in facilitating renewed dialogue between the Turkish state and the PKK after jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called in February 2025 for the group to lay down arms and pursue a political settlement.

Speaking to party lawmakers in parliament, DEM co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari said the government had failed to build on the momentum created by Ocalan’s appeal and was slowing progress toward a lasting resolution.

“While such a bright outlook lies ahead of us, and we should be moving at full speed toward the goal of peace, the government is acting in a hesitant, timid and stalling manner,” Hatimogullari said.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, halted attacks and announced in May 2025 that it had decided to disband and end its armed insurgency, which has killed more than 40,000 people since it began in 1984.

Ankara, however, has insisted that the group must take further concrete steps and that any disarmament must be independently verified before broader political or legal reforms can proceed.Government officials and Kurdish representatives have repeatedly traded blame over the pace of implementation, with tensions rising more than a year after expectations of a breakthrough first emerged.

In February, a Turkish parliamentary commission overwhelmingly approved a report outlining a roadmap for legal reforms to accompany the PKK’s disbandment, moving the peace process further into the legislative arena.

The conflict has destabilized Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast for decades and has also spilled across borders into northern Iraq and Syria, where Kurdish militant networks remain active.Hatimogullari said prolonged hesitation risked weakening trust and damaging the broader political opening created by recent developments.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has not publicly responded to her latest remarks.

Zaidi was formally tasked on Monday with forming a cabinet within 30 days, after Iraq’s dominant parliamentary bloc abandoned former prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki following reported U.S. opposition to his return.Five months after parliamentary elections, Iraq remains without a new administration as rival factions continue to compete over leadership positions and ministerial control in a system shaped by sectarian and political power-sharing.

The Coordination Framework, the largest bloc in parliament and an alliance of Shiite factions with varying ties to Iran, had initially backed Maliki, a two-time former premier known for his close relations with Tehran.His candidacy, however, collapsed after what officials described as strong pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly issued an ultimatum opposing Maliki’s return to office.

The bloc has since shifted support to Zaidi and publicly thanked Maliki for stepping aside.Iraq’s state-run INA news agency reported that the Coordination Framework would meet Zaidi on Tuesday to begin talks over cabinet formation and the allocation of ministerial portfolios.Zaidi said he intended to work “with all political forces,” according to INA.

At 40, Zaidi is viewed as a compromise candidate with limited political baggage. He is a businessman, owner of a television channel and a former head of an Iraqi bank that had been barred from conducting U.S. dollar transactions under American anti-money laundering restrictions.He has never previously held a government post.

If he succeeds in forming a government, Zaidi will replace Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, whose hopes of securing a second term weakened after he failed to prevent Iran-backed armed groups from targeting U.S. interests during the recent Middle East war.

A political source told AFP that the Coordination Framework endorsed Zaidi only after consulting U.S. representatives to gauge Washington’s acceptance.Victoria J. Taylor, director of the Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council and a former U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Iraq, said the bloc was unlikely to have advanced Zaidi’s nomination without some confidence that the United States would not object.

“The framework would not have nominated him without some sense that the U.S. would accept his nomination,” she wrote on X.She added that Trump’s public rejection of Maliki had been politically damaging and the alliance was keen to avoid another confrontation with Washington.

Zaidi’s nomination also came 10 days after a senior Iranian commander visited Iraq and held meetings with political leaders, underlining Baghdad’s continued balancing act between Tehran and Washington more than two decades after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the halted transfer involved funds generated from Iraqi oil revenues, while also citing a broader pause in financial flows and security assistance following strikes on U.S. interests in Iraq by groups expressing support for Iran.

An Iraqi government official told AFP that only one shipment had failed to arrive, attributing the delay to logistical constraints and airspace closures linked to the ongoing regional conflict. A central bank official separately said dollar transfers had slowed due to flight suspensions and security concerns but stressed that Iraq maintains sufficient reserves and has not requested additional funds.

However, an Iraqi security official confirmed that Washington had suspended elements of its security cooperation, including programs tied to training and counterterrorism operations.

U.S. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott acknowledged Iraqi efforts to respond to attacks but said that support for militia groups by some political actors was harming bilateral relations. He said the United States expects Iraq to take immediate steps to dismantle Iran-aligned factions and warned that attacks on U.S. interests would not be tolerated.

The State Department recently summoned Iraq’s ambassador in Washington to condemn attacks, including an ambush on U.S. diplomats in Baghdad on April 8. U.S. officials did not directly comment on the reported cash transfer decision, and the Treasury Department declined to respond.

Iraq has been drawn deeper into regional tensions, with Iran-backed groups carrying out rocket and drone attacks targeting U.S. diplomatic and military sites, including the embassy in Baghdad and facilities in Erbil, where coalition forces are stationed.

Most attacks have been intercepted, according to officials.The United States retains significant financial leverage over Iraq, as revenues from Iraqi oil exports are largely held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York under arrangements established after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that removed former leader Saddam Hussein.

According to the New York Times, the suspension of funding also affects programs supporting Iraq’s military and efforts against the Islamic State group, a cornerstone of U.S.-Iraq security cooperation since the militant group’s territorial expansion in 2014.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, Esmail Qaani, head of Iran’s Quds Force, visited Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials and armed faction leaders aimed at addressing regional de-escalation and its implications for Iraq.

Pro-Iran armed groups announced earlier this month a temporary halt to attacks following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, though tensions remain elevated across the region.

At least three people were killed and five others wounded when rockets struck a house in the Khor Al-Zubair area near Basra, according to security and health officials.

Authorities said the death toll could rise as some victims remained trapped under rubble.Police said demonstrators gathered outside the Kuwaiti consulate before storming the premises, damaging property in response to the attack.

Kuwait condemned the incident, describing the storming and vandalism of its consulate as a serious breach of diplomatic norms. In a statement, the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry said Iraq bears responsibility for ensuring the protection of diplomatic missions on its territory.

The ministry also said Kuwait was not involved in any regional conflict and would not permit its territory to be used as a launch point for attacks against other countries.

The incident highlights heightened tensions in the region amid ongoing instability linked to broader Middle East conflicts.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the agreement followed mediation efforts led by Pakistan, adding he would suspend threats of military action if Iran upheld the ceasefire and ensured full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad would host talks between U.S. and Iranian delegations on Friday, describing both sides as constructively engaged. He expressed hope that the proposed “Islamabad Talks” would lead to sustainable peace.

China said it welcomed the ceasefire, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stating Beijing would continue efforts to restore stability in the Middle East.Iraq’s foreign ministry also supported the development, calling for “serious and sustainable dialogue” to address underlying disputes and build trust between the parties.

Turkiye backed the planned negotiations in Islamabad and stressed the importance of full implementation of the ceasefire on the ground, while Australia thanked mediators including Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia for their role in de-escalation efforts.

Egypt underscored the need to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity across the region, particularly for Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan, warning against any violations that could threaten regional stability.

The United Nations welcomed the ceasefire, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging all parties to comply with international law and uphold the terms of the agreement to pave the way for comprehensive peace.Indonesia also called for respect for sovereignty and diplomacy, while Germany’s foreign minister described the truce as a critical first step toward avoiding further escalation.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the ceasefire would bring “a moment of relief” and confirmed plans to engage Gulf partners on ensuring the permanent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Financial markets responded positively to the announcement, with oil prices falling and global stocks rising after Iran agreed to allow safe passage through the key waterway, which carries a significant share of the world’s energy supplies.

Up to 60 international missions would typically be active at Iraqi excavation sites, but all have now left the country, according to a government official in Baghdad, halting work on some of the world’s oldest known civilizations.

German archaeologist Adelheid Otto of the University of Munich said her team had begun work at the ancient city of Shuruppak, modern-day Tell Fara, on Feb. 28, the day the conflict started. The group initially continued operations despite nearby rocket and drone activity.

However, Iraqi authorities later advised them to leave, cutting short research that had already yielded discoveries including ancient cuneiform tablets.

Otto described the interruption as a significant setback to ongoing work.At the site of Nippur, a 6,000-year-old city, University of Chicago professor Augusta McMahon said her team departed on March 10 under pressure to evacuate amid escalating security concerns.

The eight-member team was escorted out of the area by Iraqi officials.McMahon said the evacuation marked her third withdrawal from the region in recent years, following earlier disruptions in Iraq in 2024 and Syria in 2011.

She noted the impact on both international researchers and Iraqi colleagues, whose work depends heavily on sustained field access.

The suspension of excavations leaves key heritage sites, including those linked to early Mesopotamian civilizations, without active international collaboration as security conditions remain uncertain.

The attack occurred early on Saturday, with security sources confirming that the residence of Barzani was targeted. No immediate details were provided on casualties or damage.

Air defense systems also intercepted and shot down another drone near a base used by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in Duhok province, the sources added.

Sudani condemned the incident and held a phone call with Barzani following the attack, according to a statement from his office. He directed the formation of a joint federal and Kurdistan regional security and technical team to investigate the strikes and identify those responsible.

The move reflects Baghdad’s effort to manage growing instability in the north, where overlapping security jurisdictions between federal and regional authorities complicate response mechanisms.

The incident comes amid a surge in attacks involving Iran-aligned militias and Kurdish forces, as the broader US–Israel war against Iran increasingly spills into Iraqi territory.

Airstrikes in recent weeks have targeted positions associated with the Popular Mobilization Forces as well as Kurdish Peshmerga units in the Kurdistan Region.

Iraq’s military has accused the United States and Israel of conducting some of these strikes.In parallel, Tehran-backed armed groups have launched attacks on U.S. military installations in Iraq and on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, underscoring the widening scope of the confrontation.

The PMF said in a statement that its Anbar operations commander, Saad al-Baiji, was among those killed when a strike hit a command headquarters during a security meeting attended by senior personnel.

The group accused the United States of carrying out the attack, saying the facility was targeted while fighters were on duty.Health officials said several of the wounded were in critical condition, indicating the death toll could rise.

Security sources told Reuters the airstrike targeted the PMF headquarters during a high-level coordination meeting, amplifying the impact of the attack. The extent of structural damage to the site was not immediately clear.

There was no immediate confirmation or comment from U.S. officials regarding the allegation.

The PMF, also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, is a state-sanctioned umbrella organisation comprising predominantly Shi’ite paramilitary factions. It was formally integrated into Iraq’s security apparatus but includes several groups aligned with Iran.

The strike comes amid intensifying regional tensions following the outbreak of a U.S.-Israeli war with Iran in February. Tehran-backed armed groups have since launched repeated attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, raising concerns of a broader conflict.

Hostilities have spread beyond Iran’s borders, with Tehran carrying out strikes against Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting U.S. military facilities, while Israel has conducted attacks in Lebanon following cross-border fire by Iran-aligned Hezbollah.

The world’s largest oil importer boosted production through a combination of intensified drilling at ageing fields, offshore expansion and early-stage shale development, but experts say further gains will be constrained by rising costs and geological limits.

China’s output reached about 4.32 million barrels per day last year, and government targets outlined in its latest five-year plan call for maintaining production near 4 million bpd through 2030.

Industry observers view this level as a strategic baseline to support manufacturing and energy security.

Despite these efforts, China remains heavily dependent on imports, which stood at 11.55 million bpd last year, underscoring the structural gap between domestic supply and demand.

Zhu Weilin said national oil companies are working to sustain output at current levels to guard against supply disruptions, particularly as global markets face volatility.

Much of China’s production resilience comes from mature oilfields such as Daqing oil field, a cornerstone of the country’s energy sector for decades. The field continues to produce roughly 600,000 bpd, supported by advanced recovery techniques.

Engineers have deployed “tertiary recovery” methods, including chemical injection, to extract remaining reserves from ageing wells.

These techniques can increase output by about 20% compared to traditional water-injection methods.The scale of such operations has made China a global leader in enhanced oil recovery, with expertise exported to projects in countries including Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

While shale oil output is expected to grow and potentially double by 2035, analysts say it remains commercially challenging due to higher extraction costs and technical complexity.

Offshore production, another key driver of recent growth, is also showing signs of slowing expansion, further limiting upside potential.

The production plateau comes as China navigates shifting energy dynamics, including slowing economic growth and a transition toward electrification in transport, which is expected to temper demand growth over time.

At the same time, disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East a region supplying roughly half of China’s crude imports have reinforced the importance of maintaining stable domestic output.

The sites were inaugurated on Wednesday in the presence of Iraq’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, the President of the Sunni Waqf, the Governor of Nineveh, and the Chaldean and Syriac Orthodox archbishops. Local residents joined representatives of international partners who helped fund and carry out the restoration.

The projects were financed by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) as part of its Mosul Mosaic programme, launched in 2019 with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH). The initiative aims to rebuild the city’s cultural and religious landmarks destroyed between 2014 and 2017.

“These monuments, once symbols of Mosul’s diversity, now stand as symbols of its resilience,” said Bariza Khiari, chair of the ALIPH Foundation Board. “Their restoration shows what can be achieved through determination and cooperation.”

The Al-Tahira Chaldean Church, an 18th-century site revered by both Christians and Muslims, has regained its signature dome and ornamental carvings that were lost during the Daesh occupation.

The Mar Toma Syriac Orthodox Church, dating back to the seventh century, was rebuilt after being vandalised and partially destroyed during the battle for Mosul. Its thirteenth-century marble “Door of the Twelve Apostles” has been fully restored.

The Al-Raabiya Mosque, constructed in 1766 and badly damaged in 2017, now once again displays its distinctive Ottoman-era stone mihrab decorated with geometric motifs.

Since 2018, ALIPH has funded nearly 50 projects across Iraq, investing more than $25 million in Mosul alone. The Mosul Mosaic programme has also supported the rehabilitation of the city’s museum, scheduled to reopen in 2026, and several other historic sites including the Al-Masfi Mosque and the Beit al-Tutunji House.

Founded in Geneva in 2017, ALIPH supports the protection and restoration of cultural heritage in conflict zones. Backed by countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, and France, the foundation has financed more than 550 projects in 54 countries.

For the people of Mosul, the reopening of these sacred sites represents more than reconstruction. It marks, at last, the return of life to the city’s war-scarred heart.