https://www.voanews.com/z/598 middle-east https://www.voanews.com/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.voanews.com/z/598 en 2026 - VOA 60 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:22:26 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Other tools include facial recognition, app https://www.voanews.com/a/un-iran-using-drones-to-enforce-hijab-law/8011563.html https://www.voanews.com/a/un-iran-using-drones-to-enforce-hijab-law/8011563.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 04:49:23 -0400 IranMiddle EastTechnologywebdesk@voanews.com (VOA News) 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 ISIS’s 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. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-senior-isis-leader-killed-in-iraqi-intelligence-operation/8011284.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-senior-isis-leader-killed-in-iraqi-intelligence-operation/8011284.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:15:23 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Dilshad Anwar) 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. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-release-of-man-s-confession-sparks-legal-concerns-/8011458.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-release-of-man-s-confession-sparks-legal-concerns-/8011458.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:14:11 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Diyar Jamal) Despite widespread protests, Syria’s newly signed interim constitution is raising deeper concerns about the country’s future. Experts warn that its provisions could form the basis of Syria’s permanent constitution in five years. And many fear the constitution will lead to sectarian rule and threaten Syria’s stability. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-syria-s-interim-constitution-raises-fears-of-sectarian-division-/8011267.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-syria-s-interim-constitution-raises-fears-of-sectarian-division-/8011267.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:13:35 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Balen Salih) 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. Click here for the full Web story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-kurds-in-iran-celebrate-nowruz-despite-threats-from-iranian-guards-/8011468.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-kurds-in-iran-celebrate-nowruz-despite-threats-from-iranian-guards-/8011468.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:13:10 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Ozlem Yasak) 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 seen as the center of important religious decisions. Click here for the full... https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-debate-grows-over-proposal-to-shorten-fasting-hours-during-ramadan-/8011485.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-debate-grows-over-proposal-to-shorten-fasting-hours-during-ramadan-/8011485.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:12:55 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Snur Karim) Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharia, has signed a five-year constitution, raising concerns among Kurdish parties. Critics say it fails to represent Syria’s diverse communities. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-syria-s-interim-constitution-raises-concerns-among-kurds-observers-/8011492.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-syria-s-interim-constitution-raises-concerns-among-kurds-observers-/8011492.html Sat, 15 Mar 2025 01:12:40 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Bafraw Nuri) Iraqi leader announces the death of the IS deputy caliph on social media; Iraqi forces say he was targeted in an airstrike in the Anbar desert https://www.voanews.com/a/iraq-says-key-islamic-state-leader-is-dead/8011115.html https://www.voanews.com/a/iraq-says-key-islamic-state-leader-is-dead/8011115.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:30:26 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Jeff Seldin) The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration in northern and eastern Syria was the first to reject the constitution, calling it exclusionary https://www.voanews.com/a/analysts-see-flaws-in-syria-s-temporary-constitution/8011117.html https://www.voanews.com/a/analysts-see-flaws-in-syria-s-temporary-constitution/8011117.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:28:39 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Sirwan Kajjo) Release of hostage was condition of US 'bridge' proposal https://www.voanews.com/a/us-envoy-says-hamas-misrepresented-release-of-hostage/8011067.html https://www.voanews.com/a/us-envoy-says-hamas-misrepresented-release-of-hostage/8011067.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:35:19 -0400 USAMiddle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (VOA News) 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. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-barzani-urges-syrian-kurdish-unity-in-talks-with-sdf-commander/8010352.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-barzani-urges-syrian-kurdish-unity-in-talks-with-sdf-commander/8010352.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:53:14 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Snur Karim) 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. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-3-prisoners-face-risk-of-amputation-in-iran/8010118.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-3-prisoners-face-risk-of-amputation-in-iran/8010118.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:51:09 -0400 IranMiddle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Bafraw Nuri) The U.S. president sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader to restart talks on Iran’s 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. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-iran-rejects-us-talks-raising-fears-of-conflict-/8010113.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-kurdish-iran-rejects-us-talks-raising-fears-of-conflict-/8010113.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:49:33 -0400 IranMiddle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Balen Saleh) The call comes as the country grapples with renewed violence three months after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad https://www.voanews.com/a/un-urges-end-to-violence-in-syria-14-years-after-arab-spring-protests-/8010694.html https://www.voanews.com/a/un-urges-end-to-violence-in-syria-14-years-after-arab-spring-protests-/8010694.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:23:08 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Aru Pande) Iran-flagged ship Jairan departs southern China port on Monday with new cargo load, according to analysis of ship-tracking websites https://www.voanews.com/a/exclusive-second-iranian-ship-suspected-of-carrying-missile-ingredient-leaves-china/8010476.html https://www.voanews.com/a/exclusive-second-iranian-ship-suspected-of-carrying-missile-ingredient-leaves-china/8010476.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 01:05:35 -0400 Middle EastEast AsiaChina Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Michael Lipin) 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 mother’s physical and mental condition had severely deteriorated, and he had developed motor impairment and a weakened physical condition. Click here for the full story in Persian. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-persian-iranian-american-journalist-ends-hunger-strike-/8010387.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-persian-iranian-american-journalist-ends-hunger-strike-/8010387.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:49:54 -0400 Middle EastIranPress Freedomwebdesk@voanews.com (VOA Persian) 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. https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-warns-iran-against-hindering-peace-deal-with-kurdish-rebels/8010004.html https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-warns-iran-against-hindering-peace-deal-with-kurdish-rebels/8010004.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:32:21 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Dorian Jones) Religious and ethnic minorities, as well as the US and Europe, are wary about freedom of expression protections https://www.voanews.com/a/syrian-leader-signs-constitution-putting-islamist-group-in-charge-for-5-years/8009335.html https://www.voanews.com/a/syrian-leader-signs-constitution-putting-islamist-group-in-charge-for-5-years/8009335.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 09:42:37 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (Associated Press) Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi has left the country, her brother announced, expressing his sentiments with the message: “I wish Iran was a better place for you. ... Earth is your home. Go and shine!” he wrote, addressing Elnaz Rekabi as he shared news of her departure. Rekabi, Iran’s climbing champion, faced government restrictions upon returning to Iran after competing without the mandatory hijab at the Climbing World Championships event amid the 2022 nationwide protests in Iran. Click here... https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-persian-iranian-climber-elnaz-rekabi-leaves-homeland/8008743.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-persian-iranian-climber-elnaz-rekabi-leaves-homeland/8008743.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 02:06:00 -0400 Middle Eastwebdesk@voanews.com (VOA Persian) VOA has learned that a prisoner with cancer who was denied medical care by the authorities of Ghezel Hesar Prison on the pretext of "lack of funds" has died after being transferred to the hospital late. Click here for the full story in Persian. https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-persian-prisoner-dies-in-prison-after-medical-care-denied-/8008754.html https://www.voanews.com/a/voa-persian-prisoner-dies-in-prison-after-medical-care-denied-/8008754.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 02:05:46 -0400 Middle EastIranwebdesk@voanews.com (VOA Persian)