Nechirvan Barzani Mohammed bin Zayed Erbil Consulate
ARK News.. Nechirvan Barzani held a phone call with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during which he condemned the drone attack targeting the UAE consulate in Erbil.
During the call on Tuesday evening, March 10, 2026, Barzani strongly denounced “the drone attack launched last night by outlaw groups in Iraq against the city of Erbil, which targeted and damaged the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates.”
The Kurdistan Region’s president stressed that the federal government in Iraq must fulfill its responsibilities in protecting diplomatic missions and take serious steps to deter such groups and arrest and punish those responsible for these sabotage attacks, which pose a real threat to Iraq’s sovereignty and stability.
For his part, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed thanked Barzani for his call and stance, affirming the UAE’s continued support for the stability of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
Earlier Tuesday, the UAE announced that its Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region had been targeted by a drone attack, causing material damage but no reported casualties.
Since the first day of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, the Kurdistan Region — particularly Erbil — has faced repeated drone and rocket attacks.
According to local media reports, 222 drones and rockets have struck the Kurdistan Region since the outbreak of the war until late Monday night, resulting in casualties.
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U.S. Condemns Terrorist Attacks Targeting the Kurdistan Region
ARK News.. Marco Rubio strongly condemned the terrorist attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region during a phone call with Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani.
According to a statement by Tommy Pigott, Rubio held a phone conversation late Monday night, March 9, 2026, with the Iraqi prime minister to discuss the latest security developments and bilateral relations.
The statement noted that Rubio strongly condemned terrorist attacks carried out by Iran and allied militias inside Iraq, including attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region.
During the call, both sides also stressed the critical importance of the Iraqi government taking all necessary measures to protect U.S. diplomatic personnel and facilities across the country and ensure their safety from any threats.
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Erbil Calls on Baghdad to Put an End to Extremist and Outlaw Groups
ARK News.. The Kurdistan Regional Government Department of Foreign Relations strongly condemned the attacks targeting civilians, civil institutions, and diplomatic missions, confirming that the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates in Erbil was targeted overnight.
In an official statement, the department said the “unjustified attacks constitute a blatant violation of international laws and norms,” adding that it was regrettable that the Emirati consulate had been targeted. However, it noted that fortunately the attack did not result in any casualties.
The statement reaffirmed Erbil’s consistent stance regarding the current tensions, stressing that the Kurdistan Region “is not part of this war, but has always been and will remain a supporter of peace, stability, and peaceful coexistence in the region.”
The Department of Foreign Relations also issued a direct call to the Government of Iraq in Baghdad, urging it to “assume its responsibilities in protecting Iraq’s sovereignty and to put an end to extremist and outlaw groups operating inside the country that continue to target the Kurdistan Region under false pretexts.”
Erbil, Baghdad, Outlaw Groups
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CENTCOM: More Than 5,000 Targets Hit in Iran Within 10 Days
ARK News.. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) released an official statement revealing the results of the first ten days of Operation “Epic Fury”, launched against Iran.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out under direct orders from Donald Trump and focused primarily on Iranian military and security infrastructure.
CENTCOM reported that more than 5,000 targets were struck, including headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, facilities used to manufacture drones and ballistic missiles, as well as anti-ship missile launch platforms.
On the maritime front, the command confirmed the destruction of more than 50 Iranian vessels and submarines.
The statement added that the strikes were carried out using formations of advanced fighter jets and strategic bombers, including Rockwell B-1 Lancer, Northrop B-2 Spirit, and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.
CENTCOM also noted that the operation employed “unspecified special capabilities,” which resulted in the complete paralysis of Iran’s air defense systems and military communication networks.
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International Coalition Downs Three Explosive Drones Over Erbil
ARK News.. The Kurdistan Region Counter-Terrorism Service announced late Monday, March 9, 2026, that three explosive-laden drones were intercepted and shot down over the skies of Erbil.
In a statement, the agency said that at 22:24 local time, International Coalition against ISIS forces successfully destroyed and downed three booby-trapped drones before they could reach their intended targets.
The statement added that debris from one of the drones fell near the Consulate of the United Arab Emirates in Erbil, confirming that the incident caused no casualties or injuries.
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Mujtaba Khamenei Appointed Supreme Leader of Iran, Succeeding His Father
ARK News.. Iran’s Assembly of Experts has announced the appointment of Mujtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in the recent Israeli-American attack on Iran earlier this month.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported today, Monday, March 9, 2026, that the Assembly of Experts voted overwhelmingly to select Mujtaba Khamenei as the third leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
His appointment comes amid escalating U.S.-Israeli campaigns against Iran since February 28, which have targeted critical infrastructure, key facilities, and military leadership. In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries, widening the scope of the conflict.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Axios earlier that Mujtaba Khamenei had long been considered a leading candidate to succeed his father, calling the possibility “unacceptable.”
He added that he favors different leadership in Iran and expressed interest in having a role in selecting the next Iranian leader, citing a precedent in Venezuela.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Mujtaba in 2019, describing him as an official representative of the Supreme Leader despite never holding an elected or official government position, according to Reuters.
Mujtaba, 56, is a cleric with significant influence who has long opposed reformist groups advocating engagement with the West. In recent years, his name has been closely associated with Iran’s decision-making circles.
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Al-Arida Border Crossing Reopens to Receive Returning Syrians from Lebanon
ARK News.. The Director of Public Relations at the Syrian General Authority for Borders and Customs, Mazen Aloush, announced the reopening of the al-Arida border crossing starting Sunday morning, March 8, to receive Syrians residing in Lebanon who wish to return home.
Aloush stated in a post that, following coordination with the Syrian embassy in Lebanon, the authority decided to open the Al-Arida crossing. He noted that, at this stage, the crossing is designated for pedestrians only, allowing one-way movement from Lebanon to Syria, and transporting household furniture is not permitted, as the bridge leading to the crossing still requires maintenance.
The General Authority for Borders and Customs reported yesterday that 65,000 Syrian citizens have returned from Lebanon through border crossings since the beginning of March.
The return of Syrians from Lebanon to Syrian territory has increased noticeably in recent days, amid heightened security tensions and the recent Israeli escalation in Lebanon.
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Masrour Barzani: Attacks on the Kurdistan Region Reflect Deep Hatred Toward Kurdistan and Its People
ARK News.. Masrour Barzani stated on Sunday, March 8, 2026, that the attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region are unjustified, calling on Government of Iraq and the Iraqi parliament to intervene immediately to halt the assaults.
In a press statement, Barzani strongly condemned the attacks on the Kurdistan Region, stressing that they lack any justification and instead “reflect deep hatred and hostility toward Kurdistan and its people.”
He added: “Those chauvinists must realize that the hostile stance they are adopting today against the Kurdistan Region will not be erased from the memory of our people.”
The prime minister also called on the federal government and the Iraqi parliament to take a clear position and put an end to “these criminals,” noting: “Unfortunately, the groups committing these acts continue to be funded, paid salaries, and supplied with weapons by the government in Baghdad.”
Barzani continued: “Our demand is that these terrorists stop attacking Kurdistan and do not force us into taking other positions.” He stressed that the Kurdistan Regional Government will not accept the continuation of such attacks and will not allow the blood of its martyrs to be shed in vain.
“We are doing everything we can to keep Kurdistan away from wars and conflicts,” he said, adding that, as Masoud Barzani previously stated, “everything has its limits.” He expressed hope that the federal government would seriously intervene to stop the perpetrators and cease supporting them.
Barzani reiterated that the Kurdistan Region has never been—and will never be—a source of threat to neighboring countries, while also calling on the international community to contribute to protecting the region’s security.
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President Barzani: We Assure the People of Kurdistan that the Blood of the Martyrs Will Not Be in Vain
ARK News.. Masoud Barzani and Masrour Barzani attended the funeral reception on Sunday, March 8, 2026, for martyr Welat Taher, who was killed late Saturday night in a drone attack targeting Erbil International Airport.
In a statement to the media, President Barzani said: “As we can see, the entire region is going through complex circumstances, and from the very beginning we have sought to keep Kurdistan away from these wars and tragedies.”
He added: “Unfortunately, we see that some outlaw groups are attempting to impose war on us and create problems.”
President Barzani further called on Government of Iraq, the Iraqi parliament, and political forces in Baghdad to put an end to “these criminals.”
Concluding his remarks, President Barzani said: “We assure the people of Kurdistan that the blood of martyr Welat and the other martyrs will not be in vain.”
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PYD Administration Cuts Heating Diesel Supply to Amouda
Welat TV – Erbil
Residents of Amouda and its surrounding countryside in Syrian Kurdistan have experienced growing public anger and concern in recent days after the local fuel department halted the distribution of the second batch of heating diesel, according to a local source.
The report, published by the Kurdish National Council in Syria, stated that the decision came at a sensitive time, as thousands of residents in Amouda rely on heating diesel to cope with cold weather and operate home heating systems.
Diesel is also used in some cases to run electricity generators or meet urgent household needs, particularly for families with elderly members or patients.
According to the source, the situation has worsened further because free-market diesel has also disappeared from local fuel stations, leaving residents with virtually no alternatives.
The crisis is becoming even more difficult with the arrival of Ramadan, a period when families typically need more stable living conditions. Many residents now face a double hardship: cold temperatures on one hand and the absence of diesel fuel on the other.
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