U.S. Warns Citizens of Rising Hostilities in Syria
Welat TV – Erbil
The United States Department of State has warned American citizens about escalating hostilities in Syria amid rising regional tensions following the war against Iran that began on February 28.
In a statement posted on the platform X, the State Department said the United States Embassy in Damascus has suspended its operations since 2012, meaning the U.S. government cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to American citizens inside Syria.
The statement added that Czech Republic currently serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Syria.
American citizens requiring urgent assistance who cannot contact the U.S. Interests Section at the Czech Embassy in Damascus were advised to reach out to the United States Embassy in Amman in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
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Barzani Congratulates Women on International Women’s Day
Welat TV – Erbil
Masoud Barzani sent a congratulatory message on Saturday marking International Women's Day, extending his greetings to women in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and around the world.
In his message, Barzani praised the historic and heroic role of Kurdish women in the national liberation movement, highlighting their sacrifices and resilience throughout the struggle of the Kurdish people.
“On the occasion of March 8, International Women’s Day, I extend my warmest congratulations to the women of Kurdistan, Iraq, and the entire world,” Barzani said.
He expressed deep appreciation for the position of Kurdish women, emphasizing that they have always been an essential and central part of the Kurdish people’s struggle and perseverance. He added that the burden of the revolution and the hardship of sacrifices often fell on the shoulders of Kurdistan’s women, who demonstrated exceptional courage and dedication.
At the conclusion of his message, Barzani wished all women a future filled with happiness, dignity, and success, reaffirming continued support for their struggle to achieve their full rights.
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CENTCOM: Iran Deliberately Targeting Civilians Across the Middle East
ARK News.. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed details of a new Iranian attack targeting the Bahrain.
According to CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper, Iranian forces launched seven drones overnight toward civilian areas and residential neighborhoods in Bahrain.
Cooper strongly condemned the attack, accusing Iran of deliberately targeting civilians across the Middle East, adding that Iran has so far carried out attacks affecting 12 different countries.
In another part of the statement, the CENTCOM commander issued a stern warning, saying:
“This action is unacceptable and will not go unanswered.”
He also confirmed that CENTCOM will continue working with its regional partners to confront threats that endanger innocent lives throughout the region.
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Erbil: Three Drones Fall in Choman District Without Casualties
ARK News.. Civil Defense authorities in Choman District, part of Erbil province in the Kurdistan Region, announced on Saturday March 7, 2026, that three drones were intercepted and brought down without any human casualties.
According to Kurdish media sources, a civil defense official in Choman said that one drone fell in the courtyard of the Social Care Directorate, while the other two drones crashed near the Warda Apartments area.
Civil Defense confirmed that the damage was limited to property, and no civilian injuries were reported.
The incident comes amid ongoing tensions since the outbreak of the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, during which several drones and missiles have been launched toward areas in the Soran Autonomous Administration and near Mount Korek.
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Erbil Asayish Directs Media Not to Cover Security Incident Sites Live
ARK News.. The Erbil Asayish Directorate issued a circular on Friday, March 6, 2026, addressed to all media outlets, urging them to adhere to professional responsibility and refrain from live coverage of security and field incident locations.
In its statement, the directorate explained that the directive aims to maintain public safety and organize the work of specialized emergency teams, including ambulance, firefighting, and security units at incident sites.
The statement added that intensive media presence may lead to crowds of citizens gathering, which can create disorder and hinder the ability of field teams to reach and operate efficiently at the scene.
The Asayish Directorate warned that any media outlet failing to comply with these instructions will bear full legal responsibility for any consequences resulting from such actions.
It emphasized that the primary goal is to ensure public safety and facilitate the work of rescue teams at sensitive locations in Erbil within the Kurdistan Region.
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Peshmerga Forces Foil Rocket Attack Targeting Erbil
ARK News.. Security forces in the Kurdistan Region thwarted a rocket attack targeting the city of Erbil after destroying a vehicle used by armed factions to launch rockets, according to a Kurdish media source.
The source told Kurdistan24 that at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Iraqi militias brought a vehicle equipped as a rocket-launch platform near the trenches of Peshmerga Forces along the Khazir frontline.
After the first rocket was launched toward Erbil, the vehicle’s location was identified at the foothills of Mount Zardak in the Khazir area.
The source said Peshmerga forces targeted the vehicle using heavy Dushka machine gun fire, destroying it at the site.
According to the report, a unit from the Iraqi Army arrived at the location on Thursday afternoon, March 5, 2026, and transported the wreckage of the vehicle along with the remaining rockets.
The source added that only one rocket had been launched, while Peshmerga forces succeeded in thwarting the plan and preventing the remaining rockets from being fired.
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Hegseth: War Against Iran Still in Its Early Stages
ARK News.. Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, stated that the war against Iran remains in its early stages, noting that American and Israeli warplanes continue continuous flights over Iranian airspace.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Hegseth said the scale of military force used so far in the joint U.S.–Israeli operation against Iran is twice the level of force used during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
He added that due to the ongoing internet shutdown inside Iran, many details of the military operation cannot currently be seen or verified.
Hegseth claimed that Iran’s air force and navy have been completely destroyed, which he said helped secure the safety of tens of thousands of Americans and allied personnel. He stressed that military operations have only just begun.
The U.S. defense chief also revealed plans to accelerate military efforts, explaining that the next phase aims to establish full air superiority over Iran within less than a week by U.S. and Israeli forces.
He added that air operations will focus on identifying, disabling, and dismantling Iran’s missile bases and defense industries, as well as targeting senior Iranian military commanders.
Hegseth also claimed that Iran had previously attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, stating that “in the end, victory was on his side.”
Quoting Trump, Hegseth said: “Larger and broader waves are coming. We are only at the beginning. We are accelerating, not slowing down.”
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Urgent Warning Issued by Erbil Asayish Directorate
ARK News.. Erbil Asayish Directorate issued an urgent notice on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, calling on citizens to exercise extreme caution in the event that drones or missiles fall within residential areas in Erbil.
In an official statement, the directorate stressed the importance of staying completely away from crash sites, urging people not to gather near the locations or attempt to touch the debris of missiles or drones. The warning highlighted that such remnants may pose technical or explosive risks that could endanger civilian lives.
The directorate also called on citizens to immediately report any such incidents through its emergency contact numbers to ensure a rapid response by specialized teams and to secure the area promptly.
Emergency Contact Numbers:
Hotline: 066106
Mobile: 07502522728
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President Barzani’s Message on the 35th Anniversary of the Kurdistan Uprising
ARK News.. Masoud Barzani issued a message on Thursday, March 5, 2026, marking the 35th anniversary of the Kurdistan Uprising of 1991, congratulating the people of the Kurdistan Region and reaffirming efforts to keep the region safe and away from regional conflicts.
Below is the full text of the message:
In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Kurdistan people’s uprising, I extend my warmest congratulations to the families of the honorable martyrs, to the brave Peshmerga, to the beloved people of Kurdistan, and to all patriots, fighters, and free individuals who played a role in achieving this valuable accomplishment for our people.
The uprising was the result and continuation of the struggle and sacrifices of the people and forces of Kurdistan over decades. This proud and glorious event represents, for every Kurdistanis today and in the future, a message of resilience and perseverance. It embodies the spirit of freedom and the determination to live with dignity and pride.
As our region is currently going through extremely complex and sensitive circumstances, we hope that all problems and disputes in the region will find their solutions through peaceful means. For our part, we will do everything possible to ensure that Kurdistan remains away from wars, tragedies, and suffering, and continues to be secure and protected.
On this blessed anniversary, we send our salutations to the martyrs of the uprising and to all martyrs on the path of Kurdish freedom and Kurdistan.
Masoud Barzani
March 5, 2026
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President of the Kurdistan Region Receives Phone Call from Iran’s Foreign Minister
ARK News.. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, received a phone call on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Iran.
During the call, the two sides discussed relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the latest regional developments and their implications. Both parties stressed the importance of preserving security and stability.
They also emphasized the need to safeguard border security in order to prevent any attempts that could undermine regional stability or further complicate the situation.
For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Region will not be a party to the conflict and will remain, as always, a factor of stability, supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and preventing the risks of war from affecting the peoples of the region.
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