Heavy Return Movement of Syrians from Lebanon Through Jdeidet Yabous Crossing
ARK News.. A Syrian media source reported that the Jdeidet Yabous Border Crossing, located on the border with Lebanon, witnessed a significant influx of Syrian returnees over the past 24 hours.
According to Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the Head of Public Relations at the crossing, Mohammad al-Qassim, stated that due to ongoing regional developments, more than 10,000 Syrians returned to Syria within a single day.
He added that relevant authorities have implemented intensive organizational and service measures to ensure the smooth passage of returnees. Basic necessities, including first aid and logistical support, were reportedly provided to families upon arrival.
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Dindar Zibari: Targeting the Kurdistan Region with Missiles and Drones Is a “War Crime”
ARK News.. The International Advocacy Coordinator for the Kurdistan Region, Dindar Zibari, described the recent security escalation and repeated attacks targeting the Region—particularly the capital, Erbil, following the events of February 28—as a “serious undermining of the international human rights system and a grave breach of international humanitarian law.”
In a press statement, Zibari said that attacks carried out using drones and indiscriminate missiles against vital facilities and densely populated residential areas represent a blatant attempt to destabilize the Region and disrupt its peaceful coexistence. He stressed that the Kurdistan Region has never been a party to the ongoing regional conflicts.
From a legal standpoint, Zibari classified these assaults within the framework of international criminal law, noting that the deliberate use of weapons with indiscriminate effects—such as suicide drones and unguided missiles—constitutes a “war crime” under the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute.
He further explained that such actions amount to clear violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, which impose strict protections for civilians and civilian objects under all circumstances.
Zibari stated that the attacks go beyond conventional security breaches, amounting to a direct violation of rights recognized by the United Nations. He said the strikes have resulted in violations of the right to life and the right to live in a safe environment, undermined civil, political, economic, and social rights, disrupted essential services such as education and healthcare, and damaged the Region’s development environment and investment climate.
He warned that the continued absence of accountability for those responsible could pave the way for further violations threatening regional peace and security. Zibari called on the international community and the UN system—particularly the Human Rights Council—to adopt a firm and responsible stance to put an end to what he described as reckless attacks.
He concluded by emphasizing that the security of the Kurdistan Region is a cornerstone of stability in Iraq and the wider region, asserting that protecting its citizens from such attacks represents the “true test” of the international community’s commitment to humanitarian values and international law.
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Nechirvan Barzani and Jean-Noel Barrot Discuss Regional Developments
ARK News.. The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, received a phone call late last night, March 3, 2026, from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
During the call, the French Foreign Minister expressed his country’s solidarity and support for the Kurdistan Region in light of the attacks targeting the Region.
The two sides discussed the ongoing regional developments and prospects for resolving current challenges, agreeing to maintain close coordination to preserve security and stability.
For his part, President Barzani expressed his appreciation for France’s continued support for the Kurdistan Region and emphasized the important role of France and the international community in de-escalating tensions and preventing the spread of war in the region.
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Nechirvan Barzani Discusses Latest Regional Developments with Macron
ARK News.. The President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, received a phone call on Tuesday evening, March 3, 2026, from French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the latest regional developments.
During the call, both sides reviewed recent developments in the region and expressed concern over the escalation of the war, emphasizing the importance of preserving security and stability.
They also stressed the need to intensify international efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through peaceful and diplomatic means.
A number of additional issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the phone conversation.
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Iran Closes Tamarchin–Haji Omaran Land Border with Kurdistan Region
ARK News.. Iran has decided to close its land border with the Kurdistan Region, coinciding with the launch of recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian targets.
According to Kurdish sources, the closure includes the Haji Omaran Border Crossing, the primary land gateway linking Erbil Province and the Soran Administration with Iran. Commercial and tourist traffic has been completely suspended there for the past three days.
Sources indicated that Iranian authorities have exempted return cases only from the closure decision. Iraqi citizens currently inside Iran are permitted to return to the Kurdistan Region, and Iranian nationals present in the Region are allowed to return home. However, new travel and tourist entry in both directions remain prohibited.
Reports from the border attribute the operational disruption to a nationwide internet outage inside Iran, which has halted electronic systems at the Tamarchin Border Crossing on the Iranian side opposite Haji Omaran. The technical failure has resulted in a complete suspension of trade flows and traveler data processing.
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Israel Calls Up Nearly 100,000 Reservists to Southern Syria and Lebanon
ARK News.. The spokesperson for the Israeli army announced the mobilization of approximately 100,000 reserve soldiers to southern Syria and Lebanon.
In a post on the platform X, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that the deployment of “around 100,000 reservists” is aimed at intensifying military preparedness across various sectors as part of Operation “Roar of the Lion,” launched against Iran, amid escalating security tensions requiring heightened readiness on all fronts.
Adraee added that defensive forces, as well as air defense and offensive systems, have been reinforced in southern Syria and Lebanon. Operations rooms have also been established in populated areas within the sector of responsibility to ensure accurate situational awareness and enable rapid decision-making to safeguard residents of the Galilee and the Golan.
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Iranian Drones Target “Azadi” Camp of Iranian Kurdish Parties in Kurdistan Region
ARK News.. A Kurdish media source reported that three Iranian drones struck the “Azadi Camp” today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The camp belongs to Iranian Kurdish opposition parties and is located in Raparin administration, Kurdistan Region.
According to Kurdistan24, Quwisanjaq District Governor Tariq al-Haidari said that one drone hit the camp’s hospital directly, while another targeted an ammunition depot.
Al-Haidari confirmed that only one minor injury has been reported so far. He attributed the limited human losses to proactive measures, as the camp had been fully evacuated before the attack.
The security and operational situation at the site remain unstable, with fires and ongoing explosions caused by scattered munitions following the strike on the ammunition depot.
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Kurdistan Region Issues “Emergency Guide” for Civilians on Drones and Missile Safety
ARK News.. The Kurdistan Region Crisis and Disaster Management Operations Room announced on Monday the release of urgent safety instructions for civilians, aiming to protect lives and reduce risks from drone or missile incidents.
The guidelines advise immediate evacuation of targeted areas, avoiding gatherings, and cooperating with security and emergency teams to ensure unhindered access for ambulances and fire services.
Civilians are warned not to touch or move any suspicious projectiles or objects and are urged to report them immediately.
The guide also instructs the public to refrain from sharing photos or videos from incident sites on social media, relying instead on official government sources to prevent misinformation.
Safety tips inside buildings and vehicles were also included, emphasizing that following these measures helps protect the home front and ensures civilian safety under exceptional circumstances.
The region has experienced significant military escalation over the past three days, following intensive U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against targets in Iran since dawn on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Region, particularly Erbil, has been targeted by multiple Iranian missiles and drones, all of which were intercepted and neutralized by air defense systems.
Several Arab countries are also facing ongoing Iranian missile and drone attacks, causing injuries, fatalities, and material damage.
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555 Killed Across 131 Iranian Cities Amid Ongoing Airstrikes
ARK News.. The Iranian Red Crescent Society announced the latest casualty toll resulting from the continuing موجة of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, confirming the deaths of hundreds of civilians and military personnel since military operations began on February 28, 2026.
In a statement published Monday, March 2, 2026, عبر its official Telegram channel, the organization said that intense air raids targeted 131 cities across Iran, resulting in 555 fatalities so far.
Reports from Tehran and major cities such as Isfahan and Tabriz indicate significant difficulty in determining the final death toll due to the intensity of airstrikes and disruptions to supply chains. International warnings have raised concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis within densely populated Iranian urban centers.
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U.S. and Arab States Condemn Iranian Attacks on the Kurdistan Region
ARK News.. The United States and six Arab countries strongly condemned the missile and drone attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the sovereignty of states in the region, including the Kurdistan Region, describing the actions as a “dangerous escalation.”
According to a joint statement issued by the United States Department of State in coordination with Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates on Monday, March 2, 2026, Iran carried out what were described as “reckless and indiscriminate” attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region and several regional states, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The signatory countries stated that the attacks lacked any legal or political justification and posed a direct threat to civilian lives and vital infrastructure.
The statement emphasized that Tehran’s actions constituted a blatant violation of neighboring states’ sovereignty and contributed to destabilizing the region. Targeting countries not party to any regional conflict was described as “destructive behavior” and a serious threat to international peace and security.
The United States and its Arab partners affirmed their unified stance in protecting their citizens, territories, and sovereignty, underscoring their “full and legitimate right to self-defense” against any future aggression.
They also reiterated their firm commitment to regional security and stability, praising the high level of effective air and defense coordination that significantly contributed to intercepting the attacks and preventing major casualties or widespread destruction of facilities.
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