Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 14:55 AFP —

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 14:53 AFP — Just over three weeks ago, Iraqi Kurds were dancing in the streets after an overwhelming vote for independence fuelled hope they might finally gain their own country.

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 11:43 AFP — Iraqi government forces said Wednesday they had achieved their objectives in a lightning operation that saw them sweep through disputed Kurdish-held territory in a punishing riposte to an independence vote last month.

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 08:13 AFP — Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar al-Luaybi called on British energy giant BP on Wednesday to help develop fields in the northern province of Kirkuk recovered from Kurdish forces this week.

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 07:14 AFP — Iraqi forces said Wednesday they had achieved their objectives in a lightning operation that saw them sweep through disputed Kurdish-held territory in a punishing riposte to an independence vote last month.

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 06:26 AFP — Iraqi government forces said on Wednesday that they had achieved their objectives in a lightning 48-hour operation against Kurdish forces in disputed territory outside the autonomous Kurdish region.

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 05:58 AFP —

Wednesday, 18 October, 2017 , 03:40 AFP — Iraqi forces Wednesday appeared poised to take full control of the oil fields in the disputed northern province of Kirkuk, dashing Kurdish hopes of creating a viable independent state.

Tuesday, 17 October, 2017 , 20:05 AFP — Iraq's Kurdish community has long been persecuted, in particular under the regime of dictator Saddam Hussein.

Tuesday, 17 October, 2017 , 19:47 AFP — Iraqi forces took control of nearly all the oil fields in the disputed northern province of Kirkuk on Tuesday, dashing Kurdish hopes of creating a viable independent state.