WASHINGTON D.C., United States – Senior American and United Nations officials addressed Washington's deepening ties with Syria's transitional leadership Monday, as violence escalates between Kurdish-led forces and Damascus-aligned armed groups in eastern Syria.

Russia has declared Human Rights Watch (HRW) an “undesirable” organization, imposing a full ban on its activities inside the country as authorities continue targeting foreign groups critical of Russian policies. The designation criminalizes any cooperation with the New York–based rights organization and places donors, partners, and associates at risk of prosecution under Russian law.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that returning Nouri al-Maliki to the position of prime minister would be a serious mistake, warning that Washington would halt its support to Iraq if Maliki is elected.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the National Wisdom Movement, to discuss key national issues and the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

President Barzani convinces Erdogan to remove flight ban on Sulaimani airport Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to lift the flight ban on Sulaimani International Airport at the request of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Post has learned.