United States Minor Outlying Islands
October 2017
Barzani Criticizes Lack of International Support for Kurdistan Independence Referendum
Masoud Barzani criticized the lack of international support, particularly from the U.S., for the Kurdistan independence referendum. He highlighted the betrayal by rival Kurdish groups…
Philippines Announces End to Siege of Marawi City by ISIS Allies
The Philippines has declared the end of the siege of Marawi City by ISIS-aligned militants after five months of military operations. Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana…
Raqqa Completely Cleared of ISIS
Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the U.S., have declared complete victory over ISIS in Raqqa, handing control to local leaders. This marks a significant milestone…
Iraqi Forces Take Control of Kirkuk
Iraqi government forces have taken control of Kirkuk in response to a Kurdish independence referendum, altering the regional power dynamics. The operation has led to…
Reports of 'Gunfire Exchange' Around Kirkuk; Abadi's Statement on 'Cooperation' with Peshmerga
There have been reports of artillery exchanges between Iraqi government forces and Kurdish Peshmerga near Kirkuk, as Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi calls for cooperation to…
The U.S. Expels 15 Cuban Diplomats
The U.S. has expelled 15 Cuban diplomats in response to health issues affecting American diplomats in Cuba, citing Havana's failure to ensure their safety. This…