Despite losing terrain, Islamic State’s attacks rose in 2016: study
By Fatima Bhojani
Iraq
Turkey says Kurdish Iraq’s referendum could worsen situation, lead to civil war
ANKARA (Reuters) – A planned independence referendum in Kurdish northern Iraq could make the situation in the region worse and even lead to a civil war, Turkey’s foreign minister warned on Wednesday.
OPEC expects laggards to comply more fully with oil cut pact
By Rania El Gamal and Alex Lawler
Elections in Kurdish-led areas will not divide Syria: minister
DAMASCUS (Reuters) – A senior Syrian government minister on Sunday dismissed as a “joke” plans by the Kurdish-led administration in northern Syria to hold elections and said they would not be allowed