Iran’s Guards Target Kurdish Fighters in Iraqi Kurdistan

Photo shared by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights on Twitter shows Iranian attacks on Kurdish areas in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday
Photo shared by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights on Twitter shows Iranian attacks on Kurdish areas in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday
TT

Iran’s Guards Target Kurdish Fighters in Iraqi Kurdistan

Photo shared by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights on Twitter shows Iranian attacks on Kurdish areas in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday
Photo shared by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights on Twitter shows Iranian attacks on Kurdish areas in Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Thursday used artillery and drones to strike Kurdish fighters based in neighboring Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region.

This came days after Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, the head of the Guards' ground forces, warned that Iran was preparing to target Kurdish fighters.

Iranian anti-regime sources said the attacks hit at least three opposition targets.

For its part, Kurdish media network, Rudaw, reported aerial bombardment in Sidekan and Choman district.

A local source said no causalities were caused by the attacks.

Also, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights shared a footage of an explosive drone before an explosion was heard near Halgurd heights.

Earlier on Monday, Pakpour said Iran was preparing to retaliate against the Kurds based across the border and urged civilians there to stay away from opposition headquarters in order to avoid harm.



Trump Gives US House Speaker Johnson ‘Complete and Total Endorsement’

US President-elect Donald Trump gestures at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, US, December 22, 2024. (Reuters)
US President-elect Donald Trump gestures at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, US, December 22, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Trump Gives US House Speaker Johnson ‘Complete and Total Endorsement’

US President-elect Donald Trump gestures at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, US, December 22, 2024. (Reuters)
US President-elect Donald Trump gestures at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, US, December 22, 2024. (Reuters)

US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday threw his support behind House Speaker Mike Johnson, who will stand for reelection to the top job this week with a slim Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

"Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The House is scheduled to elect a speaker on Friday following the swearing-in of the new Congress. The endorsement from Trump was essential to Johnson's hopes of maintaining the leadership position he assumed in October 2023.

The job puts him in a close working relationship with Trump, who returns to the White House on Jan. 20.

Thirty-four Republicans voted against Johnson’s stopgap funding bill in December, raising questions on whether some of them would support Johnson's next bid for the speakership because they argued the legislation favored Democrats.

Republicans hold a 219-215 majority in the House, meaning the vote will be dependent on Republicans maintaining their unity.

Representative Victoria Spartz, a Republican, said on Fox News on Monday that she remained uncommitted, saying Johnson was afraid to bring up votes on fiscal legislation that could hamper Trump's agenda.

“I can give him a chance, but I would like to hear from him how he’s going to be delivering this agenda,” Spartz said. She spoke before Trump posted his endorsement on social media.