Daesh photos on Flickr

'H. Pooley and Son' Luggage Scale by Ka Wing C

The oasis town of Ma'an was once one of the most important stop between Damascus and Medina on the Hejaz Railway.

The Hejaz Railway once stretched along 1,300km of desert between Damascus and Medina. It was financed by the world's Islamic public, and was built by the Ottoman Empire in the 1900s with German help. It's original purpose was to shorten the long and dangerous journey for pilgrims performing Hajj.

In WW1, Lawrence of Arabia would lead Arab Bedouin irregulars and attacked the railway relentlessly, hoping to 'cut the spine of the Ottoman Empire' and to tie up Ottoman troops to garrison the area to allow British advances to the west.

The railway was badly damaged with many sections abandoned after the war. Today a railway workshop continues to operate in Ma'an in order to facilitate the running railway line between Amman, Aqaba and the phosphorus mines south of Ma'an.

Ma'an, Jordan.

Ban Wahhabism in the United Kingdom by Mehdi Foundation International

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'Wahhabis are walking ISS devils. Stop them from destroying the rest of the world.' - Mohamed Alkhatib, Fremont, CA

www.change.org/p/rt-hon-theresa-may-mp-ban-wahhabism-in-t...

Sakharov winners 2016 by ALDE Group

These young women gave an incredibly strong speech about the horrific events they and their families went through. They are a reminder to all of us what Europe should be about, why it is our duty to stop Daesh and do all we can for the refugees, regardless of faith and ethnicity.

. by Thorsten Strasas

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Berlin. 2015.

Kurden fordern die Aufhebung des Verbotes der Kurdischen Arbeiterpartei (PKK) in Deutschland.

Thorsten Strasas. - Wien | Berlin. - Photographers in Solidarity.

Kundgebung in Berlin gegen Angriffe auf Jesiden im Irak by Thorsten Strasas - Reportage

Mehre Dutzend Menschen beteiligen sich an einer Kundgebung vor dem Reichstag in Berlin, um gegen anhaltende Angriffe auf das Volk der Jesiden im Norden des Iraks zu protestieren. Für die Angriffe werden kurdische Peshmerga-Gruppen verantwortlich gemacht. Es wird von den Teilnehmern kritisiert, dass diese Gruppen von der Bundesrepublik mit Waffen ausgestattet wurden (ursprünglich zum Kampf gegen Daesh) und diese sich nun gegen die Jesiden richteten. An den Jesiden wurde bereits von Daesh (ISIS) ein Völkermord verübt.

Unterstützt werden die Jesiden auf der Kundgebung durch Kurden. Diese zeigen auch Fahnen der nord-syrischen Volksbefreiungseinheiten YPG und YPG, sowie des YBS. Das Zeigen von Symbolen dieser Organisationen wurde jüngst durch des Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI) verboten. Ebenso wurde eine Flagge mit dem Porträt von Abdullah Öcalan gezeigt. Ob dieses unter des ebenfalls jüngst erlassene Verbot von Porträts des PKK-Führers fällt, ist nicht klar. Die anwesende Polizei schritt nicht ein.

2.000 Kurden protestieren in Berlin Wedding in Gedenken an Suruç und gegen Erdogan by Thorsten Strasas - Reportage

Rund 2.000 Kurden und Angehörige linker Gruppen demonstrierten in Berlin Wedding in Gedenken an die 32 Opfer des Bombenanschlags im türkisch-kurdischen Suruç. Zudem richtete sich der Protest gegen die türkische AKP-Regierung und dem Präsidenten der Türkei Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In Reden und Sprechchören wurde die Solidarität mit den syrisch-kurdischen Gruppen YPG und YPJ und deren Kampf um Rojava bekundet. Ebenso mit dem in der Türkei inhaftierten PKK-Führer Abdullah Öcalan. Es wurden zudem die jüngsten Angriffe der türkischen Armee auf Stellungen der PKK verurteilt.

Global Open Day on UNSCR 1325 in Iraq by United Nations Iraq (UN Iraq)

On Global Open Day on UNSCR 1325, Calls for Greater Women Role in Future of post-Daesh Iraq

Baghdad/Erbil, 24 October 2017 – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), jointly with UNWOMEN within the context of the observing the Global Open Day and the 17th Anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325, held consultative forums with senior political leadership in Baghdad and Erbil on 23 and 24 October, with the focus on strengthening women’s political participation.

In both Baghdad and Erbil, the concerns of women, their participation in society, the political process and decision-making were raised. Participants were categorical in stating that there have been long-standing barriers which have continued to impede women’s participation and representation in the political process. Particularly, participants noted a regression in women’s representation in executive, legislative as well as judiciary branches of government. Further, participants decried that leaderships of political parties have not given sufficient opportunities to women to fully and equally participate in politics. Recommendations were proposed, including a specific request made to the political leaders to give women an opportunity to be part of the solution. Participants also called for legislation to promote and increase women’s participation in politics and governance as well as to promote them to decision-making positions.

In Baghdad, the meeting on 23 October was organized in collaboration with the Implementation and Follow-up Commission for National Reconciliation in the Office of the Prime Minister. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Health and Environment, H.E. Adila Hammoud, Adviser to the Prime Minister on reconciliation, Mr. Mohammed Salman, the Speaker of Parliament’s representative Dr. Ahmed Rushdy, Advisor to the President of the Republic, Juan Masoum, heads of political blocs and other government representatives, parliamentary Committee heads, MPs as well as academics, in addition to representatives of UNAMI and UNWOMEN.

H.E. Ms. Adila Hammoud, the Minister of Health and Environment, stated that to overcome social barriers and challenges impeding women’s participation required a concerted effort and commitment from political leaders and decision-makers, noting “the significant successes of many Iraqi women on the executive and legislative levels and their ability to play an essential role in peace making and societal reconciliation.”

Mr. Mohammad Salman of the reconciliation committee, in his opening remarks, said the meeting is a “golden opportunity for all to benefit from the accumulated experiences of peoples” that the UN holds as it works to support women issues.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq, Mr. Ján Kubiš, emphasized in his remarks at the meetings in Baghdad and Erbil that women in Iraq are agents of positive change and they must be given the opportunity to act in that critical role in shaping the future of their country in the post-Daesh period.

“Equality and empowerment of women must be central to all peace, justice, reconciliation and reform efforts in the post-Daesh period. Women’s participation is crucial for an effective, successful and sustainable peace processes and reform. Only through their direct and meaningful participation their voices will be heard,” Mr. Kubiš said.

The consultative meeting in Erbil was convened on 24 October by UNAMI in collaboration with UN WOMEN and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s High Council for Women Affairs. It was attended by Interior Minister H.E. Mr. Karim Sinjari, Minister of the Department of Foreign Relations H.E. Mr. Falah Al-Mustafa, Secretary-General of the High Council for Women’s Affairs Ms. Pakhshan Zangana, Spokesperson to Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Safeen Dizayi, and women leaders, in addition to representatives of UNAMI and UN WOMEN.

In remarks at the Erbil meeting, Ms. Pakshan Zangana, the Secretary-General of the High Council for Women’s Affairs in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, said the recent crisis in Kirkuk have seen displacements of civilians including women, the elderly and children. She urged the UN to strengthen its efforts towards addressing the needs to those displaced.

In Erbil, Mr. Kubiš acknowledged the efforts of the Cross-Sector Task Force on the implementation of the Iraq National Action Plan on 1325. “Regardless of all issues between Baghdad and Erbil, the collaboration of women group representatives from both Baghdad and Erbil has been remarkable. It is a good model of constructive cooperation that should inspire also the process of finding solutions to the current crisis between Baghdad and Erbil. Women must play a key role also in these endeavors.”

The SRSG recalled the particularly brutal treatment of women and girls by Daesh terrorists and pointed out to UN Security Council resolution 2379, passed in September to establish an investigative team to support domestic efforts to hold Daesh accountable.

UN WOMEN Representative in Iraq, Ms. Dina Zorba, in both meetings in Baghdad and Erbil, commended the government, civil society, and national and international partners for continued commitment to UNSCR 1325, stating that Iraq is the first country in the Middle East to launch a national plan to implement 1325. She urged the government to work to ensure gender issues are incorporated in all democratization and nation building agendas, and called on the UN, the government, and the International Community to continue to advocate for and protect the rights of women and girls.

Photos by UNAMI PIO.

Irakische Minderheit der Shabak protestiert in Berlin gegen den IS by Thorsten Strasas - Reportage

Mehrere dutzend Angehörige der irkaischen Shabak Minderheit demonstrieren in Berlin gegen die sogenannten Islamischen Staat (IS). Laut Yousif Muharam, Vertreter der Shabak in Deutschland befinden sich rund 350.000 Shabak im Irak auf der Flucht. Mehrere ihrer Moscheen seien bereits durch den Islamischen Staat (IS) zerstört worden. Zudem seien viele vom IS entführt. Er vergleicht die Situation der Shabak mit der der Jesiden, mit denen man auch gemeinsam protestiert habe und äußert sich enttäuscht über die mangelnde Resonanz in den Medien für ihr Schicksal.

Die Protestierenden fordern das Recht auf Asyl in der EU für die Shabak, sowie ein internationales Eingreifen gegen den IS.

Air Coolers for Khanke Camp by Jiyan Foundation

On May 26, the Jiyan Foundation distributed water-powered air conditioners to the 3,120 families living inside Khanke camp for IDPs. At outside temperatures already approaching 40°C, the delivery of these air coolers is a welcome relief; especially elderly and sick persons are under threat from the extreme conditions.

The Iranian-made air coolers work with less than one ampere, as compared to the 16 ampere that are needed to power conventional air conditioners. Additionally, temperatures remain lower even for some time after the cooler has gone off. This is important in a camp where demand for energy often exceeds the supply and power outages are a daily occurrence. In the coming months, temperatures will rise to even higher levels, making every stay inside the tents without cooling unbearable.

Some 30,000 Yazidi from the Sinjar region live in Khanke camp, and many more in the small village of Khanke, near Duhok.

The distribution of the air coolers was made possible through financial support by Misereor, a German charity organisation.

DSC00751.jpg by Loez - photoreportages

Diyarbakir (Amed), Fête du Newroz 2015. Cette année, la fête de Newroz qui marque le nouvel an kurde, symbole de renaissance et de résistance pour ce peuple, se déroule dans un contexte particulièrement tendu. Depuis décembre 2015, l'était turc assiège et bombarde des quartiers entiers de villes kurdes, où populatins civiles comme militants sont indistinctement massacrés, et soumet l'ensemble de la population kurde à un violente répression. D'un autre côté, la peur d'un attentat suicide de daesh est dans toutes les têtes. Malgré tout, même si ils sont moins nombreux que les années passées, les Kurdes se rejoignent à Amed, capitale du Kurdistan, pour fêter Newroz et célébrer leur résistance.

Protest in Berlin zum achten Jahrestages des Aufstandes in Syrien by Thorsten Strasas - Reportage

Mehrere hundert Syrer und Unterstützer demonstrieren am 16.03.2019 in Berlin anlässlich des achten Jahrestages des Beginns des Aufstandes gegen das Regime von Baschar al-Assad.

Die Protestierenden treten für ein freies und demokratisches Syrien ein. Sie verurteilen sowohl die Kriegsverbrechen durch das Regime in Damaskus und seiner Verbündeten Iran und Russland, als auch das Wirken radikal-islamischer Milizen wie der Al-Nusrah Front und Daesh.

Kurzzeitig kam es vor der Botschaft Russlands, wo eine Zwischenkundgebung abgehalten wird, zu kurzen Rangeleien, als die Polizei es zuließ, dass eine einstellige Zahl von Anhängers al-Assads und des russischen Präsidenten Putin in Sichtweite der Kundgebung diese provozieren lies. Im weiteren Verlauf wurden mindestens vier Personen vorübergehend festgenommen.

Hintergrund der Demonstration ist der bewaffnete Kampf zwischen dem Regime und diversen bewaffneten aufständischen Gruppierungen. Das Regime wird dabei militärisch von Russland und dem Iran, sowie von diesem abhängiger Milizen wie der libanesischen Hisbollah unterstützt. Ohne diese Unterstützung hätte sich Diktator Baschar al-Assadschon vor Jahren nicht mehr im Amt halten können. Dem syrischen Regime und seinen Verbündeten konnten diverse Kriegsverbrechen nachgewiesen werden. Darunter Angriffe mit chemischen Waffen, gezieltes Aushungern der Zivilbevölkerung, Angriffe auf Krankenhäuser, sowie Massaker an Zivilisten.

Schätzungen zufolge haben rund 800.000 Menschen ihr Leben verloren. Millionen sind auf der Flucht und Zehntausende sitzen in den Foltergefängnissen Assads.

UNSCR 1325 Open Day in Basra by United Nations Iraq (UN Iraq)

On Global Open Day on UNSCR 1325, calls for men to champion and support women’s participation in politics and in decision-making

Basra, 01 November 2017 – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), jointly with UNWOMEN and in coordination with the Implementation and Follow Up National Reconciliation Committee (IFNRC) of the Office of Iraq’s Prime Minister, held a consultative forum with women leaders and members of the Basra, Muthanna, Thi Qar and Missan Provincial Councils in Basra on 01 November 2017 with the focus on strengthening women’s political participation. This is the fourth such meeting within the context of observing the Global Open Day and the 17th Anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325.

As in the previous consultative meetings that were held in Karbala, Baghdad and Erbil in October, the participants in Basra echoed the similar concerns by women leaders across the country. They noted the retrogression of women’s participation in Iraq’s politics. They urged UNAMI and UNWOMEN to engage male champions to support women’s participation and to also press the heads of political blocs and political leaders to act in support of women issues.

In her intervention, Ms. Yusra Naji, member of Missan Provincial Council, decried male political leaders for marginalizing women. “The Iraqi society is male dominated, women are not invited to negotiations, they have no political rights, they are not represented in the Presidency, the Council of Representatives presidency, there are only two women Ministers, yet there is no legislation preventing women from occupying these high level positions,” Ms. Naji said.

Ms. Zahra al-Bachari Member of Basra Provincial Council, noted that “men can help lead the charge with women in enacting legislation that promotes women’s rights, repealing laws and policies that discriminate against women and limit opportunities. She further added: “Women should be promoted to leadership positions as we are observing the upcoming elections of both Provincial and Council of representatives, elections we aim to have more women represented in decision-making positions.”

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq Ján Kubiš, in remarks delivered by UNAMI Director of Political Affairs, Manoj Mathew, reiterated that Gender balance in Iraqi politics can only be achieved if political leaders could work side by side with women to share responsibility of breaking cultural norms and practices as well as institutional, structural and legal barriers that hinder women’s equal and meaningful political participation.

“We need male champions, proactive work by male champions, in partnership with women is necessary to establish an environment that empowers women’s political participation at all levels of governance and decision-making.”

“For the historic settlement and reconciliation to succeed it must be inclusive. This is critically important for the unity and stability of the country and peaceful coexistence amongst all citizens, components and minorities. Women – and youth - must be critical agents of such positive change, in building a new post-Daesh Iraq, in shaping the future of the country for the generations to come,” the SRSG’s statement said.

Mr. Kubiš acknowledged the efforts of the Cross-Sector Task Force on the implementation of the Iraq National Action Plan on 1325, while stressing that “it is time to strengthen the implementation of the participation pillar of the Iraqi National Action Plan on the Security Council Resolution 1325 which reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts.”

UNAMI Gender Advisor, Ms. Mmabatlharo Dihemo, emphasized that political leaders can support the advancement of women in decision-making bodies by advocating for temporary special measures, promoting women to leadership roles and ensuring woman have equal career development opportunities.

UN WOMEN Representative in Iraq, Ms. Dina Zorba, commended the government, civil society, and national and international partners for continued commitment to UNSCR 1325. Ms. Zorba urged the government to work to ensure gender issues are incorporated in all democratization and nation-building agendas, and called on the UN, the government, and the International Community to continue to advocate for and protect the rights of women and girls.Ms. Zorba emphasized UN commitment to refocusing its work around women’s political participation at all levels.

In the context of marking the 17th Anniversary of UN SCR 1325 and the Global Open Day, UNAMI and UN WOMEN also organized in Karbala capacity-building training on Basic Mediation and Negotiation skills for women leaders, Provincial Council members and civil society representative from Karbala, Wassit, Najaf and Diwaniya, (9-12 October). A similar training was organised for women leaders and activists, members of Provincial Councils, district and sub-district councils from Basra, Missan, Thi Qar and Muthana (29 October-1 November). Both training programmes were jointly organised and funded by UNAMI and UN WOMEN under the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and UNWOMEN gender and mediation strategy.