Kurdistan Region Research Articles

A Comparative Study on the Impact of Fasting on Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure Among Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Individuals During Ramadan, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Objective: The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the differential effects of regular and fasting dietary patterns on blood glucose levels and blood pressure among diabetic patients and non-diabetic control group. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to compare physiological responses on fasting versus non-fasting days during the holy Ramadan month. Methods: This observational study involved 92 participants, with a subset of 38 diabetic patients and 54 non-diabetic control group, aged 19-76 years, who were observed on regular and fasting days. Participants were monitored for pre-prandial, postprandial, evening blood sugar, and fasting blood glucose levels, as well as blood pressure. Statistical analysis was performed using paired sample t-tests to compare mean ± SD between regular and fasting days of both groups. The study cohort consisted of male and female adults diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Exclusion criteria included individuals under 18 years, pregnant women, and patients unable to fast during the study period. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels during Ramadan compared to non-fasting days. In the diabetic group, significant changes were observed in fasting blood glucose levels during Ramadan compared to after Ramadan ( postprandial blood sugar p=0.04, evening blood sugar p=0.019). In contrast, the non-diabetic group also showed significant changes in blood glucose levels during Ramadan compared to after Ramadan (postprandial blood sugar p=0.001, evening blood sugar p=0.020). Blood pressure showed no significant differences between these periods, suggesting that fasting does not alter blood pressure significantly in diabetic individuals. Additionally, a two-way ANOVA demonstrated significant dietary influences on post-Iftar glucose levels in non-diabetics (p<0.001), but not in diabetics, suggesting differential metabolic responses to dietary intake during Ramadan. These findings emphasize the critical need for personalized dietary management and continuous monitoring to optimize diabetic care during fasting. Conclusion: Fasting significantly influences blood glucose levels in diabeticand non-diabetic individuals but does not affect blood pressure. This study underscores the necessity for personalized medical guidance and balanced meal planning to minimize complications and enhance diabetes management during fasting. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of different fasting practices on diabetic health outcomes.

Industrial Assessment of Mudstone Deposits of Gercus Formation as a Raw Material for Bricks Industry in Erbil Governorate, Northern Iraq

This paper evaluates the mudstone deposits' physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties and the possibility of use as a raw material to manufacture building bricks. Four sites are selected from the Gercus Formation in Shaqlawa district and the samples are tested. The mudstone samples are analyzed to define the grain size, Atterberg limits, chemical, physical and mechanical characteristics of the clay bricks. The grain size analysis of the mudstone samples showed they contained a high percentage of clay and silt and a low percentage of sand. The chemical analysis showed that silica (SiO2) was the major component in the mudstones. XRD analysis showed the presence of non-clay minerals i.e. calcite, quartz, albite and clay minerals of illite, palygorskite and chlorite. Raw samples of all studied sites were treated to prepare brick samples without addition, and others with 10% standard sand added. The results showed that the bricks prepared from the B to B10 and C to C10 stations have varying water absorption and compressive strength, while the efflorescence has light salts. All these properties are within the requirements of the Iraqi specification for brick manufacturing. The sample sites A, D, A10, and D10 are not compatible with the Iraqi standard in terms of absorption and compression.

Organic Matter Characteristics and Hydrocarbon Potential of Jurassic Sargelu Formation in X Well, Northern Iraq

Organic Matter Characteristics and Hydrocarbon Potential of Jurassic Sargelu Formation in X Well, Northern Iraq

Huff-n-Puff Process for Enhancement Heavy Oil Recovery for the Tertiary Reservoir in the Qaiyarah Oil Field Northern Iraq

Huff-n-Puff Process for Enhancement Heavy Oil Recovery for the Tertiary Reservoir in the Qaiyarah Oil Field Northern Iraq

Employing deep learning in crisis management and decision making through prediction using time series data in Mosul Dam Northern Iraq

Specifically, Iraq is threatened in its second-largest northern city, Mosul, by the collapse of the Mosul Dam due to problems at the root of the dam, causing a wave of floods that will cause massive loss of life, resources, and public property. The objective of this study is to effectively monitor the level of dam water by predicting the level of water held by the dam In anticipation of achieving flood stage and breaking the dam, and supporting its behavior through formation 14-day time series data to predict seven days later. Used six deep learning models (deep neural network (DNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), convolutional neural network long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM), CNN-LSTM-Skip and CNN-LSTM Skip Attention) that models were trained to predict the water level in the dam; these levels of being under surveillance and prepared In case of danger, alert people to potential flood threats depending on the dam’s water level. These time series were created from the actual data sets of the dam; it’s a fundamental historical reading for 13 years (1993–2006) of the water level stored in the Mosul dam and was adopted in coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources and the Centre for Research on Dams and Water Resources at Mosul University. The methodology applied in this study shows the model’s performance efficiency and the prediction results’ low error rate. It also compares those practical results to determine and adopt the performance-efficient model and a lower error rate. The comparison of these results proved the accuracy of its results, and superior to the CNN-LSTM model, it has the highest ability to perform through high accuracy with MAE = 0.087153 and time steps = 0 s 196 ms/step and loss = 0.00067. The current study demonstrated the ability to predict the water level in Mosul Dam, which suffers from foundation problems and may collapse in the future. Therefore, the water level in the dam must be monitored accurately. It also aims to test the effectiveness of the six models proposed in this study after evaluating their performance and applying the prediction process within a scenario to obtain predictive values after 14 days. The results showed the practical effectiveness of the hybrid CNN-LSTM model in correctly and accurately obtaining predictive values within the integrated framework of the required scenario. The study concluded that it is possible to enhance the ability to monitor and identify the potential risk of Mosul Dam at an early stage, and it also allows for proactive crisis management and sound decision-making, thus mitigating the adverse effects of crises on public safety and infrastructure and reducing human losses in areas along the Tigris River.

Gas Flaring and its Socioeconomic Implications for Rural Communities in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI): Reflections on the Impact of Gas Flaring in Tawke Community

The study critically examines the problem of gas flaring and its socioeconomic implications in the KRI with emphasis on Tawke community who are predominantly peasant rural farmers. For several decades, KRI allowed natural gas to be flared which poses severe challenges to health, agricultural productivity and the environment with huge socioeconomic dimension to the survival of the local population. Although Iraq has sizeable natural gas reserves, however, about 70% of natural gas produced are flared which is responsible for more than 20 million tons of CO2 emissions annually that cost the domestic economy billions of dollars in lost revenue and other consequences including threat to public health and the environment. Thus, the study conducted simple narrative and in-depth qualitative in-person interview with some employees of DNO, public sector workers and members of the Tawke community on the impact and socioeconomic implications of gas flaring on their livelihood. The research findings resonate and lend credence to the widely held views on the state of the environment in KRI and revealed severe environmental consequences, health consequences, low yields in agriculture with socioeconomic and cultural implications on livelihood of the local people particularly Tawke community.

The Impact of Blockchain Technology on the Future of Commercial Banking

This study investigates the ramifications of blockchain technology on the future landscape of commercial banks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, drawing insights from expert perspectives. The evolution of blockchain has significantly reshaped all facets of banking services and operations, resulting in a paradigm shift away from the traditional banking modus operandi in terms of systems, external events, and human intervention. Employing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology and utilizing SPSS software (Version 26), the study analyzed data collected through questionnaires distributed among banks and universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, totaling 90 responses. The findings reveal a notable, statistically significant inverse correlation between blockchain adoption and the future trajectory of commercial banks in the Kurdistan Region. Increased integration of blockchain technology enhances the resilience and viability of commercial banks, thereby reducing the likelihood of adverse impacts. Moreover, blockchain technology demonstrates tangible and positive prospects for the future of commercial banking, facilitating enhanced operational efficiency and cost reduction through streamlined processes and accelerated transactions, one of the key recommendations derived from the research is the necessity for banks to adopt blockchain technology. This technology contributes to reducing the costs of banking services provided in the Kurdistan region and enhances operational efficiency by minimizing intermediaries and expediting transfer and settlement processes.

Enhancing Soil Texture and Bulk Density Mapping Using Soil Grids and Machine Learning: A Comparative Analysis with Observed Data

Digital soil mapping plays a crucial role in understanding soil variability and informing sustainable land management practices. This study focuses on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), evaluating the accuracy of SoilGrids, a global-scale soil mapping initiative, and exploring the efficacy of machine learning algorithms in refining soil properties estimations. The aim of this research was to assess and represent the physical parameters of soils effectively by comparing ground truth soil sampling data with data obtained from SoilGrids regarding clay, silt, and sand fractions and bulk density. Comparative analyses were conducted between ground truth soil sampling data and SoilGrids predictions, revealing significant differences across soil mineral fractions including clay, silt, sand fractions, and bulk density. The results showed that the mean clay fraction in the ground truth dataset differed notably from SoilGrids estimation, with a Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) of 124.0 g kg-1 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 152.5. However, the integration of machine learning algorithms, particularly the Extreme Gradient Boosting (XG Boost) algorithm, showed promising results in improving accuracy. The XG Boost algorithm exhibited a relatively low MAD of 97.9 g kg-1 for clay fractions, indicating a better approximation of observed values compared to SoilGrids. Significant percent improvements in RMSE and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) values were observed across soil fractions and bulk density measurements, ranging from approximately 15% for clay to 35% for sand fractions and 20% for bulk density. These findings highlight the importance of integrating advanced mapping techniques and machine learning algorithms to enhance soil mapping methodologies. Moving forward, efforts to expand ground truth datasets through targeted soil sampling campaigns and develop international collaboration initiatives will be crucial for improving the accuracy and reliability of soil mapping products in the KRI. By incorporating advanced mapping approaches, we can better support sustainable land management practices and environmental conservation efforts in the region.

Organizational conflict management scale for first division league football players in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The importance of the study is to crystallize the concept of organizational conflict management by developing an organization conflict management scale for the first-division club players in the Kurdistan Region who face conflict through the game and matches. In addition, the players of the first-division clubs under study may benefit from this study in developing their level and getting rid of the difficulties of negative competition, and thus ascending and raising their performance and achieving the best results which helps them increase scientific knowledge of organizational conflict management in matches and its effects and how to confront and address it in a positive way. This study aims to develop an organizational conflict management scale for the first-division club players in the Kurdistan Region, using the descriptive approach in the survey method for its suitability with the nature of the study. Eighteen clubs from the first- division league of Kurdistan Region- Iraq season (2021-2022) were selected as a community of the study. The building sample (292) players were selected in a simple random way (draw) from the basic research sample. The sample of the exploratory experiment was chosen (27) players from Koya sports Club using the intentional method. Mean (M), standard deviation (SD), percentage (%), simple correlation and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used as a statistical analysis by using (SPSS). Attaining the organizational conflict management scale that the researcher developed through the scientific procedures followed in building the standards, The number of paragraphs of the scale was (46) paragraphs and the distribution of paragraphs on (4) areas.

Norms of Translating Medical Terms in English Patient Information Leaflets into Kurdish

Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) are documents included in medicine packages and provide important information about the medication for patients. This study investigates the translation problems of English PILs into Sorani Kurdish. The aim of this study is to identify the translation procedures used for translating medical terminologies in PILs for lay people. It also aims to reveal which translational norms are operating in Kurdish translations of PILs. To do so, the study employs a corpus of 150 English PILs along with their Kurdish translations. To analyse the corpus, the researcher adopts Toury’s (1995-2012) three-phase methodology within the descriptive approach of translation. It also uses Vinay and Darbelnet’s (1995) translation procedures to determine how translators handled terminological rendering in the Kurdish PILs. According to the findings, nine types of translation procedures were used in translating the terminologies, with borrowing had the highest frequency, and modulation having the lowest frequency. They also revealed that Toury’s initial norms were predominantly operating in the translated PILs which labelled them as adequate translations. The translators’ choice to closely follow the original PILs was indicative of their attempt to meet the expectations of PILs’s target users, thus, revealing Chesterman’s expectancy norms therein. The study concludes that the translation of PILs into Kurdish is not regulated within the medical field and that is mainly related to the absence of an officially regulated body in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It also concludes that while the seemingly established norm of PIL translation into Kurdish highly relies on English borrowings, it is a significant step towards developing Kurdish medical language.

The Impact of Alai Suri Kurdayeti Magazine in Disseminating National Awareness

This paper, titled "The Impact of Alai Suri (Red Flag) Kurdayeti Magazine on the Propagation of National Awareness," delves into an examination of the content within Alai Suri Kurdayeti Magazine during the period of the mountain struggle and the revolutionary era, spanning from 1981 to 1982. Despite the protracted history of the Kurdish people's struggle for their national rights, the establishment of a comprehensive national identity remains an indispensable intellectual and vital requirement within Kurdish society, intrinsically tied to the notion of national consciousness. The manifestation of a national identity fundamentally hinges on shared national principles, a common language, culture, religion, history, collective aspirations, and unified political and legal principles, all of which necessitate a heightened state of national consciousness. Throughout the history of the Kurdistan liberation movement, diverse strategies have been employed to attain this identity, with media engagement serving as one prominent avenue. During a particularly sensitive period in Kurdish history within South Kurdistan (1981-1982), the Kurdish Socialist Party (PASOK) issued Alai Suri Kurdayeti Magazine. This publication, apart from accomplishing its political objectives, aimed to acquaint Kurdish society with various facets of life and intellect. Its purpose was to cultivate national thought and consciousness while alerting the community to the imminent threats they faced.

Remote Sensing - Based Analysis of LST and NDVI Correlation for the Coolest and Hottest Month of 2023 in Khanaqen City

Urban land cover characteristics often lead to variations in surface temperature. Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are valuable tools for obtaining detailed information about surface indices. This study evaluates the temporal variation of Land Surface Temperature (LST) in Khanaqen city, located in South eastern Iraqi Kurdistan and Eastern Iraq. The research investigates the relationship between LST and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the coolest and hottest month of 2023 using Landsat images from the USGS Earth Explorer. The objective is to explore how green spaces influence LST during the cool, humid winter and hot, dry summer. Two satellite images from Landsat 9 were used to retrieve LST and NDVI for the study periods. The results indicate that green spaces significantly reduce LST in July, so that the result of the correlation analysis of variables, significant inverse correlation between LST and NDVI (R = -0.53, R2 = 0.28 and P value = 0.00) highlights the effect of vegetation cooling. Conversely, January shows a modest correlation (R = -0.01, R2 = 0.00, and P value = 0.90), indicating a minimal effect of vegetation cover on LST.

Comparative Analysis of Using Water Quality in Urban Areas of Duhok City, Iraq

Water is sourced from various locations, including lakes, wells, artificial reservoirs, and rivers. Contamination of these sources poses a significant threat to human health, highlighting the need to monitor water quality. This study focuses on evaluating the water quality in the Duhok governorate of the Kurdistan region, Iraq, by analyzing several key physicochemical parameters: turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity (TAL), total hardness (TH), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), sulfate (SO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), sodium (Na⁺), and potassium (K⁺). Over a period spanning from January 2019 to December 2021, a total of 1,374 water samples were collected from different sources, including reservoirs, deep wells, springs, the Duhok dam, and the water supply network within the Duhok governorate. The analysis revealed that parameters such as turbidity, pH, TH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and Na⁺ varied significantly across the three years studied. In contrast, other parameters like TDS, EC, TAL, Cl⁻, and K⁺ showed no significant fluctuations. The results also indicated a decrease in most physicochemical parameter values in 2021 compared to 2019 and 2020, with the exception of turbidity. Overall, the majority of water samples were found to be within safe drinking limits. Ongoing monitoring of these water sources is essential to detect any variations in water quality promptly.

The Importance of Public Relations in Building Corporate Reputation

This study examines the importance and value of Public Relations department (PR) in creating reputation within institutions such as commercial companies. Scholars and PR professionals emphasize that PR has a large impact on creating a two-way communication, promoting and maintain good reputation. The main purpose of this theoretical research is that how corporate reputation is seen and to what extent domestic companies in the Kurdistan Region pay attention to it. In this research, PR literature has been reviewed and it is argued that it can be used as a guideline for creating, developing and maintain institutional reputation.

Teachers’ Perceptions of the Degree of Practicing Organizational Justice among Physical Education and Sports Sciences Department Heads in Selected Universities in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The research aims to prepare a measure of organizational justice among department heads of colleges of physical education and sports sciences for some universities in the Kurdistan Region from the point of view of teachers, and to identify the level of organizational justice among department heads of colleges of physical education. Physical education and sports sciences in some universities in the Kurdistan Region from the point of view of teachers. The descriptive approach using the survey method for its suitability and the nature of the study. The research community was identified using the intentional method of teachers in the College of Religious Education and Sports Sciences for some universities in the Kurdistan Region - Iraq for the academic season (2023-2024), numbering (5) colleges. The researchers used the following statistical parameters to find the results of their research. Using the statistical package (SPSS) (percentage - arithmetic mean - standard deviation - simple correlation coefficient - Spearman Brown), the results were obtained by preparing a measure of organizational justice among heads of departments and colleges of physical education and sports sciences for some universities in the Kurdistan Region from the point of view Teachers through scientific procedures. The number of items in the scale was (28) items, distributed over (4) dimensions. The heads of departments of the faculties of physical education and sports sciences of some universities in the Kurdistan Region have a high level of practicing organizational justice.

Comparison of Clinicopathological Features between Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Female Breast Cancer Patients in Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Retrospective Single Institution Study of 671 Female Patients

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and its incidence is increasing annually worldwide. It accounts for 24% of new cancer cases and 15% of cancer deaths in 2018, and according to the GLOBOCAN Cancer Tomorrow prediction tool, incident cases are expected to increase by more than 46% by 2040. Studies carried out thus far have shown that risk factors and histopathological features of breast malignancies may vary among different age groups. Menopausal status is an essential factor influencing clinicopathological characteristics of patients with breast cancer. Prognostic factors are used to estimate how aggressive the tumor may evolve and to decide on a treatment approach. In Iraq, breast cancer is most frequently seen in younger women in their fourth and fifth decades of life, who often show in advanced stages at the time of diagnosis, according to previous surveys. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the clinicopathologic features between premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancers to provide valuable insights into what may influence the age at diagnosis of breast cancer in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Methods: This retrospective study included 671 non-metastatic breast cancer patients referred to Zhianawa Cancer Center between January 2015 and December 2017. Disease stage was determined using the American Joint Committee on Cancer and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) (“Tumour,” “Nodes,” “Metastases”) TNM systems. The patients were divided into premenopausal and postmenopausal groups. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between the variables. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.5 years. The most prevalent age group was 40-49, followed by the age group 50-59. Of the participants, 60.5% were premenopausal, and 39.4% were postmenopausal. Stage IIIA was the most common stage at diagnosis. At the same time, the most minor stage at diagnosis was stage 0. The second most common stage was IIB. There was a strong association between menopausal status with grade (P value 0.001) and LVI (P value 0.01); however, there was a non-significant correlation between menopausal status and stage at diagnosis (P value 0.529). Conclusion: Most patients included in this study had locally advanced disease stages. Menopausal status affected grade and LVI but not stage. Further professional efforts, endorsed by practical policy decisions, are recommended to down stage breast cancer through promoting evidence based protocol guidelines and adopting comprehensive well designed diagnostic, screening and cancer control strategies.

Effect of Chloride Solution on Liquid Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soil in Selected Sites in Erbil /North Iraq

This study is an attempt to investigate the effect of NaCl, CaCl2, KCl, and NH4Cl solutions with different concentrations (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%) on the liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of Sarbasty and Mamwastayan soil samples /Erbil Governorate. The soil samples' liquid and plastic limits were found by using the cone penetrometer method. The Results showed that the soil's liquid, plastic limits, and Plasticity index decreased with increasing salt solution concentration. Maximum reduction of liquid limit and plastic limit in Sarbasty was from 53.6 to 34.3 and in Mamwastayan from 35.9 to 27.2, both accomplished by adding a concentration of 7.5% of KCl and CaCl2 respectively. According to the Unified Soil Classification System, the Sarbasty soils were classified as high plasticity clay (CH), and Mamwastayan low plasticity clay (CL). After adding different concentrations of salt solution to the soil, the Sarbasty soil classification changed from CH to CL. Mineralogically these soils are composed of non-clay minerals of calcite and quartz and clay minerals consisting of Montmorillonite, Chlorite, swelling Chlorite, Kaolinite, Illite, Palygorskite, and Illite- Chlorite. Sarbasty soil was the most effective salt chloride solution than the Mamwastayan soil sample swelling.

Assessment of land degradation susceptibility within the Shaqlawa subregion of Northern Iraq-Kurdistan Region via synergistic application of remotely acquired datasets and advanced predictive models.

Land degradation (LD) is the decline in a land's functional capacity and productive potential, which includes various anthropogenic and natural drivers. This study focuses on three primary manifestations of LD including soil erosion, landslides, and rockfalls, which are the most prevalent in the Shaqlawa district. A set of 22 LD conditioning factors, encompassing curvature, lithology, aspect, river density, soil type, lineament density, river distance, elevation, road distance, length slope (LS), land use land cover (LULC), stream power index (SPI), valley depth, profile curvature, slope, solar radiation, road density, lineament distance, rainfall, topographic wetness index (TWI), plan curvature, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were integrated into the analysis. Variance inflation factors (VIF) and tolerance (TOL) values from linear regression indicate that most LD factors have acceptable levels of multicollinearity. The Information Gain Ratio (IGR) identified key variables TWI, NDVI, and lithology-as pivotal factors for predicting LD. Additionally, the study evaluated degradation factors using various machine learning (ML) algorithms, including random forest (RF), Naive Bayes, logistic regression, rotation forest, forest penalized attributes (FPA), and Fisher's Linear discriminant analysis (FLDA). This facilitated categorizing the study area into five susceptibility categories. The FLDA model categorized the highest area under very high degradation risk at 26.72%, emphasizing the varied insights each algorithm brought to characterizing the degradation risk. Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were employed for model validation, identifying RF as the most successful model in the training dataset with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.882, while FLDA outperformed in the testing dataset with an AUC of 0.883. The identified LD-prone areas will help land-use planners and emergency management officials apply effective mitigation strategies for similar terrains.

Курдский народ в борьбе за независимость (вторая половина ХХ – начало ХХI в.) и геноцид в Иракском Курдистане

The article delves into the struggle of the people of Southern (Iraqi) Kurdistan for self-determination and the repression of the ruling regime in Iraq, which brought the Kurdish population to the brink of extermination. The issue of Southern Kurdistan in Iraq has been on the agenda for many decades. The Iraqi Kurds achieved self-government at the cost of incredible efforts. It is emphasized that the recognition of the right to territorial autonomy by the Iraqi government in 1974 was a success of the Kurdish national movement. However, the infringement of the rights of the Kurds continued. The apogee of the repressions were the events of the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988 and the use of chemical weapons against the population of the autonomy. In 2005, Iraq promulgated a new draft Constitution, which reflected the opinion of all ethno-confessional groups of the country – Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds: the country was declared a Federal Republic, and the Kurdish language was declared the state language on the territory of Kurdistan. Conclusion dwells upon the fact that the centuries-long struggle of the Kurds of Iraq ended with the proclamation of autonomy and the granting of democratic rights and freedoms to the population of the Kurdish Autonomous Region. And the facts reflected in the documents of international organizations on the deliberate destruction of the Kurdish minority in Iraq, especially during the years of Saddam Hussein’s rule, are obvious. An important condition for the success of the Kurdish national movement at any stage of its development is the unity of its ranks. The methodological basis of the article is the principles of historicism and objectivity. Documentary materials, personal sources, and media news data serve as the empirical basis of the study and are introduced into scientific discourse.

Offensives of the Russian Army in Southern Kurdistan in 1916–1917. — Caucasian “Brusilov's” breakthrough?

The article describes the military operations of the Russian army against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War from the Caucasian direction. The analysis of the motives of the Russian Empire's actions in the southern direction is given. The successes and causes of failures of the main battles in Southern Kurdistan are considered. The results of the off ensives of the Russian army in 1914–1917 are summarized.