Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Traditional Mud Oven Makers -Iraq

Abdullah, a traditional oven maker, works with his family in Kirkuk, Iraq, on July 6, 2025. His family has been crafting mud ovens for nearly a century, passing the skill down through generations. Despite the hard labor and seasonal challenges—particularly drying the mud in extreme weather—the family remains committed to preserving this heritage. Preferred by many restaurants and households over metal ovens, these clay ovens are believed to give bread a superior taste, on July 6, 2025 in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Omar Karim/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Iraq exports over 106 mln barrels of crude oil in July

STORY: Iraq exports over 106 mln barrels of crude oil in July DATELINE: Aug. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:09 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported about 106.75 million barrels of crude oil in July, generating 8.29 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, the country's Oil Ministry announced on Tuesday. The average price of Iraqi crude oil in July was 77.69 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil, an Iraqi company. About 105.48 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the port of Basra, and 922,755 barrels from the Qayyara oilfield in the northern province of Nineveh, and 344,804 barrels were sent to neighboring Jordan during the month, the statement said. Oil exports from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean were suspended after Baghdad won an arbitration case against Türkiye in late March ov

Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in June

STORY: Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in June DATELINE: July 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:08 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported about 100.6 million barrels of crude oil in June, generating 7.1 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, the country's Oil Ministry announced Saturday. The average price for Iraqi crude oil in June was 71.1 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil, an Iraqi company. More than 98.7 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the port of Basra, nearly 1 million barrels from the Qayyara oilfield in the northern province of Nineveh, and 299,445 barrels were sent to neighboring Jordan during the month, the statement said. Oil exports from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean were suspended after Baghdad won an arbitration case against Türkiye in late March

Two organizations provide relief to displaced people in Iraqi Kurdistan

STORY: Two organizations provide relief to displaced people in Iraqi Kurdistan DATELINE: April 21, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:03 LOCATION: ERBIL, Iraq CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the distribution STORYLINE: The Iraqi International Bring Hope Organization, in cooperation with the Maldivian International Aid Campaign, distributed on Wednesday 285 food parcels to the displaced in Harsham camp, in the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The distribution process included 285 families, which is the total number of families in the Harsham camp. The camp opened in Erbil during the Islamic State (IS) control of some provinces, such as Nineveh, and parts of Diyala and Kirkuk in 2014. The food basket, prepared by the two organizations, consisted of 14 basic foodstuffs. The two organizations aim to fill the needs of the displaced in the camp after the decline of international humanitarian aid to the camps in the Kurdistan region. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Erbil, Iraq. (XHTV)

Iraq exports over 92 mln barrels of crude oil in February

STORY: Iraq exports over 92 mln barrels of crude oil in February DATELINE: March 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:05 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of crude oil facilities STORYLINE: Iraq exported about 92.25 million barrels of crude oil in February, generating 7.08 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, the country's oil ministry announced Wednesday. The average price for Iraqi crude oil in the month was 76.75 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil, an Iraqi company. About 89.14 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the port of Basra, while nearly 3 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February last year, benefiting Iraq and some other oil-exporting countries. However, the prices witnessed a de

Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in Jan.

STORY: Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in Jan. DATELINE: Feb. 2, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:01 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various shots of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported about 101.24 million barrels of crude oil in January, generating 7.69 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, the country's oil ministry announced Wednesday. The average price for Iraqi crude oil in January was 75.96 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. About 98.46 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the port of Basra, while more than 2 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February last year, benefiting Iraq and other oil-exporting countries. However, the prices witnessed a decline in the pa

Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in Dec.

STORY: Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in Dec. DATELINE: Jan. 3, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:24 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported about 103 million barrels of crude oil in December, generating 7.6 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, the country's oil ministry announced Monday. The average price for Iraqi crude oil in December was 73.64 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. A total of 100.7 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the port of Basra, while more than 2 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine crisis in February last year, benefiting Iraq and other oil exporting countries. However, oil prices witnessed a decline in the past few months bec

Iraqi fashion designer seeks to revive ancient Mesopotamian clothing

STORY: Iraqi fashion designer seeks to revive ancient Mesopotamian clothing DATELINE: Dec. 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:51 LOCATION: ERBIL, Iraq CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi fashion designer Steve Al-Sati working in his workshop in Erbil 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): STEVE AL-SATI, Iraqi fashion designer 3. various of Iraqi fashion designer Steve Al-Sati working in his workshop in Erbil 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): STEVE AL-SATI, Iraqi fashion designer 5. various of Steve Al-Sati's works STORYLINE: Steve Al-Sati, a young Iraqi fashion designer, seeks to revive the traditional costumes and clothes worn by the people of ancient Mesopotamia by making them by hand. Clothes, accessories, and fabrics embroidered with inscriptions and drawings dating back to the Babylonian and Assyrian eras, and traditional Chaldean costumes, were until the recent past, part of the daily life of Iraqi Christians in the Kurdistan region, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Baghdad. But today, they have become very few because of Western fashi

Northern Iraq on high alert

Northern Iraq on high alert

KIRKUK, Iraq - An armed convoy of the Kurdistan regional government proceeds on a street of Kirkuk, northern Iraq, on June 17, 2014, amid an onslaught by the militant Islamic State in Iraq and Syria group.

Northern Iraq on high alert

Northern Iraq on high alert

KIRKUK, Iraq - An oilfield facility in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, is photographed on June 17, 2014. The Kurdistan regional government has placed the area under tight security amid an onslaught by the militant Islamic State in Iraq and Syria group.

(2)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

(2)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

KIRKUK, Iraq - A Kurdish family pose for a photograph outside their barracks set up on a soccer ground in Kirkuk, northern Iraq. About 1,000 Kurdish people liver at the soccer ground without water and power supplies. The photo was taken on May 23.

(1)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

(1)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

KIRKUK, Iraq - Kurdish children pose for a photograph at a soccer ground in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, where about 1,000 Kurdish people live under substandard conditions. The photo was taken on May 23.

Iraqi Kurds flee for shelter

Iraqi Kurds flee for shelter

CHAMCHAMAL, Northern Iraq - Iraqi Kurdish residents flee from the village of Chamchamal near the Iraqi government-controlled northern town of Kirkuk on March 18 for fear of possible chemical attacks from President Saddam Hussein's forces stationed nearby.

Iraq exports over 99 mln barrels of crude oil in Nov.

STORY: Iraq exports over 99 mln barrels of crude oil in Nov. DATELINE: Dec. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:20 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of oil facilities in Iraq STORYLINE: Iraq's oil ministry announced Thursday that the country has exported 99.86 million barrels of crude oil in November, generating 8.23 billion U.S. dollars in revenue. The average price for Iraqi crude oil in November was 82.41 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. According to the statement, a total of 97.2 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, while more than 2 million barrels exported from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine crisis in February, benefiting Iraq and other oil exporting countries. Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil expo

Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in Oct.

STORY: Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in Oct. DATELINE: Nov. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported 104.83 million barrels of crude oil in October, generating 9.25 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, the country's oil ministry announced Tuesday. The average price for Iraqi crude oil in October was 88.31 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. A total of 102.7 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, while more than 2 million barrels were exported from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine crisis in February, benefiting Iraq and other oil exporting countries. Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which accoun

Iraq exports over 98 mln barrels of crude oil in Sept.

STORY: Iraq exports over 98 mln barrels of crude oil in Sept. DATELINE: Oct. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:04 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported 98.76 million barrels of crude oil in September with revenues of 8.77 billion U.S. dollars, the country's oil ministry said Saturday. The average price for crude oil in September was 88.83 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. A total of 96.44 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, while about 2.16 million barrels were exported from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine crisis in February, benefiting Iraq and other oil exporting countries. Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for more

Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in August

STORY: Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in August DATELINE: Sept. 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:22 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of oil fields in Iraq STORYLINE: Iraq exported 101.85 million barrels of crude oil in August with revenues of 9.78 billion U.S. dollars, said the Iraqi Oil Ministry on Thursday. The average price for crude oil in August was 96.05 dollars per barrel, the ministry said in a statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. A total of 100.75 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, while about 1.10 million barrels were exported from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine crisis in February, benefiting Iraq and other oil exporting countries. Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for more

Iraq exports 102 mln barrels of crude oil in May

STORY: Iraq exports 102 mln barrels of crude oil in May DATELINE: June 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:14 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported about 102 million barrels of crude oil in May, bringing in revenues of 11.43 billion U.S. dollars, the Iraqi oil ministry said Wednesday. The average selling price for crude oil in May was 111.79 dollars per barrel, according to a ministry statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. A total of 98.94 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, and about 3 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, benefiting Iraq and other oil export countries. Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for more than 90 percent of t

Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in April

STORY: Iraq exports over 100 mln barrels of crude oil in April DATELINE: May 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:21 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported about 101 million barrels of crude oil in April, bringing in revenues of 10.55 billion U.S. dollars, the Iraqi oil ministry said on Sunday. According to a ministry statement, the average selling price for crude oil in April was 104.09 dollars per barrel, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. The statement said that a total of 98.1 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, and about 2.99 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean. Oil prices have risen in global markets since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, benefiting Iraq and other oil-exporting countries. Iraq's economy heavily relies on crude oil exports, which account for more than

Iraq's oil export revenue hits monthly high since 1972: ministry

STORY: Iraq's oil export revenue hits monthly high since 1972: ministry DATELINE: April 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:08 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of oil fields in Iraq STORYLINE: Iraq exported more than 100.56 million barrels of crude oil in March, bringing in revenues of 11.07 billion U.S. dollars, the highest monthly revenue since 1972, the Iraqi oil ministry said on Friday. The average selling price for crude oil in the month was 110.09 dollars per barrel, according to a ministry statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. A total of 99.11 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, and about 1.44 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. It added that the average crude oil exports in March reached 3.24 million barrels per day. Previously, Iraq used to export more than 100 million barrels per m

Iraq exports nearly 93 mln barrels of crude oil in February

STORY: Iraq exports nearly 93 mln barrels of crude oil in February DATELINE: March 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:18 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Iraqi oil fields STORYLINE: Iraq exported 92.79 million barrels of crude oil in February, bringing in revenues of more than 8.54 billion U.S. dollars, the Iraqi oil ministry said on Tuesday. The average selling price for crude oil in the month was more than 92.08 dollars per barrel, according to a ministry statement, citing statistics from the State Organization for Marketing of Oil. A total of 91.31 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq via the Port of Basra, and about 1.47 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk via the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean, the statement said. Iraq used to export more than 100 million barrels monthly, but the OPEC Plus agreement to cut oil production and a dip in oil prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic have merged to cause a decline in the cou

(1)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

(1)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

KIRKUK, Iraq - Kurdish children pose for a photograph at a soccer ground in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, where about 1,000 Kurdish people live under substandard conditions. The photo was taken on May 23. (Kyodo)

Northern Iraq on high alert

Northern Iraq on high alert

KIRKUK, Iraq - An oilfield facility in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, is photographed on June 17, 2014. The Kurdistan regional government has placed the area under tight security amid an onslaught by the militant Islamic State in Iraq and Syria group. (Kyodo)

Statue in Kirkuk

Statue in Kirkuk

Photo taken in Kirkuk, Iraq, on May 7, 2018, shows a statue of a Kurdish soldier holding the Iraqi flag. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum

Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum

People vote in the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum at a voting station in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, on Sept. 25, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(2)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

(2)1,000 Kurdish people live at a soccer stadium

KIRKUK, Iraq - A Kurdish family pose for a photograph outside their barracks set up on a soccer ground in Kirkuk, northern Iraq. About 1,000 Kurdish people liver at the soccer ground without water and power supplies. The photo was taken on May 23. (Kyodo)

Iraqi Kurds flee for shelter

Iraqi Kurds flee for shelter

CHAMCHAMAL, Northern Iraq - Iraqi Kurdish residents flee from the village of Chamchamal near the Iraqi government-controlled northern town of Kirkuk on March 18 for fear of possible chemical attacks from President Saddam Hussein's forces stationed nearby. (Kyodo)