Iraqi Kurds celebrate Nowruz amid security concerns and Iran war - AP explains

(20 Mar 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++UPDATES EDIT TO INCLUDE SHOTS OF IRBIL, IRAQ++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Akra, Iraq – 20 March 2026 1. SOUNDBITE (English) Samya Kullab, The Associated Press: “Kurds from all over Iraq’s Kurdish region and elsewhere have come here to Akra, in Dohuk province, to mark Nowruz, their New Year. Akra is known as the capital of Nowruz, and typically we see thousands of people come here to climb the mountain, wearing traditional Kurdish clothes, carrying lit torches and fireworks, and music as you can see behind me.” ASSOCIATED PRESS Akra, Iraq - 20 March 2026 2. Various of Kurds celebrating and dancing ASSOCIATED PRESS Akra, Iraq – 20 March 2026 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Samya Kullab, The Associated Press: “This year’s festivities have fallen under a very difficult time, amid a regional war sparked by the US and Israel’s attack on Iran. This region has seen nearly daily attacks by Iran backed militia groups, targeting US assets as well as Iranian Kurdish armed groups.” ASSOCIATED PRESS Irbil, Iraq - 12 March 2026 4. Various of smoke rising from facilities inside Harir air base in Irbil following attacks in region 5. Driving shot of smoke rising from base ASSOCIATED PRESS Akra, Iraq – 20 March 2026 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Samya Kullab, The Associated Press: “Usually, we would see tens of thousands of people and the attendance here is much less than that this year. However, those who have come say that it is still important to mark the occasion despite the rain and of course the war. The main event this evening will be a procession of people carrying torches up the mountain where they will light a fire, to symbolize freedom and the arrival of spring.” ASSOCIATED PRESS Akra, Iraq - 20 March 2026 ++NIGHT SHOTS++ 7. Various of people carrying lit torches STORYLINE: Thousands of Kurds celebrated the new year festival of Nowruz in the hub city of Akra in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region. They wore traditional Kurdish clothes, climbed a mountain holding torches, launched fireworks and played music. This year's celebration takes place against the backdrop of the regional war launched against Iran by the U.S. and Israel. The Kurdish region has faced near-daily attacks from Iran-backed militias targeting U.S. assets and Iranian Kurdish groups. This year's festivities are more muted than in previous years, but those who braved the rainy weather and the war came to Akra for the festival as they said it was important to mark the occasion. The celebration's main event involves thousands of people marching up a mountain in a procession, carrying torches which symbolise freedom and the arrival of spring. =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...