The Iraqi government's Media and Communications Commission ordered closure of the Hewler (Erbil) based Rudaw and seizure of all its equipment in the country. The related decree stated that Rudaw, which is licensed by the Ministry of Culture of the Kurdistan Regional Government, is not licensed by their commission.

Rudaw says that they weren’t officially notified about the decision.

Rudaw is based in Hewler (Erbil) and it’s not clear how the Iraqi government will enforce the ban on the TV station.