Blizzard Traps 19 in Iraqi Mountain Resort, Rescue Underway

A severe blizzard has trapped at least 19 people in a resort area near Erbil, Iraq. Rescue teams are working to reach them. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures hit the Kurdistan Region this week. The storm has disrupted travel and forced the closure of major mountain roads. Local authorities confirmed the ongoing rescue operation in the Salahaddin resort area. They have not yet released the identities or conditions of those trapped. The region's civil defense forces are leading the effort. They are using specialized vehicles to navigate the blocked and dangerous roads. This unusual winter storm highlights the area's vulnerability to extreme weather. It has caused significant travel chaos across the region.