Newroz: Spectacular torch-lit procession by Iraqi Kurds

People celebrated Newroz, the traditional Kurdish New Year, by carrying torches atop the Akre mountain in Iraq's northern Kurdish region on Wednesday night.

Akre: The traditional Kurdish New Year known as Newroz was celebrated by the people here on Wednesday night. The people went carrying torches atop the Akre mountain in Iraq's northern Kurdish region.

Thousands of people, many wearing traditional Kurdish clothes, carried torches and shot fireworks as part of the annual celebration.

A huge Kurdish flag sprawled at the side of the mountain.

The festival is celebrated every year by Kurds in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria on the first day of spring.