With the presence of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) representative in Tehran and after reading the condolatory message by the president of Kurdistan Region, the celebrity of the singer Abbas Kamandi was held in Tehran.

With the presence of Dr. Jegarkhowein (Mohammad Seddigh Ahmad) the deputy-representative of KRG in Tehran and several political, cultural and art personifications of Kurdistan and Iran the 3^rd day ceremony of the Kurdish singer Abbas Kamandi was held in Abulfazl Mosque in Tehran at 6:30 on Monday on Khordad 12^th (June 2^nd , 2014).

Dr. Jegarkhowein the deputy-representative of KRG read Mr. Masoud Barzani’s condolatory message in the occasion of Abbas Kamandi’s death. A part of the message says: as soon as hearing the news of the famous artist’s death Abbas Kamandi I got concerned. He gave precious services in the fields of singing arts, sign, painting, poem and play-writing for many years; so that his affectivity in these fields is sensible and appreciated.

The message continues: the loss of the artist is a great injury to Kurdish art, I offer my condolence to his family and the artists of Kurdistan I too share this tragic grief. I demand the Great God to grant his grace to this deceased and calmness to everyone. In addition Ezzatullah Zarghami’s condolatory message, the head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization, was read.

Furthermore personifications like As’ad Ardalan, As’ad Khoshgovari Kurdish program master and Behruz Tavakkoli the Kurdish singer, Dr. Ghotbeddin Sadeghi the play-writer and the instructor of the University of Tehran, Jalal Jalalizade the instructor of the University of Tehran and ex-representative of Sanandaj in Islamic Council Parliament gave speeches concerning Abbas Kamandi personality aspects.

Additionally the condolatory message of Kurds Society residing in the center, Culture Institute of Kurdistan in Tehran, the artists of Culture and Art Institute of Zagros Simagostar, the artists Kurdish part of Sahar Universal Network, the masters and staffs of Kurdish radio in Tehran, the artists and staffs of Mahabad and Sanandaj Television and Radio, the Society of Kurdish lawyers residing in the center, the Society of Uramani Kurds residing in Tehran, Wrestling Broad of Kurdistan, the artists of different towns of Kurdistan, the Society of Kermanshah’s people in Tehran, Engineer Seyyed Ehsan Alawi the representative of Islamic Council Parliament, the Society of Azeri and Lor, Mahabad Magazine and several other centers and institutions.   

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) - The Kurdistan Regional Government would like to express its gratitude, appreciation, and indebtedness to President Barack Obama for taking the timely decision to provide airstrikes against the forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group that was killing, hunting, and terrifying innocent people in Kurdistan as well as Iraq's ancient minorities: the Yazidis, Christians, Shabak, and other groups.

We feared that we would forever lose these minority communities if the ISIS terrorists were not stopped immediately. We feared that they would commit widespread genocide against these vunerable groups. We also feared that the killing machine of this inhuman ideology would be able to threaten even the very existence of Kurdistan - the only stable, democratic, tolerant Region in Iraq.

We are grateful to the men and women of the American armed forces who have carried out these decisive attacks against the terrorist forces of ISIS.

We would like to wholeheartedly thank the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union for its decision to allow member states to provide the Kurdistan Regional Government with military material and to strengthen their presence in Erbil.

The KRG highly appreciates all other diplomatic, political, and humanitarian assistance provided by several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Iran, and other countries.

The ISIS terrorists heinous acts of cruelty against our minorities in Kurdistan and Iraq. We thought we had witnessed the worst after Saddam Hussein attacked Kurdish civilians in 1988 and 1989 with chemical weapons, notably the attack against the people of Halabja. We thought we had experienced enough violence and killing when hundreds of thousands of Kurdish civilians and minorities fled Iraq's army in the spring of 1991, seeking refuge in Turkey and Iran. We thought we enduring enough suffering in human lives, oppression, mass killing, genocide, and trauma when Saddam Hussein's regime of destruction was removed in 2003.

We are now reminded that evil forces still surround us, forces with no respect for human life. The inhumane motivations of ISIS and brutal attacks against religious and ethnic minorities have presented grave existential threats against these vulnerable minorities in Sinjar and throughout Ninevah province. Those who have escaped to safety are now suffering intensely and collectively due to the atrocities they witnessed.

Together with the international community, we are taking responsibility to protect these minority groups in Kurdistan and Iraq. We need to make sure that those who have lost their lives are buried properly, while at the same time providing all necessary assistance to the injured and exhausted now sheltered in Kurdistan. We need to do all that we can to find and bring back kidnapped women and children. We must, in the best manner possible, look after the enormous groups of internally displaced people still suffering from the nightmare of what has happened to them and their kidnapped relatives.

Once again we thank all political leaders, members of parliament, military officials, rescue crews, United Nations agencies, medical teams, Peshmerga forces, and the general public for their role in doing their utmost to save as many lives as possible.

We are sure that once the military material and equipment is delivered to the Peshmerga forces, we will be able to protect all the citizens of our Region and safeguard our democratic achievements, religious and ethnic diversity, and culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. These values set the Kurdistan Region apart, and the support and commitment from the international community indicate that we are fighting for the right values and standards.

Council of Ministers

Kurdistan Regional Government

20 August 2014 

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and his accompanying delegation.

The Prime Minister noted his appreciation for the visit. Foreign Minister Bassil is the first Foreign Minister of an Arab country to visit the Kurdistan Region since the terrorist attacks began in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The Foreign Minister stressed that he came to the Kurdistan Region to convey his country’s solidarity and support.

Discussions centered on the political situation in Iraq, the impact of terrorists occupying parts of the country, the formation of the new government in Baghdad, and the importance of an inclusive government that represents all components of Iraqi society.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised the need for substantive reform in Iraqi governance and the resolution of outstanding political issues in order to pave the way for a healthy political atmosphere. He said that the Kurdistan Region would participate in Iraq’s political process and negotiations.

The Prime Minister explained that the people of Kurdistan are proud of a culture of coexistence and tolerance that has been practiced in the Region for millennia. The KRG is committed to the protection of this culture and will exert all efforts and resources to ensure its continuation.

Both sides pointed to the importance of bilateral relations, discussing the dynamic presence of the Lebanese community in the Kurdistan Region. They discussed Lebanese involvement in trade, economic activity, development, reconstruction, and investment in the Kurdistan Region and how best to ensure and expand the mutually beneficial relationship.

Finally, the situation of displaced civilians and refugees currently in the Kurdistan Region was discussed. The Prime Minister described the extent of the humanitarian crisis and the need for urgent support from the international community.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Børge Brende called President Masoud Barzanion on Monday to express his country’s support and solidarity for the KRG in its fight against ISIS terrorists. He also praised the peshmerga forces for their bravery and recent victories against the terrorist group. 

President Barzani thanked the Norwegian foreign minister and said that on behalf of the free world, the people of Kurdistan are proudly fighting a terrorist state, which has gained the advanced weapons from the armies of both Iraq and Syria. 

During their telephone conversation, they also discussed the plight of hundreds of thousands of IDP and refugees who have sought refuge in Kurdistan. On this, the President said that the KRG is now providing for the needs of more than 1.5 million people. 

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday chaired the KRG Council of Minister’s customary weekly meeting to discuss the current situation in the Kurdistan Region.

Prime Minister Barzani summarised the events that have taken place over the last two weeks, including the terrorist attacks. He highlighted the situation in Sinjar and the status of displaced Yezidis and Christians, explaining that he has been closely following the KRG response in the Duhok governorate. He indicated that this is a humanitarian crisis and requires international aid and support.

Acts committed against Yezidi Kurds constitute genocide

The Prime Minister emphasised that the crimes committed against the Yezidis by the terrorists constitute genocide by every measure, and these acts are the worst crimes perpetrated against the people of Kurdistan since the Halabja attack and the Anfal campaign. The KRG therefore requests that the Iraqi Council of Representatives formally recognizes the acts committed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) against the Yezidi Kurds as genocide and treats the situation accordingly.

International and domestic support

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to the United States of America, President Barack Obama, and European countries that responded to the situation and supported the Kurdistan Region. He reiterated that the KRG is receiving full support, as the Region is at the forefront of the world’s fight against terrorism. He added that the whole world must fight this battle together, and that the terrorists should be eliminated from Kurdistan, Iraq, and the wider region.

The Prime Minister thanked the people of Kurdistan, particularly the people of Duhok and Syrian Kurdish refugees residing in the Kurdistan Region. Despite being victims themselves, they have collected aid and provided support from the first day to assist the displaced people from Sinjar. He urged relevant ministries to assume responsibility for that which is required to assist the displaced. He also thanked the Ministry of Natural Resources for quickly making available the financial support to help relevant government bodies as they assist the displaced.

Peshmerga make steady gains, defense sector to be reformed

Prime Minister Barzani also pointed out that substantive military reform is underway. On the front, the Peshmerga forces are advancing in all locations. He said, “The horizon is bright, and what has happened will prompt us to review our shortcomings and mistakes and pay particular importance to defense sector reform.”

The Minister of Peshmerga Affairs explained that Peshmerga forces and other elements of the security apparatus are confronting the terrorists along the Kurdistan Region border, inflicting severe damage upon the terrorists. He highlighted that the absence of a national and professionally trained force in the Kurdistan Region is a weakness among the Peshmerga forces that must be solved. He also explained that plans to retake all of the locations overtaken by terrorists are currently under study. International support and the arrival of weapons from the United States and Europe continue, and the weapons will be distributed among the Peshmerga forces at the battlefronts based on a plan and according to their requirements.

KRG requires financial assistance to provide basic needs to displaced

The Minister of Finance and Economy requested special budget allocation and flexibility regarding the regular financial guidelines in order to provide urgent necessities to the displaced. He indicated that the humanitarian situation in the Duhok governorate is beyond the capacity of governorate and KRG officials and resources. Despite the difficult economic circumstances facing the Kurdistan Region, the Duhok governorate and local organisations quickly came to the aid of the displaced people, a gesture worthy of commendation. He reiterated that so far government bodies have not received any financial assistance. The necessities are so vast that the KRG should be provided with financial aid in order to support the internally displaced and refugees, he said.

Logistic, health, and educational considerations for the displaced

The Minister of Planning summarised the number and location of IDPs and refugees, indicating that most are in the Duhok governorate. He explained that there are more than 600,000 IDPs and refugees in the province, and 275,000 require immediate accommodation. There is now a census to register the number of displaced people and refugees caused by the recent events in order to issue identity cards and determine their locations and basic needs. The exact numbers remain unclear because they are scattered and reside in different locations because there are not enough camps to accommodate them.

The Minister of Health stated that there are currently no epidemic diseases among IDPs or refugees, but he fears such a situation could arise. It is therefore essential to pay attention to the health of the displaced and assure the provision of clean drinking water. He noted that the federal government is helping the KRG to provide medicine. Pharmaceutical companies are also helping the Ministry by loaning medicine.

The Minister of Education reiterated that accommodation should be provided to the displaced as soon as possible. If the schools currently accommodate them are not cleared before the beginning of the forthcoming academic year, approximately 500,000 students will be affected.

KRG presents highest honor to helicopter pilot al-Tamimi

The Council of Ministers expressed its condolences to the family of helicopter pilot Majid Abdulsalam al-Tamimi, who died in the helicopter crash while rescuing Yezidi civilians and delivering aid on Mount Sinjar. The Council declared that he is to be considered a martyr in the Kurdistan Region, and a statue will be dedicated to him in a public place in Kurdistan to ensure the memory of his actions. A formal letter of condolence will be sent to his family on behalf of the KRG.

Council of Ministers decisions

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani suggested the establishment of a special body to deal with emergencies, and the Council of Ministers decided to form a committee to study the establishment of such a body. It was decided to conduct a census to determine the exact number of IDPs and refugees and provide them with accommodation as soon as possible. The KRG will work with the relevant United Nations agencies in this regard.

The Council of Ministers decided to form a government committee to gather and document photos, video footage, eyewitness accounts, and other evidence in order to register legal action in international courts and assure that ISIS actions in Sinjar and surrounding areas are recognised as genocide. This would be applicable in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and at an international level.

The Council of Ministers applauded the unanimous United Nations Security Council resolution designed to disarm ISIS terrorists and its call to the international community to provide international aerial protection in Sinjar and surrounding areas to protect ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution by the terrorists.

Finally, the Council of Ministers congratulated Prime Minister designate Haider al-Abadi upon his nomination to form a new Iraqi government, expressing hope that this step can help to settle outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

Neda Nazari: Iraq, which these days are engaged in Terrorist ISIS, has gone past difficult days to form a powerful government, however; to state the head of both important unit of presidency and parliament in recent days has caused encouragements concerning possible political agreement and reconciliation for Iraqi groups in near future. Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran made an analysis of recent political events in a short talk.

About the effects of Fuad Ma’sum to be selected as the president of Iraq he said that his being selected as the president of Iraq is an introduction to agreement and political reconciliation of Iraq and suggests the country is slowly going toward political peace, for as we observed recent weeks in the first meeting of parliament Salim Aljaburi from Sunni coalition occupied the position of parliament chairmanship and in second meeting the presidency position got specified and Fuad Masum from Patriotic Union Party was selected for this position with a majority of the parliament votes. If Iraq PM get to be selected by all political groups’ agreement the perspective of the political future of Iraq will be clear. In a response to question he said Kurds and Fuad Ma’sum have always been following the constitution of the country and tended to consolidate Iraq. However all Kurd parties’ participation in all elections held in Iraq indicates this obedience. In addition Kurds insist on to carry out all parts of the constitution of Iraq, in some cases it is not completely conducted though.

About the position of Prime Ministry he added to change the personifications and political persons does not matter as much as groups’ and moves’ thoughts. If groups are obedient to the constitution by changing their thoughts all difficulties with which Iraq has confronted will be diminished; therefore thoughts will remain the same the prospect of the country will still be ambiguity in spite of changing the personifications. In recent years there have been problems in Iraq causing not only Kurds but also Shia and Sunni to be away from the government. The new future government of Iraq will have to be able to establish peace and reconciliation among parties and groups of Iraq and manage the country with all groups' participation.                     

Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Iraq 

August 14, 2014

The European Union.

Kurdistan Region has been an outstanding model of stability, democracy and peaceful coexistence in Iraq during the last decade. Kurdistan has been a safe haven for all Iraqi components such as, Arabs, Turkomen, Christians, and others. Since 2006, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi internally displaced people have taken shelter in Kurdistan fleeing violence and bloodshed in the other parts of Iraq. 

Currently, this safe haven is under a serious danger by the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS). Last week, the ISIS militants launched a wide spread attack against the Kurdistan Region territories, especially in Sinjar, which is dominantly inhabited by Yazidis and areas to the east and north part of the city of Mosul, which have been the homeland of Christians for thousands of years. The recent ISIS aggression on the Kurdistan Region resulted in the killing of hundreds of people and displacement of around one million people. 

Despite facing serious humanitarian and security challenges, the Iraqi government has only played a very limited role in supporting the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and alleviating the suffering of the refugees and IDPs. Thus, the KRG is under huge humanitarian and security pressure. The KRG is doing whatever it can to provide humanitarian relief for the refugees and IDPs and at the same time the Kurdish Peshmerga forces are fighting ISIS militants on behalf of the world. While we appreciate the support we have received from our friends and allies, we call upon international community to provide further humanitarian and military assistance. 

The Kurdistan Region Government respectfully requests the members of the European Union to urgently come forward and offer humanitarian aids to the IDPs who have taken refuge in the Kurdistan region. It is worth mentioning that the displaced people are suffering severely due to the lack of shelter, food and other basic needs. Urgent aids are needed to save lives of thousands of people. We also call upon the members of the EU to provide the peshmarga forces with necessary arms to deter ISIS offences and protect civilians and displaced people. The Kurdish forces are in an asymmetrical warfare against an organized and well-armed terrorist group. With no doubt, rapid equipment of Peshmarga forces with heavy and sophisticated weapons will change the equation in the battlefield in favor of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. 

We hope that the members of the European Union will urgently and positively respond to our request. 

Sincerely, 

Fuad Hussein 
Chief of Staff
Kurdistan Region Presidency

(courtesy AFP)

Financial Times

Peshmerga forces are fighting for the world and must be armed now, writes Bayan Rahman

Sinjar, a Kurdish border area that has seen more prosperous times as a trading and farming hub famed for its figs, olives and Syrian-influenced cuisine, is suddenly on the world map as a genocide unfolds before our eyes.

As a Kurd whose family comes from Sinjar, I find it wrenching to see the suffering of our people as yet another genocide is committed against us. We had thought the dark days were behind us as we rebuilt the 4,000 villages, and the physical and social infrastructure, that were destroyed by Saddam Hussein.

Kurdistan has a tradition of peaceful coexistence, with Muslims, Christians, Yazidis, Turkmen, Kurds and Arabs all living side by side. The first school my Muslim mother attended in Sinjar was run by Christian nuns. Religious festivals, she told me, were always celebrated by neighbours of different faiths, too...

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