Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received United States Ambassador to Iraq, Stuart Jones and his accompanying delegation.

Mr Jones pointed out the visit by Kurdistan Region President, Masoud Barzani and his accompanying delegation to the United States last month, valuing the meetings and talks held during the visit.

The two sides discussed the latest political situation in Iraq, military operations, and the United States support to Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in particular.

Ambassador Jones reiterated that his country will continue its support to the Peshmerga forces, as it was discussed and stressed during President Barzani’s visit to the United States.

In the meeting, the relations between Erbil and Baghdad and the financial problems which appeared in the Kurdistan Region as the result of Baghdad’s withholding Kurdistan’s budgets early last year, were also discussed.

Ambassador Jones expressed his support for the agreement reached between Kurdistan Region and Iraqi Federal Government last December to settle oil export and budgetary issues.

He also pointed to the situation in the region in general and the importance of the participation of the Sunnis in the political process in Iraq as well the liberation of the Sunni areas under the control of the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his thanks and appreciation for his assessment of the successful visit of the President of the Kurdistan Region and his accompanying delegation to Washington. In this regard, he thanked the US embassy in Iraq to have organised and set the programme of the visit.

Regarding the humanitarian and military situation, Prime Minister Barzani hoped that the United States will continue its support to the Peshmerga forces and to the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, by providing relief aid to the large number of refugees and internally displaces people who sought safety in Kurdistan Region.

Regarding the agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani outlined KRG's position, saying that the Kurdistan Region has fulfilled its obligations under the agreement. He pointed out that the KRG is waiting for Iraqi Federal Government to meet its obligations by sending Kurdistan Region liabilities adequately, as defined in the agreement, in the coming days.  

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - In a statement, the Kurdistan regional Government Council of Ministers strongly condemned the bomb attach which targeted a mass electoral gathering in the city of Diyarbakir.

Following is the text of the statement:

We strongly condemn the bomb attack, yesterday evening, which targeted a mass electoral rally of People’s Democratic Party, HDP, in the city of Diyarbakir, killing a number of citizens and wounding scores of them.

At the time when we express our deep sorrow and condolences to the families of those killed, we wish a prompt recovery for the injured.

We hope that all the sides will resort only to legal procedures, and that this cowardly act would not lead to irresponsible reactions in the last days of the electoral campaign, and would not disturb the general atmosphere and the conduct of the electoral process.

Council of Ministers
Kurdistan Regional Government

6 June 2015

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

Erbil, Kurdistan (KRG.org) – Based on the instruction of Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region and Commander-in-Chief of Kurdistan’s Peshmerga forces, a joint meeting between the military and the government was held in Erbil today, 14 June 2014.

The meeting was held under the supervision of Kosrat Rasul, Kurdistan Region Vice President and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Kurdistan’s Peshmerga forces, and KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. A number of commanders and senior officials participated in the meeting.

The withdrawal of the Iraqi Army from several Iraqi governorates was discussed in detail, as well as the role of the Peshmerga forces filling the vacuum caused by this withdrawal. This decision was taken because of a sense of national responsibility to protect peace, stability, and the people living in these areas, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Sunnis, and Shia. This is an expression of the loyalty and the commitment of the Peshmerga forces to protect the stability of the country and the lives and well being of its people. Peshmerga forces will act according to their full sense of national responsibility.

Participants in the meeting reassured the people living in areas under Peshmerga control that the stability of these areas and the lives and well being of residents will be protected in every way possible, adding that they have nothing to fear because the Peshmerga will loyally protect them.

Participants in the meeting expressed their sorrow and disappointment regarding the circumstances that Iraq faces today. At the same time, this unfortunate situation has proved that the approach of the leadership of the Kurdistan Region has been true to the people and the leaders of Iraq – that Iraq can only be governed through commitment to the Constitution and the principle of consensus through which all groups of Iraq feel that they are part of the country’s decision-making. Kurdistan’s political leadership has on many occasions warned about the possibility of the emergence of this type of situation. Unfortunately, some did not feel this was a threat.

In the meeting it was agreed that the Peshmerga would hold defensive positions, and have never taken any offensive measures and do not want any complications to be created on the front lines. It was also emphasized that the solution for the ongoing situation can only be reached by genuine political settlement, not through military means and not without consensus. This is why it was reiterated that stability and progress would only return to Iraq through the establishment of consensus among Shia, Sunni, Kurds, and other components of Iraqi society.

Participants also pointed out that since Kurds have been victims of terrorism themselves, they are committed to international obligations to establish stability and contribute actively to the promotion of international peace and security.

In order to supervise and work hard in a coordinated manner during these circumstances, the meeting decided the following.

First: The establishment of a high level security and military operations room in the Kurdistan Region to oversee all security and military activities, in line with the Kurdistan Region’s laws, together with Kurdistan Regional Government institutions; and the creation of temporary rooms in the various areas where they should all work together with a common stance, comprised of all components of the society of Kurdistan.

Second: That only Lieutenant General Jabbar Yawar, the Spokesperson of the Region’s armed forces, is authorised to give official statements regarding the military operations and activities of the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces.

The meeting also highlighted the following two requests.

First: Members of the families that have fled violence in Mosul and other cities and entered the Kurdistan Region are our brothers and sisters. We have provided whatever assistance possible to help them and we will continue supporting them. We also extend our call to the generous people of the Kurdistan Region to provide assistance and support to these families, in line with the Region’s security and administrative guidelines.

Second: We urge the international community to take all necessary measures to provide aid and assistance to those displaced people who have left their homes and belongings behind and entered the Kurdistan Region, and to partner with the Kurdistan Regional Government in supporting these families.

The Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in Iran, participated in 4^th international day festival of the University of Iran on the occasion of 80^th anniversary of the University of Tehran establishment. With the presence of Nazem Debbagh, the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government in Tehran, Dr. Jegar Khowein (Muhammad Ahmad Seddigh) the deputy-Representative of KRG in Iran, Cultural Counselor of Iraq embassy and other countries like Italy, France, Russia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, …, some ambassadors, the professors of the University, some employees of the Office of KRG, the managers of the University, the Ministry of Science, Researches and Technology and other organizations, non- and Iranians scholars, students and stuff and experts of the University, the 4th international day festival of the University of Tehran was held on the occasion of 80^th anniversary of the University establishment in the hall of Allameh Amini central library and documents center of the university at 4 on Monday, Khordad 5^th .

In this ceremony, foreign top students, causes of glory, the board of science and the students of the University were appreciated. By the suggestion offered by the group of Arab Language and Literature of Humanity Literature faculty of the University, honorary doctorate in Arab Literature was awarded to Abdul-Aziz Saoud Babtin, the literary figure and cultivated outstanding poet of Kuwait by Dr. Muhammad Hossein Omid, the chancellor of the University of Tehran, in recognition of playing a remarkable scientific and education role in propagating Islamic culture and Arab literature.