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, Iraq (KRG.org) – French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius yesterday met with leaders of the Christian and Yezidi communities to convey his sympathy regarding the tragic events of the last few days.

After meetings with President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Foreign Minister Fabius visited the French Consulate General and French Institute, meeting with diplomats and the French community in Kurdistan. He was accompanied by the Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, as well French Consul General Alain Guepratte.

The Foreign Minister then visited Ainkawa and met Bishop Bashar Matti Warda, of the Chaldean Archbishop of the Diocese of Erbil, and representatives of Christian families displaced from Mosul and elsewhere. He listened to the details of their suffering at the hands of terrorists and how they were forced to flee to avoid mass killing.

Foreign Minister Fabius then met with Yezidi representative Hazim Mir Tahsin Bag and with Baba Sheikh, the religious leader of the Yezidis. He expressed to the Yezidi leaders his government’s sympathy and condolences regarding the crimes committed against their people in Sinjar. The Yezidi representative described the tragedy caused by the terrorists.

Tehran, June 15, IRNA – Daesh terrorist group is a threat to security the entire region, Representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Nazem Dabbagh, said on Sunday.

Talking to IRNA, he noted that certain regional governments and global powers as well as the outlawed Iraqi Baath Party are supporting the Daesh terror group.

Daesh is desperate and has no place in the future of Iraq and Syria democratic process, Dabbagh noted referring to the recent presidential election in Syria and parliamentary election in Iraq.

He called for international support for the Iraqi government in campaign against the terrorists.

He said that Iraqi Kurdistan regional government troops are on full alert to thwart the menace of terrorism.

He also reported that half a million refugees who have escaped Mosul have already entered the Iraqi Kurdistan province.

Daesh is a Salafi organization affiliated to al-Qaeda. The terror group was first founded in Iraq in 2004.

Erbil, Kurdistan (KRG.org) – KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has issued a statement regarding the mass exodus of Christian families from the city of Mosul.

He has called upon the people of Kurdistan to help these families, as well as urging the international community to provide emergency aid and relief to the people who were forced to flee the city of Mosul due to intimidation and threats issued by the armed terrorist groups. The terrorists placed deplorable threats throughout the city of Mosul, ordering Christian families to leave the city by noon today.

The Prime Minister’s statement:

Following the seizure of the city of Mosul by armed terrorist groups, the Christians of Mosul have been subjected to continuous threats. Tragically, over the past few days, Christians have been threatened with mass murder and have been forced to leave the city of Mosul in a mass exodus. They have come towards Erbil and Duhok without being allowed to take any of their belongings or necessities.

In the face of this humanitarian catastrophe, the Kurdistan Regional Government is intensifying its efforts and its capacity to assist the displaced. At the same time we call upon the people of the Kurdistan Region in general, and the generous people of Erbil and Duhok in particular, to provide all that they can in terms of aid and assistance to the displaced Christian families. 

The Kurdish people enjoy good relations with their Christian brothers and sisters as well as all other ethnic and religious groups, and we are proud to protect the diversity that exists in Kurdistan. This diversity and culture of tolerance have been effective over the past few years in our society. The people of Kurdistan now must also provide assistance to the Christian families that have been forced to flee their homes and abandon their property and belongings.

The Kurdistan Regional Government, in full coordination with the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR), has assisted hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced people who have found refuge in the Kurdistan Region. However, the number of refugees and displaced people is increasing each day. The Iraqi Government, which has cut the Kurdistan Region’s share of the national budget, has at the same time refused to bear any responsibility for the internally displaced people who are now sheltered in the Kurdistan Region.

Due to these circumstances and the dire economic situation that the Iraqi Government has caused in the Kurdistan Region, we call upon countries, charitable organisations, and the international community in general to provide refugees and internally displaced people in the Kurdistan Region with relief. We call for support and assistance to the Kurdistan Regional Government in order to better provide relief to the affected families.

Nechirvan Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government
19 July 2014

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate,

Proud people of Kurdistan,

The people of Kurdistan are accustomed, in their culture, to respect and abide by religious pluralism and coexistence. They have not intimidated anyone and throughout history they have always been in a defensive position. However, the enemies never stand still and they aim, whenever possible, to harm our people in every way they can.

Following the events of Mosul, Kurdistan has only defended itself. However, the terrorists started to provoke and attack Kurdistan, resulting in the recent distressing incidents. Therefore, we decided to go beyond the defensive position and fight the terrorists to the last breath. We have ordered the Peshmerga forces to attack the terrorists and the enemies of the people and the land of Kurdistan with all their power.

The recent developments in the areas of Zumar and Sinjar and the tragedy that faced our Yezidi brothers and sisters are heartbreaking. We reassure the people of Kurdistan that we will not relinquish an inch of the territory of Kurdistan and that we will defend Sinjar and our Yezidi brothers and sisters dearly, and that Sinjar Mountain will continue to stand tall. This beloved and indigenous part of our nation will remain proud and it is our duty to protect it.

Terrorism is a global issue and it requires an international response and effort to combat it. For years, Kurdistan has been the victim of terror and terrorists. It is unfortunate that we have been alone and that no one has helped the people of Kurdistan to defend against terror. Yet, in fighting terror we have always relied on the support of our people, the Peshmerga, and security forces. We have always adhered to the principles of freedom and the genuine culture of coexistence and tolerance in Kurdistan, and this is our point of strength when it comes to attaining victory against our enemies and terrorists.

Today, our valiant forces have started offensive attacks against the terrorists and they are marching forward. I urge the people of Kurdistan, the political parties and the Kurdish media to treat the situation with utmost responsibility and to preserve national unity more than ever. I reassure our courageous Peshmerga that the people of Kurdistan will support them using all means at their disposal, and that they are looking up to your courage, bravery and sacrifices.

Finally, I thank the people of Kurdistan for demonstrating resilience – the courageous Peshmerga forces, the voluntary forces, and the proud families of the martyrs. And rest assured that a bright future awaits the people of Kurdistan.

Long live Kurdistan

Glory and immortality to the martyrs of freedom

Masoud Barzani
President of the Kurdistan Region
4 August 2014 

Erbil, Kurdistan (KRG.org) – Following the developments in the city of Mosul due to the Iraqi Security Force’s inability to maintain security in the city, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has issued the following statement.

“Unfortunately, due to the failure of the Iraqi Security Forces to protect the people and the city of Mosul, the militant group referred to as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) controls the city of Mosul. This has caused widespread fear. The people of Mosul fear for their lives because of attacks and the lack of food and services, and they are leaving their city.

“Over the last two days we tried extremely hard to establish cooperation with the Iraqi Security Forces in order to protect the city of Mosul. Tragically, Baghdad adopted a position which has prevented the establishment of this cooperation.

“In order to assist and support the displaced people of the city of Mosul, including all of the city's different ethnic groups – Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Chaldeans and Assyrians – I ask the people of the Kurdistan Region to help the displaced people of Mosul in whatever way they can within the framework of legal and security guidelines. I also urge the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide relief and support for the displaced people fleeing the violence in Mosul.

“In the meantime, we reassure the people living in the areas of Kurdistan outside KRG administration that Kurdish Security Forces and Peshmerga are ready, as always, to handle the security situation in these areas.”

– Nechirvan Barzani

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region

10 June 2014

Fararu: the representative of KRG of Iraq in Tehran mentioning the Mosul having taken up by ISIS forces said: the situation occurring in Mosul raise a question. That is to say, the question is that how telecommunication and intelligence organizations of Iraq have been caught by surprise so that ISIS has managed to control a city such big within 24 hours.

The terrorism group of ISIS some hours after overcoming Mosul, the airport and governor capitol building and all security posts, they are advancing to Sallaheddin province and has occupied the areas of Al-Sahel Al-Aysar in the north of Tikrit.

Security sources of Iraq added: the areas of Ghanitreh, Al-Khamsiat, Sheikh Hamad in 120km from the north of Tekrit have completely come under the control of ISIS.

Accordance with an aware source, ISIS’ troops, with a black flag, are prancing in the areas and ask people to join them.

After overcoming of the quasi-military related to Al-Qaeda on parts of Neynava province and keeping available heavy weapons under their control in that province, Iraq government ordered general mobilization and ask parliament to announce the emergency state.

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Tehran in talk with Fararu said: the regions presently occupied by ISIS have a high geostrategic importance. He, pointing that after Baghdad and Basra Mosul is the third biggest city. He also added: the eastern parts of the city are most settled by Kurds while the west most settled by Arabs and Sunnites as well as former Baths.

Dabbagh added: so the situation has now occurred in Mosul, raise a question. That is to say how transmission and intelligence organization of Iraq have been caught by surprise so that ISIS forces could manage to keep the city such a big under their control within 24 hours.

In response to a question concerning the eastern parts settled by Kurds, what measures Kurdistan government would take to this event, he answered: since yesterday which this happened Kurdistan government has put the Pishmargh forces on alert so that they can support this region. He added: on the other phrase Pishmargh forces cannot enter other areas without the president’s order of KRG and the prime minister of Iraq.

In response to a question about what actions they would take if ISIS forces advance to Kurdistan region, he answered: if so, it is Pishmargh forces’ responsibilities to support and defend the areas of the region. About the consequences of the crisis and whether Iraq army would manage to defeat ISIS, the representative of KRG of Iraq in Tehran said: I am not so pessimistic but hope the problems get to be dissolved and security return to Iraq.

He continued: in my view the happened event results from the absence of the army forces in the field of battle, or else it should not have occurred.

He added: absolutely to defend the regions is easier than to attack and to counterattack in order to discharge ISIS group from the regions. Thus, the occurrence of the event raises a question to me and I do not have any idea of whether these situations will change as soon.     

Dr. Muhammad Seddigh Ahmad, the Deputy Representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq, dealt with the roots of the attacks of Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) on Mosul and the necessities to react to it on a note published by Ebtekar Newspaper.

After having humanity consequences of this attack, he took a glance at the meaning of terrorism. In his point of view, terrorism tends to occur in failed and failing state and those whose are going to be established (like Iraq). He continued to say that even though America’s Attacks to Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003) aimed to confront of terrorism, after upon 10 years Middle East still get engaged into terrorist security phenomena.

Dr. Ahmad believes that not only to military confrontation with terrorism is vital, but we also should take advantage of non-military innovations to dissolve the roots of this phenomena whose centre is democracy. Dr Ahmad pointed that the high –ranking authorities of KRG have warned about the army defections and the present political effects upon security situations to authorities of federal government, typically they did not notice. Federal government also got involved into issues like unimportant acts, divisive acts and power politics.

Dr. Ahmad phrased that ISIS were supported by some interior groups and regional powers. Meantime, He deemed the slogans of ISIS claiming to support the rights of Sunnis minorities of Iraq manipulative and claimed that this group was against the progress and development and advancement of the nation of Iraq. He pointed to Nechiravan Barezani’s, the prime-minister of KRG, phrases relating to being unsuccessful of actions to create compatibility amongst Pishmargh troops and army of Iraq, the actions still ongoing.

On Dr Ahmad’s viewpoint, the necessity to react with kinds of terrorism operations, to establish democracy, to restore all Iraqi’s rights aside from the racism and religious separations as well as visible and practical participation of all groups on politics of Iraq are achievable. If doing so non Iraqi groups and sects tend to feel being neglected.

He continued to mention Pishmargh forces’ abilities and potentialities and their attempts being made to jointly reaction of Pishmargh and army of Iraq. In his view, federal government merely is responsible for creating national solidarity to confront of terrorism. In addition he pointed that after Saddam no powerful government has been established.

At last Dr. Ahmad phrased that whereas the stability in Iraq and region is the matter of some regional powers, federal government can take advantage of this potential of the countries to successfully pass such current crisis. Meanwhile, the role of Islamic Republic of Iran is remarkable, as for broad relations with most Iraqi groups can provides the possible opportunities to create so3lidarity among these groups.