Kurdistan Regional

Kurdistan Regional (738)

Prime Minister Barzani calls for urgent assistance to displaced Christians

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

Statement from President Masoud Barzani

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

President Barzani visits President Jalal Talabani

Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (KRP.org / KRG.org) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani yesterday visited President Jalal Talabani at his residence in Sulaimaniya. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani.

President Barzani expressed his joy for President Talabani's return and wished him a prompt recovery.

Earlier, Prime Minister Barzani issued a statement congratulating the people of Kurdistan on the occasion of the return of President Talabani. He described the political role President Talabani has played in Kurdistan and Iraq as historic.

The Prime Minister said, "Along with President Masoud Barzani, he played an important role in securing the democratic experience for the people of Kurdistan, ensuring political pluralism and the establishment of parliamentary life in Kurdistan. His absence in Kurdistan and Iraq, due to his illness, has been keenly felt in the political life and governance of Iraq.”

He added, "On behalf of the Kurdistan Regional Government and in my name, I warmly welcome him back, and I congratulate all the people of Kurdistan and wish him a prompt recovery and longevity. We are confident that his return will bring good and joy to the people of Kurdistan."

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani returned to the Kurdistan Region last Saturday after having received medical treatment in Germany following a stroke he suffered in late 2012.

President Barzani Pays Visit to President Jalal Talabani

Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani visited President Jalal Talabani at his house in Sulaimaniya today. Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani returned to the Kurdistan Region last Saturday from medical treatment in Germany following a stroke a year and a half ago.

During the meeting President Barzani expressed his joy for President Talabani's return and wished for a speedy recovery.

President Barzani Receives Patriarch Louis Sako

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako, the Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon at his office in Salahadin today. Patriarch Sako was a accompanied by a delegation of clergymen from the Nineveh plains and other parts of Iraq.

President Barzani warmly welcomed the delegation and reiterated his support for the Christian community of Mosul who have recently been subjected to a number of acts of violence in the hands of the ISIS terrorists. The President stated that the Kurdistan Region will continue to support the fleeing Christians and will utterly condemned the ISIS acts of terrorism against the Christians of the Nineveh plains. President Barzani said that "we will all either die together or we will live together with dignity," adding that the terrorist are a common enemy.

Patriarch Sako and the accompanying delegation expressed their gratitude to President Barzani and to the Kurdistan Region's stance of support, praying to an end of the current crisis in Mosul.

President Barzani Meets UN Secretary-General in Erbil

Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp,org)- President Masoud Barzani received a United Nations delegation today in Erbil headed by the Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. The delegation consisted of several UN officials who were accompanying the Secretary-General in their visit to the Kurdistan Region following the latest political and security issues in Iraq, which have led to the fleeing of tens of thousands of Iraq Arabs to the Kurdistan Region. Mr. Ban Ki-moon took the opportunity to thank President Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government for their role in providing security for the displaced Iraqis who have found in the Kurdistan Region a secure refuge in the recent weeks. Mr. Ban Ki-moon added that the Kurdistan Region's response to the current crisis in Iraq is especially appreciated given the fact that there already were large numbers of Syrian refugees in Kurdistan.

President Barzani repeated his stance of Kurdistan Region's readiness to continue and provide aid to the families fleeing from the chaos of the rest of Iraq, adding that he hopes for a better and more peaceful future for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

President Barzani and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon concluded their meeting in Erbil with a press conference where the two expressed their views on the current situation in Iraq to local, national and international journalists.

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