Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Msoud Barzani received Mr. Tibor Stimari, Hunagry's ambassador to Iraq. President Barzani began the meeting by expression his satisfaction towards Hungary's military support for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the current war against the terrorists of the Islamic State, adding that such support from coalition members is of immense importance to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. President Barzani and ambassador Stimari also spoke of the ongoing advances made by Iraq and the Kurdistan Region against the terrorists of the Islamic State.

Ambassador Stimari reiterated Hungary's support for Kurdistan, stating that the ongoing war against the terrorists must receive the support of all coalition members. 

President Barzani and ambassador Stimari also spoke of the political situation in the Kurdistan Region where President Barzani reiterated his stance that there are no political differences which can affect the stability of the Kurdistan Region and that the stability for which the Region has been known will continue and will only be enhanced.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with a delegation from the United States Institute of Peace headed by Nancy Lindborg, President of the Institute. 

The President and the USIP delegation discussed the political and security developments in Iraq and in the wider region, in particular the plight of IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan and the recent wave of refugees and migrants heading to Europe. 

Nancy Lindborg briefed the President about her Institute’s capacity-building and training programs in Kurdistan in cooperation with the KRG, and thanked the KRG for their support. She also praised the generosity of the KRG in taking in close to 2 million IDPs and refugees, including protection provided for Christian and Yezidi minorities. 

President Barzani thanked the USIP for its activities and its support of the KRG and expressed his full support to their operations in Kurdistan.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today welcomed Australia’s new Ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Langman. The President and the Australian Ambassador reviewed the fight against ISIS, including Australian contribution in air support to peshmerga, political and security developments in the country, and the situation of IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan.

Ambassador Langman paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS, and reiterated his country’s commitment to continue to support the peshmerga forces as part of the international coalition against ISIS.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, US Presidential Deputy Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS Brett McGurk, and senior US military generals to discuss the status of the fight against ISIS. 

They discussed the ongoing efforts to defeat ISIS in both Iraq and in Syria and preparation for the liberation of Mosul, including cooperation and coordination among the peshmerga, the Iraqi, and the coalition forces.
They also discussed the political developments in the country and relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received, US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart E. Jones, and Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS, Brett McGurk, and their accompanying delegation.

The two sides discussed the security situation in Iraq in general and Kurdistan Region in particular, and the recent developments in the war against Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

The delegation reiterated the US military support to Peshmerga forces, stressing on coordination between the United States, Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, and Iraqi Federal Government.

Regarding the Kurdistan Region presidency issue, the US delegation expressed its support for continuation of the talks among the Kurdistan Region political parties, urging the need to put the war against ISIS as the first priority of the Region at this moment. They expressed their hope that Kurdistan Region Political parties will soon reach an agreement.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Stuart Jones, and the United States army in Iraq for their support to the Kurdistan Region. He said, however, for the next phases in the war against ISIS, with the aim to liberating the areas under ISIS control, a comprehensive plan, with coalition forces support, particularly US army’s support, for Peshmerga and Iraqi forces, are needed. 

On the Kurdistan Region presidency issue, Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that the talks among Kurdistan Region political parties are going on seriously to reach a suitable solution in the interest of the people and the stability of the Region. He stressed that Kurdistan Region President, Masoud Barzani and the Peshmerga forces give priority to the war against ISIS.

The talks between KRG and the Iraqi Federal Government on finding an appropriate solution for the outstanding issues, the situation in the Middle East and neighbouring countries were also discussed in the meeting. 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Erbil Governor, Nawzad Hadi, denied that accommodating the large number of internally displaced persons, IDPs, and refugees poses a security threat to the Kurdistan Region.

In an interview with Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, website, the Governor of Erbil said, “The security officials have been examining security challenges, and terrorist acts and crimes committed in the past. Based on the cases investigated that have been referred to the courts, none were linked to IDPs.”

He stressed that “IDPs and refugees are in need for more assistance, and that they are not linked to security issues. Erbil is safe and secure, and there is no significant security concern.”

Erbil Governor denied allegations, suggesting that the presence of IDPs and refugees in Erbil may lead to security issues.

The Kurdistan Regional Government works closely with local and international organisations to provide basic necessities to refugees and internally displaced persons, who have been threatened by the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS and have sought safety in the Kurdistan Region.

Nawzad Hadi said the presence of the IDPs in the Kurdistan Region is temporary as the international coalition against ISIS is working to liberate areas currently under the control of terrorists.

He reiterated that accommodating and offering assistance to IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region is a humanitarian act that has been acknowledged and appreciated by the international community.

Dibagah Camp

Speaking last week at the opening of Dibagah IDP camp, built by the Emirates Red Crescent, Erbil Governor said, this camp, which comprises one thousand units, is for IDPs from Makhmour District.

The camp includes Kurds and the Arabs mainly from Sultan Abdulla and nearby villages captured by ISIS. Some Arab citizens accommodated in the Dibaga camp are fighting ISIS alongside Peshmerga forces.

Erbil Governor said, “With the assistance of UN Agencies, the KRG has allocated a special budget for IDPs. The Dibagah camp is not the only project implemented by the Emirates Red Crescent. There are other projects including a camp in Bahraka District, and several other food and water distribution programs for IDPs.”

An estimated 1.8 million displaced people, mainly from Anbar and Mosul, including close to 250,000 Syrian refugees fled to the Kurdistan Region. This huge displacement occurred after the Syrian civil war began in 2011 and especially when ISIS overran a large part of Iraqi territory in 2014.

At 0530hrs on September 11, Peshmerga forces launched a large-scale offensive in South of Kirkuk to further weaken ISIL's ability to threaten the Kurdistan Region. By 1315hrs, over 150 square kilometres were reclaimed, including the following villages: Albu Mohammed, Albu Yusif, Smud, Dlati Bchuk, Dlati Gowra, Sab'nisan, Tl Raba', Zenqare and Gm Bus.

During the offensive, Peshmerga forces successfully took control of the strategic Dusera Heights, located South of Daquq, and an additional stretch of the Kirkuk-Baghdad Highway, further limiting ISIL's freedom of movements.

International Coalition warplanes targeted dozens of ISIL positions from early hours of the morning and provided close air support to Peshmerga forces. The offensive, which was launched from two fronts South of Daquq, included approximately 1,500 Peshmerga and resulted in killing at least 40 ISIL terrorists.

One VBIED was destroyed by an International Coalition airstrike.

Counter-IED teams are now clearing the heavily-mined area.

In the last six months more than 530 square kilometres South of Kirkuk have been cleared as a result of four large-scale offensives.

Office of The Chancellor
Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC)

Erbil, Kurdistan Region (dfr.gov.krd) – Kurdistan Regional Government Department of Foreign Relations today hosted a special session for the officials of the Kurdistan’s Independent High Electoral and Referendum Commission (IHERC) to brief diplomats and foreign representatives in Erbil on the mission of the Commission.

Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the KRG Foreign Relations, opened the session welcoming diplomats and officials of IHERC. Minister Mustafa called upon foreign representatives in the Kurdistan Region to support and assist the IHERC of the Kurdistan Region.

“We need the support of our friends in the international community to strengthen this commission as it will be the guarantor of free and fair election in the Region,” the Minister added.

On behalf of the diplomatic corps, the Consul General of Palestine, Nazmi Hazouri, who serves as the dean of the diplomats, thanked the DFR for organizing the session and congratulated the formation of the commission.  Ambassador Hazouri stated that the establishment of the commission is a step forward in the democratic process of the Kurdistan Region.

Hendren Mohammed Salih, Head of the IHERC of Kurdistan Region, outlined the reasons for the creation of the commission and stressed the importance of the commission as a tool to further promote free and fair elections in the region. 

“When we talk about democracy we talk about free and fair elections, in order to conduct free and fair elections there has to be a professional and capable body to administer elections,” the Head of the Commission added.

Deputy Head of the Commission gave an overview of the structure, formation and responsibilities of the commission. He assured the diplomats that the formation of the IHERC of the Kurdistan Region is in line with the Federal Constitution of Iraq as the constitution grants the regions the right to form independent commissions.

Head of the Commission called upon diplomats based in Erbil to support the commission through organizing advanced training courses for the members of the board of commissioners, providing technical and logistical support, encouraging election commissions of their respective countries to come forward and support the commission, and to invite members of the board of commissioners of Kurdistan’s IHERC to observe elections in their respective countries and vice versa.

Diplomats attending the meeting commended the formation of the commission and expressed their readiness to explore means of supporting the commission.

The meeting was attended  by representatives of Palestine, Republic of France, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Turkey, People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Republic of Italy, Republic of South Korea, Federal Republic of Germany,  Republic of Romania,  Islamic Republic of Iran,  Russian Federation,  Republic of Hungary,  Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,  State of Kuwait,  Kingdom of Netherlands,  Arab Republic of Egypt, United States of America,  Czech Republic,  Canada,  Republic of Bulgaria, Republic of Sudan, EU Delegation Liaison Office  and UNAMI.