Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - In a speech at a ceremony held to bury 67 bodies of Yazidi martyrs in the Yezidi holy site of Sheikh Sharafaddin shrine, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, highlighted the suffering of the Yazidis, who, he said, have been oppressed twice for being Kurds and Yazidis at the same time.

Prime Minister Barzani stressed that with sacrifices given by Yazidis and Peshmerga forces, the Kurdistan people will eventually prevail and Sinjar and other Kurdish areas will be liberated from the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS.

He pointed out that, “Sinjar and its environs will be liberated at any price and returned to Kurdistan Region, where security, reconstruction, and coexistence will prevail again in this historical town which has been, since the ancient time, the cradle of religious coexistence.”

“The crimes, perpetrated against Yazidi Kurds are deep pains that we will never forget, but as we have gone through many periods of violent oppression and massacres in the past, this time again we will survive and prevail with dignity,” he added.

He reiterated that the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, continues its efforts to liberate the Yezidi Kurds, who are still held captive by ISIS terrorists. He pointed out that “the government has opened a special office dedicated to this task, which has so far managed to liberate 2058 Yezidi sisters and brothers from the grip of terrorists.” In this regard, he expressed his gratitude to the staff working at this office, who, he said, have achieved a great and honourable task.

Prime Minister Barzani said KRG institutions work to assist the Yazidi victims and displaced, who now live in camps, with the hope that they would be able to return to their hometowns, after their areas are being liberated.

He said that the KRG continues its campaign to obtain international recognition of the crimes committed against the Yezidi Kurds as genocide, through a committee, chaired by the KRG Minister of Martyrs and Anfal affairs.

He expressed his gratitude to the Peshmerga forces that have been able to protect Kurdistan territories, and those who have been able to defend and protect Sheikh Sharafaddin shrine against ISIS threats.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that religious tolerance and coexistence among different communities in Kurdistan Region is a great support for the success of the Kurdistan people.

He said that the presence of representatives of various religious communities in this ceremony is a message to the enemies that coexistence will continue in the Kurdistan Region.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a European delegation headed by Mr. Christos Stylianides, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. During the meeting President Barzani and Mr. Stylianides spoke of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Kurdistan Region as a result of the influx of hundreds of thousands of IDPs following the attacks of the terrorists of the Islamic State in June 2014. The two sides reviewed the current state of the Kurdistan Region where Mr. Stylianides expressed his appreciation for President Barzani for his role in providing refuge for the internally displaced Iraqis as well Syrian refugees. Mr. Stylianides emphasized on the importance of the issue of promoting the fact that the Kurdistan Region is known for its tolerance and coexistence. 

President Barzani and Mr. Stylianides also discussed the current military and humanitarian situations in the rest of Iraq and spoke of the latest attack by the Turkish government against the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani met with Mr. Ekkehard Brose, Germany's ambassador to Iraq. During the meeting President Barzani and ambassador Ekkehard spoke of the current military efforts against the terrorists of the Islamic State on the border with the Kurdistan Region and the operations in central Iraq. Ambassador Ekkehard stated that Germany will continue to support the efforts against the terrorists. President Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region's appreciation for the support from Germany.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received the United Kingdom's ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Frank Baker. President Barzani and Ambassador Baker spoke of the latest military updates against the terrorists of the Islamic State both in the Kurdistan Region and the rest of Iraq. The two sides also spoke of the current political situation in Iraq. 

Ambassador Baker also spoke of the role of the United Kingdom in the coalition against the terrorists of the Islamic State and added that Britian will continue to support Iraq and the Kurdistan Region as they collectively attempt to eradicate the threats of terrorism. On his part President Barzani stated that the Kurdistan Region will remain grateful for the support of the United Kingdom during these difficult times.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a military and diplomatic delegation from the United States headed by General Lloyd Austin, the commander of the U.S. Central Command. The meeting was also attended by the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Stuart Jones. President Barzani and General Austin reviewed the latest military operations against the terrorists of the Islamic State in the areas bordering the Kurdistan Region and also spoke of the latest combat operations in al-Anbar and Salahadin provinces in central Iraq. 

The two sides also spoke of Turkey's latest efforts against the Islamic State and stated that they are pleased with such move. President Barzani did state that the latest operation against the Kurdistan's Workers' Party creates obstacles for the peace process between the Kurds and Turkey, a process which had given hope to millions of Kurds and Turks alike. He added that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will continue to support the peace process there and urged both sides to remain committed to the peace process.

General Austin stated that the United States will continue to support the Kurdistan Region and that this war must be ended with the utter defeat of the terrorists.

Through a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the KRP welcomes the new attempts at reform in the institutions of the Iraqi government.

The statement also added that the Kurdistan Region will continue to support such efforts by the Council of Ministers in Baghdad provided that the efforts are mindful of the participation of the Kurdistan Region. The statement concluded by stating that the decisions regarding the reform process ought to be within the framework of the Constitution.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a military and diplomatic delegation from the United States today, the delegation was headed by Mr. Brett McGurk, deputy assistant secretary for Iraq and Iran at the Department of State. President Barzani and ambassador McGurk reviewed the latest developments with the war against the Islamic State, both in the Kurdistan Region and in Iraq.

The two sides also spoke of Turkey's latest air attacks against the bases of the PKK. President Barzani reiterated his message to ambassador McGurk on calling upon both Ankara and the PKK to work in pursuit of the completion of the peace process in Turkey.

President Barzani also repeated his appreciation for the U.S. and other coalition members' air support for Kurdistan against the terrorists of the Islamic State, adding that such support has caused serious damage to the enemy and that it will result in the complete liberation of all areas taken by the terrorists in the near future.

Ambassador McGurk stated that the United States will continue to support the Kurdistan Region and that the terrorists of the Islamic State constitute a common enemy which must cease to exist. 

The representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran said: 80 Iranian and Iraqi Kurdish prisoners will be transferred to Iraq and Kurdistan Region next week to serve their sentences.

Dabbagh in talk with the reporter of Fars News Agency Foreign Policy, mentioning, the vice-foreign minister, Hassan Ghashghawi’s travel to the Region of Iraq and his talk with the authorities of the Region including Jalal Talibani, Nechirvan Barezani the chief of The Judiciary and others said: according to widespread relations this travel is beneficial and pessimistic. About the broadening goes and comes especially on the behalf of Iranian authorities of Kurdistan Region of Iraq he showed hope.

Concerning the outcomes of this travel Dabbagh said: it has been to transfer 80 Iranian prisoners in the region to Iran and 9 Iraqi Kurdish ones in Iran to the Region to keep serving their sentences.

The representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran relating this said: this transfer will be done next week, this is the first list of prisoners and the second will soon be operational.