KRG reviews military progress and plight of the displaced
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.
E’temad Press Talk with the Representative of Kurdistan Region in Iran/ To Select a Powerful and Active Person
E’temad Press had a short talk with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran about stating the new president of Iraq, visiting Ban Ki-moon the general secretary of UN with Ayatullah Sistani as well as some question concerning the future of Iraq government and asked his ideas for the recent changes of the country. In this interview Mr. Dabbagh about the new president of Iraq said Dr. Fuad is a proper choice having great record. He used to be the PM of Kurdistan region for a period of time. In addition in a transitional period he undertook the chairmanship of Iraq Parliament. He had a dynamic presence in many international organizations and he sure is a very strong person and definitely pursues his job with a good method. In a response to a question he said presently no one can be like Talibani but Mr. Ma’sum keeps closely in touch with him. About visiting Mr. Ban Ki-moon with Ayatullah Sistani he added: in my opinion this visiting has a spiritual phase. Such international organization’s actions include advertisement viewpoint preferably or else about which country they have ever offered any strategies.
About the future of Iraq Dabbagh said the new PM must be a new one and has got new thoughts which I hope by next week it to be stated and make an exit to the current crisis in Iraq. He also added no one but Mr. Maliki thinks of being the PM of Iraq for another time. He continued if Parliament could form a government it would have done that.
Abdullah Akerei, the General Manager of Kurdistan Region Affairs of Iraq and Iran, Talk with Fars: Selling Oil to Israel is False/ we are the ally of Shia
The general manager of Kurdistan Region Affairs of Iraq and Iran said: Selling Oil to Israel from Kurdistan and the news like this are old whose only aim is to destroy good relations between Iran and Kurdistan Region.
Abdullah Akerei the general manager of relation affairs of Kurdistan Iran in talk with dispatched reporter of Fars Press in Iraq explained about Iraq situations and Kurds positions about this, Kurdistan region’s plan to be independence and selling oil to Turkey and its relation with Israel.
Concerning Kurdista region situation of Iraq he said we felt the danger of Salafi, Daesh and Al-Qaeda moves in the region and announced it to Maliki and the central government but the answer came from Baghdad was that Mussel was with us and there was no problem. Regarding these conditions we started to stabilize our positions since two months ago of which measures were to excavate canals among Kurdistan, Iraq and Syria as well as Erbil and Kirkuk. I have to say the differences between central government and Kurdistan caused authorities being far and the enemies took advantage of this.
About the regions in which the devotees presented he said these regions are Kurdish. He continued to say this dates back to 70s when Mullah Mustafa Barezani had fifths against Ba’ath regime to accomplish the independence and after Saddam fall it again came under matter, and there are differences in the regions of Kirkuk and Khaneghein. We sacrificed lots of martyrs in the way of our fighting and the revolution origin was in Erbil that we along with Shia followed it. We are ally of Shia and there are no differences between us. Furthermore he mentioned Masood Barezani’s phrases which suggested to form a collaboration government to prevent any crises. He added that the devotees presenting in the regions during the crisis would keep staying and not leave. He even said if one was selected from Legal Collaboration then the condition would have been prepared to solve the concerns between central government and the region.
In a response to question concerning the solution of the current crisis he said we should back to the parliament and parties and Iraqi leaders and form a home collaboration government as soon as possible. The base of the government has to be the collaboration of parties and groups and tribes. He said such government would not be fragile due to Kurds and Shias cooperation. He also stated even though all Iraqi Kurds desire independence, we have not any problem with federal government to prevent any crises. He continued to say if we knew we would not come up with a solutions the best was to announce the independence. He said it was good Iran and Turkey as well.
Iran Press Talk with the Kurdistan Region Representative/ Iraq on the way of political reconciliation
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.
Nazem Dabbagh Talk with Mehr News Agency: the Only Way to Avoid Iraq Being Separated is to Establish Pervasive and Participatory Government
The representative of Kurdistan regional Government (KRG) of Iraq in Tehran in talk with Mehr News Agency considered the establishment of a pervasive and participatory government as the only way of avoiding Iraq being separated. About current security condition in Iraq followed by the occupation of a part of the country by ISIS, Mehr News Agency conducted an interview with Mr. Dabbagh whose main lines as followed:
In a response to a question concerning claiming that Maliki’s government pause to do the article 140 of the constitution and holding referendum to find a solution for KRG’s problems and central government he said: article 140 of the constitution of Iraq include 3 provisos whose third one says the referendum about the regions under debate of Kurds and the government; after Saddam’s fall, three governments have been established during which none of them has performed the article 140. Unfortunately the effects of such actions cause ISIS and terrorists groups appear in Iraq. Presently one third of Iraq land is taken control by ISIS. Unluckily today the distance between the region and KRG along the border which is under debate is nearly 1050km whose 1010km is under the control of ISIS and Pishmergas opposite; just 30 or 40km is occupied Iraq Army, ISIS and Pishmergas which some time land commuting is impossible because of fighting.
Dabbagh said: if the central government of Baghdad put past mistakes away and follows the constitution, additionally an inclusive and participatory government in which there is a real participation get to be established I think the problem of Kurds independence will be solved. Indeed former governments and their thoughts have caused these current situations. If the government do not change its thoughts Iraq will be separated into three regions. He also said Masoud Barzani has granted the independence of Kurds to Kurdistan Parliament and it is not clear yet that when it will make decision about it. He added that the most important desires of Kurds from new government is to establish a pervasive and participatory government, having new person and thought and following the constitution. In a response to a question concerning Patriotic Union opposition with separation he said that Patriotic Union is not out of Kurds coalition and make any decisions according to the law.
About Turkey position for Kurds independence Dabbagh said in my opinion Turkey’s, Iran’s and Iraq’s positions about Kurds are same, namely, these countries are against Kurds’ independence and want them to unify with central government of Iraq. In general when they want such thing they also desire to settle the debates of KRG and central government of Iraq.
President Barzani Welcomes German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Erbil
Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Erbil on Saturday. In a press conference following their meeting, Mr. Steinmeier expressed Germany’s support for the KRG in its fight against terrorism and commended the KRG for hosting large numbers of IDPs from Mosul who have sought refuge in Kurdistan. He added that Germany would continue to provide humanitarian aid to the IDPs, reiterating that his country would do whatever it can to help the KRG cope with the refugees.
President Barzani hailed Mr. Steinmeier visit to Kurdistan and described it as tremendous support for the people of Kurdistan. He added that the atrocities committed against the Yezidis and Christian minorities in the Ninawa province, were crimes committed against all the people of Kurdistan and that the KRG would come out of this victorious.
Prime Minister Barzani discusses assistance for Christians with Pope’s special envoy
Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani today received Cardinal Fernando Filoni, special envoy of Pope Francis, and his accompanying delegation.
The envoy conveyed the Pope’s greetings and gratitude to Prime Minister Barzani for the help and support provided by the government and the people of the Kurdistan Region to displaced Christians. Most of the Christians came from the Ninevah plains and Mosul. The delegation also applauded the KRG effort to protect all other internally displaced people fleeing terrorists.
Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that it is the duty of the KRG to protect and support displaced Christians, Yezidis, and other religious and ethnic groups seeking refuge in the Kurdistan Region. He said he would mobilise all resources to support them; however, given the number of refugees and displaced people, the KRG cannot provide adequate assistance. It is therefore necessary for the Iraqi government and the international community to promptly provide humanitarian assistance.
The Prime Minister added that Christians, Yezidis, and other minority groups are natives of the area, with historic roots in the region. They need physical protection from the terrorists, not only verbal support, because the terrorists target churches, mosques, and shrines. Prime Minister Barzani noted that the terrorists now constitute an army and include individuals from all over the world, so the international community, in coordination with the KRG and the Government of Iraq, must confront them together.
In the meeting both sides agreed upon the importance of international protection for all ethnic and religious communities native to the Ninevah plains, including Christians, Yezidis, Shia, Sunnis, Turkmen, Shabak, Kurds, and Arabs. Both parties agreed to exert pressure at the global level to assure international protection from the terrorists.
The Cardinal requested the KRG to identify solutions for housing and accommodation for the displaced, as well as an arrangement for students so that they would not lose an academic year. The Prime Minister promised to follow-up on this request and coordinate with relevant KRG authorities to implement appropriate measures.
During the meeting it was decided to establish a committee in Erbil between KRG authorities and relevant Christian community leaders to respond to the immediate needs of displaced people, with similar committees to be formed in other provinces.
The delegation stated that Christians will never forget the support provided by the government and the people of Kurdistan, and that history will record these actions. Prime Minister Barzani urged the delegation to mobilise the Vatican’s international influence to support the Kurdistan Region and the displaced families it is hosting.
President Barzani Receives Vatican Envoy
Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp,org)- President Masoud Barzani received cardinal Fernando Feloni, the special envoy of His Holiness, Pope Francis. During the meeting President Barzani warmly welcomed the message of brotherhood and coexistence from His Holiness, Pope Francis and added that the position of the Kurdistan Region has always been clear, and that is, "we will all either live together with dignity." President Barzani also spoke of the extreme cruelty of the terrorists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS, adding that the Kurdistan Region will continue to fight this phenomenon until it ceases to exist.
President Barzani and Cardinal Feloni spoke of the number of IDPs in the Kurdistan Region which has now reached well over one million persons. Cardinal Feloni expressed the gratitude of His Holiness, Pope Francis, through a letter to President Barzani regarding the kindness displayed in handling the IDP crisis.
Kurdistan Region Presidency requests humanitarain and military aids from the European Union
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
In a meeting with the deputy head of Germany Parliament, the Kurdistan Parliament president says what happened to Yezidis was another Holocaust
On 13th August 2014, Dr. Yusif Muhammad Sadiq, the president of Kurdistan parliament, received Clouya Ross, the deputy head of Germany parliament. In the meeting Dr. Yusif explained the late events of the region, the life condition of the refugees in Kurdistan after IS attacks, and the situation of Peshmarga forces in the fronts.
Regarding the refugees, he said, “The refugees live in a very difficult situation. Since the Kurdish Regional government has not received its own share from Iraq budget in 2014, we cannot provide sufficient aid for the refugees. This is why we require urgent help from international community and humanitarian organizations”. Dr Yusif added, “What happened to Yezizis was another Holocaust; hundreds of thousands of innocent people died of lack of food and water”.
About Peshmarga forces Kurdistan parliament president clarified,” they can defend Kurdistan, but in the past Iraqi government did not support us to strengthen our military capacities. We really thank US and European countries for their prompt and significant cooperation with Peshmarga forces”.
On her part, the deputy head of Germany parliament said,” Germany is confident to support Kurdistan in fighting terrorists”. She also expressed her concern about the situation of Christian and Yezidis refugees in Shangal and Musil”.
About the relationship between KRG and Iraqi government, she said,” We are worried about the financial crisis in Kurdistan, and we hope that the Iraqi government sends back Kurdistan budget as soon as possible”.
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