Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday met the Governor of Duhok and administrative officials from the province to follow-up the situation of displaced people arriving from Sinjar, the Ninevah plains, and other areas.

The Governor of Duhok presented a summary of the situation of the internally displaced people (IDPs), most of whom are Yezidis, Christians, and members of other ethnic and religious minority communities from Sinjar and the Ninevah plains. The Governor noted that authorities and citizens in Duhok have done everything possible to assist the IDPs, but because of the vast number of displaced people, much more humanitarian aid is needed.

The Minister of Finance and Economy said that thus far only the KRG had shouldered the expenditures for assisting the displaced families, along with aid provided by the people of Kurdistan. He said that no other party had yet provided financial support. The Minister suggested that the situation would be dealt with as an exceptional circumstance in terms of regular financial guidelines, adding that the $15 million allocated by the Prime Minister had already reached the Duhok governorate.

Prime Minister Barzani emphasised that the KRG will continue to mobilise all efforts to support IDPs. He decided to allocate another $10 million in aid, in addition to the previous $15 million, to support the displaced people.

The Prime Minister pointed to the importance of meeting basic needs in the initial phases, to be followed by the provision of necessary services in camps to be built in some areas of the city. He conveyed his government’s gratitude for all the support and aid provided to the victims by the people of the Kurdistan Region and Kurds everywhere. He said that these loyal, patriotic, and humanitarian gestures are worthy of commendation.

The Minister of Planning presented a summary of the KRG’s coordinated efforts with international organisations assisting the government in providing aid to the IDPs. He said that the scale of the crisis has prompted many international humanitarian organisations to come to Kurdistan to help the displaced.

Prime Minister Barzani discussed the latest developments and highlighted the fact that the KRG has substantial international support. He stressed that the Peshmerga forces will defeat the terrorists and prevail with the arrival of required weapons and ammunition. However, the legacy of the barbaric acts committed by the terrorists will remain in the hearts of the victims of these areas and of the people of Kurdistan. Time, sensitivity, patience, and treatment are required in order to recover.

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 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.

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.

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.                     

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.             

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.

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.