monthly report from kurdistan region for august 2015 (1 · 1 monthly report from kurdistan region...

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Monthly report from Kurdistan region for August 2015

Political

Iraqi Kurdistan govt condemns PKK strike on key oil pipeline

KRG.ORG

(1st of August, 2015)

Erbil: In a statement, the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers, strongly condemned the bomb attack on the Kurdistan Region oil pipeline by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK, and considered it as an attack on the source of livelihood of the Kurdistan Region people. The statement said “We condemn PKK’s attack on the source of living of the people of Kurdistan Region”. It is further to mention that the pipeline, which is used by the Kurdistan Region to export its oil, was bombed on 29 July 2015 in Sirnak province inside the Turkish border. PKK’s armed wing, People’s Protection Force, HPG, the following day officially claimed responsibility for the blast.

Barzani and Iranian security official talked about joint efforts to face the risk of violence and terrorism

Xendan.org


Erbil: A statement announced by presidency of Kurdistan region said; that the President of Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani discussed with the Assistant Secretary General of the National Security Council of Iran, Ahmed Amiri the emergence of Islamic State group (IS) threatening the security of the world and the region, stressing out that the attempts by all parties are necessary to address the risks of ideas leading to violence and terrorism. Although the statement didn’t mention any thing about the prolongation of Barzani’s term and the crises of presidency in Kurdistan region, some of the internal source, in presidency of Kurdistan region told media that this topic has been discussed in the meeting without giving further information.

Iraqi Kurdish villagers bombed by Turkish warplanes: ‘We have nothing left”

Kurdio.org

(2nd of August, 2015)

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Erbil Qandil Mountain: Residents of Zargali village on the outskirts of the Qandil Mountains called upon Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government to help them to secure their homes that were bombed on Saturday. The bombing led to the death of nine people, Villagers whom the spoke to the media said “We are civilians and innocent people with no weapons in hand. We are not part of the long-period of conflict between PKK and Turkey,” “Therefore, we are strongly condemning the recent bombardments and ask the both sides to take the conflict outside of our villages, also they said our livelihoods and homes been destroyed, and we have nothing to return to.

Two minute silence in Kurdistan recalling Sinjar disaster

KRG.ORG

(3rd of August, 2015)

Erbil: Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced that the official departments will stand for two minutes recalling Sinjar disaster as its first memory is passing on Monday. Islamic State group (IS) militants occupied Sinjar town a year ago, and they implemented crimes of genocide against thousands of inhabitants of Yazidis, which also led to the displacement of thousands of them.

Erbil conference to address impact of terrorism on women, minorities

NRT TV


Erbil: A key national forum to empower women and minorities opened Monday at the Erbil International Hotel at a particularly challenging time for the Kurdistan region, which has been combating terrorism for more than a year. The two-day event, under the title “National Conference on Empowering Women to Address the Impact of Terrorism,” features senior Iraqi and Kurdish politicians, leading academics, women activists, local and foreign researchers and experts. The event, which coincides with the first anniversary of the fall of Sinjar, began with a moment of silence for Kurdish Peshmerga and the people of Sinjar who lost their lives in the extremists’ campaign. Different speakers from UN organizations, Universities and researchers present speeches on the impact of terrorism on women, minorities.

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Qasem Sulaimani visits Erbil reportedly to support extension of Barzani’s presidency term for more 2 years

Millet press

(4th of August, 2015)

Erbil: A special source informed millet press that Iran is not against Barzani and the prolongation for him to remain as President of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region for another 2 years ,according to different media reports that Iranian Quds Forces Commander Qasem Sulaimani arrived Erbil on recently and Met with Massoud Barzani and PM Nechirvan Barzani to discuss Kurdistan region Presidency term extension, Iraq & Syria’s latest development, Erbil-Baghdad relations and Turkey’s breach on Kurdistan region were also main topics in these meetings. According to some informed source Iran has some conditions in supporting Barzani, the Iranian conditions are giving up independent state claims, strengthening relations with Baghdad and moving away from Turkey. Regarding Barzani’s reaction on the Iranian condition nothing has been leaked to the media.

Gorran MP says President Barzani responsible for Peshmerga withdrew from Shingal

KNNC TV


Erbil: Kurdish MP from Gorran party Munira Osman told NRT that Iraq’s Kurdistan region president Massoud Barzani is the main person responsible for Kurdish Peshmerga forces withdrawal from the Yazidi town of Sinjar in northwest Iraq. Osman said Barzani is Chief of command in Kurdistan region for that he is fully responsible for all this consequences, thereforehe must declare his responsibility on that. it is further to mention that Islamic State group (IS) has extended its control on most parts of Sinjar district (124 km west of Mosul) on August 3, 2014.

A delegation from Turkey’s “HDP” arrived at Iraqi Kurdistan and visited village hit by Turkish airstrike

Basnews


Erbil: A delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) arrived on Tuesday at the Iraqi Kurdistan Region village of Zargali, which was hit by Turkish airstrikes earlier this week and resulted in the death of 8 civilians. The HDP delegation consists of former

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Diyarbakir Mayor Osman Baydemir, Kadri Yildirim, Huda Kaya and several other HDP politicians. The delegation met with KRG officials and later on they paid a visit to Zargali villageon Wednesday, and investigated the Turkish attack on the village. It is further to mention that the Turkish jets bombed Zargali on 1st August and the killed 8 civilian Kurds including women and children and a number of PKK fighters. After the attack, the Turkish army said that they hadn’t bombed civilians, only PKK bases in the village, the existence of which the PKK has denied.

An Iranian delegation visited Erbil

Lvin press


Erbil: A delegation from Iran headed by Hassan Danaii Fer the ambassador of Iran in Baghdad met in Erbil with former Kurdistan PM and Deputy secretary general of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Braham Salih , the delegation discussed with Salih in Erbil the latest developments in the confrontation with Islamic State group (IS). The two sides stressed the need for coordination of all against (IS). The relations between Kurdistan region and Baghdad was one of topics in the meeting, the both side agreed on the need to resolve the problems through dialogue and in accordance with the Constitution, stressing the need to protect the security and stability in the region.

Nechirvan Barzani says Kurdistan’s presidency should be resolved outside the parliament

Speda TV

August 7, 2015

Erbil: Iraq’s Kurdistan Region’s PM, Nechirvan Barzani said controversy in the Kurdish Parliament about the powers and the issue of presidency of the region is unacceptable, adding that “the issue of the presidency of the Kurdistan region is not an issue of Parliament and must be resolved outside the parliament in accordance with other political parties”. Barzani gave this statement after his meeting with Secretary General of the Kurdistan Islamic Union KIU, Muhammad Faraj, and he also said “we believe in resolving all internal problems in Kurdistan, through dialogue and consensus, not by breaking the bones and stabbing each other. It is further to mention that the all the political parties are currently in intensive meetings to find an exit for the dilemma of the presidency in Kurdistan region.

U.S. delegation visited Slemani and met with PUK and Gorran

Gali Kurdistan TV

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Slemani: A senior delegation from U.S. visited Slemani city in Iraqi Kurdistan region, the delegation met with Nawshirwan Mustafa, head of Goran Party and Kosrat Rasoul from Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), according to some media sources the delegation discussed several topics in the both meetings, the topics of the meetings were like the issue of presidency in Kurdistan region and the war against (IS) beside the tension between Turkey and (PKK), after these meetings the delegation met with Mr. Talabani the ex president of Iraq, the discussions in that meeting was again about the some topics that have been mentioned in the previous sentence.

KDP says no one can replace Barzani as long as he is alive

KDPinfo


Erbil: The Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP bloc answered an MP from the (Gorran) party and said that no one can replace Barzani as long as he is alive. KDP MP in Kurdistan Parliament Valla Farid, head of legal committee of Parliament, stated in a press conference that no one including Parliament speaker will replace Barzani as long as he is still alive. KDP MP Statement comes after a statement from Bahar Mahmood an MP from Goran party when she said that Kurdistan Parliament’s Speaker will take over the region’s presidency after Massoud Barzani’s current term ends on August 20.

Kurdistan presidency welcomes Iraqi PM’s reform decisions

KDPinfo


Erbil: Through a statement issued by the spokesperson of Iraqi Kurdistan Region Presidency, that KRP welcomed the new attempts for 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.

Nechirvan Barzani: we are ready to resume PKK-Turkey peace efforts

Rudaw media network

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Erbil: In comments on an ongoing conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Kurdistan Region PM Nechirvan Barzani said that the problems cannot be solved by violence and offered renewed efforts for peace. “Conflict and violence will never resolve problems but make them more complicated,” Barzani said after a meeting with Mohammed Amin Penjweni, a prominent Kurdish political figure with close links to jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Barzani said also “We will ramp up efforts to stop Turkey-PKK fighting”.

Former top PKK commander Osman Ocalan says PKK income annually is $50 million

Rudaw media net work


Erbil: Osman Ocalan, the brother of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan, spoke about the PKK and its financial supporters. Osman Ocalan, who he use to be a notable commander within PKK ranks, said the party currently has $50 million in annual income, which it gains it through taxing local and regional merchants and via smugglers. He also said that the person in charge of finances within the party is Mustafa Bayek, the brother of Jamil Bayek, the co-leader of the Group of Communities in Kurdistan (KCK). KCK is an organization founded by PKK to put into practice jailed leader Ocalan’s ideology of democratic confederacies. Beside that Ocalan said also that Iraqi Kurdistan-based Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) helped PKK economically in return for PKK political support through its media. Ocalan denied the party was involved in illicit drug businesses, but said it has been charging drug smugglers, especially those from Armenia and Russia.

KDP and KIU discussed Kurdistan presidency crisis

Kurdio.org


Erbil: A delegation from Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), headed by Vice President, Nechirvan Barzani visited on Wednesday, the headquarters of Kurdistan Islamic Union Party KIU to discuss ways to agree on a solution to the crisis of the presidency of Kurdistan region. According to an informed source in Erbil, the meeting which took place at the headquarters of the political bureau of the Islamic Union in Erbil devoted for the latest positions announced by the political parties on the issue of extension of Barzani’s mandate.

Goran party denies the support to the project that has been presented by Braham Salih

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PUK Media


Slemani: Gorran party’s chief of diplomatic affairs said that they don’t support a model offered by Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) Deputy Leader Braham Salih, reiterating on its former deal with the PUK over presidency of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. Salih offered the model a few days ago. According to the model Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani can remain as president with present authorities conditionally. The political bureau of PUK accepted the model officially and said it is the party’s official model, but the central commit of PUK, which it is like a parliament rejected the project.

KDP: Braham Salish’s initiative can be a good base and foundation for negotiation to resolve the crisis

Hawlernews paper


Erbil: The secretary of the Political Bureau of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Fazil Miranie emphasized that the doors of his party is open to any negotiations for compatibility, describing the initiative that has been presented by the deputy secretary general of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK, Braham Salih as a good base and foundations for consensus on the issue of the presidency of Kurdistan region.

Syrian Kurdistan’s autonomous Kurdish government open office in Slemani

Millet press


Slemani: The autonomous Kurdish government of Syrian Kurdistan opened on Saturday a representative office in Slemani city in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The opening ceremony took place in the presence of many political parties and party figures. Mala Bakhtiar Chief of Executive Body of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) congratulated the Kurdish people and said that Slemani constantly embraces all the Kurdish parties in order to service and support the revolutions carried out by the Kurdish people. It is further to mentioned that autonomous Kurdish government of Syrian Kurdistan couldn’t get the approval from KRG to open its office in Erbil due to the political differences between KDP and People’s Protection Units of Syria.

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Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani calls for a general meeting of all political parties

KRP.ORG


Erbil: The President of Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani called on Sunday, all working parties in the region to meet before 20th of August, and approve what they see as beneficial to the interests of the region to get out of the crisis. This came in a letter directed by Barzani Sunday to all official parties legally licensed in the region, received, demanding the Region’s Office to provide the necessary cooperation in this regard.

Gorran comments on Barzani’s message: Barzani mandate can be extended for two more years but with reduced powers


KNNCTV

Erbil: Change party led by Nawshirwan Mustafa declared on Sunday that there are large numbers of external and local mediations to resolve the crisis of the presidency of Kurdistan region and to reach an agreement on it, noting that his party wants to resolve things in a legal way. Mr. Abdullah said also what is important for his party is democracy and rule of law and they want to give more room for talks between different parties.

KIU comment on Barzani’s call: we are optimistic about resolving the crisis

Kurdio.org


Slemani: Kurdistan Islamic Union KIU said that the recent letter addressed by the President of Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani to the political parties will form the beginning of resolving the problems and a breakthrough in the crisis. The leader in the KIU, Osama Jameel said that Barzani’s statement Sunday is the beginning of resolving the problems and a breakthrough in the crisis and will calm tensions, especially after the incident at a checkpoint in Erbil with a number of parliamentarians of Goran party when their MPs has been questioned by security forces in check point in Erbil and they consider it as an unacceptable movement. Jameel also said that he believes that the political blocs will interact positively with the call.

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Clerics in Kurdistan for politicians: Reach a solution to resolve the crisis, otherwise history will not have mercy on you

zanayan.org


Erbil: A number of clerics representing all religious components in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region demanded on Monday, the political parties in the region to work to end the crisis over the presidency of the region, warning that history will not have mercy on them if there any disagreement took place because of the crisis in Kurdistan. Clerics said at a press conference held in Erbil on Monday, political parties must be at the level of what the people want to reachto end the crisis. They noted that people are waiting for their condition to be improved and provide security and stability, adding that creating crises push people to despair and everyone will be affected.

KDP claims Kurdistan Parliament speaker is biased

Kurdistan TV


Erbil: Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Yousif Mohammed’s media relations office has responded to claims by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) that the speaker has not been neutral in his position. The office told NRT on Friday that no party has the authority to interfere in the parliament’s duties and that the speaker “derives his legitimacy from the parliament, not from a political party.” Senior KDP officials held a meeting Friday, chaired by party-head President Massoud Barzani, to discuss issues related to the region’s presidency crisis. Following the meeting, the KDP issued a statement saying that Mohammed has not acted impartially innegotiations and discussions related to solving the presidency issue. KDP’s claim against Mohammed is believed to have been in response to a recent statement by MP Talar Latif, who said the speaker would take over as interim president if no successor was named by August 20.

Kurdistan government: Oil policies and revenue are transparent

KRG.ORG


Erbil: A spokesperson for Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has rejected recent accusations that the KRG does not operate a transparent oil policy. Last week Kurdistan Region MP Izzat Saber claimed that an anonymous company, in cooperation with KRG president’s

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office, is exporting the Kurdistan Region’s oil and failing to report revenue. KRG spokesperson Safeen Dizayee rejected the allegation and pointed out that the oil export policy and mechanism are transparent. “If MP Saber knows any unregistered or illegal company, he can present documentation to prove the claim.” Dizayee explained that the export process does not allow any ambiguity as several international companies are supervising it. He stressed that the Regional Council for Oil and Gas Affairs and the KRG’s Ministry of Natural Resources are fully aware of the details and the KRG presidency office does not interference in the process at all. “Instead of accusing any party without having proof, the MPs could ask the ministries for a satisfactory response,” Dizayee said. Many Kurdish politicians and Observers believe that many of the oil industry projects in Iraqi Kurdistan are conducted in a non-transparent way. Some have even described them as secretive.

Meeting of the five main Kurdish parties in Kurdistan ends with ‘optimism’

Shafaq news


Erbil: The five major Kurdish parties in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region ended a meeting, which lasted for more than three hours amid tight media blackout. Senior delegations representing Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK, the Islamic Union KIU, the Islamic Group and Change (Gorran) Movement have started a joint meeting at 11 a.m. of Thursday morning, to further discuss the crisis of the presidency of Kurdistan region. According to sources close to the meeting, there was more optimistic atmosphere than the previous meeting, which took place last Wednesday night. The reason for optimism is due to the changes that have taken place on the delegates described by sources as more flexible. On the media blackout surrounding the meeting, the sources confirmed that the parties want to hold dialogues away from excessive statements by politicians that may affect the meeting. There was no attendance of the US, British and internationalist side at the meeting and that was by the request of the Kurdish parties, which confirmed to the American side wants to reach an agreement on their own and they are able to find a solution to the crisis. The combined parties decided to hold further meetings during the day and the next couple of days until reaching a joint project to be submitted to the Parliament of Kurdistan, as dialogues and discussions will be about the project submitted by KDP party over extending Kurdistan president’s term.

Kurdish street seethes at presidency impasse

Rudaw.net


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Erbil: The current gridlock in parliament over Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani’s term in office, which ended Thursday, recalled many Kurds of the crippling party rivalries that hampered politics in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. “They should unite, I hope these political parties end their tensions and get together as soon as possible,” one Kurdish observer told Rudaw. Many Kurds feel the parties are working at cross purposes, rather than the good of the region. “Everything has been made clear by law, but each party has a different interpretation of the laws,” said an Erbil resident. Meetings are continuing between the main parties, but until an agreement is reached, the region is technically without a leader.

Disputes still on going over Kurdistan presidency

NRT TV


Erbil: Political uncertainty hung over Iraq’s Kurdistan region on Thursday after President Massoud Barzani’s mandate expired without rival factions reaching an agreement to extend his term. Kurdish political parties have turned to legal experts as meetings continued behind closed doors to hammer out a deal on the region’s presidency. According to different media sources each political bloc brought forward its own law scholars Friday to seek a legal way out of the impasse that has seemingly left the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) without a leader. No consensus was expected to be reached on Friday with meetings scheduled to continue until an agreement is met. Gorran party, which has pushed for the system to be changed, say that by law the speaker of parliament now assumes presidential powers for the next 60 days until elections are held. With the political stalemate in place, observers say Barzani is still calling the shots. Meanwhile, the tensions between parties have raised doubts among average Kurds who are all-too-familiar with intra-party disputes. Barzani has been in office for 10 years — two terms as president and a two-year extension in 2013 on the condition that he can no longer run as president.

Kurdish parties preparing joint resolution on Kurdistan presidency

NRT TV


Erbil: Kurdish political parties continued negotiations on Friday, meeting in Erbil with Parliament’s Legislation Committee to write a joint resolution on the Iraqi Kurdistan’s presidency law. A source who participated in the meeting told NRT, on condition of anonymity, that the parties and committee members are working on an amendment to the law, which aims to reduce Massoud Barzani’s powers during a possible, second term-extension. Barzani’s two-year presidential term extension expired on Wednesday after political infighting prevented the

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region’s leaders from agreeing on a new president and how to appoint one. Lawmakers voted in 2013 to grant Barzani a two-year extra extension in office, saying the region was not ready for a presidential election at the time. Two years later, Barzani appears set for a second two-year extension. The Kurdistan Parliament on Wednesday postponed a session to debate an amendment to the law after just 53 MPs showed up for the meeting. That number was three short of the minimum 56 MPs required to hold a debate. Lawmakers from Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and minority representatives boycotted the session in protest over the proposed amendment. KDP members maintain the presidency issue should be solved outside the legislature, through dialogue among the parties.

EU mission to Iraq declares opening an office in Kurdistan Region

KRG.ORG


Erbil: EU mission to Iraq announced on Sunday opening an office in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. The mission said in a statement, that opening this office is to support the European Union’s activities in the humanitarian areas and to achieve stability, progress and reconstruction in coordination between the European Union, the UN, the NGOs with Kurdistan Regional Government KRG and local governments. The Mission added that the work of the Liaison Office will facilitate and speed up assistance to the Iraqi people during the crisis, noting that this office will also strengthen the relationship between the European Union and Kurdistan Region to get to a better understanding between the two parties.

Gorran Party accuses Barzani of making crisis with Baghdad

KNNCTV


Erbil: A parliament member of Gorran party accused the outgoing president of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani of making crisis with the central government in Baghdad. Shirin Reza told the media that Barzani has made many crises with Baghdad during his presidency for that Goran Party is against extending Barzani’s term for two more years.

Norwegian Foreign and Defense Ministers arrived at Kurdistan

Kurdistan TV

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Erbil: Norway’s Foreign Minister Boerge Brende, and the Norwegian Minister of Defense Ine Eriksen Søreide arrived on Monday at Kurdistan capital city of Erbil. The outgoing president of Kurdistan Massoud Barzani welcomed the Norwegian officials in Salahaddin on Monday and he discussed bilateral ties and recent developments in the region. During the meeting withBarzani said that the internal politics in Kurdistan, where parties are in deadlock over an extension to his term, would have no impact on Erbil’s war on the Islamic State group (IS).

Kurdish PM calls on EU for military help and civic support

KRG.ORG


Erbil: Kurdistan PM Nechirvan Barzani said Sunday that a new delegation office of the European Union in the Kurdistan region was a “monumental step” toward closer cooperation with Erbil. In a speech at the opening ceremony, he also called on the EU to help on international recognition of the genocide against Kurdish Yazidis by the Islamic State group (IS), and greater military and civic help to the Kurds. During the ceremony, Barzani said “The increase in the number of consulates and offices of foreign countries in the Kurdistan region is a positive reflection of the region’s politics toward the world.

Iraqi Kurdish MP denies selling Kurdistan oil to Israel

Aswat Al Iraq


Baghdad: Iraqi Kurdish PM Jamal Kojer of the Kurdistani Alliance denied on Monday selling the oil from Kurdistan Region to Israel. Kojer told media that the “International companies are buying oil from the Kurdistan Regional Government and these companies are free to sell its oil to any state in this world.” “KRG cannot force these companies which are the same that buy oil from the Iraqi Central Government to sell this oil to any certain country,” denying the reports which talked about stretching oil pipelines from Kurdistan to Israel. “The Kurdish oil is sold to other countries under observation from SOMO and the Iraqi Federal Oil Ministry,” he said. The Financial Times report said that Israel importing 77% of its oil supply from Iraqi Kurdistan. I

Kurdish Yazidis to establish governing council

Yazidi press

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Erbil: Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government gave approval on Saturday for Kurdish Yazidis to form a governing council consisting of 100 members, including 10 women. The draft constitution of the Kurdistan Region states that minorities in the region have the right to form a council to manage their affairs. Mamo Mardan, a member of the newly formed council said. “The council consists of 100 members, 60-70 percent are from Sinjar and 10 percent of council seats have been allocated for women. It is further to mention that main parts of Yazidi home land are still occupied by (IS).

Security

Turkish warplanes killed civilians in Iraqi Kurdistan

Rudaw TV


Erbil: Turkish fighter jets launched an attack against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on Saturday, killing eight civilians and injuring seven others in the Qandil Mountains of the Kurdistan region. The bombing targeted Zargali village in Rowanduz district, which is on the outskirt of the Qandil Mountains. It is further to mention that PKK used the area as a stronghold for many years.

US consulate warns for security threat to Erbil

Bas news


Erbil: The US Consulate General in Iraqi Kurdistan capital city, Erbil, warned U.S. citizens of a credible security threat towards public places in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan. The consulate said “As a result of the warning, all off-compound movements of U.S. government personnel under the Chief of Mission at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil will be limited on Friday, July 31, 2015 and Saturday, 1st of August, 2015,”. The Consulate also asked the Kurdish government to deploy additional Kurdish Security Forces in and around the Consulate neighborhood.

Protests in Saiyd Sadiq and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan against power cuts

NRT TV


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Slemani: Residents in the Kurdish town of Saiyd Sadiq (Seysaiq in Kurdish) in Iraqi Kurdistan blocked a main road running through town on Sunday in protest over what they described as a lack of electricity, water, public services and government inaction.

Kurdish police arrested 13 protesters in Garmiyan

Millet press


Kalar: Thirteen protesters were arrested in Rizgari in the Kalar district Sunday for not having legal permits to organize demonstrations. A civil society activist said: people were protesting against the lack of social services, but the police arrested 13 of them for violating the demonstration law, according to police source three of the protesters were freed and the rest are still under investigation the police source said also that the protesters were additionally targeted by police for creating disorder by burning tires and destroying traffic signs. It is further to mention that lack of social services such as water and electricity has caused waves of public protests in the border regions of Slemani, Erbil, Halabja and Garmiyan.

Protests and clashes in Sharezoor and Bazian in Iraqi Kurdistan against power cuts and lack of services

Hawler news paper


Slemani: Residents in the Kurdish towns of Sharezoor and Bazian district in Slemani province in Iraqi Kurdistan protested on Tuesday over lack of electricity, water, public services and government inaction. According to police sources a dozen of protesters have been arrested in Bazian district after clashes with crowed control unites while 18 of them wounded in clashes in Sharezoor.

Islamic State fires Katyusha rockets at Makhmour district south of Erbil

Kurdistan TV


Erbil: Islamic State (IS) militants launched five Katyusha rockets on Makhmour district on Tuesday, hitting a number of homes. According to media reports no casualties were reported as a result of the attack. Makhmour district lies 50 km southwest of the capital of Erbil city and it is one of the active front lines in the war between IS fighters and Kurdish forces. According to

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ministry of Peshmerga coalition warplanes responded to the attacks by launching five strikes on militant positions and assets near Makhmour.

Islamic State renews shelling Makhmour by Katyusha rockets, one killed

Kurdistan TV


Erbil: A senior Kurdish official revealed that Islamic State group (IS) renewed targeting Makhmour city, referring to the fall of two Katyusha rockets on the city. Peshmerga forces responded to the attack, shelling IS positions where the rockets originated from. According to local sources three local residents were injured in the attacks, and one of them has been killed. Makhmour city is in the southwest of Erbil.

Islamic State launched attacks on Peshmerga in Sinjar

NRT TV


Islamic State (IS) militants launched a series of attacks on Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the western town of Sinjar. A Peshmerga commander in the area spoke to NRT on condition of anonymity and said militants had attacked Kurdish positions from three directions. No casualties were reported as a result of the clashes. Coalition warplanes also reportedly responded to the area during the attack, striking IS positions. It is further to mention that IS stepped up its attacks in northern Iraq in recent days. Militants shelled areas in Makhmour district and they have been active in Sinjar area.

Islamic State loses heavy weapons depots in joint Peshmerga-Coalition attacks

Rudaw media net work


Erbil: A Kurdish official said Wednesday that coalition warplanes and Peshmerga forces destroyed heavy-weapons depots of the Islamic State (IS) on the western Djilas front, inflicting a heavy blow on the group’s ability to engage in heavy clashes. Brig. Dilshad Maulood, media officer of the Zervani Peshmerga command told media that heavy weapon storage facilities were targeted and totally destroyed. Western Dijla front is located west of Mosul, where Peshmerga and coalition warplanes have been targeting IS movements and positions. The attacks are part of plans to weaken the militant’s capability to attack the Kurdish region.

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Iran masses troops near the border of Iraq’s Kurdistan region

Sharpress


Slemani: Iranian Kurdish official said that ”Iran has begun massing its troops in the regions of Khai and Sardasht, which are close to the borders of the Kurdistan region,” noting that “those forces estimated at more than twenty thousand troops equipped with heavy and sophisticated weapons. ” He added that “Iranian forces recently began building sites and new stations on the borders of Kurdistan due to the clashes that broke out recently between the protection units of east Kurdistan and the Iranian forces,” stressing that, “the Kurdish forces are ready to confront any Iranian attack. It is further to mention that unit of protection of east Kurdistan is a Kurdish force that fights Iranian government for the rights of the Kurds in Iran.

Iraqi Kurdistan police seized 300 kilos of illicit drugs

Hawler newspaper


Slemani: The police General Jalal Amin told the media on Wednesday that the Kurdish police arrested 12 people in two suspected drug rings, and seized 300 kilograms of illicit tablets. There drugs included heroin, opium and crystal methamphetamine. The general said also that the confiscated drugs were planned to be sent to Iran through the border gates in the north east of Iraqi Kurdistan region. It is further to mention that at least 60 peoples had been arrested in Sulaimani in drug-related offenses since the beginning of 2015.

Islamic State may have used chemical weapons in Makhmour

Xendan.org


Erbil - Makhmour: Kurdish Peshmerga officials said that they have asked international experts to examine wounded Peshmerga soldiers who most people fear were exposed to chemical weapons by Islamic State militants. Muhammad Khoshawi, a Peshmerga commander, told media that a group of US and French experts arrived in the area to take samples and establish facts after a Tuesday night mortar attack on Kurdish positions in Makhmour, 35 kilometers southwest of Erbil. The same Peshmerga commander said “at least 45 mortar rounds were fired at our positions, which we believe were loaded with chemicals, since the wounds are different”. Burn wounds on the bodies of a number of Peshmerga were examined by the

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experts has been sent to a laboratory for further studies. The Peshmerga commander also said that Peshmerga forces in the area were instructed to use gas masks in case of mortar attacks until results are verified in the laboratory.

A Kurdish commander “Islamic State is weak in Makhmour”

Rudaw TV


Makhmour: General Najat Ali Salih, known affectionately to his Peshmerga as Najat Ali Fatah, is the top commander of the Makhmour front less than 40km from the Kurdistan region’s capital, Erbil. His troops have been dug in against the (IS) for nearly 18 months, fending off near daily ground and artillery attacks. Salih said the use of chemical weapons by IS, is sign of the weakness of (IS) extremists’ forces. He also said that” the attacks on civilians is a way of saying, we are still strong.’ But I can say with total confident that they are much weaker than before”.

Peshmerga and the International Alliance strike ISIS sites in Baishiqa

Xendan.org


Erbil: Ministry of Peshmerga in Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government announced on Thursday, that its forces and the international Alliance‘s aircraft launched strikes on Islamic State (IS) militants in the center of Baishiqa. A statement from the ministry’s spokesman, quoted one of the leaders of Peshmerga forces at the center of Baishiqa said that IS militants were been fired on Wednesday evening. The statement added that the bombardment killed a number of IS militants and a warehouse of weapons and ammunition belonging to IS group was totally destroyed.

YPG and Peshmerga thwart Islamic State attacks in Sinjar

PUK media


Kurdish forces including Peshmerga forces and Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units YPG forces in Sinjar repelled an attack by (IS) on Saturday. Ghiyath Surji, the media officer of (PUK) in Mousle said that (IS) attacked the Peshmerga forces in Smaeel Bag in Sinjar with advanced weapons, but the assault was silenced by the Peshmerga, YPG forces and coalition warplanes. He also said that the clashes resulted in killing 8 civilians and wounding 8

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others. IS has extended its control on most parts of the Kurdish Yazidi Sinjar district on 3rd of August 2014, which led thousands of Kurdish families to flee to Mount Sinjar, where they were trapped in it and suffered from significant lack of water and food, killing and abduction of thousands of Yazidis as well as rape and captivity of thousands of women.

Islamic State attacked Kurds with chemical weapons.

NRT TV


An US military official announced that initial tests confirmed that the Islamic State group (IS) used “a class one chemical agent” against the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces in an attack earlier this month. He also said that” several Peshmerga soldiers were wounded in August while11 mortar-launched chemical weapons attacked Makhmour front, southwest of Erbil. And he added that “A couple of days later (we) were able to take the fragments from some of those mortar rounds and do a field test — a presumptive field test on those fragments — and they showed the presence of HD, or what is known as sulfur mustard,”. He added that “It’s going to take us a couple of weeks to do the full testing on those fragments to figure out exactly what was contained in or on those mortar rounds before we make a determination on exactly what it was, potentially how much it was, and maybe even where it came from,”

Four arrested near Chamchamal on suspicion of having links to Islamic State

NRT TV


Slemani: Members of Slemani’s Kurdish security and intelligence agency (Asayish) arrested four people near the town of Chamchamal for suspicion of having ties to the Islamic State (IS). A local Asayish Director Ahmed Nadir told NRT that officers arrested four people listed as internally displaced persons in the Takiya sub-district in Chamchamal. He said “The four suspects are from Fallujah, and they are brothers.” Also, he said, “They were arrested under court order.” Security authorities conducted a series of similar arrests earlier in July when officers detained 30 people suspected of having ties to IS in the towns of Bazian and Chamchamal, west of Slemani city. Officials said those arrests came after some calls from citizens of potential terror cells inside the province.

2,000 Peshmerga participate in Kirkuk operations, 24 square kilometers cleaned


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Kirkuk now

Erbil: On 26 August, Kurdish Peshmerga forces supported by International Coalition warplanes cleared 24 square kilometers in the south of Kirkuk, killing at least 25 Islamic State group (IS) militants and clearing at least 9 villages, a statement of Kurdistan Region Security Council said on Thursday. “At 5:00am, approximately 2,000 Peshmerga forces participated in the large-scale, multi-pronged offensive to add depth to their ability to protect Kirkuk and further isolate IS. International Coalition warplanes targeted dozens of IS fighting positions from 10:00pm on 25 August, in preparation for the ground offensive and provided air support throughout the operation. In the last six months, more than 208 square kilometers south of Kirkuk has been cleared as a result of three large-scale offensives killing at least 200 IS terrorists” the statementadded.

Peshmerga, Coalition forces shell Islamic State near Baishiqa

Hawler news paper


Mosul: Kurdish Peshmerga and Coalition forces shelled Islamic State (IS) positions around Baishiqa on Monday, as militants have increased attacks on Kurdish forces in northern Iraq in the recent weeks. The Kurdish force bombarded (IS) with artillery and tanks in villages around Baishiqa that have been long evacuated. It is further to be mentioned that Kurdish forces are in the war with (IS) since August 2014 an along 1500 kilometers.

Economy

Kurdistan exports via Baghdad total less than 50,000 bpd

NRT TV


Erbil: The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said that they exported less than 50,000 barrels of oil per day via Iraq’s central government, citing Baghdad’s failure to send full budget payments to Erbil since officials signed an oil-revenue sharing deal in December 2014. KRG spokesman Safeen Dizayee told NRT on Thursday that KRG, on average, exports 600,000 bpd independently, adding that exports through Baghdad “are between 30,000 and 50,000 bpd”. Kurdish officials maintain that Baghdad has not sent Erbil 17 percent of the federal budget under the December 2014 agreement, and Iraqi officials have likewise accused KRG of not abiding by its commitment to the agreement.

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Pumping Iraqi Kurdish oil to Turkey resumed

Hawler news paper


Erbil: Crude oil flow in an Iraqi pipeline carrying Kurdish and Kirkuk oil to Turkey’s southern port of Ceyhan resumed on Thursday after a week-long shutdown following an attack by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, a Turkish energy official and a shipping agent told media that the militants, who have increasingly targeted Turkey’s energy infrastructure, bombed the pipeline last Wednesday. Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government energy ministry has said that the attack damaged the region’s economic viability. The energy ministry of Kurdistan government said that attack harm the economy of the region and the losses are more than $ 250 million.

Iraqi Kurdistan government to continue direct oil sales to overcome budget shortfall

Krg.org


Erbil: The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced that it will continue to work with its counterparts in the federal government to reach a resolution on all outstanding oil and gas issues per the joint statement of June 17, 2015 by the KRG’s Regional Council for Oil and Gas Affairs and the five political parties in the KRG. Oil exports from Kurdistan Region dropped during July due to sabotage of the pipeline through Turkey. According to the monthly KRG, oil export report for July, 16,019,090 barrels of crude oil (average 516,745 bpd) were exported through the pipeline through Turkey. This is a 6.5 per cent decline over June when the KRG exported 17,130,639 barrels (average 571,021 bpd).

Erbil-Berlin flights continuing

Bas news


Erbil: Iraqi Airways office in Erbil has rejected rumors that flights between Erbil and Berlin are suspended. The German, Danish and Swedish governments recently cancelled Iraqi Airways flights originating in Iraq, saying that the on-board services are inadequate. There were claims that Erbil-Berlin flights would also be cancelled. However, Iraqi Airways representative in Berlin Hamid Majid told Basnews that flights between Kurdistan Region and Germany capitals are not affected. He stressed that the Iraqi Airways is working hard to meet passengers’ demands and run flights according to predetermined schedules.

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French Total officials hold meeting with Slemani governor

Hawlati news paper


Slemani: Officials from French oil firm, Total, met Slemani governor and discussed ways to drill oil in the province in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. Total officials met Bakhtiar Abdurrahman the governor of Sulaimani and demanded the province’s cooperation with the oil giant. Total officials stated that the company received licenses from Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to drill oil in the province. Abdurrahman has asked the company to respect natural sources and compensate for possible damages to the people in the drilling processes and employ people in the region.

Iraq’s Kurdistan govt seeking better economic ties with Iran

Knnc.com


Erbil: Minister of Finance and Economy in Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government KRG, Ribaz Mohammed Hamlan, called for the development of economic relations with Iran. The Minister of Finance and Economy in KRG, highlighted the need for enhancing economic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran and to learn from Iran’s experiences in this regard. The minster stressed on developing this relation during his meeting with Iran’s Consul General to Erbil,Morteza Ebadi, he also said, “we, economically, need Iran’s experience to develop trade relations between the two sides”. Morteza Ebadi, form his side, expressed gratitude for the warm and sincere welcome of KRG Ministry of Finance and Economy and stressed the fact that Iran is always ready to develop economic ties with Kurdistan region.

Iran legalizes border smuggling with Iraqi Kurdistan by issuing permits

Rudaw news paper


Four thousand local Kurdish laborers in Iran were granted permits allowing them to bring in goods like chewing gum and walnuts from Iraqi Kurdistan, as Tehran tries to stamp out cross-border smuggling which most of it is on foot. The permits were granted to workers in the

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border city of Piranshahr, allowing them to carry goods legally without the threat of being charged as smugglers. The size of that trade is not known, but legal cross-border trade between Iran and Kurdistan reached $4 billion in 2013. Iran has announced plans to expand trade but crush the cross- border smuggling of goods by locals. Granting the permits legalizes the entry of many goods, but some of the trade is in prohibited items like alcohol, which is banned in Iran.

Slemani governor: 30 percent of Iraq’s industry exists in the province

Sulemaina governorate website


Slemani: Slemani governor in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, Aso Feridun said that that the province of Slemani has 30% of the Iraqi industry but it still need expertise to develop the industry. This statement came during a meeting with his counterpart governor of Ilam of Iranian Kurdistan, Mohammad Reza Morvarid whom he arrived Kurdistan region in the same day. Feridun said that he hopes to see agreements between Slemani and city of Ilam in different areas like industry, cultural and sports .Feridun said also that Slemani is considered an industrial province as 30 percent of Iraq’s industries is in the city for that the province is seeking to benefit from the expertise of Ilam Province in the industrial filed for the development of the sector in Slemani.

International Cyber Security, Hacking competition in Kurdistan with US support

Shafaq news


Erbil: A competition for Cyber Security and Hacking was launched sponsored by the American Consulate in Erbil city. The contest, which ended on Sunday, included 70 people, distributed to 11 teams, as the winning team will receive a prize, which is 12 months internship in the United States. The competition took place under the auspices of two trade groups in Erbil, Zain and Goran, with the support of the US Consulate, Angel Hack and Global Hack British and American organizations.

Humanitarian

Over than 100 Yazidi Kurds are leaving Iraq every day

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Xebat news paper


Erbil: Hussein Qaiada, an official in the office of abducted Yazidis announced that more than 300 Kurdish Yazidis, mostly women and children, are held by Islamic State group (IS), he also pointed out that more than 100 Yazidis are leaving the country on a daily basis.

UAE Ambassador to Iraq inspects ERC’s projects in Kurdistan

Rega TV


Erbil: Hassan Ahmed Al Shehhi, Ambassador of the UAE to Iraq, has inspected a number of projects implemented by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The tour came as part of Al Shehi’s visit to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. During his visit, he praised the projects implemented by the ERC. He also toured a number of ERC’s projects in Erbil to familiarize himself with the authority’s charitable and humanitarian projects for the benefit of the needy Syrian refugees and the displaced Iraqis. Also He commended the progress of work and ERC’s efforts to provide assistance to the underprivileged people. The UAE diplomat toured ERC’s tents designated for accommodating Syrian refugees as well as medical clinics inside the tents which provide job opportunities for refugee women. It is further to mention that UAE is very active in file of supporting refugees and IDPs in Kurdistan region.

17 children died in Mosul because of hunger: Kurdish official

Nineveh news


Dohuk: “Saied Mamuzini “a senior officer from (KDP) s branch in Mosul announced the death of 17 children in hospitals in Mosul because of hunger and lack of medicine. Mamuzini said told media, that “17” children died due to hunger and lack of medicine.” Mamuzini added that “the doctors are afraid of recording these cases fearing for their lives.

Kurdish Yazidi ‘mass grave’ found in northern Iraq

Pukmedai


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Sinjar: Following the withdrawal of the Islamic State militants in northern part of Sinjar Kurdish Peshmerga forces found three mass graves of Yazidi victims in Sinjar area in northwest Iraq. A source from the Peshmerga forces said that these mass graves contained more than 70 corpses of Yazidi victims, including women and children. The same source said also “We are still searching the area to reveal the remnants of the barbaric crimes committed by IS. The dead bodies of the Yazidi victims were moved by the Peshmerga to a graveyard in Sinjar in a funeral ceremony. The source stressed that thousands of Yazidis are still held by the radical group; most of them are women whom they have been taken by IS militants as sex slaves.

Exhibition of refugee children’s paintings in Iraqi Kurdistan’s camp

Duhok news


Duhok: “A part of our work with Yazidi refugee children is to enable them to express their feelings and dreams”. A wonderful collection of paintings was the result of the creative work WADI’s mobile teams encouraged during this summer’s activities program which was set up in cooperation with the SALT Foundation. Thus, it was decided to show these paintings in an exhibition in an unfinished building on the road the Khanke refugee camp in Duhok city where other refugee can easily drop. The day of the exhibition opening was a day of great joy for the children, filling them with pride and having a lot of fun – just what these children who are often deprived of their basic needs need.

monthly report from kurdistan region for august 2015 (1 · 1 monthly report from kurdistan region...

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