Kurdistan: the Glorious Past and the Exciting Future

[Anthea]

KRG Announces Resumption of

Kurdistan Friendship Group

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced that the first Kurdistan Friendship Group in the European Parliament will resume its work

Following tireless lobbying efforts by the KRG Delegation to the European Union, the European Friends of Kurdistan Group was established in 2013 as the first group of European parliamentarians dedicated to promoting and defending the rights and interests of the Kurdistan Region.

During an official visit to the European Parliament in November 2014, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani officially announced the establishment of the group.

The Friends of Kurdistan Group included representatives from all factions in the European Parliament, comprising 35 parliamentarians from various European countries.

Dilawar Azhgayi, the KRG Representative to the European Union, told BasNews that the group was the first Kurdish friendship group in Europe and played a significant role in raising awareness about the war against the Islamic State.

“Although the group’s activities were interrupted during the coronavirus crisis and the end of the previous European Parliament session, we have recently held many meetings with European parliamentarians to reactivate it,” Azhgayi stated.

The KRG Representative also emphasised that just as the Kurdistan Friendship Group was the first Kurdish lobby group and inspired the formation of others, efforts are now underway to revitalise the group to protect and advocate for the rights and demands of the Kurdistan Region.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/866763

[Anthea]

Peshmerga commanders praise US backing

Peshmerga commanders on Monday expressed gratitude for the longstanding support of the United States in addressing security challenges, emphasizing the need for continued assistance as the Islamic State (ISIS) remains a persistent threat

“We as the Peshmerga people, as the people of Kurdistan, are grateful to the US from the depth of our hearts,” said Sirwan Barzani, the Makhmour front commander of Peshmerga forces, during a press conference in Malaqara village, southwest of Erbil.

Barzani expressed gratitude to Spirit of America, a US non-governmental organization supporting American military personnel and diplomats, for providing surveillance cameras to Peshmerga forces to enhance security.

Barzani emphasized the importance of the support of the US-led coalition for the Kurdistan Region.

“We as the Peshmerga forces, as any army, always need support, especially of our allies and especially the US, who has not been negligent until now, but we need much more [support],” emphasizing that “ISIS movements continue.”

This comes a day after two commanders and an officer of the joint Iraqi-Kurdish security forces were killed, with three soldiers wounded when an IED planted by ISIS exploded on a joint Iraqi-Kurdish patrol in Salahaddin province’s Tuz Khurmatu, located about 65 kilometers south of Kirkuk city.

When ISIS seized swathes of Iraqi land in 2014, Peshmerga played a key role in driving the extremist group out of the areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, especially Kirkuk. The US-led global coalition provided Peshmerga and Iraqi forces with military assistance to defeat ISIS territorially in 2017.

The United States has provided the Peshmerga with several rounds of military aid over the years.

“The reorganization of the Peshmerga forces continues,” said Major General Hoshmand Haider, a representative of the Peshmerga ministry at the conference.

Despite efforts by Washington and several European countries, the Peshmerga remains a highly partisan force in organization and loyalty, split between the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and its rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

He assured that “by 2026, no Peshmerg force will be outside the Peshmerga ministry.”

Unit 70 forces are affiliated with the PUK and Unit 80 forces are controlled by the KDP. These two units make up the majority of the Peshmerga forces, amounting to over 100,000 troops.

Unification of the Peshmerga forces has been on the agenda of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for several years, and while some progress has been made and a number of brigades controlled by the PUK and the KDP have been added to the ministry, a lot of work remains to be done.

Haider detailed that the reorganization of divisions 5 and 6 is on the agenda of the ministry, noting that 6 divisions have been reorganized since last year.

Baghdad and Kurdish forces have formed joint brigades and launched joint operations against ISIS to secure disputed areas that are claimed by the federal government and the KRG.

The Iraqi constitution recognizes federal autonomy like the Kurdistan Region and its right to provide security with regional forces like the Peshmerga as part of the national defense apparatus.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/181120242

[Anthea]

Talks on forming KRG's tenth cabinet

The KDP has already engaged in discussions with several political parties in recent days and plans to meet with others in the coming round of talks

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is set to begin a fresh round of negotiations with political parties next week to form the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) tenth cabinet, a source from the KDP Central Committee told Kurdistan24 on Tuesday.

The source revealed that the KDP has already engaged in discussions with several political parties in recent days and plans to meet with others in the coming round of talks. “The KDP aims to form a government that includes as many political parties as possible,” the source stated.

Addressing the party’s relations with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the source confirmed that the PUK is on the KDP’s agenda for discussions. However, the exact timing of their meeting remains undecided. “It could be next week or another day,” the source explained.

The negotiations are also influenced by the anticipated results of the general population census. According to the source, “After the general population census, the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission will officially announce the results of the appeals, providing greater clarity for political parties about their next steps.”

The latest Kurdistan Region parliamentary election results have determined the distribution of seats among the major political parties:

- KDP: 39 seats

- PUK: 23 seats

- New Generation Movement: 15 seats

- Kurdistan Islamic Union: 7 seats

- National Stance Movement (Halwest): 4 seats

- Kurdistan Justice Group: 3 seats

- People’s Front: 2 seats

- Gorran Movement: 1 seat

- Others: 6 seats

The KDP's ongoing discussions are seen as pivotal in shaping the future cabinet, with all eyes on the dynamics between the region’s leading political forces.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/81 ... th-cabinet

[Anthea]

Hamilton Road development project

In a statement to Kurdistan24, Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing Agrin Abdullah said that the ministry is developing extensive plans for the strategic transportation project

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The Kurdistan Region’s Government has begun plans to build the Hamilton highway, connecting Khalifan district to Gali Ali Beg in the Independent Soran Administration, following directives from Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

In a statement to Kurdistan24, Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing Agrin Abdullah said that the ministry is developing extensive plans for the strategic transportation project.

The development will include a 12-kilometer highway built to high engineering specifications, including the removal of existing old bridges in the Gali Ali Beg area.

Abdullah also revealed plans for a 7-kilometer tunnel through Mount Korek, though this aspect of the project will be temporarily delayed due to three primary factors: high costs of construction, prioritizing the development of Hamilton Road, and the ongoing economic challenges facing the Kurdistan Region.

The Hamilton Road, historically important to the Kurdistan Region, was initially engineered by A.M. Hamilton in the 1920s and 1930s during the British mandate period.

The road has become a crucial transportation artery, connecting several parts of Kurdistan and enabling economic development in the region.

The new development project marks a noteworthy upgrade to this historic infrastructure, intending to improve connectivity and economic growth in the independent administration of Soran, which has seen growing development in recent years.

The project underlines the KRG's commitment to infrastructure development despite current economic challenges, with an emphasis on improving transportation networks in strategic areas of the region.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/81 ... nt-project

[Anthea]

Barzani Urges Swift KRG Formation

Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), marked the New Year with a call for the swift formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) tenth cabinet and emphasized addressing regional challenges, particularly the evolving situation in Syria

Barzani commended the Kurdistan Parliament elections held in October, calling them a testament to the will of the Kurdish people. “The people of Kurdistan have conveyed their message clearly, and it is imperative to respond by forming the new cabinet without delay,” he said in a statement.

He stressed that a functional government is crucial to implementing programs that serve the Region’s citizens. Barzani also reiterated the importance of resolving disputes between the KRG and Iraq’s federal government through dialogue and adherence to the constitution. He called for an end to obstacles undermining Kurdish rights.

Turning to regional dynamics, Barzani addressed the implications of ongoing developments in Syria, noting their potential to reshape the region. “These changes present an opportunity for Syria’s communities to establish coexistence, peace, and stability through mutual understanding,” he stated.

The Kurdish leader warned against the perils of continued crises, extremism, and violence, urging all parties to embrace dialogue and reject fanaticism. “Our region cannot endure further chaos. No side can impose its will on others,” he said.

The New Year, Barzani added, should herald peace and coexistence. He extended wishes for prosperity and protection for the people of Kurdistan, particularly the families of martyrs and Peshmerga forces.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/870964

[Anthea]

KDP, PUK cabinet formation talks

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are set to meet next week for further talks on cabinet formation and the distribution of positions, the PUK spokesperson said on Tuesday

“The PUK and KDP are set to hold a meeting on January 7, 2025,” PUK spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pira told Rudaw.

The Kurdish parties last met in mid-December, where they again discussed the formation of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) new cabinet.

“Both sides agreed to prepare a joint program for the principles on which Kurdistan’s governance will be conducted in the next phase, in a way that protects the position and stability of the Kurdistan Region and the rights and interests of its citizens and communities,” the Kurdish parties said in a joint statement after the previous meeting.

An informed source from the PUK’s leadership council told Rudaw that the next meeting will discuss the government agenda and the distribution of positions among the parties.

“A joint committee of the PUK and KDP will prepare a draft and present the government program for the next cabinet,” the source said, requesting anonymity.

The Kurdistan Region held its long-overdue elections in October, resulting in a consolidation of power for the ruling KDP which won 39 seats, followed by the PUK with 23. The opposition New Generation Movement (NGM) took third place with 15 seats.

No single party won a majority in the parliament so a governing coalition will have to be formed, as has historically been the case. The KDP and PUK, while rivals, also share power in government.

But several parties including the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), the People's Front (Baray Gal), and the National Stance Movement (Halwest) have repeatedly denounced the election results, alleging fraud and voter manipulation

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/31122024

Personally, I do NOT believe that Bafel Talabani's PUK won more seats than the People's Front (Baray Gal), Bafel Talabani is a TRAITOR and should have been arrested and imprisoned years ago

[Anthea]

BCF Aid to Millions in 2024

The Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) announced that over 3.2 million people, including 433,257 families, benefited from its humanitarian projects and activities in 2024

In its annual report, BCF noted it had implemented 121 projects with a total budget of 10.4 billion Iraqi dinars. The beneficiaries included refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), local communities, and citizens of Syria and Lebanon.

The foundation provided aid in areas such as non-food items, protection, water and sanitation, livelihoods, camp management, shelter, health, cash assistance, food security, education, and development. Humanitarian assistance was distributed across the Kurdistan Region, as well as Nineveh, Diyala, and Baghdad provinces, extending to neighboring countries Syria and Lebanon.

Established in 2005 in Erbil, the BCF is a non-governmental, non-political, and non-profit organization. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Head of BCF Founders Board, oversees its operations directly.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/870946