Kurdish News in Brief: Updated Often PLEASE Add Items

[Anthea]

Kurd MP denies his bloc involvement in delaying approving the budget in 2014

Baghdad: A member of the Finance Committee, from the Kurdistan Alliance, MP Ahmed Hassan Fadhallah denied that his bloc disrupts adopting the state budget, considering all the charges against the Kurdistan Alliance void. He said "some parliamentary blocs lacks a lot of diplomatic relations and direct false charges that are not based on real data," stressing that "the Kurdistan Alliance bloc does not have any objection to the adoption of the budget for the year 2014.". He pointed out that "Kurdistan's call for the federal government to pay the oil companies that operate in the region is normal, because foreign companies are working on oil exploration, which its imports to the Federal Government without receiving any dues since start working until now. "He added that "the central government refuses to pay to companies that have worked in the northern fields under the pretext it has not receive the northern oil revenues." He continued: "The Kurdistan Alliance bloc does not have any intention of compromising on the adoption of the budget, but there are certain positions for parliamentary blocs led to delay the adoption of the budget." ninanews.com

Foreign woman commits suicide in Sulaimaniyah

Slêmanî: A foreign woman committed suicide in Sulaimaniyah province. Security source within Sulaimaniyah police reported in a statement ”The woman, who is from Nepal hanged herself to death inside her apartment in Sulaimaniyah province.” ”The security forces sent the dead body to the morgue and launched an investigation to figure out the circumstances behind this crime,” the source concluded. iraqinews.com

Famous Egyptian Journalist: Kurdish Independence will happen

Leading Egyptian journalist, Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, said that Iraqi Kurdistan’s independence is not far off. During an interview with Egyptian satellite channel CBC+2, Heikal said: “the politics of Turkey’s prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, tend to be unrealistic. More than 18 million Kurds and 20 million Alawites live in Turkey, what the prime minister is doing will likely tear Turkey up into several independent states,” said the journalist. Regarding Iran, he also mentioned that “Arab countries should behave very wisely with Iran and improve their relation with Tehran to be treated as an ally in the region.” Mohamed Hassanein Heikal has been editor-in-chief at Cairo newspaper Al-Ahram for 17 years and a respected commentator on Arab affairs for more than 50 years. basnews.com

Two people killed, injured in clashes with Chamchamal Asayish

Slêmanî: Spokesperson of Chamchamal police announced that clashes had occurred between Asayish (Kurdish Security Forces) and three armed people were driving their car around the Asayish building last night. The spokesperson said that Asayish members had requested to stop the car but the driver continued driving around which resulted in an armed clashes between the Asayish and the armed men. One of the armed men was killed and another injured, the third one was arrested. Asayish said that the armed men were residents of Chamchamal and were drunk which caused losing control over their behaviors. pukmedia.com

Barzani: Kurdistan needs political stability in the next phase

Erbil: Kurdistan PM, Nechirvan Barzani said that the region needs calm situation and political stability in order to enable the government and parliament of Kurdistan to provide the best services to citizens in the next phase. “Barzani met on Sunday, members of his party bloc in the previous session of Kurdistan Parliament in its third session,” A statement by Kurdistan Democratic Party KDP said. During the meeting, which was attended by secretary of the party's political bureau, Fadhil Mirani and a number of members of the political bureau, Barzani pointed out that the Parliament and the regional government is in front of a new phase that includes duties and new business and requires teamwork and the positions of standardized to provide better services to the citizens of the region. Barzani, the party's candidate to form a new government in the region, said that the region will work with other parties, pointing out that the first priority in the next phase is to provide better services to citizens in all areas. KDP has won first rank in the elections of Kurdistan Parliament, which took place last September by winning 38 seats of the total 111 of the Parliament, Change movement came in second place by obtaining 24 seats, while Patriotic Union of Kurdistan came in the Third rank by a total of 18 seats. shafaaq.com

Children TV opened in Kurdistan

Erbil: Kurdistan Minister of Culture inaugurated Monday the opening of the first children satellite in the region, which is expected to broadcast on March 21, 2014. Minister Kawa Mahmoud stated that this project is an important social enterprise in the service of children in Kurdistan. He added that this project is prelude for a law connected with the protection of children's rights. aswataliraq.info

Kurdistan releases Iranian Kurdish activists

Erbil: Kurdistan Region security authorities have released six Kurdish Iranian activists arrested in November for throwing stones at the Iranian Consulate in Erbil during a protest against the recent wave of Kurdish executions in Iran. On Sunday, and after 46 days in jail the Ministry of Interior had released the protestors after Kurdish president Barzani had reviewed the cases, said Erbil Police spokesman, Karwan Abdul-Karim. “Following the court’s decision to arrest protesters who were accused of throwing stones at the consulate, they have been freed on Sunday upon the court’s final decision,” added Abdul-Karim. The protester are Mustafa Shekha, Rahman Piroti, Chiya Malak, Peshawa Alipur, Mohammed Farhad Zada, and Amanj Salawati. Only days after the arrest, two other activists (Ali Ismael Nazhad and Fazil Arif) were arrested and released alongside the six protesters. November saw a wave of protests against Tehran’s execution of Kurdish political activists and prisoners. A number of activists changed the course of the protest and attacked the Iranian Consulate, resulting in their arrest. basnews.com

Makhmur villages appeal for Kurdish help against Islamic extremists

Kakhmur: Residents of rural areas around the town of Makhmur, which lies in disputed lands south of Erbil, complain that armed Islamic groups are on the rise in their regions and appeal for protection from the autonomous Kurdistan Region. “We ask the Kurdish leadership to dispatch a force to the area,” a villager told Rudaw. “Even the Arab Sheikhs demand the deployment of Peshmerga forces from the Kurdistan Region to protect them.” The villagers say that members of the extremist militant Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) come to the area from across Iraq’s Sunni provinces. Makhmur, 67 kilometers south of Erbil, is a majority-Kurdish town, but the wider area is also home to Arab herders and farmers. Makhmur police chief, Nadir Shakir Harki, echoed the people’s concerns, saying: “A force is needed to be deployed in the area and a study is underway for this purpose.” In a recent bombing in Qudila village, two policemen were killed and a dozen homes were destroyed. Intelligence sources say that when Iraqi security forces pursue insurgents further south in Tikrit and Mosul, they escape to villages near Makhmur, where they find a safe haven...rudaw.net

5,000 Kurds have returned to Iraqi Kurdistan from Greece

Greece: In the past two years, approximately 5,000 Kurdish residents in Greece have returned to Iraqi Kurdistan due to the economic crisis in Europe. The political instability, high unemployment and social and economic problems have forced immigrants from a number of countries to return to their homeland. In 2010, the number of Kurds living in Greece exceeded 6,000. According to statistics, Greece is a major gateway to Europe, putting Greek border control under much pressure. While there is not exact figures regarding immigrants, Greece is unable to provide asylum due to an already high number of immigrants. Living conditions for immigrants are often extremely poor, partly due to Greece’s lack of resources. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), whose main role is to promote legal migration with humanitarian conditions worldwide, is helping to address the immigration problem in Greece. IOM reveals that 5,000 Kurds have returned to Iraqi Kurdistan in the past two years. Most of them had a non-permanent residency in Greece, due to be renewed every six months. Many waited years to get approved as asylum seekers. Unemployment in Greece is at 25% and Greeks themselves cannot find employment. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

IHEC Commissioners Council approves 5 systems regarding Kurdistan’s Provincial Councils elections

Erbil: Deputy Chairman of the Commissioners Council of the Electoral Commission, Qateh al- Zobaie announced on Thursday , that the Council has ratified five law regarding the special elections of Kurdistan region. Zobaie said the Council of Commissioners has ratified in its regular session on Thursday, 12/26/2013 at five systems which are ( adoption system of political entities’ agents - adoption system of monitors on the provincial elections - adoption system of media for provincial council elections - the system of election campaigns to elect provincial councils and adoption system of international observers for the election of provincial councils of Kurdistan region”. He added that the election commission continues its preparations for the provincial council’s elections of Kurdistan region , scheduled in conjunction with the election of the Iraqi parliament in 30/04/2014. shafaaq.com

U.S. welcomes Barzani, Maliki meeting in Baghdad

Washington: The United States welcomes the meeting Wednesday in Baghdad between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government U.S. government website reported. Jen Psaki, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State said in a statement "we strongly support the efforts by all parties to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement to increase oil exports and share revenues equitably with all Iraqis consistent with the Iraqi constitution. We further urge all parties to view the meeting as a positive step forward and to continue their active engagement to promote prosperity for all Iraqi citizens in a manner that bolsters the stability of a unified and federal Iraq." Ekurd.net

Kurdish MP: Kurdish delegation's visit to Baghdad is an important step to resolve the outstanding issues

Baghdad: MP, of the coalition of Kurdish blocs, Sheriff Sulaiman said that " the visit of the Kurdish regional government delegation, headed by Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani is an important step to resolve the outstanding issues." He said "The atmosphere that prevailed in the relationship between the province and the center during the last period was not encouraging to resolve the outstanding issues, because the differing visions of each party about these files." He added that "the importance of this visit is it come in the right time, especially that everyone is awaiting to solve some problems for the state's general budget for next year, which is still in the Council of Ministers in order to refer them to parliament for approval as soon as possible." It is mentioned that an informed source announced earlier yesterday that "al-Maliki and Barzani agreed to hold a general settlement of all outstanding accounts between the central government and the Kurdistan region." ninanews.com

Massoud Barzani calls Baghdad to convert to Halabja to a province

Erbil: Massoud Barzani, President of Kurdistan Region demanded on Thursday the Iraqi government to complete the legal and administrative procedures in order to raise the administrative level of Halabja city to a province, and to inform the region with all the procedures in this topic. The official website of the Presidency of Kurdistan Region said in a brief statement that the President of the Region demanded in a letter addressed to the Council of Ministers of Iraq, "to provide the region with all information regarding the procedures followed in order to raise the administrative level of Halabja city to a province and inform them of the last results that Baghdad has reached in this regard. The Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, had announced in his recent visit to Erbil that his government " supports the demand of Kurdistan Region to raise the administrative level of Halabja city to a province and that it is obliged to compensate the city and compensate the wounded and the families of the victims financially and morally." Halabja city had been bombed with chemical weapons used by the former regime against its population in the sixteenth of March 1988 caused the deaths of five thousand inhabitants and injured about 20 thousand. shafaaq.com

Mahmoud Othman describes the language of threats against protesters wrong-style

Baghdad: Independent MP, of the Kurdistan coalition, Mahmoud Othman described, "the language of threats against the protestors is wrong style, because it confuses the political process and security in the country and lead to not good results, pointing out "that the force does not solve everything, because it brings violence, and this is extremely dangerous for the country." He said in a statement "It must be solved through direct dialogue, between the wise elders and politicians in Anbar and the government and parliament from different parties, with the participation of religious Sunni and Shiite." He explained that "the style of direct dialogue and understanding between the leaders of the protest and the government and parliament is the best solution to avoid new problems in the country that we do not need," pointing out that" there is confusion on the subject of sit-ins, some of them demanding their rights, and some take advantage of this subject to his personal interests, so it should not be confused with person claiming his right, and the person who provokes problems for personal and electoral gains so as to avoid bigger problems that may occur in the future. "...ninanews.com

Hakeem in meeting with Nechirvan Barzani stresses importance of free, fair elections

Baghdad: Leader of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC), Ammar al-Hakeem, stressed that elections are an important turning point, there must provide positive environment for it; stressing the importance for the people to go into free and fair elections to get a harmonic Parliament and Government. A statement issued on Wednesday, Dec. 25, by the SIIC quoted Hakeem in his meeting with Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, saying that there is a genuine will to solve the problems between the Region and Center, regarding the issues of oil and security cooperation, pointing out that such a will has been realized during the talks between the Prime Minister and Nechirvan Barzani. For his part, Nechirvan Barzani stressed that the Region’s Government adheres to the Constitution and its text stipulating that oil and gas belong to all and that the Region’s government will not object to enacting the 2014 Budget. ninanews.com

Story of Kurdish soldiers in Syrian army

Erbil: Hundreds of Kurdish soldiers are being forced to join Bashar al-Assad’s fight against the Syrian opposition. While a large number of Kurdish soldiers left the army following the breakout of war, strict measures have now been taken to stop them; deserters face severe punishment, including prison and death. Khalil, a Kurdish soldier in the Syrian army, was recently able to call home after nine months of silence to alert his family that he was alive. Most relatives of Syrian soldiers do not receive news regarding their family member due to the largely damaged network connections. Abu Amanj is the father of a Kurdish Syrian soldier, he has not received news from his son in over a year. “He last called with his friend’s mobile and talked about running away from the army, but he told us he couldn’t go yet because he was fighting in a neighborhood in Homs against the Free Syrian Army. We haven’t heard from him since,” explained Amanj. Amanj travelled to Homs to look for his son, only to be told that he had been killed while fighting against opposition groups. Amanj believes that Syrian snipers are ordered to shoot soldiers who attempt to flee the army. basnews.com

New efforts to recognize Kurdish genocide

Erbil: A new committee has been formed by the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Justice to recognize Kurdish genocide globally. The committee will start collecting evidence and official papers from the Central Criminal Court of Iraq in order to present it to the international court. “A committee has been set to recognize the Kurdish Genocide worldwide for the purpose of shedding light on criminal cases and all breaches of human rights, in order to compensate victims,” said the Ministry of Justice spokesman Neriman Talib. “The current committee has not been set to replace the previous committees, but rather to work hand in hand with them, to be more effective when pushing for the recognition of the genocide,” said Talib. Although there have been many attempts by the Ministry of Martyrs and Anfal Affairs in parliament, organizations and well-known international centers, to recognize the Kurdish genocide, it has yet to be recognized on an international scale...basnews.com

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[Anthea]

Kurdish militia has 35,000 fighters: spokesman

BEIRUT: A leading Kurdish militia that has fought against rebels trying to topple Syrian president Bashar Assad now numbers 35,000 members, according to a spokesperson for the group.

Redur Khalil, quoted by the Carnegie Endowment, said the YPG, or People’s Protection Units, had grown in number after a recent general mobilization.

The figure would place the militia, which is comprised of men and women, as being among the largest in the war-torn country.

The YPG works closely with the PYD, a political party that has advocated federalism for Syria’s Kurds.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle ... esman.ashx

[Anthea]

Slêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Kurdish MP calls to distance the army from politics, considers Alwani's housebreaking illegal

Baghdad: MP, of the Kurdistan Alliance, Sharif Suleiman considered the process of housebreaking and arrested MP Ahmed al-Alwani and killed his brother, by a force from the Iraqi army illegal. Sulaiman said "involving the military in political matters is a sensitive issues, and we hope to keep the army out of this political issues, as the Constitution assures not to involve the army in political matters." Suleiman said Iraq is passing a sensitive stage and does not need to raise political issues that hinder the political process, calling for caution in such things, as they threaten the country. " It is mentioned that a security source said that a military force, coming from Baghdad, arrested MP Ahmed al-Alwani at dawn today in the al-Jazerrah area near Ramadi, adding, that clashes erupted between the force and the bodyguards of al-Alwani and his relatives, which resulted in the killing of seven people, including his brother and wounding seven others. ninanews.com

Kurdistan's Peshmerga forces ready to counter terrorism in Iraq: Kurdish MP

Baghdad: Kurdish Alliance MP declared that Peshmerga forces are ready to cooperate with the Iraqi defence ministry in striking terrorism and exchange of information. Parliamentary Security and Defence Commission member Shwan Mohammed Taha, in a press statement, said that the Kurdish region forces protect 20% of Iraqi territories and Peshmerga ministry held more than 10 meetings with Iraqi Defence Ministry to discuss the military joint administration of the disputed areas to counter terrorism. Taha pointed out that the Defence Ministry did not respond to Peshmerga demand to administer this dossier. He stressed that terrorism is targeting all, without exception, expressing readiness to exchange information because the Kurds are part of Iraq and the political process. aswataliraq.info

Iraqi Kurdish teenager is killed in Syria

Khurmatu: A 17 year old Kurd from Tuz Khormato, in Iraq’s Salahaddin Province, has been killed in Syria while fighting against Syrian regime. Mariwan Wrya is the latest casualty among Iraqi Kurds fighting in Syria. “A teenage boy has been killed in Syria’s war, he was there to wage Jihad,” a member of Salahaddin Province Council, Sabah Jum’a said. Security Forces informed Wrya’s family of the boy’s death on Friday. The 18 other young men from Tuz Khormato have travelled to Syria to fight against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Following a wave of young Kurdish men traveling to Syria, the Kurdistan Region has set up a special committee to look at factors behind the phenomenon. Over 200 youths from Iraq’s Kurdish region have reportedly travelled to Syria since the conflict broke out in 2011. basnews.com

Kurdish Swede creates first Kurdish search engine

The fist web search engine in the Kurdish language was launched on Friday. Egerin is similar to Google and allows the approximately 40 million Kurds around the world to find and share information online in their native tongue. It is as simple as Google in that web pages and meta data appear on the search result pages, and users can also search videos, images and news. According to SBWire, the information can be shared through an integrated blog system, which can be set up by entering an email address. A standard email/password login enables users to access their account. Egerin was founded by Kawa Onatli, a kurdish businessman who lives in Sweden. Onatli wanted to provide a more specialized search engine that could benefit the large Kurdish community around the world. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

Qamishli (Qmişlo), Amude, Afrin - Hesekê — Western Kurdistan (Syrian Kurdistan)

Al Qaeda gangs torture Kurdish civilian to death

Jarablus: The body of a Kurdish civilian abducted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), linked to Al Qaeda, in Jarablus on 25 December, has been found on the street. It is reported that the man, named as Mehemed Selim, was tortured to death. According to reports from the area, Mehemed Selim was abducted on Christmas Day in Jarablus, a town inhabited by Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen, by gangs belonging to ISIS. After the body was thrown onto the street local people in Jarablus attempted to conduct a funeral according to religious tradition, but were prevented by the gangs, who attacked them in tanks. The people then took the body to the town of Minbic (Manbij), where the funeral took place. In Syria these armed gangs affiliated to Al Qaeda have been implicated in many cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity. At the beginning of December these groups took many civilian Kurds hostage in the Jarablus area. While some have been released, there is no news regarding the remaining hostages. firatnews.com

Kurdish YPG fighters liberate a town and four villages

People's Defense Units (YPG) have liberated 4 more villages in the Til Hemis area near Tirbespiyê after liberating the town of Til Berik (Tell Brak), 45 km from Qamişlo, from armed groups affiliated to Al Qaeda. According to YPG sources the YPG carried out an operation this morning against armed groups in the area between Qamişlo and Hesekê (al-Hasaka). On the evening of 26 December there were violent clashes between YPG forces and armed groups of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), linked to Al Qaeda, in the vicinity of the villages of Ebu Xezef, Xenamiyê and upper and lower Bizoniyê near Til Hemis. As a result of these clashes YPG forces ejected the Al Qaeda groups from 4 villages. The operation is continuing in the area. 5 cities, 6 towns and more than 100 villages liberated in 2013. firatnews.com

2013 toll: 56 explosions, 18 suicidal acts in Syrian Kurdistan Kurdistan

According to Syrian (western) Kurdistan Asayish; Kurdish areas in western Kurdistan had witnessed during 2013, 56 explosions and 18 suicidal acts including explosive devices with resulted in killing and injuring dozens of civilians. General Chief of western Kurdistan Asayish stressed in a press conference that their units had dismantled 57 explosive devices and that the number of explosive devices which blasted was 38 as well for 18 suicidal acts, three of them were located in the city of Qamishli. 49 member of Asayish were killed 57 others were injured in 2013 toll. The number of arrested terrorists is 1533 convicted with terrorist acts, and that the number of people who were arrested for criminal felonies is 3582. Asayish General said in a statement. pukmedia.com

EUTCC supports Kurdish Supreme Council's participation in Geneva II

The EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) has sent a letter to UN, US, EU - and all other relevant representatives in support of the participation of the Kurdish Supreme Council in Geneva II in which the ongoing situation in Syria will be discussed in details on 22 January 2014. The letter was signed by Kariane Westrheim, Chair of EUTCC and the 10th EUTCC conference, on EU, Turkey and the Kurds, held 4 and 5 December 2013, under the theme ‘Turkey, the Kurds and the Imralı Peace Process: A Historical Opportunity’ was attended by EU parliamentarians, civil society activists, journalists, academics and politicians from across Turkey, Europe, America and the Middle East and discussed the peace process undertaken by Turkey’s Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the leader of the PKK, Mr. Abdullah Öcalan. Participating organisations and individuals expressed support for a political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey and put forward recommendations for ensuring the success of the Peace Process...firatnews.com

Kurdish YPG fighters take control of Qamişlo’s Til Birek district

Qmişlo: People's Defense Units (YPG) fighters have liberated the Til Birek district of the Qamishlo city from al-Qaeda affiliated gang groups. According to the reports obtained from YPG sources, YPG fighters launched an offensive against jihadist groups deployed in an area between Hesekê and Qamishlo early Friday morning. YPG fighters have taken control of the Til Birek district in the operation which is reported to be continuing in the south of the Qamishlo city. Detailed info about the operation is expected to be released Friday.

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[Anthea]

December 29, 2013

Slêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Four bombings target Kurdish Asayish forces in Tuz Khurmatu

Khurmatu: Sources in the Iraqi police said on Sunday that four explosions occurred in the early hours today and targeted houses belong to the Kurdish security elements Asayish followers of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. A security source said "the explosions that took place in Panar area in the center of Tuz Khurmatu targeted the houses of the elements, one of them in the Kurdish security official movements, Khalil Marrakesh." “Three people were injured by the bombings from the families living in the area and were taken to Tuz Khurmatu hospital for treatment,” the source added. shafaaq.com

Iraq's first lady Hero Talabani to visit Iraqi president in Germany

Slêmanî: Iraqi fist lady Mrs. Hêro Ibrahim Ahmed to visit her husband Iraqi president Jalal Talabani in Germany on Sunday, to spend the new year together, local media reported. Talabani has been recovering in a hospital in Germany, following a stroke in December 2012. Photos of the PUK leader in good health were published on December 10, 2013, following speculation that the he was due to return to Kurdistan. Kurdish sources revealed that President Talabani can watch TV and read newspapers, but he cannot speak. The source noted that “Talabani is still in the process of recovery, probably will be able to talk later” Ekurd.net

Kurdish family from Erbil travels to Syria for Jihad

Erbil: An informed source said that a Kurdish family from Erbil has travelled to Syria to join militant groups. A source close to the family explained that the young husband from Sebardan, a village close to Erbil, sold his house to travel to Syria with his wife and two children to join militant groups and fight against the Syrian regime. The source also mentioned that the young man often visited the village mosque, and that he travelled to Syria to wage jihad. This is the first documented instance of an Iraqi Kurdish youth selling his home and belongings to travel to Syria with his family. The family’s move follows another young man from the same village traveling to Syria three months ago; no further information has been obtained regarding this man. Last month, Kurdish media revealed that nine more Kurdish youths travelled to Syria from Soran, in Erbil province and that two of them took their wives too. In recent months hundreds of Kurdish youth have gone to Syria to join the extremist groups fighting Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The Kurdish government has set up a special committee to further investigate this new phenomenon. basnews.com

Turkish driver arrested for smuggling counterfeit medicine to Kurdistan

Zakho: Kurdish security forces have arrested a Turkish driver as he attempted to smuggle counterfeit medications into the Kurdistan Region through the Ibrahim Khalil border entry with Turkey. “A Turkish truck driver was arrested at the Ibrahim Khalil border entry border. He was caught with 55 Kg in medications,” said the spokesman of Ibrahim Khalil’s international border entry, Najmaddin Nerwayi. Nerwayi stressed that medicine which has not been inspected is not allowed to enter the region. “Any type of medicine being brought into Kurdistan needs a license from the Ministry of Health, and inspections by us to prove that the medications are legal,” said Nerwayi. “The driver will be punished according to this border’s laws,” concluded Nerwayi. Ibrahim Khalil is a border crossing point between Turkey and Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. The crossing is controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which enforces its own immigration policies. basnews.com

Faili Kurds move forward in 2014 elections after losing quotas chance

Baghdad: After the Parliament has passed the amendments on the election law recently, a lot of Faili Kurds expressed their disappointment for not having any seats from the quota seats as they were having great hopes to reach the Iraqi parliament. However, many of them did not lose hope and decided to contest the parliamentary elections on 30 of next April through lists that have been announced and amounted until now to three lists registered in the Independent High Electoral Commission. The member of the provincial council in Wasit, Haider al-Faili told that " despite the claim of the two leaders ( President of Kurdistan Region ) Massoud Barzani and ( Islamic Supreme Council Chairman ) Ammar al-Hakim to allocate quota seats for the Faili Kurds but parliamentary blocs marginalized Faili Kurds by amending the election law". He adds, that the most important reasons for not granting Faili Kurds any seats in the parliament is not being unite and this is what has caused not deliver their voices to the parliament. Al-Faili accused the political blocs of marginalizing Faili Kurds, by saying that "the political blocs that speak on the eve of the election on grievances of Faili Kurds are the same who marginalized them in the election law."...shafaaq.com

Kurdish student turns Islamic militant and dies in Yemen

Erbil: A Kurdish student from Erbil has been killed in Yemen after joining an Islamic militant group. The young man had traveled to Yemen to finish his university studies as an exchange students, and had become part of a radical Islamic group while there. He was killed about a month ago during clashes with local security forces. This is an isolated occurrence, as no other Kurds are reported to have joint radical groups in Yemen. The young man worked at a medical clinic in Erbil, but obtained leave in order to go to Yemen and study. A source informed said that the young man had joined a extremist group with links to Al-Qaeda. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

Irbil-Baghdad dispute Kurdistan Region population figures

The latest figures issued by the federal government of Iraq place the total population of Iraqi Kurdistan at 5,100,087, whereas the KRG has stressed that more than 5.3 million people live in the region. Ekurd.net he confirmed that the Iraqi government’s failure to count the extra 100,000 residents of the Kurdistan Region is due to a “contrasting perception over the Kurdistan Region’s borders.”

Amin said: “The Iraqi Ministry of planning does not account for some districts and areas that the Kurdistan Regional authorities are adamant are part of the region, particularly in the Erbil and Duhok provinces.” He added: “These figures have been calculated based on old methods used by the former regime, rather than scientific methods that take into account likely demographic growth.”

By Mohamed Zangeneh - Asharq Al-Awsat

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[Anthea]

2 blasts cause injury of 6 in Kirkuk

According to a source from Kirkuk, just a while ago, two blasts took place in the city, resulting in the injury of six people. Both explosions were conducted using booby trapped automobiles.

Colonel Sherzad Mofari, Director of Kirkuk`s Organizations Protection, told PUKmedia that one of the booby trapped cars exploded in Mamduda Quarter in Kirkuk, resulting in the injury of 4 who are all children.

“The injured children are being treated right now in city`s hospital,” Mofari noted.

“The second blast took place in First of June Quarter, causing the injury of a mom and her child,” Mofari added.

http://www.pukmedia.com/EN/EN_Direje.aspx?Jimare=16856

[Anthea]

December 30, 2013

Slêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

A delegation from Kurdistan Region to end Iraqi budget agreements this week

Erbil: A technical delegation will arrive from Kurdistan to Baghdad this week as a part of the start of the joint committee’s meetings , in which it had been agreed to be formed last week to end the federal budget disputes for 2014. "The technical delegation from Kurdistan Region will arrive this weekend to Baghdad in the framework of activating the agreement that took place last week between Kurdistan PM, Nechirvan Barzani and Iraqi Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki on the formation of a joint committee to resolve differences on the federal budget ,” The vice president of Kurdistan Alliance bloc , Mohsen al-Sadoun said. “The delegation will hold meetings in Baghdad with representatives from the federal government to approve the agreement on the disputed items in the budget, which agreed last week to find solutions to them through the a joint committee ,” Sadoun added. The head of Kurdistan Regional Government has agreed with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad on the formation of a joint committee that would develop solutions for disputed points between the region and the Center on the Budget. shafaaq.com

A Kurdish security Asayish member killed in Mosul

Mosul: An employee from the Kurdish security forces, Asayish, was in an armed attack in al-Hamdania area in Nineveh. A security source said "Gunmen opened fire at one of the elements of the Kurdish security forces in al-Hamdania area , killing him on the spot." He added: "The attack also led to the death of a woman was passing in the street." ninanews.com

Iraq Kurdish Islamic leader Dilshad Germyani : Greeting Christians is forbidden

A high official from the Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG) has said that it is “haram” (forbidden) for Muslims to participate in non-Muslim religious celebrations. KIG’s Dilshad Germyani published his views on Facebook, saying that Muslims only have two feasts, and should not participate in other events. “Participating in celebrations and greeting Christians, Jews or Buddhists is forbidden to Muslims,” Germyani wrote. “We as Muslims have only two feast and they are Ramadan and the Sacrifice feast,” he added. “The prophet would have specified if we were allowed to greet and participate in non-Muslim religious celebrations,” he wrote. The Kurdistan Region has a large Christian community that celebrates Christmas and new year’s eve. basnews.com

Shelling Mujahidi Khalq's liberty camp "terrorist" action: Kurdistan Alliance

Baghdad: Kurdistan Alliance MP Mehdi Haj Issa described the shelling of Liberty Camp as "terrorist action of the first grade". In a statement, he called the Iraqi government to provide protection to the anti-Iranian residents of Mujahidi Khalq organization. MP Issa called the government to implement its international obligations and UN resolutions for providing safe haven for them. In addition, he called the European countries to accept them in different countries. Liberty Camp, situated near Baghdad Airport, was shelled Thursday night, which resulted in killing 3 and wounding more. aswataliraq.info

Kurdistan Islamic Movement: we are against Kurds going to Syria

Slêmanî: The Kurdistan Islamic Movement (KIM) has rejected accusations that they are behind the wave of Kurdish youths going to Syria for Jihad. KIM spokesperson, Abdulla Wartie, told reporters that the movement has not sent anyone to Syria to fight alongside radical groups. “We have not sent or encouraged anyone to go to Syria,” said Wartie. “The Kurdish youths going to Syria are better off using their energy on the Kurdistan Region instead then wasting their lives in Syria,” he added. Last week Kurdish security forces arrested a high official of the KIM in the Halabja region on charges of encouraging youths to wage jihad in Syria. After a number of days in jail, the official was released without charges. In the last few months over 200 Iraqi Kurdish youths have travelled to Syria to participate in the Syrian war and according to Kurdish government figures more than ten Kurdish youths have been killed in Syria while fighting. basnews.com

Tennis international championship to be held in Erbil, Kurdistan

Baghdad: The Head of the Iraqi Tennis Union, Aso Adel, announced obtaining the consent of the International Tennis Union to host an international championship to be held in Erbil province with the participation of many international teams. Adel said ”The Iraqi Tennis Union will organize a four day championship for the (18 years) category in Baghdad during next January with the participation of (20) clubs that represent Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces.” ”The Iraqi Tennis team is scheduled to participate in many international important championships during 2014,” he concluded. iraqinews.com

Fire in Dumez camp kills Syrian Kurdish refugee and her baby in Duhok, Kurdistan

Duhok: A fire broke out in a tent for Syrian refugees in Dumez camp 2 " in Duhok province on Monday and killed a woman and her baby daughter while injured her husband. “A fire broke out in one of the tents in Dumez camp 2 , which has been opened about a week ago and claimed the lives of a refugee from the Kurdish Syrians , about 25 years old , also killed her baby daughter of one yearold ,” Salem Saeed , media spokesman of Dumez camp said. “The girl's father suffered from burns and was taken to the hospital for treatment.” Saeed denied knowing the reason behind the fire, noting that “an investigation has been opened to find out why “... Likely to be an accident due to electricity or due a heater and generally the investigation will reveal that." The administration of Dumez camp has transferred about a week ago about 700 families from what is called as “slums " and put tents for them in an area adjacent to the original camp that was renamed Dumez 2 , which has the services of water, electricity and others. Dumez camp was opened actually about 20 km southeast of Duhok in 2004 and home to almost absolute majority of Syrian Kurds refugees.shafaaq.com

Erbil investment reaches US$20 billion in seven years

Erbil: The Kurdistan Investment Board (KIB) has said that 2014 will see more space being given to investment in agriculture and tourism. In a press conference in Erbil, the deputy chairman of the KIB, Nawroz Mawlud, said: “in 2013, more than US$5 billion have been invested in Erbil by foreign companies and corporations, most was invested in the housing sector.” “The statistics show that more than US$20 billion have been invested in Erbil in the last seven years. In 2014, most of the investment will be in the agriculture and tourism sectors,” said Mawlud. Mawlud also pointed out that “33 companies have been black listed due to them not obeying Kurdistan investment law.” Erbil has been named the Arab Tourism Capital 2014, which will be economically beneficial for Kurdistan. banews.com

Halabja to host International Conference on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Slêmanî: The City of Halabja will host an International Conference on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Goran Adham the District Commissioner of Halabja said in a statement. This issue was recently discussed by the Federal Government and a special committee was formed from the Ministry of Scenic and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to prepare for holding the Conference. pukmedia.com

Kurdistan Govt KRG condemns arrest of Iraqi Sunni lawmaker

Erbil: Kurdistan Region presidency has condemned the recent tension in al-Anbar province as well as the arrest of Iraqi Sunni MP Ahmed Alwani and the killing f his brother. On Sunday the Iraqi army mobilized tanks and personnel to stop protests following the arrest of Alwani. According to Associated Press, the MP is wanted on terrorism charges. Protesters have been calling for the release of Alwani and the resignation of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his cabinet. “We denounce the recent instability in Anbar and the arrest of Ahmed Alwani and the killing of his brother,” said Umed Sabah, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) presidency spokesman. “We hope peace and stability return to the province as soon as possible and we call on all sides to find a peaceful solution for their differences,” Sabah added in a written statement published on the KRG official website. Anbar has been the site of a months-long sit-in against al-Maliki’s government, accusing the government of discrimination against Sunnis...basnews.com

The Islamic State of Iraq and Sham ISIS closing in on the Kurds in Saadia Sub-district

Khanaqin: The Director Saadia Sub-district revealed, that the security situation in Saadia Sub-district currently stable, but because of the terrorist operations during the past period, the migration of families from the area toward the areas of the Khanaqin continuing. Also Ahmad Alzercoche Saadia Sub-district director explained in his statement to Naukho news "The security situation in hand Saadia stable now, but because of the large number of terrorist operations since the beginning of this year has migrated 350 families of Kurds and Turkmen, and other components to areas of Karbala and Khanaqin and a number of other areas in the region Kurdistan." And he said "The terrorist attacks and regrettable incidents that took place during the last month, led to the martyrdom of 70 people and the wounding of a large number of civilians." As Ahmad Alzercoche pointed out that, but the purpose of protecting the lives and property of citizens and calms the security situation in the Sub-district, has called several times the Kurdistan Regional Government and Baghdad to send the Peshmerga forces and military forces to the area. witebej.com

Twenty thousand Iranian workers in Kurdistan Region

Erbil: There are 20,000 Iranian workers in the Kurdistan Region, according to the head of Labor and Social Affairs in the Iranian city of Sanandaj, Mustafa Babaghanian. “There are huge economic opportunities to be shared between Iran and the Kurdistan Region, but unfortunately not enough efforts have been made to enhance this relation,” said Babaghanian at the 9th conference of Sanandaj’s social affairs. Babaghanian also stressed that Iranian officials have not given enough importance to investment relations with Kurdistan, leading other countries to do so first. “There are 20,000 Iranian workers in Kurdistan, and they have faced payment and insurance issues that Iran should work to solve,” said Babaghanian. “We can provide more job opportunities for Iranian workers in Kurdistan in agriculture, natural resources and tourism,” Babaghanian told Iranian media. The developing economy and investment in the Kurdistan Region has attracted foreign investment and work. Particularly Iranian workers who have been affected by international sanctions. basnews.com

Othman: arresting Alwani is dangerous escalation, warning of repercussions

Baghdad: The independent MP, of the Kurdistan Alliance, Mahmoud Othman described "the arrest of MP Ahmed al-Alwani and killing his brother "dangerous escalation", warning of the implications of this procedure on both security and political situation in the country." Othman said "arresting al-Alwani is an evidence of sectarian and political tensions in the country and the lack of dialogue between the political blocs to resolve problems," describing this process dangerous, because it will generate reactions from the other side and problems in the country will be increased at both the security and political situation." He explained that "the arrest of MP Ahmed al-Alwani and killing his brother in the battle between security forces and al-Alwani's family and his bodyguards is harmful to the country, pointing out that" this process will generate negative feedback, noting that "al-Alwani became a part of the sit-in, thus theses squares will not tolerate his arrest." Othman demanded "to resolve the question of the demonstrators in sit-in as soon as possible, pointing to the existence of some elements of al-Qaeda and the Baath exploit these arenas for political reasons and call to topple the political process, but the majority in the sit-in are citizens having legitimate demands, so the demands of citizens must be implemented by the government, to separate and isolated those people from the terrorists fighting the government."...ninanews.com

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[Anthea]

December 30, 2013

Qamishli (Qmişlo), Amude, Afrin - Hesekê — Western Kurdistan (Syrian Kurdistan) aka Rojava (West)

Man from Syrian Kurdistan killed at border by Turkish soldiers

Dirbesiye: Turkish soldiers killed a man after opening fire on a group of people trying to cross into Turkey from the Dirbesiyê city in West Kurdistan (northern Syria) Sunday evening. Sileman Ehmed Yusif, 25, was seriously wounded by a bullet that hit him on the chest. According to the statements of witnesses, the young man remained at the scene for three hours and was not taken to hospital although ambulances arrived at the scene after the incident at Turkey's border to Rojava, but didn't intervene the man despite the critical injury he suffered. Witnesses said Yusif was taken to Mardin's Kızıltepe district after he lost his life there. No news has been received yet about the people accompanying the young man while crossing the border, who were reportedly detained by Turkish security forces. firatnews.com

Draft constitution for Syrian Kurds will benefit youths

The draft constitution for Syrian Kurdistan, largely backed by Kurdish youths, has positive results for Kurds. The Kurdish Center for Studies and Legal Consultancy (YASA) provided a draft constitution for Syrian Kurdistan. The draft was prepared by a team of legal experts. Samples of constitutions of federal countries, including Canada, Belgium and the Kurdistan Region, have been used as examples for the Syrian Kurds. “The most important point of the draft was human rights principles that have been emphasized based on the international laws,” said Gian Baderkhan, one of the legal experts that worked on the draft. “We will decided on legalizing the constitution and then Syrian people will confirm it or not. The reason we’ve prepared it so soon is so the problem does not appear in the future,” said Badrkhan to Iraqi media. Badrkhan also stressed the positive impact of the project among Kurdish people and particularly among Kurdish youths, saying that the human rights principles will have a positive impact on their lives and their future. “YASA organization has also decided to add some more laws about other social aspects in 2014 in order to strengthen the Kurdish community in other parts of Syria,” concluded Badrkhan. The project was named Draft Constitution of Kurdistan region - Syria, and was presented in a press Conference in Erbil last week. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

December 30, 2013

Mariwan - Mehabad - Sanandaj (Sne) - Baneh - Saqiz - Paweh- Kermanshah - Urmiye (Orumiye), Nowsud, Sardasht, Bokan, [Eastern Kurdistan, Iranian Kurdistan]

Life sentence for two Kurds in Selmas

Selmas: Criminal court of Selmas sentenced two Kurdish citizens to life in prison on an accusation of helping the PJAK, Free Life Party of Kurdistan. According to numerous reports, since last year more than 20 Kurdish citizens of Salmas have been sentenced to imprisonment. According to the reports published on SalmasNews’ blogspot, the criminal court of Selmas sentenced 38 year old Sabir Mamedi, son of Esed, and 40 year old Nezmin Heydari, son of Sultan to life in prison. Both citizens are from the village of Direk. The two citizens have been arrested by the security forces of Salmas and their houses were searched this year in April. Reports state that in the past, Iranian security forces arrested Sabir Mamedi under the accusation of

having relationships with the PJAK, resulting in a sentence of 3 years in prison. Sabir Mamedi is the cousin of Ilham Mamedi “Reza Ismaili”, the Kurdish political prisoner who was executed on the 26th October in 2013. He was put to death in the prison of Selmas. The lawyer of the names above stated that they denied any accusations and complaints regarding torture, misbehavior and solitary confinement. The accusations against these two people were announced as cooperation with the PJAK, Free Life Party of Kurdistan. firatnews.com

Iran banns WeChat mobile application

Tehran: According to a report from the Persian News Agency, Iran has banned the use of WeChat application. WeChat is a smart phone application which enables users to text message, video chat, and sends sound records to each other. This application is akin to WhatsApp and Viber and has more than 100 million users outside of China. Mahmood Khasrawi, Chief of Iranian Communications Network, has formerly announced that “the application has been banned by the committee responsible for assigning applications that are harmful for society, and we are following their rules.” pukmedia.com

More than 250,000 Iranians in Jail

A conference in Tehran revealed that the number of jailed Iranians is increasing, with more than 250,000 currently behind bars. The experts that participated in the conference stressed the danger behind Iran’s attempt to forcefully and militarily solve the country’s social problems. A local Iranian newspaper revealed that Iran is the fourth country in the world with the highest number of prisoners. The head of Social Affairs council, Hassan Moussawi, mentioned that although there is no official data that determines the exact number of prisoners in Iran, approximately 800 out of 100,000 people are in jail. The spokesman for Iranian Parliament Justice Commission, Mohammed Ali Esfanani, confirmed that the number of prisoners is increasing. Iran also has one of the world’s highest rate of executions, as a result of politically dissenting citizens and drug businesses. According to Human Rights watch (HRW), more than 400 executions have been documented in Iran in 2013. basnews.com

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[Anthea]

January 2, 2014

Qamishli (Qmişlo), Amude, Afrin - Hesekê (Hasaka) — Western Kurdistan (Syrian Kurdistan) aka Rojava (West)

Seven Syrian soldiers killed in Hasaka

Hasaka: Seven Syrian soldiers have been killed in clashes that broke out after an attack by Syrian regime forces on the Kurdish YPG (People's Defence Units) checkpoint in the city of Haseke (al-Hasaka). Local sources report that forces of the Ba'athist regime attacked a YPG checkpoint in the Kellase neighbourhood of Haseke on the evening of 31 December. In clashes that broke out when YPG units returned fire, it is reported that 7 regime soldiers were killed and many wounded. 1 YPG fighter and one civilian also died. Also on the evening of 31 December regime forces attacked a Kurdish police (Asayish) post in the Til Hecer neighbourhood. The regime forces were forced to retreat when the Asayiş returned fire. Two members of the Asayiş were wounded. After the clashes it is reported that the city is quiet on the first day of 2014. The funeral of the YPG fighter who died is expected to take place later today. Many people died during aerial attacks by regime forces on Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo in December. firatnews.com


Al Qaeda gangs abduct Kurdish civilians in Aleppo

Aleppo: Gangs from the Islamic State of Iraq and al Sham (ISIS), linked to Al Qaeda, have abducted many Kurdish civilians in the city of Aleppo in Syria. The Al Qaeda groups, in retreat after suffering heavy defeats on all fronts at the hands of the YPG, have once again stepped up their attacks on civilians. The Al Qaeda groups, frequently accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, mounted attacks on the Heyderiye neighbourhood of Aleppo on the evening of 31 December, taking many Kurdish civilians hostage. Local sources report that gangs affiliated to ISIS have continued their attacks on the Heyderiye neighbourhood Wednesday. Some of those abducted have been named as: Mihemed Yusiv Horo, Ehmed Bekiri Horo and Eli Mihemed Horo. In recent times groups active in Syria linked to Al Qaeda have taken many Kurds hostage in the Manbij, Jarablus, Al Bab and A'zaz areas. While some have been released, some have been tortured and others have been shot dead, while nothing has been heard from most of those abducted. firatnews.com

Turkey building a wall between Antep and Jarablus

Turkey has begun to construct a 4-metre high wall between the district of Karkamış on the Turkish side of the border in Gaziantep province and Jarablus in Aleppo province on the Syrian side of the border. The wall is tiled. It is claimed that Turkey is building the wall "to prevent illegal crossings". No official announcement has been made regarding the planned length of this wall. Walls of shame - The construction of walls of shame began in July 2013 after the Kurds had took control of the Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ayn) border post from Al Qaeda forces. The wall between Serêkaniyê and Ceylanpınar (Serêkaniya Serxet) was constructed in the second week of October. The building of further walls subsequently commenced between Afrin and Kilis, Qamişlo and Nusaybin and on 23 October between Şenyurt and Dirbesiyê (Ghassaniya). Following a hunger strike by Nusaybin Mayor Ayşe Gökkan the building of the wall of shame between Nusaybin and Qamişlo was halted, but it was resumed and the wall was completed on 9 December. Razor wire was added to the top of the 1-kilometre long wall, giving it a total height of 2 metres 70 centimetres. 3 rolls of razor wire were also placed at the base of the wall...firatnews.com

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[Anthea]

Slêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Yawar: Kurdish Peshmerga forms a security zone to protect the disputed areas

Erbil: Secretary General of the Ministry of Peshmerga in Kurdistan Regional Government, Jabbar Yawar said: "the Peshmerga forces formed a security ring to protect the disputed areas and prevent the infiltration of terrorist groups". He said in a press statement Thursday: "The Peshmerga forces are protecting citizens in the areas between Nafutkana and Vichabour, which include Salahuddin, Diyala and Kirkuk provinces, and a part of Nineveh." He pointed out that "the Peshmerga forces have strength in those areas and will prevent terrorists to enter Kurdish areas outside Kurdistan region and the provinces of Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimaniyah." Yawar said that "the president of Kurdistan is the commander of the armed forces in the region and when he orders the Peshmerga forces to move toward any area, the Peshmerga in the state of preparedness and readiness." ninanews.com

Kurdish MP: Iraqiya MPs withdrawal from parliament and government would have a major impact on political process

Baghdad: Deputy Chairman of the Kurdistan Alliance bloc MP, Mohsen al-Sadoun said: "The withdrawal of the members of the Iraqiya List from executive and legislative powers would have a major impact on Iraq and the political process." He said "Their withdrawal, may lead to the suspend the parliamentary work and disrupt the electoral process, noting that" their withdrawal would not complete the quorum of the House of Representatives, which would lead to disruption of important laws, and most important one is the budget". He called everyone for calm and restraint and not to escalate and to resolve problems through dialogue and understanding away from escalation, and make decisions wisely, because Iraq is everyone's responsibility," calling for "implementing the legitimate demands of demonstrators in Anbar and other provinces as soon as possible, because it is one of the causes of the current conflict". He added, "The Kurdistan Alliance called earlier to form a fact-finding commission to meet with all parties involving in the incident of arresting MP, Ahmed al-Alwani to know the circumstances of the incident, calling for "speeding up the formation of this committee to clarify this incident."...ninanews.com

Kurdistan Alliance: Erbil and Baghdad to resolve oil differences

Baghadad: The Kurdistan Alliance Bloc confirmed that the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government reached to good understandings during the recent visit of the President of Kurdistan Region to Baghdad. The spokesman for the Kurdistan Alliance MP Moyed Tayyep said, on Thursday, the Kurdistan Regional Government hopes that Baghdad to agree on the exporting of oil from Kurdistan region fields to world markets. There is a clear change in the position of the federal government, and a desire towards a solution of the oil issue between Erbil and Baghdad, Tayyep said. He expressed his hope that Erbil and Baghdad to reach a final agreement, and the political blocs to agree on legislation of the oil and gas law. pukmedia.com

Change of Halabja into province welcomed, Kurdish Alliance (I already posted this news but enjoy repeating it)

Baghdad: Kurdistan Alliance welcomed the decision taken by the Iraqi Cabinet on the draft decision to transfer Halabja into provincial level. Spokesman MP Mu'ayad al-Tayyib described the approval as "an important step to build democratic and federal state". The previous Saddam regime bombed Halabja on 17 March, 1988, with chemical weapons that resulted in killing about 5000 Kurdish civilians. Ministry of Provincial Affairs was entrusted to submit studies to change some other cities into provincial level. aswataliraq.info

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[Anthea]

Slêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Arab Political Council in Kirkuk criticizes the attitude of the central government regarding Kurdistan oil export

Kirkuk: The Arab Political Council in Kirkuk, strongly criticized the central government attitude in collusion with oil export from Kurdistan region without informing the Iraqi people. In statement to NINA the head of the Council, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Asi expressed his surprise of the government's policy towards what he described the violations and abuses perpetrated by the region's government, especially in the case of an important export of crude oil outside the framework of the state system. ninanews.com

Oil resumed flowing from Kirkuk to Turkey’s Jihan port

Kirkuk: Crude oil resumed flowing on Friday evening, Jan. 3, from Kirkuk to Turkey’s Jihan port. Source at North Oil Company (NOC) told National Iraqi News that specialized teams have repaired the pipeline that carries crude oil from Kirkuk fields to Jihan port, as well as a second pipeline that provide local refineries with crude oil. He added that oil flow resumed on Friday evening on various levels until it settles at average level of 300-325 thousand barrels, out the NOC total production of 650 thousand barrels. Oil flow from Kirkuk oil field to Turkey’s Jihan port has stopped, at about 6:00 pm Thursday, Jan. 2, as a result to an act of sabotage at K2 pumping station near Beji refinery. In the year 2013, the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline has experienced more than 50 acts of sabotage. ninanews.com

Iraq purchases 13 more helicopters from Russia

Baghdad: A source from Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced, “The Iraqi Government received 13 other helicopters of MI type known from Russia.” The purchase of the helicopters is in the framework of the weapon purchase that took place recently between Iraq and Russia. The source further equipped, “the choppers, dubbed Night Hunter, will be used in military campaigns against terrorist groups in Anbar Province.” pukmedia.com

Kurdistan Region Presidency Lauds Iraqi Council of Ministers for Decision on Halabja

Erbil: Kurdistan Region Presidency commends the Iraqi Council of Ministers for its approval of a draft proposal to promote Halabja, from district status to a province. “We laud this decision by the Iraqi Council of Ministers, and hope that the Iraqi Council of Representatives also approves this as soon as possible,” the statement from the Presidency stated. “We call on all parliamentary blocks in the Iraqi Council of Representatives to play their national role on this issue, as they did when they recognized the Anfal and the chemical bombing of Halabja as crimes of genocide. We further call on all Kurdish parliamentary blocks to work together and approach other parliamentary blocks to secure their votes on this draft law.” krp.org

Gunmen assassinated a citizen of Shabak minority, east of Mosul

Mosul: Unidentified gunmen assassinated a citizen of Kurdish Shabak minority east of Mosul Saturday. According to a police source in Nineveh NINA reporter said the incident occurred in Suq al-Ghanam in eastern Mosul. ninanews.com

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[Anthea]

Slêmanî (Sulaimaniyah), Erbil-Hewlêr, Duhok, Kirkuk [Kerkûk], Kurdistan Region 'Iraq'

Jabar yawar: when we receive the arrest warrant of Adnani Hamai Mina, we act as we did with Sangawi

Slêmanî: About the arrest warrant of Adnan Hamai Mina, the Secretary General of the ministry of Peshmerga Lt. Gen. Jabar Yawar announced that “we didn’t receive the arrest warrant of him, when we receive it; we act like we did with Mahmud Sangawi because they both have military ranks.” It is worth mentioning that couple days ago the court of Kalar has issued the arrest warrant for Mahmud Sangawi member of PUK Political Bureau. According to Khandan website, Saturday the court of Kalar has issued the arrest warrant for Adnani Hamai Mina and Zakho Ahmed the head of the electrical transmission of Kalar. Kawa Germyani, a Kurdish journalist from Kalar investigating corruption in the autonomous Kurdistan region, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on December 5, 2013. Kawa Germyani published an article about a leader in PUK, Mahmoud Sangawi, in July 2012, later on Germyani received a threatening phone call from Sangawi, which been recorded and distributed by Germyani. Germyani also had filed a complaint in the court against the PUK's Sangawi who had threatened him. witebej.com | Ekurd.net

Kurdistan region gives free VISA to Gulf countries

Erbil: The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is to issue free visas to residents of some gulf countries when they arrive in KRG airports. However, despite being chosen as the Capital of Tourism for the Arab region for 2014, many countries’ residents will still be required to apply to the Iraq central government for a KRG visa. Arab tourists often travel to Kurdistan using a business visa which comes from the interior ministry of KRG. Processed at the airport of entry, this method is quicker and easier than applying at the Iraqi embassy in their home country. Residents of just three (of 21) Arab countries, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE have now been added to the list of mostly western countries that are issued with a 15 day visa on arrival at a KRG airport. Arabs wishing to visit the Capital of Tourism face other problems in the form of violence in Iraq and historic differences and struggles against Arab nationalism in Kurdistan. A spokesman for the Kurdistan Board of Tourism, Nader Rusti, stated that they have allocated three million dollars for the marketing of KRG...basnews.com

We are not Arabs, but Kurds. Why is Erbil the Capital of Tourism for Arab Countries?: An expert from the Tourism Institution in Erbil

Some local analysts criticize Erbil for not being completely ready to be the Capital of Tourism, highlighting the poor quality of roads and the perception of internal affairs in some cities that might affect Erbil’s reputation. An expert from the Tourism Institution in Erbil, Aram Dilan, states that“ We still have a lot to do, we have many problems such as the taxi system. Currently that there is no distance measure to accurately determine the cost, so how can tourists be sure that they haven’t paid too much?” “We don’t have a coast or river to draw tourist’s attention, as well as many other things. We still have a lot to do.” added Dilan. Dilan also stressed the bitter history between Kurds and Arabs - especially the regimes of Iraq that have persecuted Kurdish people throughout history. “We are not Arabs, but Kurds. Why is Erbil the Capital of Tourism for Arab Countries? It is bad for our reputation; all we can achieve from this event is money, nothing else.” Concluded Dilan. basnews.com

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