Diyala governor to probe disappearance of nearly 400 gazelles
All Kurdish oil exports to be handed over to Baghdad: Source
Solutions for Erbil-Baghdad disputes reached, talks to continue: Iraqi parliament
PM Barzani, Iraqi parliament speaker discuss budget disputes
KRG accuses Baghdad of evading responsibility on drone attacks
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Diyala's governor has formed a committee to investigate the disappearance of nearly 400 gazelles in the province's Mandali district, the local mayor said on Monday.
Ali al-Zuhairi, mayor of Mandali, told Rudaw late last month that only ten gazelles remain and that it is unclear when or how the animals disappeared, adding that there is suspicion that they were 'stolen or sold through smuggling.' He noted that when he assumed the position nearly half a year ago, he was told that around 400 gazelles live in the reserve, but later found out that there were only ten.
Zuhairi told Rudaw on Monday that Governor Adnan al-Shammari has formed a committee to probe the disappearance of the gazelles.
'The committee will start working on Tuesday and will visit the reserve where the gazelles were kept. We will await the results of the investigation by the committee,' the mayor noted.
The missing animals are goitered gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa), also known as black-tailed gazelles, a species native to Iraq that is increasingly threatened by habitat loss, illegal hunting, and climate change.
Iraq has long struggled with illegal wildlife trafficking, driven by years of instability, weak enforcement, and high demand in regional black markets. Falcons from Iraq's southern plains and rare birds and foxes from the mountains of the Kurdistan Region are frequently targeted by traffickers. Rare animals are also regularly smuggled into Iraq to be sold at high prices.
Nahro Mohammed contributed to this article.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
35 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Higher Education Ministry to sue TV channels over 'defamatory' university reports
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced, on Tuesday, that it has initiated formal legal action against two television channels, accusing them of deliberately broadcasting 'inaccurate' content that undermines the reputation of the country's universities. In a statement, the ministry said the media segment aired by the two channels 'lacked professional standards and credible sourcing,' describing it as a 'defamatory' campaign targeting national universities. The ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting the standing of Iraqi higher education institutions and supporting their academic achievements at the international level. It warned against circulating unverified content or reports timed to tarnish the image of universities that have received international accreditation and currently host more than 3,000 foreign students from 47 nationalities. The statement comes one day after the ministry denied reports that it had formed a committee to investigate eight universities accused of lacking research integrity and academic transparency.
Shafaq News
39 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
US backs Iraq ties as radar deal nears
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Washington Washington and Baghdad maintain a 'strong partnership based on shared interests,' despite recent remarks by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani warning that unresolved disagreements could undermine bilateral relations, the US State Department (DoS) affirmed on Tuesday. Responding to Shafaq News inquiries, a DoS spokesperson said that Iraq 'plays an important role in ensuring regional stability,' and that the US continues to work with Iraq 'on counterterrorism, economic growth, and other joint concerns,' while stressing respect for Iraqi sovereignty and mutual priorities. The spokesperson also addressed reports that Iraq is expediting a major radar procurement deal with South Korea, saying, 'As a sovereign country, Iraq is responsible for its security and has chosen to partner with the US on strengthening several aspects of its security.' Earlier this week, Prime Minister al-Sudani told the BBC that ongoing disagreements with Washington could escalate to a point that "undermines the relationship." He also revealed that Iraq is moving quickly to finalize a defense agreement with South Korea to acquire advanced radar systems. According to sources familiar with the deal, Iraq is in the final stages of signing a contract worth approximately $2.8B for the purchase of 'Cheongung-II' (M-SAM II) medium-range air defense batteries, which include launchers, radars, and fire control systems. The objective is to achieve comprehensive coverage of Iraqi airspace. Iraq's current air defense capability remains limited following years of degradation since 2003. It primarily relies on long-range AN/TPS-77 radar systems and a small number of short-range platforms, which defense experts say are inadequate for full national coverage and leave operational gaps. Baghdad's move to diversify its defense suppliers comes amid heightened tensions in the region following a surge in hostilities between Iran and Israel, prompting Iraqi authorities to explore advanced systems to bolster both early warning and interception capabilities.
Rudaw Net
an hour ago
- Rudaw Net
US urges resolution as Erbil, Baghdad draft proposals to end salary, oil disputes
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Tuesday urged both Baghdad and Erbil to resolve their long-standing financial disputes through 'constructive dialogue,' while reiterating the importance of resuming Kurdish oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. Responding to a question from Rudaw's Diyar Kurda during a press briefing, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, 'We continue to urge Baghdad and Erbil to resolve their issues through constructive dialogue.' Bruce emphasized the urgency of addressing the salary crisis affecting over 1.2 million public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region, noting that, 'resolving this issue sends a signal that Iraq is creating an environment in which US companies would want to invest.' A successful resolution could also lead to "reopening the Iraq-Turkey pipeline and additional energy exploration, including with US companies," she concluded. The backdrop Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad flared in late May when Iraq's federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including payments for public employee salaries. The ministry claimed the KRG had exceeded its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget and failed to deliver its designated share of oil to SOMO. The situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing suspension of oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, which has remained offline since March 2023 following an international arbitration ruling. In February, the Iraqi parliament amended the federal budget law to include a provision for a $16-per-barrel fee to cover production and transportation costs for international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Kurdistan Region. The amendment also called for the joint appointment of an international consultancy within 60 days to audit those costs. The amendment was seen as a prelude to resume Kurdish oil exports. On Monday, a senior KRG delegation arrived in Baghdad to resume talks with federal officials over the prolonged financial dispute, which has led to repeated salary delays in the Kurdistan Region. A day earlier, Iraq's parliament announced that 'solutions were reached' on several key points of contention, with further discussions scheduled 'in the coming days.' This followed a series of high-level meetings in Erbil between Iraqi Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and top Kurdish leaders, including Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani. Sources informed Rudaw last week that one major sticking point remains: the volume of oil Erbil is required to supply to SOMO. Baghdad has demanded 400,000 barrels per day (bpd), while Erbil has proposed an initial commitment of 280,000 bpd. Despite this, Iraq's state-run al-Sabah newspaper reported on Tuesday that negotiations between the two sides had made 'significant progress,' with both parties 'getting closer' to reaching an agreement. The report added that efforts to finalize a deal based on constitutional principles had been accelerated. On Tuesday, Rudaw obtained copies of two separate proposals - one from Baghdad and one from Erbil - outlining the terms of a potential agreement to resolve the financial and oil-related disputes. Baghdad's proposal Baghdad's draft proposal, dated July 7th, covers oil delivery, non-oil revenue sharing, and the crucial resumption of salary payments for Kurdistan Region civil servants. Under the draft, the Kurdistan Region would 'immediately deliver oil produced in the Region to SOMO for export, provided there's an agreement on the scope of work for the technical advisory body as per the federal budget amendment law between the federal and regional governments and relevant [International Oil] Companies. This excludes quantities for local consumption'. Under the draft, the Kurdistan Region would 'immediately deliver oil produced in the Region to the SOMO for export, contingent on reaching an agreement regarding the scope of work for the technical advisory body, as outlined in the federal budget amendment law.' This excludes oil quantities designated for local consumption. Currently, the Region produces 282,000 barrels per day (bpd), of which 65,000 bpd is allocated for local use. An alternative proposal suggests the Region 'immediately deliver the available quantity, estimated at an average of 100,000 barrels per day of oil produced in the Region, to SOMO for export until an agreement is reached on the scope of work for the technical advisory body.' Under this scenario, the Kurdistan Region would retain administrative and distribution responsibilities for local oil consumption, and would also bear the production and transportation costs for the 65,000 bpd used locally. Regarding non-oil revenues, the Kurdistan Region would 'continue to transfer the federal treasury's share of non-oil revenues as stipulated by the Federal Financial Management Law.' This includes 50 percent of customs duties and income tax. The proposal also allows for offsetting these payments against the Region's federal entitlements, such as operational and investment allocations and financial obligations like natural gas purchases for power stations. Crucially, the federal finance ministry would be required to resume payment of KRG civil servant salaries for May and June 2025, and continue for subsequent months. This aligns with Federal Supreme Court rulings stating that disputes over budget implementation cannot be used as justification to withhold KRG salaries, and affirms the principle of equal treatment with federal employees. KRG's proposal The KRG has submitted its own proposal, structured in two phases, to facilitate the resumption of oil exports and resolve financial disputes with Baghdad. It focuses on integrating KRG oil production into the federal system while addressing revenue-sharing mechanisms. A draft of the proposal, seen by Rudaw, notes that in the first phase, the KRG commits to immediately handing over all oil produced in the Kurdistan Region to SOMO for export. Revenues from these exports would be transferred to the federal treasury. Specifically, the KRG proposes 'the immediate delivery of 236,000 bpd' - calculated from the total production of 282,000 bpd minus 46,000 bpd allocated for local consumption - as per a joint audit by Erbil and Baghdad authorities. The KRG further pledges to deliver the full 236,000 bpd and to ensure compliance from International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the Region. Local oil consumption will remain under the KRG's management, with a payment of $16 per barrel to cover IOCs production and transportation costs. While revenues from local oil sales will be transferred to the federal government after deducting these operational costs. The second phase, which would run concurrently for 30 days, involves a joint assessment by the federal oil ministry and the KRG's natural resources ministry to evaluate the Region's actual needs for petroleum products. The goal is to determine how these needs will be met - either by the federal ministry or by the KRG - in accordance with existing law. The latter phase responds to an earlier federal proposal to have all Kurdish oil exported centrally while providing the KRG with petroleum derivatives like other Iraqi provinces. While the KRG initially rejected this, it has now acknowledged that although current production stands at 282,000 bpd - and is expected to increase upon export resumption - it is "still unable to produce the 400,000 barrels per day stipulated in the [federal] budget law." Beyond oil, the KRG's proposal includes a commitment to transfer at least 200 billion Iraqi dinars per month (around $152 million) in non-oil revenues to the federal treasury. The proposal also mandates the formation of a joint committee to finalize the localization of KRG salaries within 90 days. Funding for these salaries will be limited to employees successfully localized by the end of this period. Additionally, a joint legal and technical committee would be established to review the KRG's budget share based on actual expenditures. The committee is expected to submit its findings to the Iraqi Council of Ministers within two weeks. The federal finance ministry would also resume salary funding for the KRG only after the conditions related to oil delivery, non-oil revenue transfers, and committee formations are fulfilled - and subject to final approval by the federal Council of Ministers. What's next? On Tuesday, the Iraqi Council of Ministers decided to form a committee to address the unresolved issues between Erbil and Baghdad. Karwan Yarweis, a Kurdish lawmaker in the Iraqi parliament representing the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), stated in a Facebook post that the cabinet 'did not make a decision regarding the [stalled] salaries' of public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region. However, Yarweis noted that the Iraqi cabinet formed a committee made up of representatives from the ministries of justice, health, finance, planning, and higher education. The committee is tasked with 'reviewing and reconciling' the two draft proposals submitted by the federal government and the KRG to address the salary crisis, oil revenues, domestic income, and taxation. However, Yarweis noted that the cabinet established a committee comprising representatives from the ministries of justice, health, finance, planning, and higher education. The committee is tasked with 'reviewing and reconciling' the two draft proposals submitted by Baghdad and Erbil. He added that the reconciled proposals will be jointly submitted to the Council of Ministers for further discussion and potential approval. Later in the day, a well-placed source told Rudaw that the committee is set to hold its first meeting on Wednesday to prepare recommendations for an upcoming extraordinary cabinet session on the issue.
