Leader Barzani to tribal chiefs: Political rifts must not divide communities
According to Barzani's media office, the meeting at Salahuddin resort gathered tribal chiefs, emirs, and prominent figures from across the country. Barzani recalled the Kurds' past suffering under former regimes and stressed that tensions have been with governments—not the Iraqi people, calling for unity, dignity, and development for all provinces.
Barzani also warned against 'politicizing essential services,' reiterating that Iraq's stability relies on constitutional principles, consensus, and genuine partnership.
In turn, the delegation praised Barzani's leadership, Kurdistan's support for displaced Iraqis, and the Region's stability. It expressed solidarity with Kurdish demands, calling them 'fair and justified.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
22 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
UK hits Russia with new sanctions targeting oil revenues and shadow fleet
Shafaq News – London The United Kingdom on Monday unveiled a sweeping package of 137 new sanctions targeting Russia's oil and energy sectors. The measures, announced by the UK Foreign Office, are aimed at curbing the activities of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of tankers and hitting entities that help Moscow circumvent international restrictions. 'This new wave of sanctions will further dismantle Putin's shadow fleet and drain Russia's war chest of its critical oil revenues,' said Foreign Secretary David Lammy, adding that the UK would "continue to use the full might of our sanctions regime to ratchet up economic pressure at every turn and stand side by side with Ukraine." Among the most significant actions, the UK is sanctioning 135 vessels used in covert operations to ship Russian oil in defiance of international price caps. According to UK authorities, these ships have carried an estimated $24 billion in oil exports since the beginning of 2024, using deceptive practices to mask the cargo's origin and destination. Two companies were specifically named for facilitating these operations: INTERSHIPPING SERVICES LLC, accused of registering shadow fleet vessels under the Gabonese flag and enabling the transport of up to $10 billion in goods annually; and LITASCO MIDDLE EAST DMCC, linked to the Russian oil giant Lukoil, which allegedly plays a key role in moving large volumes of Russian oil using the shadow fleet. The UK also moved in coordination with the European Union to lower the Crude Oil Price Cap, further constraining Russia's ability to profit from international oil sales. The UK government says these new restrictions are designed to disrupt the flow of oil money into Russia's. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Western sanctions have dented Russia's oil and gas revenues, with officials estimating the sector has lost over one-third of its value in just three years. 'The sanctions and the cost of Putin's barbaric war are causing the Russian economy to stall – with the wealth fund hollowed out, inflation rising and government spending on defence and security spiralling,' the UK statement noted. The new sanctions are also framed as a key component of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's broader 'Plan for Change,' with officials emphasizing that national and global security remain top priorities. While the Kremlin has yet to respond to the latest UK measures, previous waves of sanctions have prompted Moscow to intensify efforts to bypass restrictions, including via state-backed traders, opaque maritime networks, and alternative payment systems.
Shafaq News
23 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Minister sounds alarm on "serious challenges"
Shafaq News – New York Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, Mohammed Ali Tamim, said on Monday that the country continues to face major challenges, particularly those related to climate change and the worsening water shortage. Representing Iraq at the opening session of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development—held by the United Nations in New York from July 21 to 24 to assess global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—Tamim stressed that the water crisis remains one of Iraq's most urgent challenges. He expressed gratitude for the UN's continued support to developing countries and acknowledged the meaningful cooperation of international partners in addressing this critical issue. Earlier, Iraq's Green Observatory estimated the country's annual groundwater reserves at 3.4 billion cubic meters, with sustainable yields potentially exceeding 5 billion cubic meters per year. Official Iraqi data indicate the country could face a 20% decline in surface water availability by 2035, driven by upstream flow reductions and the escalating impacts of climate change.
Shafaq News
23 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Clashes in Syria's Suwayda kill over 1,200 people
Shafaq News – Suwayda The death toll from the recent clashes in Syria's southern Suwayda province has climbed to at least 1,265, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, as sporadic violations continue despite a ceasefire that took effect Monday morning. The fatalities, recorded since July 13, stem from intense clashes, summary executions, and Israeli airstrikes on multiple targets across the province. According to the Observatory, the victims include: -609 Suwayda residents, among them 104 civilians, including six children and 16 women. -440 fighters affiliated with Syria's Ministry of Defense and General Security, including 32 members of Bedouin tribes and one Lebanese national. -15 government personnel killed in Israeli airstrikes. -Three individuals, including a woman and two unidentified persons, were killed when an Israeli strike targeted the Ministry of Defense building. -One journalist was killed during the fighting. -194 people—among them 28 women, eight children, and one elderly man—executed by personnel from the Ministries of Defense and Interior. -Three Bedouin tribe members, including a woman and child, were executed by Druze fighters. The Observatory has called for an independent UN investigation to examine what it described as grave violations of international law and to hold all responsible parties accountable. Although a ceasefire officially began on Monday morning, breaches have continued. The agreement, reportedly brokered with US and Israeli involvement, includes a mutual release of detainees and warnings of diplomatic consequences if violated.
