Latest news with #Erbil-Baghdad
Rudaw Net
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani, US coalition commander talk regional security, Peshmerga reform
Also in Kurdistan Kurdish parties push for unity amid financial standoff with Baghdad KDP, PUK top-level delegations meet to discuss new cabinet, Baghdad disputes Suicide drone shot down near Erbil airport: Kurdish counterterrorism KDP, PUK leaders to meet over Erbil-Baghdad tensions, KRG cabinet formation A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met on Monday with Major General Kevin Leahy, commander of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS), to discuss political and security developments in Iraq and the Region, as well as Peshmerga reforms and the need for continued coordination among Iraqi, Kurdish, and Coalition forces. The discussions, which included the Region's Peshmerga minister and chief of staff, and the US consul general, saw President Barzani express his 'appreciation for the contributions of the international coalition in supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in their battle against terrorism,' according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency. He further 'commended General Leahy for his efforts and support in the reform process and the unification of the Peshmerga.' The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been working to unify its military forces under the Peshmerga Ministry. This effort involves integrating the powerful Unit 70 and Unit 80 - affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), respectively - into a single chain of command. Together, these units make up the majority of the Peshmerga forces, totaling over 100,000 troops. The initiative has received steady support from international allies, especially the United States and the US-led Global Coalition against ISIS. In early July, Babakir Zebari, an advisor to the Region's presidency and former chief of staff of Iraq's Army, told Rudaw that the long-anticipated unification of the Peshmerga forces is in its final phase and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. 'We are working on force unification and brigade formation,' Zebari said. 'So far, ten brigades have been formed. We are now on the final one, and the process will be completed this year. All forces will be unified,' he emphasized. The sides discussed 'the political and security dynamics in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as Erbil-Baghdad relations. Discussions also covered progress on Peshmerga reform and unification efforts, and the ongoing threat of terrorism and ISIS activity in Iraq and Syria,' the statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency said on Monday. President Barzani and Major General Leahy also discussed the ongoing threat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria and emphasized 'the need for continued coordination and cooperation among the Iraqi army, the Peshmerga, and international coalition forces.' The meeting also touched on 'the situation in Syria, focusing on the Kurds and local communities, recent developments in the region, and their implications for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,' the statement concluded, highlighting 'the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.'
Rudaw Net
14-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish parties push for unity amid financial standoff with Baghdad
Also in Kurdistan KDP, PUK top-level delegations meet to discuss new cabinet, Baghdad disputes Suicide drone shot down near Erbil airport: Kurdish counterterrorism KDP, PUK leaders to meet over Erbil-Baghdad tensions, KRG cabinet formation KRG meets to resolve financial disputes with Baghdad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Top delegations from the Kurdistan Region's ruling parties met Monday in Erbil's Pirmam district to solidify a united stance on key issues - chief among them, the long-running dispute with Baghdad over public sector salaries and financial entitlements. In a joint statement, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said the meeting was chaired by preeminent Kurdish leader and KDP head Masoud Barzani, with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and PUK leader Bafel Talabani also in attendance. The discussions spanned political, economic, and social issues, with both parties committing to a unified strategy 'to intensify efforts' and 'ensure the provision of salaries and entitlements for the Kurdistan Region.' The statement stressed that all necessary steps should be taken within the constitutional framework, and urged collaborative efforts toward a resolution. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad deepened in late May when the Iraqi federal finance ministry suspended budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), accusing it of exceeding its 12.67 percent share of the federal budget and failing to deliver the agreed-upon oil quota to the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The halt has left more than 1.2 million public servants in the Kurdistan Region unpaid for over two months. The joint statement also highlighted efforts to strengthen ties between the KDP and PUK to overcome internal challenges and safeguard the Kurdistan Region's political framework and gains. A well-informed source told Rudaw earlier in the day that the meeting underscored the need for a unified Kurdish stance, saying, "It underscored the importance of unifying the position of all political parties in Kurdistan and Iraq to be cooperative and supportive in resolving this issue." The high-level meeting notably followed a special session of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers held Sunday to address the worsening financial crisis. On Saturday as well, the KDP issued a warning, saying it would give Baghdad a 'final chance' to resolve the ongoing budget dispute. In addition to the Baghdad-Erbil standoff, Monday's talks also focused on the upcoming Iraqi legislative elections scheduled for November 11 and the delay in forming the KRG's tenth cabinet. Rudaw learned earlier on Monday that both the KDP and PUK had prepared draft proposals on the formation of the new cabinet to be presented during the meeting. The Region held delayed parliamentary elections in October, with the KDP winning 39 of the 100 seats, followed by the PUK with 23. As no single party secured a majority, a governing coalition will need to be formed, as has traditionally been the case. In late June, Prime Minister Barzani said the KDP and PUK had agreed on a cabinet agenda and that other parties were welcome to join. However, nearly nine months after the vote, no final agreement on the new cabinet has been reached.
Rudaw Net
14-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
KDP gives Baghdad last chance to resolve salary dispute
Also in Kurdistan KDP, PUK top-level delegations meet to discuss new cabinet, Baghdad disputes Suicide drone shot down near Erbil airport: Kurdish counterterrorism KDP, PUK leaders to meet over Erbil-Baghdad tensions, KRG cabinet formation KRG meets to resolve financial disputes with Baghdad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Saturday said it is giving Baghdad a 'final opportunity' to resolve their dispute over salaries, as tensions over budget allocations, oil exports, and public sector salaries continue to strain relations. 'We deemed it appropriate to give the federal Iraqi government in Baghdad a final opportunity to find a way to end this issue. We have always believed that if there is a way for dialogue, we also prefer to resolve issues through mutual understanding,' read a statement from the party. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated in late May when the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the salaries of over 1.2 million public employees. The ministry said the KRG had already received more than its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget and had failed to deliver its agreed share of oil to Baghdad. The KDP said that Fuad Hussein, a member of the party and Iraq's foreign minister, had spoken with Iraqi political parties and returned to the Kurdistan Region on Saturday with a message that Baghdad officials and political leaders have promised 'that in the coming few days the matter of sending salaries and financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region will be resolved.' The KDP's Political Bureau met on Saturday to determine its position on the dispute with Baghdad. The party is the largest in the Kurdistan Region where it shares power with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The dispute between Erbil and Baghdad has been exacerbated by the suspension of Kurdish oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, which has been offline since March 2023. Earlier on Saturday, Iraq's oil minister said that Erbil is demanding more oil for domestic consumption and this is delaying the resumption of exports.
Rudaw Net
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Suicide drone shot down near Erbil airport: Kurdish counterterrorism
Also in Kurdistan KDP, PUK top-level delegations meet to discuss new cabinet, Baghdad disputes KDP, PUK leaders to meet over Erbil-Baghdad tensions, KRG cabinet formation KRG meets to resolve financial disputes with Baghdad Former Komal lawmaker released hours after arrest in Sulaimani A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A suicide drone was shot down early Monday near Erbil International Airport, Erbil-based Kurdish counterterrorism forces reported, and no casualties were reported. 'An explosive-laden drone was shot down near Erbil International Airport at 2:30 am this morning. Fortunately, no casualties or material damages were inflicted,' said the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT. Several loud bangs were heard across the city as the drone was shot down. It is the latest in a series of drone attacks in the Kurdistan Region after a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran took effect on June 24, ending a 12-day conflict. Several explosive-laden drones have either crashed or been intercepted in the Region since. The attacks have been blamed on pro-Iran groups, with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) accusing the federal government of failing to address repeated drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region. Earlier this month, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry specifically accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) of involvement in the incidents, an accusation promptly rejected by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.' Iraqi militia groups have denied involvement and blamed the Islamic State (ISIS). On Thursday, a drone was shot down over a Peshmerga base near Sulaimani city. A day later, another explosive-laden drone was downed near a Peshmerga base in Kirkuk province.
Rudaw Net
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Former Komal lawmaker released hours after arrest in Sulaimani
Also in Kurdistan KDP, PUK top-level delegations meet to discuss new cabinet, Baghdad disputes Suicide drone shot down near Erbil airport: Kurdish counterterrorism KDP, PUK leaders to meet over Erbil-Baghdad tensions, KRG cabinet formation KRG meets to resolve financial disputes with Baghdad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Sabah Barzanji, a former lawmaker from the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal) and a prominent religious figure, was released on Sunday after being arrested the night before in Sulaimani. 'Dr. Sabah Barzanji was released at noon today,' a source from Sulaimani security forces told Rudaw on condition of anonymity. Abdulsattar Majid, a Kurdistan parliament lawmaker and member of Komal's Supreme Council, also confirmed the release, saying, 'It is true, and we have also been informed of Dr. Sabah's release.' Shwan Raber, another senior figure from Komal, had told Rudaw earlier in the day, 'We were told he would be released today.' Barzanji served in the Kurdistan parliament's third term and is currently a university professor and senior Komal member. No official reason has been announced for the arrest. Majid said, 'No official explanation has been given to us.' Two other senior officials from the group similarly said, 'So far, the reason has not been clarified for us.' Sulaimani police spokesperson Sarkawt Ahmed said earlier Sunday that authorities were not aware of the arrest and that 'he was not arrested by us.' In early July, the Erbil Investigative Court issued an arrest warrant for Ahmed Haji Rashid, another former Komal lawmaker. The warrant was sent to a Sulaimani court for implementation, but the reason was not made public. Rashid, however, has been charged under Article 226 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which criminalizes insulting government institutions. He has been openly critical of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). In late June, ahead of planned protests over unpaid public salaries, security forces in Sulaimani arrested a number of opposition lawmakers and journalists. At the time, Sulaimani's Asayish said the arrests were meant to thwart 'a plan by some troublemakers who intended to exploit the demonstrations… to disrupt peace and stability.' The Asayish added that while some of those detained were unaware of the plan, the arrests were carried out 'to protect their lives, as well as those of other protestors and dissatisfied citizens,' and issued an apology.
