Political

Nechirvan Barzani met with Nawshirwan Mustafa in Slemani

NRTTV

（8th 0f June, 2015)

Slemani: Kurdistan PM, Nechirvan Barzani met with the leader of Change Movement, Nawshirwan Mustafa . According to a source, He has been participating in the meeting, Barzani and Mustafa discuss a number of topics relating to the arguments between Erbil and and the oil dispute. Beside these topics Barzani asked Nawshirwan to play a positive role on the extension for President Massoud Barzani in order to stay in his position as a president of the region, from his side Mustafa didn’t promise Barzani with anything. It is further to mention that Barzani had arrived in Slemani on Sunday and participated in Sulaimaniyah Platform which is the first of its kind to bring together Iraqi provinces to discuss issues at the political and social levels and the war against terror.

Committee of Kurdistan constitution re-writing holds a meeting

Rudaw media net work

(9th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: The committee on Kurdistan Constitution preparation started its session on the 9th of June 2015 to continue the process of preparing a new constitution for Kurdish region in order to put it later for referendum. The 20 members of the committee who represent all the components of the Kurdish people (whom they have representatives inside the parliament) agreed on the preamble of the constitution and several points like (the formal language , flag and the Capital city of the ). A committee member stated to the media that they are trying to learn from other nations and constitutions, like (German and French, Swedish and Japanese constitutions). He explained that they are taking the parts that are useful for the Kurdish nation for example what is mentioned on the peace in the Japanese constitution is something that they learn and get benefit from. It is further to mention that the committee must finalize the new draft within 90 days.

Nechirvan Barzani visits Hajji Mahmoud in Slemani

Jamwar TV

(9th 0f June, 2015)

Kurdistan PM Nechirvan Barzani visited the Kurdistan Socialist Party leader, Muhammad Hajji Mahmud in Slemani (Sulaimaniyah in Kurdish) on Monday to discuss a number of issues. Barzani visited Hajji Mahmud at Gulakhana village in Slemani and they discussed latest political developments, Erbil-Baghdad crises, Islamic State (IS) war. It is further to be mentioned that Hajji Mahmud is highly respected in the KRG as a tribal and political leader.

Head of department of foreign relations in KRG receives Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister krg.org

(9th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: In a meeting among Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the KRG Foreign Relations, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders, military as well as humanitarian aid for the Kurdistan Region were discussed as priorities. Mustafa welcomed the Minister Reynders in his first visit to the Kurdistan Region and expressed the desire of the Kurdistan Regional Government to establish strong ties between the Region and Belgium. He briefed the visiting Minister on the difficulties facing the Kurdistan Region in continuing the fight against Islamic State group (IS) and caring for over 1.8 million refugees and internally displaced persons.

To gain support, Kirkuk Turkmens visited Kurdistan officials

Hawlati newspaper

9th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: A delegation of Kirkuk Turkmen’s visited Kurdistan PM, Nechirvan Barzani, and Yousif Muhammad, the speaker of Kurdish parliament, the delegation discussed several issues like recognizing Kirkuk as an independent region. Tahsin Kahia member of the Kirkuk Turkmen delegation told Hawlati newspaper “Kirkuk Turkmen prepared a project to change Kirkuk into an independent region, and both KRG PM and Parliament speaker received copies of the project proposal. It is further to be mentioned that are with the idea that Kirkuk is part from Kurdistan region.

KDP: Iran intervention could solve Kurdistan- govt dispute

KDP info

11th 0f June, 2015)

Baghdad - Erbil: A member of Iraqi Parliament from KDP bloc stated that Iran is capable of putting an end to Erbil-Baghdad disputes. Arafat Karam, a member of Iraqi Parliament from Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) bloc said “The Iraqi President Fouad Masom is in Kurdistan for talks with Kurdistan region officials in order to solve issues between both sides. Karam adds “some parties trying to trigger ethnic war between Kurds and Arabs which is not in favor of anyone” he also said “Iran can play appositive role between the Iraqi and Kurdish government” Barzani to investigate “negligent” commanders

11th 0f June, 2015)

Bas news

Erbil: Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has launched investigations into the case of the Peshmerga commanders who have been accused of being “negligent” on the frontlines against Islamic State (IS) militants. KRG Peshmerga Ministry spokesperson Jabber Yawar said that the Kurdistan Region President’s ordered to form a committee to inquire into the case of Peshmerga commanders whom they have been charged with being irresponsible in the conflict with the IS . Yawar explained that the accused commanders are not from just one frontline. “There are commanders from the Sinjar to Khanaqin frontlines. “The Peshmerga Ministry has assisted the committee in interviewing the commanders. They have answered the committee’s questions and the result will be delivered to the Kurdistan Region President.” Barzani has urged the committee to consider every detail and make a proper judgment on each case.

PM Barzani warns of more refugees and IDPs

Krg.org

(11th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Kurdistan PM, Nechirvan Barzani, received Tuesday the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Stephen O’Brien, and his accompanying delegation. Mr. O’Brien briefed Barzani on his visit to Baghdad where he visited camps of internally displaced persons, IDPs. He said he will also visit IDP and refugee camps in the Kurdistan Region. Mr. O’Brien said that the United Nations’ 2015 plan for assisting displaced people is soliciting over $1.5 billion from donor countries. He said, however, few countries so far offered assistance, except Kuwait that announced donating $200 million. Mr. O’Brien noted that within the framework of the 2016 plan the Kurdistan Region will be dealt with separately as it disproportionately needs more assistance than other areas of Iraq. Barzani said that due to the arrival of a high number of displaced people, particularly since the Islamic State terrorist organization captured Mosul last June, the population of the Region has increased by 28 percent and continues to increase.

Massoud Barzani to Assyrian Church delegation: We will liberate the rest of the areas occupied by Islamic State

Xebat news paper

(11th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Kurdistan president, Massoud Barzani, said on Tuesday that “terrorism and terrorists are against humanity, freedom, and life in every aspects” Barzani said that during a meeting with a delegation of the Assyrian Church of the East –that the “terrorists” when they are occupying any place, they are destroying all monuments and shrines and religious shrines of different religions altogether. In the meeting the delegation informed Barzani that they will transfer the holly seat of Assyrian church from US to Erbil, from his side Barzani welcomed the idea and promise the delegation that he will support them. It is further to be mentioned that the Kurdish region is hosting now a large number of Iraqi Christians whom they have been running away from violence in other parts of Iraq.

Norway to open representation office in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region

Levin press (12th 0f June, 2015)

Oslo - Erbil: In a meeting between Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of KRG Foreign Relations and Børge Brende, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway on Thursday, Minister Brende announced that Norway will soon open its representation office in the Kurdistan Region. Emphasizing the desire of the government of Norway to strengthen bilateral ties with the Kurdistan Region, Minister Brende said, “We are happy to announce that in a near future a representation office of the government of Norway will be opened in the Kurdistan Region.” It is further to be mentioned that it has been recently noted that several countries are opening their offices and representatives in Erbil

Masrour Barzani: Iraqi army is top weapons supplier for Islamic State

Rudaw media network

(12th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: in a press conference in Kuwait, Masrour Barzani, the chairman of the Kurdistan Region Security Council said “Iraq has become the biggest indirect weapons supplier for the Islamic State, or IS” he also said “” the heavy weapons, vehicles and ammunition that has been seized from the Iraqi Army in Mosul and Ramadi are now in use by IS”. About the fight against (IS), Barzani said “Peshmerga forces need similar weapons to defeat the extremist fighters”.

Iraqi President Masom meets Gorran leader Nawshirwan Mustafa in Slemani

KNNC TV

13th 0f June, 2015)

Slemani: Fouad Masom, the Iraqi president Fouad Masom met with the leader of Kurdish Change (Gorran) Movement, Nawshirwan Mustafa in Slemani. Informed sources said “Masom met Mustafa in the framework of his visit to Kurdistan region to complete his efforts in the convergence of views among the various political powers on the Iraqi arena to reach solutions to the disputed issues, in particular, the differences between Baghdad and Erbil. It is further to be mentioned that Masom had met his predecessor, before meeting Mustafa.

Iran deputy FM arrives in

KRG.ORG

(13th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Hassan Ghashghavi heading a seven-person delegation arrived in the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan region on Friday to discuss promotion of ties. Deputy Foreign Minister met with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and the Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari and Minister of Justice in KRG in order to discuss the return of Iranian prisoners to Iran.

Kurdistan President Barzani met with Iraqi President Masom

KRP.ORG

13th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani welcomed Iraqi President Fouad Masom at his office in Salahaddin. In a meeting between the two presidents, they discussed the political and security developments in Kurdistan and in Iraq, in particular, the threat of Islamic State group (IS). They also discussed relations between Iraq’s communities and underlined the need for cooperation among all parties to confront the challenges facing the country. With regard to the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the two Presidents agreed that continued dialogue between the two sides is important to resolve their outstanding disputes. They also discussed the plight of IDPs who have sought refuge in Kurdistan, emphasized the need for collective efforts to provide them with shelter and care. Kurdistan President Barzani visits Kuwait

Hawler news paper

(14th 0f June, 2015)

Kuwait - Erbil: Iraq’s Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani arrived in Kuwait City on Saturday on an official visit and he hold meetings with the Emir of Kuwait and other senior Kuwaiti officials, Kurdistan presidency statement said.that Barzani discussed with Kuwait officials the bilateral relations, the threat of Islamic State militants, and the plight of Iraqi IDPs who have sought refuge in Kurdistan.

President Barzani met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi

KRP.ORG

(14th 0f June, 2015)

Abu Dhabi- Erbil: Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The President and the Crown Prince discussed the political and security situation in Iraq and in the region, especially the threat from Islamic State militants. Barzani expressed his hope that the UAE and its companies can further contribute in the development of the Kurdistan Region. They also discussed the plight of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi IDPs who have sought refuge in Kurdistan.

Security

10th 0f June, 2015)

Hawler news paper Kurdistan declares the existence of 512 wanted at large, 63 of them wanted by Interpol

Erbil: The operation room, which includes representatives from the Ministries of Interior and Peshmerga, announced the presence of large numbers of wanted men are still at large and not arrested. Jabber Yawar, Secretary General of the Ministry of Peshmerga in Kurdistan said in a press conference that out of 2336 wanted people we arrested 1824 referred them to the courts. ” Yawar said “not all wanted people are residents of the region as currently there are 63 people living abroad and the Interpol police is looking for them. The room was formed in 2011 as a joint operation room for security forces in Kurdistan.

Peshmerga strikes Islamic State south of Kirkuk and liberate several villages

Xendan

(11th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Kurdish military source said that Peshmerga forces were able to retake several villages south of Kirkuk province from IS. The source said three Peshmerga were killed in the clash. The international coalition participated in the operation with intensive raids on IS sites in al-Bashir village in Kirkuk. It is further to be mentioned that Islamic State (IS) still controls several villages and sub districts southern Kirkuk.

Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraq’s Shiite Militias clash in Diyala

PUK MEDIA

(13th 0f June, 2015)

Jalawla: While Kurds and Iraq’s Shiites share a common enemy the Islamic State (IS), the relationship between the two sides remains fraught with tension, as they attempt to establish control over areas recently liberated from IS. The province of Diyala, north east and east of Baghdad, has been mostly under the control of Kurds and Shi’ite militias since January, when it was retaken from IS. The jihadists continue to launch insurgent attacks, with eight car bombs detonated near security positions at the end of last month. Intelligence officials claimed at the time that there were up to 74 further VBIEDs primed for use. However, most of the province is under tighter control, with Kurds and Shiites maintaining security. It was Friday reported that in the north of Diyala clashes erupted after Kurdish Peshmerga began digging a trench between Jalawla and Shi’ite-held Sadiya. Jalawla is a town in disputed territories between Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Coalition airstrikes hammer Islamic State bases in Makhmour

Kurdistani new news paper

(13th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil - Makhmour: Warplanes from the US-led coalition to combat the self-proclaimed Islamic State, or IS, have carried out a heavy attack on military bases on the Makhmour front, a Peshmerga official said. “Early morning Saturday, around 3am, two Apache helicopters from the coalition forces have hit the (IS) bases in Karmrdou village, west of Makhmour, and fully destroyed their bases,” .it is further to be mentioned that the Peshmerga forces backed by US-led coalition airstrikes are battling the IS extremists along nearly 700km of frontlines in the Kurdistan region.

Kurdish Peshmerga fight off IS assault on Khazar front

Millet press

(13th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Islamic State militants resumed assaults against Peshmerga on the Khazar front, using three military vehicles rigged with explosives to launch their attack, Peshmerga Brigadier General Dilshad Maulood from Zervani troops told media. “Earlier this evening, IS militants ramped up their efforts to launch an attack against the Peshmerga on the Khazar front “and he said Peshmerga forces and Warplanes of the collation forces stopped the attack “As a result of the bombardment, the three car bombs and their suicide bombers were incinerated,” he added.

Peshmerga artillery pounds Islamic State on Bashik front near Mosul

Nineveh news

(15th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Kurdish artillery pounded the Islamic State (IS) on the Bashik front, southeast of the extremist-held city of Mosul, killing several the group’s militants, a Peshmerga official told Media. “Later this evening (Saturday) the Peshmerga launched a mortar operation targeting IS movements and bases near the Bashik front, killing two and wounding a dozen of the militants,”

5 Islamic State militants surrender to Kurdish Peshmerga in Kifri

Awena news paper

(15th 0f June, 2015)

Kifri: Five unnamed Islamic State militants surrendered themselves to Kurdish Peshmerga forces Sunday, Kurdish officials told media. “They surrendered themselves through their tribal chief, and they are now under investigation by Kurdish forces,” Osman Abdulkarim, a Kifri security forces spokesman, said. Kifri is a small town that with a population of 42,000 in 2003, and a Turkmen majority. Authorities did not identify the ethnicity of the militants who turned themselves in.

Economic

Iran set to export oil products to Iraq’s Kurdistan region Sharpress

9th 0f June, 2015)

Tehran – Erbil: National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company (NIOPDC) is making preparations for export of oil products to Iraqi Kurdistan Region. With an increase in Iran’s gas production and a reduction in consumption of oil products in Iranian power plants, a large amount of liquefied fuel is left for supply to the neighboring countries, like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and other neighbors, as new destinations for Iranian oil products. According to the latest news, Iraqi Kurdistan region will import oil products from Iran. Esmaeil Hasham Firouz, a senior NIOPDC official said that the company is planning to export gas oil and kerosene to Iraqi Kurdistan Region soon.

Kurdistan govt: We have more than 3 trillion dinars as loans and advances on the citizens

Kurdsat TV

(15th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: An official letter issued by the Ministry of Finance in Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) revealed on Sunday, that the ministry has a debt to the citizens of more than three trillion dinars in the form of loans and advances delivered to them during the last period. The letter noted that the debt includes loans and advances received by the citizens from the real estate, agriculture, industry, housing banks, explaining that it reached at the end of March to 3 trillion, 992 billion, 356 million, 869 thousand and 350 dinars, handed over to 230 thousand and 281 people. He added that the amounts that citizens gave it back to the same date to the government was amounted to 957 billion, 779 million, 12 thousand and 289 dinars, indicating that the remaining funds among the citizens are 3 trillion, 34 billion, 577 million, 857 thousand and 61 dinars. It is further to be mentioned that KRG suffers from a crisis in liquidity since the Iraqi government deducted its share of the Iraqi general budget in the era of former Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki since February 2014 because of differences with Erbil on the issue of exporting oil without federal government’s approval.

Kurdistan PM praises the role of the private sector

NRT TV

(10th 0f June, 2015)

Duhok: Kurdistan PM Nechirvan Barzani hailed the private sector for its effective contributions to the Kurdistan Region economy since the approval of the Investment Law in 2004. Barzani expressed satisfaction with the expansion of investment in the sectors of agriculture and industry.

Kurdistan Parliament speaker hopes Chinese companies to play a prominent role in reconstruction of the Kurdish region

Hawler news paper

(14th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: Speaker of Kurdistan Parliament, Yusuf Muhammad Sadiq confirmed the importance and the role of China in the international community and the Middle East in particular. He said during a meeting with the Chinese consul in the region, Tan Pan kin, according to a statement of the Parliament of the region: “We, in the Kurdistan region, hope to build strong relations with China, especially in the diplomatic, scientific, economic and investment fields, since the Chinese companies have a prominent role in all fields.” He expressed his hope that China will be a true supporter to the province in reconstruction, investment and development at all levels, especially in the industrial areas, as China is one of the developed countries.

General and Humanitarian

Fire breaks out in 43 tents for displaced people in Khanaqin

Shafaq news

9th 0f June, 2015)

Khanaqin: A fire broke out on Tuesday in one of the camps for displaced people in Khanaqin, burning 43 tents without causing any casualties. The accident was caused because of leaking in an “oven”. The fire transferred to dozens of tents near the scene, the manager of Khanaqin migration, Ghazi Ali Agha said that the incident burned 43 tents and injured a number of displaced people as well as causing material damage.

A large fire in the tires market in Kurdistan capital

Raga TV

（11th 0f June, 2015)

Erbil: The spokesman of Erbil police said that a large fire broke out on Thursday in Erbil market for tires and burned thousands of tires as the flames made black smoke rising from the area. Karwan Khoshnaw said that the fire was caused by the carelessness of some shop keepers who burned old tires in the market so the fire reached to other tires and became out of control and led to burn large numbers of them. He noted that the fire engines rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames and they manage to control it with a big effort.