President Barzani, UNAMI chief discuss regional developments
Explosive-laden drone intercepted near Erbil airport
Duhok forest catches fire
Explosive-laden drone crashes in Sulaimani province
KRG calls for resumption of oil exports, salary payments
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday received Mohamed al-Hassan, head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), discussing the latest developments in the Middle East and Erbil-Baghdad ties.
'In the meeting, they discussed the political and general situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as cooperation and coordination between UNAMI and relevant parties in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East and their impact and effects,' said a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
Barzani further thanked UNAMI for its support to Baghdad and Erbil over the years, reiterating the Kurdistan Region's readiness to support the mission until its completion.
UNAMI was established in August 2003 at the request of Iraq under the Security Council Resolution 1500 to support Baghdad's developmental efforts. Its mandate was extended annually.
While UNAMI does not directly implement developmental and humanitarian programs, it plays an advisory role in facilitating partnership and technical cooperation between the Iraqi government and the 20 UN agencies, funds, and programs operating in the country.
Their mission for Iraq is set to conclude on December 31, 2025.
During the meeting, both officials stressed that resolving issues between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is 'necessary,' with the presidency saying their resolution 'is in the interest of all of Iraq and serves to maintain peace, stability, and the country's development.'
Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad intensified in late May when the federal finance ministry suspended all budget transfers to the KRG, including the salaries of more than 1.2 million public employees. The ministry cited the KRG's alleged overspending beyond its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget.
Kurdish political parties have strongly condemned the suspension, describing it as unconstitutional and politically driven.
Speaking at the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) Forum in Erbil in late October, UNAMI chief Mohamed al-Hassan remarked that the international mission is winding down in Iraq because the country no longer requires such a broad mandate and instead needs more targeted support from specialized agencies.
UNAMI's responsibilities in Iraq have included fostering political dialogue among Iraqi factions and between Iraq and its neighbors. The mission has also supported electoral logistics, monitored human rights conditions, and coordinated humanitarian aid in conflict-affected areas. Given these roles, some critics have warned that ending the mission could reduce international oversight, particularly during elections.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
7 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iran braces for new round of fighting with Israel
Shafaq News – Tehran Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani has warned allied armed forces in Iraq to brace for possible Israeli airstrikes and to guard against infiltration, according to a report by the Long War Journal. The reported meeting in Baghdad marks a rare direct intervention, underscoring Tehran's concerns about Israeli operations extending into Iraqi territory. While Iran-backed groups such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kataib Hezbollah, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have voiced support for Iran in recent weeks, they have largely refrained from active participation in the Iran-Israel conflict. Analysts say the restraint reflects Tehran's interest in preserving its political and economic stakes in Iraq. The country remains a vital economic corridor for Iran, generating an estimated $1B in illicit oil profits annually, with armed groups holding sway over key sectors and ministries within the ruling Coordination Framework. During the recent 12-day war, only a handful of unclaimed drone and missile strikes occurred on Iraqi soil, including attacks on the Ain al-Asad base and the US consulate in Erbil. Despite rhetorical threats against the US and Israel, the armed groups have so far limited their engagement to public statements.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Resistance denies role in Kurdistan oil strikes
Shafaq News - Baghdad On Sunday, the Coordinating Committee of the Iraqi Resistance denied involvement in recent attacks targeting several oil facilities across the Kurdistan Region. In a statement, the committee characterized the strikes on the Region's oil fields as a "settling of scores between oil companies and the Regional Government," rejecting claims of a cross-border conflict. The statement underscored that Islamic resistance factions have consistently avoided actions that could harm civilians or security forces in both northern and southern Iraq, emphasizing their primary focus on national interests. It also urged the Regional Government (KRG) to refrain from exporting internal disputes to federal authorities and to seek resolution through local channels. Attacks on Kurdistan's oil infrastructure have intensified in recent days. On the night of July 14, a drone strike targeted the Khurmala oil field southwest of Erbil. Subsequent attacks raised the number of drone incidents to at least nine within a week. The KRG described the attacks as "terrorist acts" aimed at damaging critical economic assets, accusing groups linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces of orchestrating the strikes. Baghdad later dismissed these allegations, citing a lack of evidence.
Iraqi News
an hour ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq concludes 2025 wheat marketing season with over 6.5 million tons stored
Baghdad ( – Iraq's General Company for Grain Trading, under the Ministry of Trade, announced on Sunday (July 20, 2025) the successful conclusion of the 2025 wheat marketing season. The country has secured a strategic reserve sufficient to meet domestic needs for over a year. Haider Nour Al-Karaawi, Director General of the company, stated that the total quantity of wheat received up to July 19, 2025, the final day of the marketing season, reached 5.119 million tons. With an additional 1.4 million tons remaining from the previous year, Iraq's current total strategic reserve stands at approximately 6.5 million tons. Al-Karaawi emphasized that this volume provides enough wheat to cover local consumption, including the ration card system and emergency reserves, for a period of one year and four months. Despite the significant surplus, he noted that the current volatile regional situation prevents Iraq from considering exports. All stored quantities are securely held in the company's warehouses across all governorates, with some quantities already being moved to silos and mills for grinding in anticipation of the rainy season. Al-Karaawi assured that the wheat storage facilities are fully insured against incidents and fires, with no losses recorded this season. He highlighted 2025 as one of the most successful seasons due to the absence of storage fires, which had plagued previous seasons. The successful harvest is attributed to the perseverance of Iraqi farmers, particularly their adoption of modern irrigation systems like sprinklers, despite climate challenges. Al-Karaawi noted that Iraq achieved high production this year, contrasting with significant declines in wheat production in other major producers such as Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Syria, which faced severe drought conditions. Wheat is considered one of Iraq's most crucial crops and a primary contributor to its agricultural economy.
