Kurdistan confirms stable supplies despite regional tensions
Shafaq News/ Markets in Al-Sulaymaniyah remain stable with sufficient supplies of food and essential goods, the city's Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported, despite heightened tensions following Iran-Israel airstrikes.
In a statement released on Sunday, the chamber confirmed that the import activity continues uninterrupted, stressing that the warehouse inventories are sufficient to meet demand for several months.
The Chamber is coordinating closely with government bodies and the private sector to maintain price stability, ensuring the steady flow of goods. Residents were further encouraged to avoid panic buying, disregarding rumors suggesting shortages.
The announcement comes amid growing concern among traders and residents over rising gold prices and a stronger dollar, with many turning to gold as a safe-haven asset amid regional uncertainty. Meanwhile, food prices have also increased, adding further pressure on household purchasing power.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
44 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
In call with UK's Lammy: Iraqi FM warns of wider war
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein called on the international community to take steps to stop airspace violations and prevent escalation in the region, during a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, on Monday. According to a statement from Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hussein underscored that Israel's repeated breaches of Iraqi airspace represent a grave violation of Iraq's sovereignty and international law, warning that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran could trigger severe regional and global consequences if not contained. The Iraqi FM also stressed the importance of the UK's diplomatic role in de-escalation efforts, either through the European tripartite coordination with France and Germany or in tandem with the United States. For his part, Lammy affirmed the importance of preventing interference by armed groups and reiterated that the UK had not taken part in any military operations. Lammy also noted that London was coordinating closely with Paris, Berlin, and Washington to unify positions on the crisis, urging all parties to return to negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. He warned against attacks on US or British forces in the region, regardless of the perpetrator, adding that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz would pose a major economic threat to the UK and Europe, likely driving inflation higher.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Stranded abroad due to Israel-Iran conflict: Iraqis urge government for evacuation
Shafaq News/ Hundreds of Iraqi citizens stranded in Lebanon, Georgia, and other countries are calling on Baghdad to organize urgent evacuation measures as regional airspace closures—triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict—continue to disrupt commercial flights and leave hundreds unable to return home. Although the Iraqi government had earlier advised citizens abroad to contact diplomatic missions for assistance, several families gathered outside the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut, calling for immediate action. One stranded individual told Shafaq News the embassy had yet to open and provided no information. 'There has been no assistance from the Iraqi embassy, while other diplomatic missions have already begun evacuating their nationals,' he noted. 'Embassy security informed us there are currently no solutions and they are waiting for instructions from Baghdad.' Efforts to support stranded nationals are also underway in other locations. In Ankara, the Iraqi Embassy is coordinating with Turkish authorities to facilitate the return of citizens from third countries. Short-term entry permits are being issued to allow Iraqi nationals to enter Turkiye and proceed home via the Ibrahim Khalil land crossing in the Kurdistan Region. Iraq's ambassador to Ankara, Majid Al-Lajmawi, confirmed to our agency that five-day transit visas are now available on arrival at Turkish airports. This arrangement, developed in cooperation with Turkish authorities, aims to provide a safe and legal pathway home under existing bilateral agreements. Meanwhile, Iraqi Airways has launched a new direct route between Dubai and Basra, now operating two daily flights. Passengers wishing to travel on these flights are advised to contact the airline's Dubai office to make reservations. More than 500 Iraqis stranded in Georgia are also unable to return home due to Iraq's airspace closure. The stranded individuals include doctors, public employees, and participants in official and private missions or conferences, many of whom have now been stuck for several days. 'We've been unable to return to Iraq since the airspace was shut down,' said Hossam al-Jubouri, one of the stranded Iraqis. 'At the same time, we can't travel to other countries like Turkiye or Saudi Arabia because our visa applications are being rejected. It's a very stressful and restrictive situation.' In Kurdistan The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)* confirmed the formation of a joint coordination cell between the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Foreign Relations to manage logistics related to the return of stranded citizens. In coordination with Turkish authorities, Iraqi passport holders from the Kurdistan Region are also permitted to enter Turkiye without a prior visa when flying with Turkish Airlines or other approved carriers. Upon arrival at Turkish airports, including Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen, travelers will be granted five-day transit visas, enabling them to continue by land or air toward the Iraqi border and re-enter the Kurdistan Region through the Ibrahim Khalil crossing. Despite the regional disruptions, cross-border trade through Kurdistan remains unaffected. The Kurdistan Importers and Exporters Union confirmed that freight and passenger movement continues without interruption. 'All of Kurdistan's official border crossings are operating normally,' Union President Sheikh Mustafa Sheikh Abdul Rahman told Shafaq News. 'Warehouses remain fully stocked with essential commodities, and there are no concerns about food shortages in the local markets,' he added.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi expert: Mideast conflict could spike oil past $100
Shafaq News/ Escalating military tensions between Iran and Israel risk serious disruptions to the global oil and gas market, according to energy expert and former Iraqi Ministry of Oil spokesperson Asim Jihad. In an interview with Shafaq News, Jihad highlighted that roughly one-third of the world's oil production — about 20 million barrels of crude oil, condensates, and fuel — passes daily through the Strait of Hormuz, noting that any closure of this strategic waterway by Iran could drive oil prices above $100 per barrel. Jihad also pointed to Israel's recent strike on Iran's South Pars gas field, which temporarily halted one production unit and cut gas output by 12 million cubic meters per day. This attack adds to a series of Israeli operations targeting Iranian oil facilities, including the Abadan refinery with a capacity of 400,000 barrels per day and storage for 10 million barrels; the Bandar Abbas refinery, which processes 320,000 barrels daily and stores 8.5 million barrels; and the Isfahan refinery, a major hub handling over 370,000 barrels daily. He warned that Iran could retaliate by targeting key Israeli energy sites, such as the Haifa and Ashdod refineries, as well as offshore gas platforms like Tamar, Leviathan, and Karish. Such moves, he stressed, would further ''unsettle energy markets and cause significant economic harm to Israel.'' Tensions escalated sharply after June 13, when Israel launched a surprise missile strike inside Iranian territory. Iran responded the same night with heavy missile barrages, continuing over four consecutive days against military sites and infrastructure within Israel.
