
KRG to present report on forcibly disappeared victims of Saddam at Baghdad conference
Shafaq News/ Iraq will hold a regional conference in Baghdad on May 27 to address the issue of missing persons, under the sponsorship of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, with participation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy Dindar Zebari confirmed that the event will bring together deputy foreign ministers from neighboring countries, regional experts, and representatives of accredited foreign missions, adding that the conference aims to boost regional cooperation, enhance cross-border coordination, and highlight the joint role of Iraq's Federal and Regional governments in partnership with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).
While the KRG would be presenting a formal report that details its long-standing efforts to locate thousands of forcibly disappeared individuals, particularly victims of Saddam Hussein's regime, Zebari noted that the presentation will focus on 'major historical atrocities,' including the disappearance of Feyli Kurds in the 1980s, the Anfal campaign in Garmian and Bahdinan, and the case of 8,000 missing Barzanis.
He stressed that these crimes represent some of the darkest moments in Kurdish history and warned that enforced disappearances continued beyond the Baath era, citing thousands abducted by ISIS. 'The international community and the United Nations must take a closer look at these atrocities, which we will raise during the meeting.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Exclusive: Washington backs Israel-Syria peace efforts
Shafaq News/ The United States continues to support efforts to establish long-term stability between Israel and Syria, a State Department spokesperson confirmed exclusively to Shafaq News. 'Efforts that lead to lasting stability between Israel and Syria remain a priority,' the spokesperson said, adding that 'stability and peace in Syria serve the security interests of all parties.' When questioned about Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, the spokesperson referred inquiries to Israeli authorities. 'Questions regarding military operations should be directed to the Israeli authorities.' The statement comes amid reports of direct communication between Syrian and Israeli officials aimed at reducing tensions and preventing a wider confrontation along the border. In an interview published in the Jewish Journal, Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara expressed support for ending cross-border hostilities with Israel, noting that 'prosperity cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear.' He also highlighted the potential for cooperation on shared security challenges, reflecting a shift in the regional landscape. Since the collapse of the previous government, southern Syria has seen increasing instability, including Israeli patrols in Quneitra province and the establishment of new checkpoints between Khan Arnabah and Jaba. Al-Shara called for a return to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, describing it as 'a fundamental safeguard for mutual restraint and the protection of civilians, particularly the Druze communities in the Golan Heights.'


Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Yemen's Houthis attacked Israel's main airport, flights paused
Shafaq News/ On Monday, the military spokesperson for Yemen's Ansar Allah (Houthis) announced the group had launched a ballistic missile strike targeting Ben Gurion Airoport in central Israel, using a 'Dhu al-Fiqar' missile. He claimed the operation disrupted air traffic and forced four million Israelis into shelters. The spokesperson also reaffirmed the group's support for Gaza, declaring they would not abandon it 'even if the entire world does.' Earlier, the Israeli military confirmed it had intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Yemen, triggering air raid sirens and briefly suspending flights at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. The missile was intercepted by the Arrow-3 system, with explosions reported over Jerusalem. Israeli Channel 12 confirmed that airspace over Ben Gurion was temporarily closed, halting takeoffs and landings, though operations resumed shortly after. The incident comes amid a series of cross-border attacks from Yemen in recent months, largely linked to Houthi forces in the context of the ongoing war in Gaza.


Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
GCC calls on Iraq to honor Kuwait's sovereignty, pushes power link forward
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers urged Iraq to respect Kuwait's sovereignty and pledged to advance plans to link Iraq to the Gulf power grid, strengthening regional energy ties. In a joint statement following the conclusion of the GCC Ministerial Council's 164th session, held in Kuwait, the ministers emphasized the importance of strengthening Gulf-Iraq relations while upholding international norms and existing agreements. The communique praised the 'positive partnership' between the GCC and Baghdad, confirming progress on the cross-border electricity interconnection project. The initiative is part of broader efforts to deepen economic integration and energy coordination across the region. The council also reiterated that the entire Durra gas field lies within Kuwait's maritime territory. It underlined that natural resources in the adjacent submerged area—shared exclusively between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait—are jointly owned by the two nations. Meanwhile, the ministers agreed to proceed with steps toward a GCC union, based on the late Saudi King Abdullah's proposal, assigning the council secretariat to follow up. The ministers also reaffirmed the UAE's sovereignty over the three islands reportedly occupied by Iran, rejecting Tehran's actions as void, and urged resolution through negotiations or the International Court of Justice. Concern over Iran's nuclear program was reiterated, with calls for swift agreements with the US and GCC participation in all related talks. On Gaza, they expressed 'full support' for the Palestinian people, called for lifting the Israeli blockade, and demanded compliance with international law. The council welcomed the US-Yemen ceasefire brokered by Oman and condemned the alleged arms smuggling to the Houthis, urging a political resolution. Ministers further stressed respect for Syria 's sovereignty, praised Saudi and Qatari financial support for the country's recovery, and welcomed €5.8 billion ($6.6 billion) in pledges at the Brussels donor addition, support was voiced for 'Lebanon's reform efforts.'