Kurdish leaders extend Yazidi New Year wish, urge protection of community's rights
Kurdish leaders congratulate Duhok SC on historic Gulf Club Champions League victory
Duhok SC crowned Gulf Clubs Champion after thrilling win
US, UK, Italy welcome Iraq's recognition of Halabja as 19th province
President Barzani, German Ambassador discuss KRG cabinet formation, bilateral ties
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders on Tuesday extended their congratulations to the Yazidi community on the occasion of their New Year, Charshama Sare Sale, emphasizing the need to safeguard the Yazidis' rights, traditions and future.
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani issued a statement extending his 'warm congratulations to all Yazidi brothers and sisters in Kurdistan and around the world, wishing them happiness and peace.'
The renowned Kurdish figure added, 'I hope for an end to the pain, displacement, and hardships that have been imposed upon them [Yazidis] by terrorists and enemies of our people, and for the Yazidi brothers and sisters to return freely to their homes and places of origin.'
The KDP leader also urged all parties to work together to ensure the Yazidis can 'decide their own fate, protect their rights, culture, and traditions, and begin to heal from the trauma they've endured.'
For his part, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also marked the occasion, writing on X, 'I congratulate all Yazidi brothers and sisters in Kurdistan and the world on the Yazidi New Year. I hope you have a holiday filled with joy and happiness.'
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) also issued a statement, extending 'warmest congratulations to the Yazidi brothers and sisters in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the world' and 'wishing them a celebration full of joy and happiness.'
The PUK highlighted the importance of 'accelerating the steps to restore a dignified life for Yazidis,' stressing that it is the 'duty and responsibility of all political parties, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government [of Iraq] in order to guarantee their permanent stability and ensure they never face the danger of attacks again.'
The Yazidi New Year, Charshama Sare Sale, is celebrated on the first Wednesday of April according to the Julian and Seleucid calendars. The most important rituals take place at Lalish Temple in the mountains of Duhok, north of the Kurdistan Region, where Yazidis light candles and gather in prayer.
In 2014, the Islamic State (ISIS) launched an assault on Shingal, abducting 6,417 Yazidi women and children, many of whom were subjected to sexual slavery and forced labor.
As of now, 2,590 Yazidis remain missing, according to the Office of Rescuing Abducted Yazidis, which is affiliated with the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
10 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
PM Sudani discusses recent attacks in Baghdad meeting
Also in Iraq Baghdad may waive oil shortfall blocking June budget transfers to Erbil: KRG source KRG says not consulted on Iraq-UN poverty report Iraqi president, PM stress state resources must not be used for election purposes Iraqi women's party seeks to contest elections through empowerment A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the country's National Security Council, discussing the findings of the latest drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region's oil facilities and the attack on an agriculture ministry branch in Baghdad blamed on pro-Iran militias. 'During the meeting, the work of the specialized committees investigating the attacks on oil facilities, vital areas, and Iraqi military equipment, including radars, as well as the recent attack on an agriculture department near Karkh, Baghdad, was reviewed,' Sudani's spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said in a statement. An 'armed assault' by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) on an agriculture ministry office in Baghdad's Karkh district on Sunday left three people dead - a policeman, a civilian, and a member of the powerful Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah. Baghdad confirmed that the perpetrators of the attack were PMF members. The Kurdistan Region has also come under dozens of rocket and drone attacks in recent weeks, including strikes on its oil facilities. The Kurdish government has blamed the PMF for the attacks - charges strongly denied as 'unacceptable' by Baghdad. The strikes have badly damaged the Kurdistan Region's oil infrastructure, halting production in some fields entirely and cutting total output by about 70 percent. 'The meeting discussed the overall security situation in the country, reviewed the topics on the agenda, and made the necessary decisions and recommendations,' Numan added. On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch condemned the attacks as a 'dangerous escalation' that risks fueling disputes between Erbil and Baghdad. A day prior, the United States blamed the powerful Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah - a PMF component - for the Baghdad agriculture department attack, calling on the Iraqi government to bring the perpetrators to account 'without delay.'
Rudaw Net
10 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish lawyer urges legal consultation as Germany steps up deportations
Also in World Activists urge equal rights for Syria's minorities US congressman seeks to block Iraq funding over 'terrorist militias' attacks French FM speaks with SDF chief, expresses support for Syrian Kurds KRG requested defence system from US: Official A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Kurdish lawyer based in Germany said on Wednesday that immigrants facing deportation should seek legal counsel to keep their asylum cases open, as Berlin intensifies its crackdown on illegal migration. 'Immigrants can use the law through lawyers and legal experts to keep their asylum cases open and remain in the country,' Mustafa Qadir told Rudaw. Germany is ramping up deportations, with hundreds of individuals being returned at its borders, sparking criticism from opposition parties over human rights concerns. In a written response to Rudaw in May, Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) said rejected asylum seekers will be deported regardless of their level of integration, including those with jobs or language skills. It added that applicants may be sent back 'even without their consent' if they are not deemed to face specific threats in their home countries. Internal relocation within the country of origin is also considered before granting asylum. Many recent deportees had been living in Germany under temporary toleration status, known as Duldung, which only suspends deportation and does not guarantee legal residency. Some had jobs or were enrolled in integration programs. Qadir said a plane carrying around 100 Iraqis flew from Germany to Baghdad this month, with about 60 individuals deported. 'Some of them had received deportation notices years ago,' he explained. 'What is unfortunate is that some people have been here for 15, 16, or even 20 years and are now being returned,' he added. 'Not all of them have committed crimes.' He noted that some deportations are happening when people visit government offices to renew their residence cards - something he says was rare in previous years. Qadir added that the German and Iraqi governments have agreements in place to cover the costs of repatriating deportees quickly. Germany is tightening migration laws amid pressure on public services and infrastructure. In June, a senior Social Democratic Party official told Rudaw that Berlin cannot handle another large influx of migrants and must return to a managed migration policy. According to BAMF, nearly 251,000 asylum applications were registered in Germany in 2024. Iraqis remain among the largest groups seeking refuge, often using smuggling routes to reach Europe. Immigration was a central issue in Germany's February parliamentary elections. The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union bloc - considered center-right - secured 28.5 percent of the vote, followed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 20.5 percent, and the Social Democrats (SPD) with 16.4 percent. In January, the parliament passed a controversial migration control bill aimed at tightening enforcement. The legislation includes five measures: preventing illegal immigration, deporting those without legal status, deporting foreign criminals, detaining those under removal orders, and limiting family reunification. Germany is a popular destination for tens of thousands of Iraqis and residents of the Kurdistan Region who attempt to reach Europe each year, often through smuggling routes.
Rudaw Net
13 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish-led forces dismantle suspected ISIS cell in al-Hol
Also in Syria Rojava Kurds fear Kurdish forces integration with Syria state amid surge in minority violence Unidentified gunmen target SDF in Deir ez-Zor US repatriates child from Rojava ISIS detention camp UN Envoy urges reforms in Syria's political transition, compromise in SDF-Damascus talks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Wednesday captured two suspected Islamic State (ISIS) operatives in an operation in northeast Syria's (Rojava) notorious al-Hol camp with support from the US-led coalition. The SDF and the US-led anti-ISIS coalition 'conducted a targeted operation inside al-Hol Camp. The operation successfully led to the capture of two ISIS operatives responsible for internal security operations within the camp,' The People's Protection Units (YPG) - the SDF's backbone - said in a statement. It said that both operatives had participated in the jihadists' operations in Syria and neighboring Iraq, before moving to the notorious camp in an attempt to 'maintain the group's influence.' The US-backed SDF was instrumental in defeating ISIS in 2019 and capturing thousands of the group's fighters. The force continues to operate in coordination with hundreds of US troops as part of the US-led coalition against ISIS. Both the SDF and the Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish) are also primarily responsible for securing the Roj and al-Hol camps in Rojava, which house thousands of individuals suspected of ISIS ties. Since its territorial defeat, ISIS has been trying to regain its strength. However, it ramped up its efforts particularly after a coalition of opposition groups, led by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), in early December toppled the regime of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. On Tuesday, an ISIS attack in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province killed an SDF fighter and injured two others.
