Sulaimani cousins missing three years after attempted asylum journey
Also in Kurdistan
Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region
Low water levels halt power production at Dukan Dam
Kurds are 'our brothers in arms': French consul general
Kurdish opposition parties plan united front for federal election
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Sulaimani family has been searching for cousins Aram Idris and Mardin Jalal for the past three years after they went missing along the Greece-Turkey border while attempting to seek asylum.
The cousins, both 26, disappeared without a trace over three years ago, and their families are desperately seeking information about their fate.
'I am always thinking about him and miss him. I wish they would bring him back to me now. I wish someone would bring him back to us as a surprise by bringing him into the room,' Najiba Abdulrahman, Idris's mother, told Rudaw.
Uncertainty has left the families devastated, and they are appealing to authorities and the public for help in determining the whereabouts of their sons.
Idris's mother said they recently heard claims that the Turkish police handed the pair over to forces in Afrin, explaining that some people informed them that 'they have been returned to some part of Syria, for a year now, and they have been handed over to some place around Afrin in Syria'
But she regretted the complete lack of confirmed information about the two.
Mardin's father told Rudaw that the family has remained very worried since his disappearance.
'Until this moment, there is no trace, there is no news,' Jalal Sharif said. 'We are very anxious and worried. I mean, I don't know if my son is alive or dead.'
'I also appeal to the concerned parties, I appeal to the government and the head of government and the relevant parties who have connection with this migration and these migrants,' Sharif added. 'We would thank the Kurdistan Regional Government if they could help us in this regard. I would greatly appreciate them."
Tens of thousands of people from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region take on perilous routes out of the country towards Europe every year in hopes of escaping the endless crises in the country, including the lack of employment, political instability, and corruption.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan responds to Baghdad: A political statement detached from facts
Shafaq News/ The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has sharply rebuked a recent statement issued by Iraq's Ministry of Oil, accusing Baghdad of distorting facts and perpetuating constitutional violations in a deepening dispute over oil production and revenues. Earlier today, the Federal Ministry of Oil called on KRG to adhere to the Constitution, court rulings, and the Budget Law by delivering oil to federal authorities. It warned that ongoing non-compliance 'causes major financial losses to Iraq and damages Iraq's international reputation,' citing alleged 'smuggling' from the Region and vowing legal action. In a detailed press release issued on Thursday, the KRG's Ministry of Natural Resources described the federal ministry's remarks as 'a political statement that is far removed from objective facts,' and held the federal government responsible for policies that have led to economic harm, halted exports, and undermined constitutional principles. "You are the ones who blatantly and continuously violate the constitution and have stood as an obstacle to passing the Federal Oil and Gas Law for many years," the ministry declared, directly challenging Baghdad's narrative. Oil Smuggling and Export Halt The Kurdish Ministry rejected accusations of oil smuggling, calling them a deflection from corruption and smuggling operations occurring 'in other parts of Iraq,' and accusing federal authorities of 'mixing oil and serving the interests of others instead of serving Iraq and its people.' Contrary to Baghdad's assertions, the KRG stated that it was not responsible for the halt in oil exports. Instead, the ministry pointed to a legal dispute initiated by the Federal Ministry of Oil itself against the Turkish Ministry of Energy, which resulted in the suspension of exports on March 25, 2023—causing what it described as losses 'exceeding $25B.' Although a new agreement to resume exports was reached just days later on April 4, 2023, Kurdish officials say federal budgetary conditions made it financially unfeasible for companies to operate. 'The budget law stipulated a production cost of $6 per barrel, prompting most producing companies to cease production under this restriction,' the ministry said. Despite this, the Region delivered over 11.8 million barrels of oil to a refinery working on behalf of the Ministry of Oil. However, 'not a single dinar was paid' for these quantities, prompting companies to halt further deliveries. Disputed Legal and Constitutional Grounds The Kurdish ministry emphasized that Iraq's ongoing oil disputes stem from the federal government's failure to 'respect' constitutional rights and to enact the long-delayed Federal Oil and Gas Law. While noting that a joint committee was formed at the beginning of the current federal government to draft the law, the ministry cited "noticeable delay and procrastination" by Baghdad, suggesting an absence of political will to resolve the issue. Referring to the Kurdistan Region's own Oil and Gas Law No. 22 of 2007, the ministry defended its contracts with international oil companies, claiming that the legality of these contracts has been implicitly affirmed by global investment. 'Had there been any real legal issue with these contracts, globally reputable companies would not have invested billions of dollars in the Region,' the statement noted. Federalism and Cooperation The ministry also reiterated the Region's commitment to constitutional federalism, emphasizing that it has consistently shown readiness to compromise and cooperate, including by agreeing to sell its oil through SOMO, deposit revenues in the state treasury, appoint a consulting firm, and open an escrow account. 'This renders your Ministry's claims about the futility of previous negotiations with the Region completely baseless,' the ministry stated, citing a 'flexibility and willingness to cooperate' that, it said, Baghdad has failed to reciprocate.
Shafaq News
7 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Oil vs. Salaries: KRG-Baghdad feud pushes Iraq to the brink
Shafaq News/ As the Kurdistan Region's salary crisis resurfaces, alarms grow louder over the broader ramifications. The economic tension carries a potent political undertone that, if left unresolved, could destabilize Iraq's political framework. The dispute between Erbil and Baghdad reignited after the Kurdistan Region accused the federal government of "discrimination" in salary disbursement. The Region pointed to repeated delays in receiving dues despite earlier agreements. Baghdad countered by citing the Kurdistan Regional Government's failure to deliver oil and non-oil revenues as stipulated in the federal budget law. To contain the escalating crisis, the federal government is expected to dispatch a financial advance to the Kurdistan Region within two days to ensure employees receive their salaries before Eid al-Adha (June 6-9). However, nothing has changed so far. Economic War Kurdish political analyst Mohammed Zangana describes the allocation of funds as 'not charity toward the people of Kurdistan, but a constitutional and legal right.' He references the tripartite budget law (2023–2025) and a 2024 Federal Court ruling mandating salary payments from the federal treasury to the Kurdistan Region. Zangana characterizes the ongoing situation as an 'economic war waged by Baghdad against the region since 2014,' urging for a simple resolution: 'separate the salaries of Kurdistan's employees from political bickering and disputes.' The agreement stipulates that the Kurdistan Region must send 400,000 barrels of oil daily to federal depots in exchange for employee salaries. However, those depots can handle no more than 80,000 barrels per day. 'Even the amount sent hasn't yielded a single cent,' Zangana notes, adding, 'no agreement has been reached on the price per barrel.' On the Kurdistan Democratic Party's threat to withdraw from the political process, Zangana believes the Coordination Framework (CF), a predominantly Shiite group that controls the Iraqi government, fully grasps the danger posed by such a move. 'This is a warning to the Framework,' he asserts. Zangana also highlights a 'lack of will' from Baghdad to pass an oil and gas law, explaining that such legislation would grant provinces and regions constitutional autonomy under Articles 112 and 121 of the Iraqi Constitution. He foresees only temporary solutions ahead: 'There won't be any radical remedies—just patchwork until the elections.' Financial Strain Parliamentarian Mukhtar al-Mousawi, a senior figure in the Badr Organization, a movement within the Framework, expects the two sides to reach a 'mutual understanding.' 'The Region's recurring threats to withdraw from the political process whenever it faces liquidity issues and pressures the federal government—that's not a sound approach,' he states in remarks to Shafaq News, urging the Region to 'reorganize its affairs according to its own budget.' Al-Mousawi explains that Iraq is currently navigating a financial crunch, and the 2025 budget has yet to reach Parliament. 'Meanwhile, the Region resists accountability on how it manages oil and gas export revenues.' Constitution and Oil & Gas Law Ibrahim al-Sikani, a member of the State of Law Coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki, another CF group, strikes a balancing tone. 'The Constitution governs all national matters from north to south, especially Kurdistan Region salaries and the ongoing oil and gas issues,' he tells Shafaq News. He places the responsibility for salary payments squarely on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. 'The Coordination Framework is blamed because the shortfall comes from its nominee, Al-Sudani, but the Framework won't tolerate any failure from the government toward the Iraqi people—north or south.' Al-Sikani also discloses that the Framework has resolved to form a delegation to visit the Kurdistan Region and negotiate solutions, emphasizing that passing the O il and Gas Law would eliminate recurring disputes. He calls on Parliament to act, urging sessions to approve the law and the budget—still stalled in the Prime Minister's office— 'despite its direct impact on the lives of the Iraqi people.' 'I urge al-Sudani to hold a parliamentary session to lay all the facts bare before the public.' In this context, political analyst Aed al-Hilali appeals to all political blocs to engage in frank and direct dialogue with Kurdish representatives. 'The salary issue is no longer bearable, especially with the Kurdistan Democratic Party threatening to boycott the political process, which could lead to the collapse of Iraq's political system,' he cautions. Still, al-Hilali voices cautious optimism, 'The salary crisis may soon be resolved, but fundamental solutions remain necessary,' He outlines key steps forward—revisiting the Constitution and amending certain articles that 'may help achieve lasting resolutions.'
Shafaq News
13 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq, Kurdistan step up security operations
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iraqi and Kurdish security forces carried out coordinated raids in Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil, arresting several suspects in a crackdown on organized crime. In the capital, federal police apprehended two individuals in northern Baghdad accused of distributing crystal meth. Authorities seized 60 grams of the substance. At the Shalamcheh border crossing in Basra, a foreign traveler was intercepted attempting to smuggle crystal meth hidden in a concealed compartment. Meanwhile, in the Kurdistan Region, Asayish security forces detained two suspects and confiscated two kilograms of crystal meth, an unlicensed firearm, and two vehicles used in drug transport. Five individuals were also arrested in Erbil's Soran district on suspicion of distributing counterfeit Iraqi dinars—specifically 25,000 and 50,000 denominations—as well as forged $100 bills.
