Latest news with #HoshyarZebari
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sunni chief calls for Kurdish salaries before Adha feast
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iraqi National Project Secretary-General Jamal al-Dari, called for an immediate, temporary solution to ensure salary distribution to employees and retirees in the Kurdistan Region before Eid al-Adha, warning the political class against jeopardizing civil peace. Posting on X, al-Dari asserted that disputes between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government will persist without adherence to the Iraqi Constitution, the political agreement framework, and the government's ministerial program—particularly regarding the long-delayed oil and gas law. لن تُحل الخلافات بين الحكومة الاتحادية وحكومة إقليم كردستان ما لم يتم الالتزام بتنفيذ فقرات الدستور العراقي، وورقة الاتفاق السياسي، والمنهاج الوزاري الذي تعهدت به الحكومة الحالية، خصوصاً فيما يتعلق بإقرار قانون النفط والغاز.إذا كان هناك سوء فهم أو خلافات تتعلق بتنفيذ التشريعات… — Jamal Al Dhari جمال الضاري (@AldhariJamal) June 4, 2025 "It is crucial to separate the livelihoods of Iraqis, including our people in the Region, from such issues and move quickly toward a temporary and urgent solution to guarantee salary payments before Eid al-Adha,' al-Dari urged, emphasizing the need for a serious and comprehensive dialogue to either implement existing agreements or forge new ones. Later, the Iraqi Parliament's presidency expressed regret over the federal government's decision on Kurdistan Region salaries and urged a reversal and immediate disbursement. In response, Kurdish government condemned the Federal Ministry of Finance's move to halt salary funding, calling it 'unconstitutional, illegal, and a form of collective punishment against citizens.' Kurdistan Democratic Party senior figure Hoshyar Zebari also reacted on X, describing the federal decision as 'collective punishment targeting the people of the Region,' warning that such action would not go without 'political consequences.' قرار حكومة السيد السوداني الاطار التنسيقي بايقاف تمويل رواتب موظفي اقليم كردستان و في توقيت سئ جدا لمعاقبة جماعية و تجويع لمواطني الاقليم من خلال التشبث بحجج مالية وإدارية سوف لن يمر مرور الكرام و بدون عواقب فنحن لا نعيش في مدينة فاضلة و تاريخنا السياسي يؤشر بان المعتدي سيعاقب. — Hoshyar Zebari (@HoshyarZebari) June 3, 2025 Earlier, Kurdish political parties affirmed that 'the decision is political and contradicts the will of the people of Kurdistan and the Region's constitutional status,' stressing that 'dialogue and negotiation remain the best path to resolving disputes.' As Eid al-Adha approaches, thousands of state employees in Kurdistan Region face financial strain due to delayed salary payments, casting a heavy shadow over holiday preparations. Public calls have intensified for urgent and lasting solutions to the ongoing salary crisis, which continues to deepen economic hardship across the Region.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Kurdish politician warns of political fallout over Baghdad salary freeze
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Hoshyar Zebari criticized the federal government's decision to halt funding for salaries of public employees in Iraq's Kurdistan region, calling it a form of 'collective punishment' that would have 'political consequences.' On X, Zebari described the move as an attempt by the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the Coordination Framework to 'starve citizens under financial and administrative pretexts.' He added, 'We are not living in an ideal city; history shows the aggressor will be held accountable.' Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad have escalated over the decision by Iraq's federal finance ministry to freeze May 2025 salary transfers to the Region. Baghdad cited the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s alleged failure to hand over oil and non-oil revenues as mandated in the federal budget. The KRG responded by accusing Baghdad of shirking its obligations and described the decision as politically motivated, affecting more than 1.2 million Regional employees. The US State Department also weighed in, urging a swift and constructive resolution to the payment dispute. In a statement to Shafaq News, a department official said, 'Resolving the payments issue quickly would send a message that Iraq prioritizes its people and create an environment more attractive to investment.' The official added that it could also pave the way for reopening the Iraq-Turkiye pipeline.
Rudaw Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Baghdad decision not to send salaries 'political': Senior KDP official
Also in Iraq Coordination Framework delegation to visit Erbil amid Baghdad-KRG strain Kurdistan workers urge Iraq's top court to order salary release from Baghdad Iraq transfers military college cadets to Baghdad after tragic deaths Iraqi leaders receive Lebanese president for talks on bilateral ties, security A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Senior Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) official Hoshyar Zebari on Saturday labeled Baghdad's halt of salary payments to the Kurdistan Region's civil servants as a 'political and programmed' decision. 'The decision from the Ministry of Finance is a political and programmed decision against the [Kurdistan] Region and its constitution in general, and it will undoubtedly have repercussions,' Zebari said on X. Tensions between Baghdad and Erbil escalated after the Iraqi finance ministry on Wednesday announced that it would no longer send the Kurdistan Region's financial entitlements from the federal budget, including the salaries of over one million civil servants of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The decision triggered an outcry from many Kurdish political parties, who held a meeting on Saturday, chaired by the KDP, and denounced Baghdad's decision to halt payments to the Region as 'against the will of the people of Kurdistan and the political and legal framework of the Kurdistan Region.' The parties said Baghdad must not politicize the rights of civil servants and said that they favoured resolving the matter through dialogue. 'What is the interest of Mr. [Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia'] al-Sudani and the ruling Coordination Framework in igniting the crisis of funding salaries for regional employees at this particular time, while the country is approaching national elections? Perhaps these are technical issues at play,' Zebari stressed. Finances are a frequent source of friction between Erbil and Baghdad. In stopping the payments, Baghdad accused Erbil of failing to hand over its oil and non-oil revenues and claimed that the KRG had received its full share of the federal budget for 2025. The KDP said on Thursday that it would take a 'serious stance' if Baghdad fails to pay the May salaries by June 6, which coincides with the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha. The finance ministry's decision to cease payments to Erbil came on the heels of the KRG inking two new oil and gas deals with American firms, drawing the ire of Iraq's oil ministry, which has taken legal action. A delegation from Baghdad is expected to visit Erbil and meet with top Kurdish officials and politicians to resolve the financial issues.
Shafaq News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sulaimani Forum 2025: Kurds eye lasting role in Syria's future
Shafaq News/ On a dimly lit stage at the American University of Iraq in Sulaimani, optimism ran high as veteran Iraqi Kurdish politician Hoshyar Zebari declared that what happened in Syria is 'just the beginning.' His remarks came during the second day of the ninth annual Sulaimani Forum held in Kurdistan's al-Sulaymaniyah, where Kurdish and international officials signaled that the post-war phase in Syria may already be underway — and that Kurds intend to secure a lasting seat at the decision-making table in Damascus. "A Decisive First Step" Zebari described the newly signed eight-point agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi and transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa as a 'decisive first step.' The deal, endorsed by key international players including the United States and France, aims to formally incorporate Kurdish voices into Syria's post-Assad governance structure. Zebari characterized the weakening of al-Assad's grip as a 'political earthquake' triggered on February 8 last year, arguing that the emerging political order must expand beyond decades of authoritarian rule. The experience of Iraqi Kurds, he added, could serve as inspiration — if not a template — for Kurdish aspirations in northern Syria. 'We are not imposing our model,' Zebari said. 'But Kurdish unity is the key to everything.' Scrutiny on Implementation Ilham Ahmed of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), who is attending the forum, welcomed the agreement, describing it as a turning point that ends years of accusations against Syrian Kurds. Still, she struck a cautious tone, noting that the real test lies ahead with technical committees now tasked with implementing the deal. Referencing the Iraqi Kurdish experience, Ahmed said, 'We view the Kurdistan Region as an important model — but one rooted in a very different context. The reality of Rojava, and indeed Syria's entire social fabric, differs significantly from Iraq's.' She emphasized that other international models are also under study.
Shafaq News
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
KDP, PUK resume KRG talks to end political stalemate
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) resumed negotiations to break the deadlock over forming the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Shafaq News Agency's correspondent reported that talks are taking place in the Pirmam area, near Erbil, with senior representatives from both parties leading the discussions. The PUK delegation is headed by Kurdish Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, while Hoshyar Zebari represents the KDP. This latest meeting follows months of political stalemate after the Kurdish elections in October 2024. Despite seven previous rounds of talks, the two sides have yet to reach an agreement on the formation of a new government. Notably, the KDP and the PUK are the two main Kurdish parties in the Region. The first emerged as the largest party, securing 39 seats out of 100 with 809,197 votes, while the second followed with 23 seats from 408,141 votes.
