Latest news with #Iraq
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Tensions Rise Between Erbil and Baghdad after Kurdistan Salary Payments Halted
A sharp dispute has erupted between Erbil and Baghdad following Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami's decision to halt salary payments to public employees in the Kurdistan Region, citing violations of the federal budget law. The move has prompted intense backlash from Kurdish officials and increased contacts between US officials and Kurdish leaders, with Washington stepping up pressure on the federal government. On Wednesday, Sami sent an official letter to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), stating that the Finance Ministry could no longer continue disbursing funds to the region, stating that it exceeded the allocated 12.67% share of the national budget. She noted that Kurdistan had surpassed its entitlement by 13.5 trillion Iraqi dinars, which made continued payments legally untenable. According to the ministry, from 2023 through April 2025, Kurdistan generated 19.9 trillion dinars in oil and non-oil revenues but delivered only 598.5 billion dinars to the federal government. The decision to halt funding comes at a particularly sensitive time, with Eid al-Adha approaching, further fueling outrage among Kurdish leaders. KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani issued a strong response, saying that the 'problems with Baghdad will be resolved, and the truth will prevail.' He accused successive governments of pursuing policies of 'starvation and genocide' against the Kurdish people and warned that 'those who abandon the defense of their people's rights will be condemned by history.' Kurdish lawmakers are expected to meet soon with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to address the implications of the finance minister's decision. Meanwhile, Vian Sabri, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party bloc in the Iraqi parliament, announced that Kurdish factions would submit a formal protest to the prime minister. She stressed that salary payments should be separated from political disputes, referencing an agreement between Baghdad and Erbil to that effect. Amid the internal tensions, the United States has increased its diplomatic engagement. According to a statement from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani's office, he received a phone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which both sides discussed the importance of maintaining coordination to promote stability in Iraq and the wider region. The call came shortly after KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani visited the US, where contracts were signed with American oil companies to operate in Kurdistan, an act that angered Baghdad, which insists that oil agreements must comply with constitutional provisions governing federal-regional relations. Public policy professor Ihsan al-Shammari at the University of Baghdad said Washington is now applying 'maximum pressure' on the Iraqi government. He noted that US demands have taken multiple forms, including calls to dismantle militias and curb Iranian influence in Iraq.
Times of Oman
20 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
OCCI participates in Iraqi Franchise Expo in Baghdad
Baghdad: Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) is taking part in the 2nd edition of the Iraqi Franchise Expo in Baghdad. OCCI delegation is led by Eng. Hamoud Salim Al Saadi, Second Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of OCCI Commercial Franchise Centre Committee. Two franchise agreements were inked by Omani franchise firms during the first day of the exhibition. The first agreement was signed by Mohammed Sagheer Qassim Al Maamari, owner of the 'Brothers of Silver' brand. The second agreement was signed by Issa Saleh Al Aghbari, owner of the Omani brand 'Seven Fries'. The OCCI's pavilion at the expo featured more than 15 leading Omani brands that seek to explore franchising opportunities and enter the Iraqi market.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- General
- Arab News
Family of an Israeli held hostage in Iraq for 800 days hangs on to hope for her freedom
DUBAI: With the world's attention fixed on efforts to free Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, talks are quietly continuing to liberate an Israeli hostage held in Iraq by a different Iranian-backed militant group. A 38-year-old Middle East scholar from Israel was kidnapped in 2023 while doing research in Iraq, and officials from several countries say progress is being made to secure her release. The family of the scholar – Elizabeth Tsurkov, who also holds Russian citizenship – is trying to remain optimistic. Even though the circumstances are completely different, the release of hostages from Gaza earlier this year gave the family reason to stay hopeful that Tsurkov, who marks 800 days in captivity on Thursday, will also be freed. 'It's like a phoenix rising from the ashes when the hostages come out. You see that despite everything they've been through, there is still life in them,' said Emma Tsurkov, the scholar's sister. There were reports over the weekend that negotiators were very close to a deal, but the terms are complicated and Tsurkov's sister said no deal appears imminent. 'One of the most difficult parts about having a loved one in captivity is the uncertainty,' she said. Negotiators are focusing on an exchange that would include seven Lebanese captured during the latest war between Israel and Hezbollah. But Iraqi and Lebanese officials told The Associated Press the talks recently stalled over Iran's demand for the release of one of its citizens detained in Iraq for the killing of an American. Held captive by an Iraqi militant group Elizabeth Tsurkov disappeared in Baghdad in March 2023 while doing research for her doctorate at Princeton University. The only direct sign of life her family has received is a November 2023 video of her broadcast on an Iraqi television station and circulated on pro-Iranian social media. In the past few months, officials from several countries, including the Iraqi foreign minister and deputy prime minister, have confirmed she is alive and being held in Iraq by a Shiite Muslim militant group called Kataeb Hezbollah, according to her sister. The group has not claimed the kidnapping nor have Iraqi officials publicly said which group is responsible. Kataeb Hezbollah's leader and founder died in an American airstrike in 2020 that also killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force and the architect of its military alliances in the region. The group, an ally of Hezbollah in Lebanon, is part of a coalition of Iranian-backed militias that are officially part of Iraq's armed forces but in practice often act on their own. The US government listed Kataeb Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 2009. Moving pieces from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the US Emma Tsurkov, who lives in California, believes the US, Israel's closest ally, has the most leverage to pressure the Iraqi government for her sister's release – either by withholding arms or financial assistance. Israel, which does not negotiate directly with Iraq because the two countries have no formal relations, has less influence, she said. Although Tsurkov entered Iraq using her Russian passport, Russia has declined to get involved in negotiating for her release, Emma Tsurkov said. Earlier this year, a senior Israeli official said the Israeli government is working with allies in a renewed push to win the freedom of Tsurkov. Israeli officials declined to comment for this story. About a month ago, a US official and several former diplomats visited Baghdad to mediate for Tsurkov's release, according to a senior Iraqi political official involved in the negotiations. They held indirect talks with Iranian officials and leaders from the militant group holding her, according to this official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the secretive talks. Adam Boehler, the Trump administration's top hostage envoy, has repeatedly called for Tsurkov's release and has traveled to Iraq to press his case. 'We have and will continue to underscore with the Iraqi government the urgency of securing her release,' State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Tuesday. Another Iraqi official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US and Israel do not object to the release of the Lebanese prisoners held in Israel. An official with a Lebanese group involved in the indirect negotiations said that, in exchange for Tsurkov's freedom, they are seeking the release of seven Lebanese prisoners, some of whom are associated with Hezbollah and a Lebanese navy officer who was kidnapped by an Israeli commando force on Lebanon's northern coast in early November. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. Also involved in a possible exchange are five men in prison in Iraq for the 2022 fatal shooting of Stephen Edward Troell, a 45-year-old teacher from Tennessee. Troell was killed as he pulled up to the street where he lived in central Baghdad with his family. Iranian citizen Mohammed Ali Ridha was convicted in the killing, along with four Iraqis, in what was described as a kidnapping gone wrong. The prospect of Ridha's release is one of the major holdups in the negotiations, Lebanese and Iraqi officials said. Emma Tsurkov said the complexity of the negotiations is devastating for her family. 'This isn't a real estate deal, we aren't talking about a piece of land,' she said. 'We're talking about an innocent human being who is having a just horrendous ordeal.' Finding hope in hostages released from Gaza In an interview in September 2023, Tsurkov said her sister's ordeal was 'the type of nightmare I wish on no one.' Three weeks later, some 251 people were captured during Hamas' cross-border attack on southern Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza. There are 58 hostages still being held in Gaza, though Israel believes only around a third of them are alive. Tsurkov said that although her sister's kidnapping is very different from the situation of the hostages, she couldn't help but watch the videos of the unifications between released hostages from Gaza and their families earlier this year and wonder if she will ever get that opportunity to embrace her sister again. 'I know my sister is going through something so incredibly difficult, and I hope that I get to see her again, and I hope that there's still life left in her.' She said one of the more heartbreaking aspects of the past two years has been how many officials have told her they wish they could benefit from her sister's expertise during the negotiations over a possible deal. Elizabeth Tsurkov is a well-known academic who was often interviewed in the media, and her research was focused on sectarianism in the Middle East, specifically Iraq. 'If we want a good understanding of the Middle East, we need people like my sister to travel to the Middle East to research it,' Emma Tsurkov said.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Oman placed along with Iraq, Pakistan, Cambodia in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
Muscat: Oman have been placed along inaugural champions Iraq in Group G along with group hosts Cambodia and Pakistan in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers after the draw for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday. A total of 44 nations will compete for 15 berths that are up for grabs and will be determined when the 11 groups do battle from September 1-9, 2025. The 11 group winners and four best best-ranked runners-up will join Saudi Arabia, who are hosting the tournament for the first time, in January's Finals. Group A will see Jordan (hosts), Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Bhutan vying for the automatic ticket to the Finals while two-time champions Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar (hosts) and Afghanistan will square off in Group B. Vietnam (hosts) lead the Group C cast with Yemen, Singapore and Bangladesh also hoping to advance while Australia, China PR (hosts), Timor-Leste and Northern Mariana Islands will battle it out in Group D. Group E saw 2018 winners Uzbekistan, Palestine, Kyrgyz Republic (hosts) and Sri Lanka being drawn together while Thailand (hosts), Malaysia, Lebanon and Mongolia are the Group F cast. Group H will see Qatar (hosts), Bahrain, India and Brunei Darussalam jostling for the coveted automatic spot to the Finals. Group I is set for exciting battles with UAE (hosts), Islamic Republic of Iran, Hong Kong, China and Guam drawn together, Group J will see 2020 champions Korea Republic, Indonesia (hosts), Laos and Macau challenging each other while Group K features Tajikistan (hosts), Syria, Philippines and Nepal. Draw result Group A: Jordan (H), Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, Bhutan Group B: Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar (H), Afghanistan Group C: Vietnam (H), Yemen, Singapore, Bangladesh Group D: Australia, China PR (H), Timor-Leste, Northern Mariana Islands Group E: Uzbekistan, Palestine, Kyrgyz Republic (H), Sri Lanka Group F: Thailand (H), Malaysia, Lebanon, Mongolia Group G: Iraq, Cambodia (H), Oman, Pakistan Group H: Qatar (H), Bahrain, India, Brunei Darussalam Group I: UAE (H), IR Iran, Hong Kong, China, Guam
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
Iraq's Invisible Beauty: Through Latif al-Ani's Lens
Acclaimed photographer Latif al-Ani, born in Baghdad in 1932, is known as the father of Iraqi photography. As the official photographer for presidents and the Iraqi Petroleum Company, his portfolio forms a unique visual archive of Iraq during its heyday from the 1950s to 1970s. His photos capture the abundance and complexity of a modern and cosmopolitan nation living in peace and harmony. But when Saddam Hussein rose to power, al-Ani stopped taking photos. After decades of war, al-Ani travels across Iraq with his photographs in search of the remnants of his beautiful country. Iraq's Invisible Beauty is a documentary film by Sahim Omar Kalifa and Jurgen Buedts.
