Latest news with #Khoshnaw
Rudaw Net
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Erbil authorities pledge justice for slain victims in gas station shooting
Also in Kurdistan Erbil launches first stage of green belt project President Barzani welcomes new US consul, reaffirms partnership with Washington US-led coalition support for Peshmerga to continue: Peshmerga ministry official Halabja not its own constituency in Iraq's parliamentary elections A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil governor on Monday pledged that justice will be served in the wake of last week's deadly shooting that killed three people in the Kurdistan Region, assuring the victims' families that the law will have the final word. Omed Khoshnaw further cautioned against framing the incident as ethnically-motivated. Speaking at a joint press conference with the families of the victims in the Kurdish capital, Khoshnaw told reporters, including Rudaw's, that "the law will take its course," emphasizing that the "regrettable incident" should not be framed through an ethnic lens "as some channels have unfortunately portrayed it." It was 'a crime that was committed,' Khoshnaw stated, noting that 'there was no prior relationship between the perpetrator and the victims.' He further reaffirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) full support for the bereaved families, noting that the accused is already in custody and will be held accountable. 'The law will take its course,' Khoshnaw pledged. The deadly shooting that sent shockwaves across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq last week, occurred on Wednesday after a dispute over spilled fuel escalated at a gas station along the Erbil-Kasnazan west of Erbil city. An eyewitness then-recounted to Rudaw that the altercation escalated when a gas station employee retrieved a Kalashnikov rifle and opened fire on a customer and another individual after they reportedly refused to pay for the spillage. Among the victims were Iraqi bodybuilder Hamoudi Riyadh and his friend Abdullah Adnan. A third civilian was reportedly caught in the crossfire and killed, according to Rudaw's correspondent on the scene. At Monday's press conference, Adnan Ibrahim - the father of one of the slain victims - called for the perpetrator to receive 'capital punishment, which is execution," and for any parties who were negligent to be held accountable. He expressed gratitude to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for its swift action and commitment to justice, noting that the suspect was arrested 'less than an hour' after committing the crime. Ibrahim also thanked preeminent Kurdish leader and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) head Masoud Barzani, as well as Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw, for their 'solidarity with the victims' families.' The tragic shooting has reignited concerns over the widespread availability of firearms in the Kurdistan Region. Despite efforts by the KRG to regulate gun ownership, illegal weapons remain a persistent security threat. Black markets for firearms - ranging from handguns to sniper rifles and machine guns - continue to thrive, with an estimated 70 percent of the Region's population reportedly owning a firearm. In 2022, the Kurdistan Region passed a weapons law aimed at tightening control. Article 15 of the law stipulates that 'any individual who does not own a license, carries, sells, repairs, or distributes a firearm will be jailed for one to three years and fined between two million to five million dinars (approximately $1,500 to $3,800).'
Shafaq News
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Erbil Governor meets families of fuel station shooting victims
Shafaq News – Erbil On Monday, Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw met the families of three victims killed in a fuel station shooting, receiving their thanks for his support and calls for justice. The shooting took place last Wednesday on the Erbil–Kasnazan road, when a dispute between two young Arab men and a station worker ended with the worker opening fire with a Kalashnikov, killing both men and fatally wounding a bystander. Police arrested the suspect immediately, classifying the case as a major crime. In a press conference after the meeting, the families said Khoshnaw assured them the investigation would proceed under the law and that the perpetrator would face trial, expressing confidence their loved ones' deaths would not be in vain. One victim's father praised the Kurdistan Regional Government's response, saying it demonstrated unity and equality before the law.
Shafaq News
18-05-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
CCHF: Kurdistan's Koysinjaq patient recovers
Shafaq News/ A patient diagnosed with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Koysinjaq in the Kurdistan Region's capital has been discharged from the hospital, Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw announced on Sunday. 'The patient responded well to treatment and is now in stable health,' Khoshnaw told reporters, adding that while several others were initially suspected of having the virus, all tested negative. Khoshnaw emphasized the importance of early intervention, noting that CCHF carries a high fatality rate. 'Even one confirmed case demands strict precautions,' he said, urging continued vigilance. Local health teams have been instructed to intensify monitoring and implement preventive measures to contain any possible outbreak, the governor added. According to Shafaq News tracker, since the beginning of 2025, Iraq recorded 45 cases, including nine deaths.
Rudaw Net
30-04-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Erbil, Qazvin agree to strengthen commercial, economic activity
Also in Middle East Iraq, Turkey in talks to sign new power deal: Ministry Iraq offers Iran help after deadly blast Iraqi delegation visits Syria for border security, trade talks Lebanese president calls Iraq's Sudani after PMF row A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The governors of the Kurdistan Region's Erbil and Iran's Qazvin provinces met on Tuesday to sign a memorandum of understanding to boost bilateral ties and strengthen economic cooperation. The agreement, between Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw and Qazvin Governor Mohammad Nozari, 'aims to strengthen good relations and enhance commercial and economic activity between Erbil and Qazvin,' said a statement from Khoshnaw's office. Per the memorandum, both provinces will facilitate investment and trade and send delegations to establish ties in the fields of industry, commerce, agriculture, tourism, technology, and health. Khoshnaw also told Nozari that 'Iran's relationship with the Kurdistan Region is a historical, religious, and cultural relationship, and at all levels, the Kurdistan Region desires to advance these relations,' according to a separate statement from his office. Iran and the Kurdistan Region enjoy good economic relations, sharing several border crossings. A large number of Iranian companies work in the Region's various sectors. Iran is also a major trading partner for Iraq. Since the overthrow of the regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have become two important destinations for Iranian goods. In February, Iranian Consul General to Erbil Faramaz Asadi told Rudaw that Tehran and Erbil have shared 'very strong and intertwined' relations since the establishment of the Islamic republic in 1979.
Shafaq News
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Paris honors Peshmerga with city landmarks
Shafaq News/ Paris will name a street and a park in honor of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw announced on Friday. The decision followed Khoshnaw's meeting with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo during his visit to the French capital for Nowruz celebrations. According to Erbil local government, Khoshnaw conveyed Prime Minister Masrour Barzani's gratitude for France's ongoing support to the Kurdish people, particularly during periods of conflict. The two officials discussed strengthening cooperation between Erbil and Paris, focusing on urban planning, governance, and the implementation of a memorandum of understanding to formalize joint projects. Talks also covered the restoration of the Erbil Citadel and the creation of a 'Maison de Paris' (House of Paris) in the city. Khoshnaw confirmed Erbil's willingness to host the Francophone Governors and Mayors Summit in 2026, following this year's edition in Vietnam.
