Latest news with #KirkukProvincialCouncil
Iraqi News
7 days ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
Romania wants to invest in the agricultural sector in Iraq
The head of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, Muhammed Ibrahim Al-Hafiz, confirmed on Tuesday that Romania has expressed the desire of its companies to invest in the agricultural sector in the governorate, indicating the importance of strengthening academic cooperation between the universities of the two countries. "The Ambassador of Romania in Iraq, Radu Octavian Dobre, visited Kirkuk for the first time, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of the economy, the agricultural sector, and investment," Al-Hafiz told the Iraqi News Agency - INA. He noted that "this visit came to open the horizons of cooperation in various sectors that would serve citizens in the province and consolidate bilateral relations in a manner consistent with the directives of the federal government in supporting the Iraqi economy with several Areas, including investment. " The Romanian ambassador expressed "the desire of the Romanian companies to develop the agricultural sector in Kirkuk, as it is one of the important agricultural areas in Iraq," noting that "Romania has achieved a major development in the agricultural field and it is possible to benefit from Roman experiences and support the Iraqi agricultural sector." "The participation of Roman companies in the field of investment is important in a manner that suits the nature of the province in several important economic areas," he added, noting that "we discussed enhancing economic and trade cooperation between Iraq and Romania, and the importance of developing bilateral relations to serve the province of Kirkuk, as well as enhancing academic cooperation between Iraqi and Roman universities and benefiting in developing youth scientific energies." He stated that "the ambassador praised the urban development in the province and the work achieved in recent years."
Shafaq News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Two Arab members quit Kirkuk ruling coalition
Shafaq News/ Two Arab members of the Kirkuk Provincial Council pulled out of the ruling coalition on Wednesday, accusing their partners of breaking key terms of the power-sharing deal. Council members Raad al-Saleh and Dhaher Anwar al-Aasi announced their withdrawal at a press conference, citing what they called 'repeated breaches' of the agreement that underpinned the current administration. One major grievance, al-Saleh stressed, is the 'failure' to address the status of Arab detainees allegedly held in Kurdistan Region prisons—a file they claim has been neglected despite earlier promises. 'This ongoing disregard erodes trust and undermines the foundation of our political partnership.' The two officials also clarified they will retain their council seats and shift to an oversight role, insisting the move is unrelated to the upcoming elections.
Shafaq News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Decades later, still not ready: Officials inspect Kirkuk's unfinished stadium
Shafaq News/ Iraqi officials conducted an on-site review of Kirkuk Olympic Stadium this week, as the long-running project remains unfinished despite multiple budget increases and oversight by four federal governments, according to Kirkuk Provincial Council Chair Mohammed Ibrahim al-Hafiz. Originally built in 1982 with a capacity of 25,000, the stadium underwent reconstruction beginning in 2011 to meet international standards. It was used as a shelter for displaced families after 2003 and has since faced repeated setbacks due to administrative inefficiencies and funding shortfalls. 'This stadium has been sidelined by successive governments,' al-Hafiz told Shafaq News. 'We are working directly with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to resolve the remaining issues.' The project's budget was raised from 33.5 billion to 38.8 billion Iraqi dinars ($29.65 million) two years ago, according to Kirkuk Youth and Sports Director Uday Awad. 'Construction is 84% complete, with final technical and finishing tasks still pending.' Speaking to Shafaq News, Kirkuk Olympic Committee President Harbi Khalid criticized the protracted delays, highlighting that the project has spanned the terms of four youth and sports ministers. 'Athletes across the province are still waiting for a facility that should have been completed years ago.'
Rudaw Net
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi defense ministry sues Kirkuk Kurdish farmer over insult allegation
Also in Iraq Halabja becomes Iraq's 19th province Turkmen MP urges end to Baghdad-Erbil trade restrictions, warns of empty markets Iraq apprehends two escaped prisoners Kirkuk Provincial Council has not sat for 3 months A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's defense ministry has filed a lawsuit against a Kurdish farmer in Kirkuk, who went viral for being pulled off his tractor, for allegedly insulting the Iraqi army, his lawyer said on Monday. Farmer Mohammed Amin, who is also the head of the farmers' defense committee in Kirkuk's northwestern Sargaran district, was forcefully pulled from his tractor by his scarf during a confrontation with the Iraqi army in mid-February. He was detained and later released on bail. 'The Iraqi defense ministry has officially filed a complaint against Mohammed Amin, claiming that he threw stones at soldiers and insulted the army,' his lawyer, Bashdar Hassan, told Rudaw. 'What is being claimed has no factual or legal basis,' Hassan added. In February, tensions escalated in Sargaran when Iraqi security forces barred Kurdish farmers from accessing lands previously confiscated under the Baath regime. Footage filmed by Rudaw showed Iraqi army and anti-riot forces clashing with residents of Shanagha village as they attempted to enter their farmland. In one scene, a security officer is seen trying to forcibly remove Amin from his tractor, pulling him by the scarf. The farmer has given his statement at the local court and police station and is now awaiting the judge's decision on whether he will be released or remain in detention, according to Hassan. The soldier who pulled Amin by his scarf also filed a complaint against him. Hassan said that the defense ministry has submitted a separate complaint in addition to the soldier's. Following the incident, Amin filed a complaint against the soldier, who was detained for several days before being released. The crackdown on farmers drew sharp reactions from officials in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to task a special committee with probing the incident. The Kurdistan Region Presidency at the time slammed the Iraqi forces' crackdown on Kurdish farmers as 'completely rejected and unacceptable.' The Iraqi presidency in mid-February ratified the land restitution law aimed at returning lands confiscated under the Baath regime to their original owners. The law pertains to 300,000 dunams of land belonging to Kurdish and Turkmen owners in Kirkuk and other disputed areas. The Sargaran sub-district includes 42 villages, five of which are at the center of the dispute.
Rudaw Net
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Halabja becomes Iraq's 19th province
Also in Iraq Turkmen MP urges end to Baghdad-Erbil trade restrictions, warns of empty markets Iraq apprehends two escaped prisoners Kirkuk Provincial Council has not sat for 3 months Iraq completes seismic surveys at Khanaqin oil field A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Halabja has officially become Iraq's 19th province after the law was published in the Official Gazette of Iraq on Monday. 'From today, the law of organizing Halabja province has entered into implementation. Congratulations to all the people of Kurdistan and Iraq, and especially the sincere citizens and people of Halabja,' Iraqi Justice Minister Khalid Shwani said in a video statement. On Tuesday, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid ratified the law, after the Iraqi parliament in mid-April passed the long-awaited bill in a session attended by 178 of the legislature's 329 members, formally recognizing Halabja as a province. The Iraqi Council of Ministers had in December 2013 approved a proposal to make Halabja the country's 19th province, separating it from Sulaimani province. However, political disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, as well as division among Sunni and Shiite lawmakers, stalled the bill for more than a decade. Halabja holds deep symbolic importance for Kurds and stands as a testament to their resilience. On March 16, 1988, near the end of the eight-year Iran-Iraq War, the forces of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein bombed Halabja with chemical weapons. The gruesome attack claimed the lives of at least 5,000 people - mostly women and children - and injured thousands more. The province today has a population of about 120,000 and it consists of four subdistricts: Khurmal, Biyara, Bamo, and Sirwan. It is also a tourist destination.
