Latest news with #Kurdish-directed
Rudaw Net
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi army, Peshmerga launch joint anti-ISIS op in disputed areas
Also in Iraq PKK expected to remain in Shingal despite dissolution: Yazidi commander Push for unified Kurdish opposition bloc set back by key group's withdrawal Kurdish-directed 'Said Effendi' to make historic debut at Cannes Festival More than a decade on, 2,500 Yazidis still missing after ISIS attack A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army launched a joint operation in the Qarachogh mountain area of Makhmour district in Nineveh province on Monday, following signs of Islamic State (ISIS) movement detected by thermal cameras, but found no militants during the search. Makhmour is among areas disputed by Erbil and Baghdad, and ISIS has previously exploited the security vacuum in the town's rugged terrain. 'The army and security forces in the area noticed suspicious nighttime movements through thermal cameras. Therefore, a joint operation was conducted today to follow up and search the area, but no ISIS militants were found, and the operation ended,' Mohammed Jassim Kakai, head of the security and defense committee in the Nineveh Provincial Council, told Rudaw. To bolster security and stability in the region, the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army carried out a joint operation in the foothills of Mount Qarachogh, according to a statement from the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs on Facebook. The search covered the plains and valleys to the south and north of the mountain. 'The aim of these operations is to search for and clear ISIS terrorist hideouts, so that the region's security and calm can be better maintained,' the ministry added. ISIS seized vast territories in Iraq in 2014 but was declared territorially defeated by the Iraqi army in 2017. Despite this, the group continues to threaten security in parts of the country through abductions, hit-and-run attacks, and bombings - especially in the disputed areas. The fight against ISIS marked a key moment of cooperation between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army, which had historically been at odds. In recent years, both sides have formed joint brigades and launched coordinated operations to close security gaps in disputed territories claimed by both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Rudaw Net
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PKK expected to remain in Shingal despite dissolution: Yazidi commander
Also in Iraq Push for unified Kurdish opposition bloc set back by key group's withdrawal Kurdish-directed 'Said Effendi' to make historic debut at Cannes Festival More than a decade on, 2,500 Yazidis still missing after ISIS attack Iraqi university to launch AI programs A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is expected maintain bases in the Yazidi heartland of Shingal (Sinjar) in western Nineveh province, despite announcing its dissolution and the end of its armed struggle against Turkey, according to a Peshmerga commander in Shingal. 'Although the PKK has decided to dissolve itself and disarm, they still remain in their bases and headquarters in Shingal,' Ezidikhan Protection Forces commander Haider Shasho, whose forces are a Yazidi division within the Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga Ministry, told Rudaw on Monday. Earlier in the day, the PKK announced its dissolution and the end of its armed struggle against the Turkish state, marking what it described as a step toward a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict with Ankara. The announcement followed a party congress held from May 5 to 7 to consider the late February call from jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan to disarm, dissolve the group, and pursue a political struggle. In a statement, the congress declared that the PKK had 'completed its historical mission' by 'breaking the policy of denial and annihilation on our people and bringing the Kurdish issue to a point of solving it through democratic politics.' 'I don't believe they will leave their bases so early,' Shasho added. The Shingal Resistance Units (YBS), believed to be affiliated with the PKK, has remained in control of parts of the district since the defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) a decade ago. The numerous armed groups in the area have been identified as one of the sources of continued insecurity that has prevented the return of thousands of Shingal's residents who fled ISIS in 2014. Baghdad and Erbil signed an agreement in 2020 to normalize the situation in Shingal, but the deal has yet to be implemented. Turkey considers the YBS an offshoot of the PKK and has targeted its positions in Shingal numerous times, killing dozens of its members, including top commanders. 'In this period when the political situation is stable, Shingal's security is stable, and there is no bombardment and fighting,' the Yazidi commander revealed. The PKK was founded in 1978 in response to the oppression of the Kurdish population in Turkey. It initially struggled for an independent Kurdistan but now calls for greater political and cultural rights within Turkey. Ankara and its Western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. Sirwan Abbas contributed to this report.
Rudaw Net
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Push for unified Kurdish opposition bloc set back by key group's withdrawal
Also in Iraq Kurdish-directed 'Said Effendi' to make historic debut at Cannes Festival More than a decade on, 2,500 Yazidis still missing after ISIS attack Iraqi university to launch AI programs Iraqi ministry says over 2,200 prisoners released under general amnesty law A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish opposition parties say they held 'positive' meetings in Sulaimani for the second consecutive day on Sunday, as efforts continue to form a unified alliance for Iraq's upcoming federal elections. However, in a surprising turn, the National Stance Movement (Halwest) announced its withdrawal from the talks, accusing some parties of engaging in separate talks with Baghdad. The meetings brought together several opposition parties including: the Shaswar Abdulwahid-led New Generation Movement, Salahadin Bahadin's Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), Ali Bapir's Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), the Ali Hama Saleh's Halwest, and the Lahur Talabany-led People's Front (Baray Gal). In the Kurdistan Region's October legislative elections, the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, won 39 of the 100 parliamentary seats, followed by the Bafel Talabani-led Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 23. Opposition parties saw more modest results: New Generation won 15 seats, KIU seven, Halwest four, Komal three, and Baray Gal two. Sunday's meeting, hosted at Halwest's headquarters in Sulaimani, appeared productive until Halwest leader Ali Hama Saleh abruptly announced the movement's exit from the coalition talks. 'We, the Halwest Movement, formally announce that we will not enter a coalition and list with people…who are not worthy of our trust, and surely the trust of the people of Kurdistan,' Saleh said at a press conference. 'After comprehensive talks… it became apparent that there is no [clear] nationalistic agenda,' Saleh said, adding that 'while some parties were holding talks with us, they were simultaneously engaging in talks with Iraq [Baghdad government] about [their] participation in the [upcoming Iraqi] government.' The announcement contrasted with earlier statements from Halwest officials suggesting progress. Hours before Saleh's remarks, the movement's spokesperson, Bakhtiyar Shawais, stated that 'the meetings are going very well and there is an understanding [in the making].' Senior Halwest member, Rebwar Karim, had also stated, 'We proposed nominating 30 prominent figures from across Kurdistan and the disputed territories,instead of having party candidates [run] in the Iraqi legislative elections.' 'We, as the Halwest movement, are ready to forgo fielding our own candidates,' Karim added, emphasizing the movement's willingness to prioritize coalition unity. "Plans are underway to determine the future actions of this coalition in Iraq, with most parties favouring its continuation after the elections,' he said. In a similar vein, former Kurdistan Region parliament speaker, Yousif Mohammed - who also attended the Sunday meeting - remarked that 'some discussions have been held' and that 'in general, the situation is positive.' On Saturday, the Kurdish opposition parties had also met at the KIU's headquarters in Sulaimani. During the meeting, Halwest presented its 'People's Alliance' project - a proposed roadmap for both the formation and future direction of the coalition. Halwest stressed the importance of establishing a unified front but expressed concern over the coalition's direction after the 2025 federal elections. 'We should not just aim to [benefit from] collecting each other's votes,' Halwest cautioned, expressing support for backing the candidacy of 30 independent and influential figures who would be jointly supported by all of the anticipated alliance's members. Meanwhile, the New Generation Movement - which holds the most seats among the opposition parties - in a Sunday statement on Facebook, asserted its right to lead the anticipated coalition. However, it offered to give up that entitlement to foster unity. 'While most [of the opposition] parties have recognized the New Generation's right to lead, we give up that right to you [opposition parties] in the interest of the coalition's success and as a sign of respect.' New Generation further expressed support for joining Iraq's next federal government, arguing that the 'entire Kurdish share' in Baghdad should not be left solely to the KDP and PUK. However, it stressed that any decision to join the government must be reached by coalition consensus. Since early May, Kurdish opposition parties have been working toward forming a united front ahead of the November 2025 legislative elections, seemingly aiming to challenge the Kurdish ruling parties at the federal level. Shadman Hassan, a member of the Lahur Talabany-led People's Front, Baray Gal, told Rudaw that the alliance seeks to consolidate Kurdish opposition votes and is open to cooperation with any group except the KDP and the PUK. Although the Kurdish opposition parties initially planned to announce the date of their next meeting on Sunday, Halwest's abrupt withdrawal has cast uncertainty over when - or if - the meeting will take place.
