Latest news with #Peshmerga
Shafaq News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Leader Barzani marks 49th anniversary of Gulan Revolution: A legacy of Kurdish resilience
Shafaq News/ On Monday, Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani marked the 49th anniversary of the Gulan Revolution, praising the resilience and sacrifices of the Kurdish people and Peshmerga fighters in pursuit of freedom and dignity. In a statement, Barzani described Gulan as 'one of the most significant chapters in Kurdistan's resistance,' and a natural extension of the Great September Revolution. Despite the unfavorable conditions and the forced displacement of thousands, he noted, the Gulan uprising was launched through a calculated and determined organizational and military strategy. Barzani paid tribute to the fallen fighters and honored the courage of those who took up arms or endured hardship rather than surrender. 'This uprising proved to the world that the will to fight for freedom in Kurdistan is unbreakable and ever-burning.' The Gulan Revolution began in 1976 after the collapse of the 1975 Algiers Agreement, when the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) reorganized its resistance against the Baathist regime. Drawing on shifting dynamics in the Middle East, the movement reignited hope among Kurds for justice and self-rule.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - In the Middle East, Kurdistan offers a hopeful model of religious freedom
A rare moment of hope and unity unfolded this April in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region. It was the first Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast where Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and members of other faith traditions from around the world gathered around a basic premise of respect, openness and the idea that religious freedom is worth protecting. In the heart of a region where religious persecution often dominates headlines, this event marked something exceptional, even spectacular. It was the most encouraging event we have been to in the region. The Kurdish regional government is setting a rare example in the Middle East. While many of its neighbors double down on sectarianism or suppress dissenting beliefs, the Kurdish government has taken a different route — embracing different faith communities and making religious freedom a strategic priority. Importantly, the Prayer Breakfast wasn't a public relations stunt. Instead, it reflects a deep cultural value stretching back many years. The Kurds, an overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim group, have long offered refuge to religious minorities. That history gained global attention during the rise of the Islamic State. As ISIS targeted Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims for extermination, Kurdistan opened its borders and its communities. That protection wasn't passive. It was intentional, principled, and costly. Kurdish Peshmerga forces stood between ISIS and vulnerable communities, defending not only territory but also a tradition of respect for other faiths. The Kurds welcomed hundreds of thousands of displaced people, sharing their limited resources to make room for those whose lives were at risk simply because of how they prayed. Yazidis escaping the horror of Sinjar, Christians fleeing the Nineveh Plains, and Shi'a Muslims caught in the crossfire all found Kurdistan to be a rare sanctuary in the storm. Today, many of those same survivors are choosing to remain in Kurdistan and others continue to join them every day. In a region marked by fear and instability, they see something precious: relative security, respect and a place to stay and make their home. The Kurdish government has made a deliberate choice to preserve this environment. It deserves credit — and continued support — for doing so. The Kurds stand out as an anomaly in a neighborhood rife with religious intolerance. The federal Iraqi government in Baghdad, while more stable than it was a decade ago, consistently fails to offer meaningful support to religious minority communities or provide them with the civil rights and freedoms necessary for their flourishing. The increasingly repressive government in Turkey has continued to crack down on disfavored religious groups, including Christians and Hizmets. Religious minority communities in Syria, long victims of vicious persecution, are waiting to see what their future holds under a new administration. In Iran, a terrorist regime is continuing its fight to eliminate free religious expression everywhere it can be found. Highlighting the concerning situation in the region, Iraq, Turkey and Syria have each been recommended for inclusion on the Special Watchlist by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Iran has been designated by the U.S. State Department as a Country of Particular Concern every year since 1999. Religious intolerance has not been eradicated from the region and it would be a mistake to assume Kurdistan is immune. The Kurdish regional government must remain vigilant against the threats of religious extremism within its own borders. Dangerous ideologies still lurk. It is essential that Kurdish authorities take firm action to prevent radicalization, particularly among youth. Education must teach respect for religious diversity, and radical clerics promoting hate must be held accountable. As Kurdistan continues to grow and develop, the rights of all religious communities must be safeguarded not only in principle, but in practice. That means ensuring property rights are honored — particularly for Christians and Yazidis returning to ancestral homes. It means instructing security forces to treat all citizens with respect at military checkpoints, regardless of faith or ethnicity. Reports of harassment or intimidation must be swiftly addressed. The Kurdish regional government should also formally recognize and support the evangelical Christian community. This group, while relative newcomers in an ancient region, faces pressure from every direction. The KRG should ensure this group has the same rights and representation as longer-established religious communities. Religious freedom is a universal human right, embedded in our common dignity. For the U.S. and its allies, this is a moment to recognize an ally which consistently works to protect freedom. As global religious persecution rises, there are precious few places where religious freedom is improving. Kurdistan is one. That progress should be reinforced — diplomatically, financially and politically. Washington should increase its engagement with the Kurdish regional government on religious freedom, supporting civil society initiatives, legal reforms and education programs that promote respect for various religions. Western governments should encourage continued Kurdish autonomy and protect the region from destabilizing interference from Baghdad, Tehran, Damascus and Ankara. It's easy to issue statements about the importance of religious freedom. It's harder to build a society where it actually exists. Kurdistan is trying. In one of the world's toughest regions, that effort deserves both praise and reinforcement. The alternative — letting this model of tolerance falter — would be a strategic and moral failure. Samuel Brownback served as ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom from 2018 to 2021 and co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit in 2022. Manus Churchill is International Religious Freedom Summit deputy director. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
In the Middle East, Kurdistan offers a hopeful model of religious freedom
A rare moment of hope and unity unfolded this April in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region. It was the first Kurdistan National Prayer Breakfast where Muslims, Christians, Yazidis and members of other faith traditions from around the world gathered around a basic premise of respect, openness and the idea that religious freedom is worth protecting. In the heart of a region where religious persecution often dominates headlines, this event marked something exceptional, even spectacular. It was the most encouraging event we have been to in the region. The Kurdish regional government is setting a rare example in the Middle East. While many of its neighbors double down on sectarianism or suppress dissenting beliefs, the Kurdish government has taken a different route — embracing different faith communities and making religious freedom a strategic priority. Importantly, the Prayer Breakfast wasn't a public relations stunt. Instead, it reflects a deep cultural value stretching back many years. The Kurds, an overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim group, have long offered refuge to religious minorities. That history gained global attention during the rise of the Islamic State. As ISIS targeted Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims for extermination, Kurdistan opened its borders and its communities. That protection wasn't passive. It was intentional, principled, and costly. Kurdish Peshmerga forces stood between ISIS and vulnerable communities, defending not only territory but also a tradition of respect for other faiths. The Kurds welcomed hundreds of thousands of displaced people, sharing their limited resources to make room for those whose lives were at risk simply because of how they prayed. Yazidis escaping the horror of Sinjar, Christians fleeing the Nineveh Plains, and Shi'a Muslims caught in the crossfire all found Kurdistan to be a rare sanctuary in the storm. Today, many of those same survivors are choosing to remain in Kurdistan and others continue to join them every day. In a region marked by fear and instability, they see something precious: relative security, respect and a place to stay and make their home. The Kurdish government has made a deliberate choice to preserve this environment. It deserves credit — and continued support — for doing so. The Kurds stand out as an anomaly in a neighborhood rife with religious intolerance. The federal Iraqi government in Baghdad, while more stable than it was a decade ago, consistently fails to offer meaningful support to religious minority communities or provide them with the civil rights and freedoms necessary for their flourishing. The increasingly repressive government in Turkey has continued to crack down on disfavored religious groups, including Christians and Hizmets. Religious minority communities in Syria, long victims of vicious persecution, are waiting to see what their future holds under a new administration. In Iran, a terrorist regime is continuing its fight to eliminate free religious expression everywhere it can be found. Highlighting the concerning situation in the region, Iraq, Turkey and Syria have each been recommended for inclusion on the Special Watchlist by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Iran has been designated by the U.S. State Department as a Country of Particular Concern every year since 1999. Religious intolerance has not been eradicated from the region and it would be a mistake to assume Kurdistan is immune. The Kurdish regional government must remain vigilant against the threats of religious extremism within its own borders. Dangerous ideologies still lurk. It is essential that Kurdish authorities take firm action to prevent radicalization, particularly among youth. Education must teach respect for religious diversity, and radical clerics promoting hate must be held accountable. As Kurdistan continues to grow and develop, the rights of all religious communities must be safeguarded not only in principle, but in practice. That means ensuring property rights are honored — particularly for Christians and Yazidis returning to ancestral homes. It means instructing security forces to treat all citizens with respect at military checkpoints, regardless of faith or ethnicity. Reports of harassment or intimidation must be swiftly addressed. The Kurdish regional government should also formally recognize and support the evangelical Christian community. This group, while relative newcomers in an ancient region, faces pressure from every direction. The KRG should ensure this group has the same rights and representation as longer-established religious communities. Religious freedom is a universal human right, embedded in our common dignity. For the U.S. and its allies, this is a moment to recognize an ally which consistently works to protect freedom. As global religious persecution rises, there are precious few places where religious freedom is improving. Kurdistan is one. That progress should be reinforced — diplomatically, financially and politically. Washington should increase its engagement with the Kurdish regional government on religious freedom, supporting civil society initiatives, legal reforms and education programs that promote respect for various religions. Western governments should encourage continued Kurdish autonomy and protect the region from destabilizing interference from Baghdad, Tehran, Damascus and Ankara. It's easy to issue statements about the importance of religious freedom. It's harder to build a society where it actually exists. Kurdistan is trying. In one of the world's toughest regions, that effort deserves both praise and reinforcement. The alternative — letting this model of tolerance falter — would be a strategic and moral failure. Samuel Brownback served as ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom from 2018 to 2021 and co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit in 2022. Manus Churchill is International Religious Freedom Summit deputy director.
Rudaw Net
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq welcomes Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Syria
Also in Iraq Sudani to inaugurate Mosul International Airport next month Syria's Sharaa to skip pan-Arab summit in Baghdad Iraqi army, Peshmerga launch joint anti-ISIS op in disputed areas PKK expected to remain in Shingal despite dissolution: Yazidi commander A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq has welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement to lift sanctions on Syria, expressing hope that the move will contribute to regional stability and ease the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country. In a statement released late Tuesday, Iraq's foreign ministry said it 'welcomes the announcement by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, of his intention to lift the sanctions imposed on the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic.' The ministry voiced optimism that the decision 'will contribute to supporting the path of stability sought by the Syrian people and ending their prolonged suffering caused by the humanitarian and economic crisis.' Trump made the announcement earlier on Tuesday during a speech in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a regional tour that also includes the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. "I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness," Trump declared, signaling a shift in US policy toward Damascus. Earlier that day, a White House official confirmed that Trump is expected to 'say hello' to Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday, during his visit to Saudi Arabia. Speaking on background to reporters, including Rudaw's correspondent, the official stated that 'President [Trump] has agreed to say hello to the Syrian President while in Saudi Arabia tomorrow [Wednesday].' No further details were provided. Iraq also praised Saudi Arabia's diplomatic efforts on Tuesday, stating, 'The intensive diplomatic efforts exerted by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have played a key role in supporting the Syrian people and reaching this initiative.' Baghdad expressed hope that the development would 'mark the beginning of a new phase of international cooperation to end the Syrian crisis, through supporting comprehensive peaceful solutions that preserve Syria's unity and sovereignty and ensure the rights of all components of the Syrian people.' The ministry underscored the importance of Arab solidarity at this 'critical stage,' reaffirming Iraq's commitment to strengthening cooperation among 'brotherly countries' and calling for a unified front to 'combat terrorism in all its forms and prevent its spread.' On December 8, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), then commanded by Sharaa, ousted the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa was appointed interim president in late January. Since taking power, the new leadership in Damascus has repeatedly called on the international community to lift Assad-era sanctions, arguing that they are hindering the country's economic recovery and post-war reconstruction. For its part, the US had issued a six-month sanctions exemption to facilitate humanitarian aid, though Syrian officials have said the move had limited effect. In March, Washington presented Damascus with a list of eight conditions for potential sanctions relief. These included the destruction of any remaining Assad-era chemical weapons and guarantees that no foreign nationals would hold senior positions in the new government. Speaking to Rudaw on Saturday, Syrian Economy Minister Mohammed Nidal al-Shaar notably anticipated stating that the international sanctions issue 'will be resolved in the near future.'
Rudaw Net
13-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Sudani to inaugurate Mosul International Airport next month
Also in Iraq Syria's Sharaa to skip pan-Arab summit in Baghdad Iraqi army, Peshmerga launch joint anti-ISIS op in disputed areas PKK expected to remain in Shingal despite dissolution: Yazidi commander Push for unified Kurdish opposition bloc set back by key group's withdrawal A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani is set to fly from Baghdad to Mosul on June 10 to announce the opening of the Mosul International Airport, marking the 11th anniversary of the Islamic State (ISIS) takeover of the city. Sudani visited the airport on December 22 to oversee its construction and ordered the relevant authorities to open the international airport on June 10 with the aim of 'sending a message of defiance against terrorism.' Mohammed Kakayi, head of the Security Committee of the Nineveh Provincial Council, told Rudaw on Tuesday that Sudani will attend the inauguration of the giant project. 'The opening of this airport will be marked by a flight from Baghdad to Mosul, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani aboard,' said Kakayi. On August 10, 2022, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, then Prime Minister of Iraq, laid the foundation stone for the renovation and preparation of Mosul International Airport, which was decided to be renovated and prepared in the 2021 budget bill and is being implemented by two French and Saudi companies. The budget for this project is 200 billion dinars, half of which comes from Nineveh province's previously blocked funds during the ISIS war, and the other half is provided from the budget of the Food Security and Development Support Act. Construction of Mosul airport began in 1920 and covers an area of 1,600 dunams. Kakayi also said that on the same day a five-star hotel will be opened in Mosul. The infrastructure of Mosul was severely damaged during the ISIS conflict in 2014 and the subsequent years. Although efforts have been made to rebuild the city, its infrastructure still requires years of work and substantial financial investment to fully restore. 'Mosul International Airport is one of the most significant airports in Iraq, following Baghdad and Basra airports. It was systematically destroyed by terrorism, with damage reaching 100%. The project faced numerous technical and administrative challenges, which were overcome through direct support from the Prime Minister,' Sudani's office said in December.
