Latest news with #Peshmerga
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq launches security operation after drone attacks
Also in Iraq UK condemns drone attacks in Kurdistan Region Iraq launches probe into Wasit mall fire that killed 63 Iraq holds nationwide mourning after mall blaze kills 61 At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi security forces on Friday announced an operation in western Nineveh and Salahaddin provinces to track down those responsible for a spate of drone attacks on oil, military, and civilian sites in the Kurdistan Region. 'The recent attacks on oil installations and fields, along with attempts to target military bases and camps, are considered sinful and dangerous acts that undermine all efforts toward Iraq's stability, reconstruction, and development campaigns,' the military's Security Media Cell said in a post on X. 'Security forces have launched a wide-scale search operation' in response to these attacks, it added. The operation spans the Hatra desert, targeting warehouses, valleys, and caves. 'This operation comes in response to critical intelligence aimed at thwarting intentions and attempts to target security units and vital infrastructure in the country,' it said. In the month of July, there have been at least 18 drone attacks in the Kurdistan Region, including on oil fields, Peshmerga bases, a camp for internally displaced persons, and critical infrastructure like airports. The Iraqi operation is being carried out with the coordination of several forces, including the Joint Operations Command, counter-terrorism, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on the PMF, a charge Baghdad has denied.
Rudaw Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
KRG minister slams Baghdad for failing to uphold constitutional obligations
Also in Kurdistan Explosion reported at Duhok oil field: American firm Two explosive drones intercepted southwest of Erbil President Barzani, US coalition commander talk regional security, Peshmerga reform Kurdish parties push for unity amid financial standoff with Baghdad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region's interior minister on Monday criticized Baghdad for failing to uphold its constitutional obligations, particularly regarding paying the Region's public sector salaries, saying the salary cuts are affecting Kurdish Peshmerga forces who were instrumental in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS). 'The most pressing challenges and difficulties the Kurdistan Region faces are the continued failure of the federal government of Iraq to meet its constitutional obligations toward the Kurdistan Region, particularly in ensuring the salaries of our country's public sector employees,' Rebar Ahmed said in a speech on sidelines of Bastille Day - the French national day celebrations in Erbil. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated in late May when the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the salaries of over 1.2 million public employees. The ministry said the KRG had already received more than its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget and had failed to deliver its agreed share of oil to Baghdad. 'The Peshmerga forces who once protected Baghdad at the beginning of the formation of the Iraqi government after 2003 and helped defeat ISIS on behalf of the international coalition have had their salaries unfairly cut,' Ahmed stressed, further criticizing Baghdad of 'politicizing at the expense' of the Region's citizens. He emphasized that Erbil remains committed to resolving disputes within the framework of the Iraqi constitution and applicable legal mechanisms. Ahmed made his remarks during a Bastille Day ceremony in Erbil, also attended by high-ranking Kurdish officials such as Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, and Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw, along with French Consul General to Erbil Yann Braem. He described France as a steadfast friend and longtime partner rooted in decades of shared struggle, mutual respect, and enduring support. 'When our people faced existential threats and their dictatorship during displacement or in the war against terrorism, France stood with us,' Ahmed said, adding that,' French humanitarian organizations were among the first on the ground, and the French people opened their heartsand homes to Kurdish refugees with compassion and dignity.' Braem highlighted the strong relationship between Erbil and Paris, emphasizing the Kurdistan Region's continued commitment to stability and a peaceful approach in addressing regional challenges. Through recent business forums in Paris and Baghdad, Braem said that France and the Kurdistan Region have 'strengthened our economic relationship.' In late May, officials and business leaders from Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and France gathered in Paris for a major forum aimed at boosting trade and investment ties. 'We would not have been able to achieve them without the active commitment of all our Kurdish partners - the institutions and the government of the Region, of course, but also the Kurdish companies, the associations, whose determination to strengthen our ties I want to salute today,' he said. The diplomat called for dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve outstanding disputes. He said that France supports 'Kurdish unity, along with our shared conviction that dialogue is the best means to resolve disputes, particularly with Baghdad.' On Monday, top delegations from the Kurdistan Region's ruling parties – the KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) – met in Erbil to solidify a united stance on key issues, including the long-running dispute with Baghdad over public sector salaries and financial entitlements. On Saturday, the KDP issued a warning and said it is giving Baghdad a 'final chance' to resolve the ongoing budget dispute.
Rudaw Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Explosion reported at Duhok oil field: American firm
Also in Kurdistan Two explosive drones intercepted southwest of Erbil President Barzani, US coalition commander talk regional security, Peshmerga reform Kurdish parties push for unity amid financial standoff with Baghdad KDP, PUK top-level delegations meet to discuss new cabinet, Baghdad disputes A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An explosion took place early Tuesday at an oil field in the Kurdistan Region's Duhok province, causing no casualties, its operating US-based company said, with field staff reporting a drone strike. 'An explosion occurred earlier today at approximately 7:00 AM local time at one of its production facilities in the Sarsang field,' HKN Energy, the field's majority shareholder, said in a statement. No injuries were reported, according to HKN, but 'the facility remains on fire, and emergency response teams are actively working to contain the situation.' Prior to the statement, staff at the oil field told Rudaw that the facility was targeted by a drone strike, amid a spate of attacks against the Kurdistan Region. An investigation into the incident has been launched, according to the statement, and 'operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured and a full evaluation is completed.' On Monday, two explosive-laden drones targeted the Khurmala oil field, southwest of Erbil, after another explosive-laden drone was intercepted near Erbil International Airport. The drone attacks particularly intensified during and following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran that began on June 13 and ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. No party has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry has accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) - allegations rejected by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.' HKN Energy holds a 62 percent stake in the Sarsang block and in May signed multibillion-dollar deals with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to develop the Miran Gas Field.
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani, US coalition commander talk regional security, Peshmerga reform
Also in Kurdistan Kurdish parties push for unity amid financial standoff with Baghdad KDP, PUK top-level delegations meet to discuss new cabinet, Baghdad disputes Suicide drone shot down near Erbil airport: Kurdish counterterrorism KDP, PUK leaders to meet over Erbil-Baghdad tensions, KRG cabinet formation A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met on Monday with Major General Kevin Leahy, commander of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS), to discuss political and security developments in Iraq and the Region, as well as Peshmerga reforms and the need for continued coordination among Iraqi, Kurdish, and Coalition forces. The discussions, which included the Region's Peshmerga minister and chief of staff, and the US consul general, saw President Barzani express his 'appreciation for the contributions of the international coalition in supporting Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in their battle against terrorism,' according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency. He further 'commended General Leahy for his efforts and support in the reform process and the unification of the Peshmerga.' The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has been working to unify its military forces under the Peshmerga Ministry. This effort involves integrating the powerful Unit 70 and Unit 80 - affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), respectively - into a single chain of command. Together, these units make up the majority of the Peshmerga forces, totaling over 100,000 troops. The initiative has received steady support from international allies, especially the United States and the US-led Global Coalition against ISIS. In early July, Babakir Zebari, an advisor to the Region's presidency and former chief of staff of Iraq's Army, told Rudaw that the long-anticipated unification of the Peshmerga forces is in its final phase and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. 'We are working on force unification and brigade formation,' Zebari said. 'So far, ten brigades have been formed. We are now on the final one, and the process will be completed this year. All forces will be unified,' he emphasized. The sides discussed 'the political and security dynamics in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as Erbil-Baghdad relations. Discussions also covered progress on Peshmerga reform and unification efforts, and the ongoing threat of terrorism and ISIS activity in Iraq and Syria,' the statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency said on Monday. President Barzani and Major General Leahy also discussed the ongoing threat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria and emphasized 'the need for continued coordination and cooperation among the Iraqi army, the Peshmerga, and international coalition forces.' The meeting also touched on 'the situation in Syria, focusing on the Kurds and local communities, recent developments in the region, and their implications for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,' the statement concluded, highlighting 'the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.'
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Kurdistan and US affirm: ISIS active threat
Shafaq News – Erbil Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met, on Monday, with Major General Kevin Leahy, commander of Global Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, to review Iraq's political landscape. According to the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the meeting—held in Erbil and joined by the Kurdish Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, the Peshmerga Chief of Staff, the US Consul General, and Coalition representatives—centered on ongoing security developments and the progress of Peshmerga reforms. Both sides agreed that ISIS remains an active threat in Iraq and Syria, stressing the need for continued coordination among the Iraqi Army, Peshmerga, and Coalition forces to block future attacks. سهرۆك نێچيرڤان بارزانى ستايشى هاوپهيمانيى نێودهوڵهتى دهكات — Kurdistan Region Presidency (@KurdistanRegion) July 14, 2025 Barzani expressed gratitude for the Coalition's support and praised General Leahy's role in driving forward the Peshmerga restructuring process, wishing him success in his ongoing mission. The meeting also addressed the situation in Syria, including the status of Kurdish communities and broader regional security implications for both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
