Latest news with #RebarAhmed
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
KRG launches anti-narcotics drive as drug convictions quadruple in Kurdistan
Shafaq News/ Drug abuse now poses a 'national security threat' on par with terrorism, Kurdish officials warned on Thursday, as the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) rolled out a wide-reaching anti-narcotics campaign. Speaking at the campaign's kickoff event, Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed described rising drug use, especially among youth, as one of the Kurdistan Region's most urgent challenges. 'We're not just confronting terrorism,' he remarked. 'We're battling a drug crisis that's tearing society apart.' Ahmed also linked the surge to organized crime, calling drug trafficking a key revenue stream for criminal groups that undermines enforcement and threatens public health. Meanwhile, Dindar Zebari, the KRG's Coordinator for International Advocacy, reported during a panel that drug-related convictions have quadrupled over five years—from 212 in 2019 to more than 1,280 that same year. 'By the end of 2024, 1,568 people were imprisoned for drug offenses. That number is approaching 1,700 in 2025.'
Shafaq News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq, KRG unite for border security boost
Shafaq News/ The Commander of Iraq's Border Forces, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Abdulwahab Sukkar, met on Tuesday with Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed to discuss enhancing joint security coordination. According to a statement, the two officials discussed ways to expand coordination between the Iraqi Border Forces and the Kurdish Ministry of Interior, with a focus on securing the frontier within the First Border Region and strengthening joint security measures to address cross-border threats and challenges. Both sides underscored the importance of intensifying field cooperation and intelligence sharing to improve readiness and stability in border areas. They also emphasized the need for continued meetings to achieve shared security objectives.
Shafaq News
04-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
KRG, Pakistan aim to boost bilateral relations
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed met with Pakistan's Ambassador to Iraq, Muhammad Zeeshan, discussing bilateral relations and regional cooperation. The meeting explored ways to expand coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Pakistan, with particular focus on improving consular services and strengthening support for the Pakistani community in the Region. In a post on X, Ahmed emphasized the value of closer ties and outlined efforts to develop practical mechanisms to assist Pakistani nationals living in Kurdistan. Welcomed Ambassador Muhammad Zeeshan, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of #Pakistan to #Iraq. Our discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exploring ways to better support the Pakistani community in the #Kurdistan Region. — Rêber Ahmed (@RayberAhmed) May 4, 2025 An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Pakistanis live and work across the Kurdistan Region, primarily in construction, retail, and service sectors, with many based in cities such as Erbil and Duhok.
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Erbil presses Baghdad to act on Sinjar deal
Shafaq News/ The Kurdistan Regional Government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Sinjar Agreement with the federal government, Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed affirmed on Tuesday. During the First International Scientific Conference on Yazidis held at the University of Duhok, Ahmed pointed out that the Sinjar Agreement aims to remove armed groups from the district, restore security, stability, and the rule of law, and provide a framework to facilitate the return of displaced Yazidi families to their homes. 'We hope that the federal government will take full responsibility to ensure the presence of a legitimate local administration,' he said. In 2017, following rising tensions between Baghdad and Erbil after the Kurdistan independence referendum, Iraqi forces and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) took control of the district. Since then, the PKK, which opposes Ankara, has established a loyal faction known as the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS), which continues to operate in the area and receives funding from the Iraqi government as a unit affiliated with the PMF. To address the instability, Baghdad and Erbil reached the Sinjar Agreement on October 9, 2020, aiming to normalize the situation in the district through joint administrative, security, and service arrangements. However, officials in the Kurdistan Region say political obstacles have prevented the agreement's full implementation. Despite the deal, clashes have occasionally erupted between competing forces in the area; the latest occurred on March 18 between Iraqi army forces and fighters from YBS, resulting in the arrest of five YBS members.
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan's Interior Minister: Iran border threat eliminated
Shafaq News/ Iranian Kurdish opposition groups no longer pose a military or security threat along the shared border, Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed stated on Wednesday. Ahmed confirmed to reporters that the joint high committee established by Iran, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region had completed its mandate, emphasizing that bilateral relations have now reached a 'constructive and advanced stage.' Addressing concerns over Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, he noted that 'appropriate measures' had been taken and 'these forces no longer represent a security or military threat along the shared border.' In September 2023, the joint high committee overseeing the implementation of the Iraq-Iran security agreement announced the complete evacuation of camps and headquarters belonging to Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in the Kurdistan Region, in preparation for reclassifying them as refugees. The disarmament deadline under the Iraq-Iran security pact expired on September 19, 2023. Iranian officials had earlier threatened military action against the groups if Baghdad failed to implement the terms. About Kurdish Iranian Opposition The Iranian Kurdish opposition comprises various political and armed movements advocating for Kurdish rights, many of which have been based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Below is a summary of the key groups: • Kurdi stan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI): Founded in 1945, led by Mustafa Hijri • Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan: Founded in 1969, led by Abdullah Mohtadi • Khabat (Or ganization of Iranian Kurdistan Struggle): Founded in 1980, led by Babashekh Hosseini • Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK): Founded in 1991, led by Hussein Yazdanpanah • Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK): Founded in 2004, led by Siamand Moeini and Zilan Vejin Iran has also launched cross-border strikes targeting their facilities, with operations by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) involving missiles and drones. Tehran has accused these groups of contributing to unrest within its borders. Earlier, the Kurdistan Regional Government stated that it does not permit any group to use its territory to threaten neighboring states.
