Latest news with #ShakhawanAbdullah
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Erbil Threatens Boycott as Baghdad Freezes Salaries, US Urges Calm
Tensions are high between Erbil and Baghdad after Iraq's Federal Finance Minister, Taif Sami, ordered the suspension of salary payments to employees in the Kurdistan Region starting May 2025. In response, Shakhawan Abdullah, the second deputy speaker of Iraq's parliament, has called on Kurdish representatives to consider withdrawing from Baghdad, a move that could deepen political rifts within the fragile federal system. Abdullah made the remarks following a meeting with leaders of Kurdish blocs in the Iraqi parliament. He described the finance ministry's decision as a 'deliberate violation' designed to starve the Kurdish people. In a statement posted to Facebook, he said: 'After extensive discussion, we unanimously agreed to demand the federal government immediately halt these violations and resume salary disbursements.' He added that a formal letter had been sent to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, urging him to take responsibility and resolve the issue. Abdullah warned that, if no action is taken, the Kurdish political leadership is prepared to implement a boycott 'within one hour.' Meanwhile, Ali Hama Saleh, a senior figure in the Kurdistan-based National Stance Movement, called for a high-level delegation led by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister to visit Baghdad after Eid al-Adha. He urged both sides to seek a long-term resolution to the budget dispute and reopen negotiations over oil exports through the Türkiye pipeline. Speaking in a televised interview, Saleh emphasized that the federal budget is calculated annually, and a legal and financial resolution for Kurdistan's 2025 share is still possible. He called for calm and constructive dialogue, warning against inflammatory rhetoric and urging the KRG to ease some of its conditions on resuming oil exports, considering Iraq's economic strain and projected declines in global oil prices. The finance ministry justified its decision by claiming the Kurdistan Region exceeded its allocated 12.67% budget share. According to ministry data, the region generated 19.9 trillion Iraqi dinars in oil and non-oil revenues since 2023 but transferred only 598.5 billion dinars to Baghdad. This shortfall, the ministry argued, breaches budget agreements. Kurdish leaders, however, view the move as punitive and ill-timed especially with the Eid holiday approaching. KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani accused Baghdad of continuing a 'policy of starvation and extermination' against the Kurdish population. Vian Sabri, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party's bloc in parliament, said Kurdish parties will submit an official protest to the prime minister. She also demanded full disclosure of the federal government's spending, stating that only one financial report has been shared this year. As tensions escalate, the US has reportedly stepped in, urging both sides to resolve the crisis. A senior US State Department official, speaking anonymously, told local media that quickly resolving the salary issue would demonstrate Iraq's commitment to its citizens and create a more stable investment climate. The official also suggested that progress could help reopen the suspended Iraq–Türkiye oil pipeline, a vital export route that has remained closed amid ongoing disputes.
Rudaw Net
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi parliament postpones voting on bill seeking elevation of Halabja to province
Also in Iraq IHEC bars polling location changes in disputed territories ahead of Iraqi elections Iraq arrests seven suspected ISIS members in three provinces Iraq advances PMF law amid US calls for greater control over the force Iraqi parliament to vote on Halabja's long-awaited provincial status A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi parliament on Wednesday postponed voting on the elevation of Halabja in the Kurdistan Region to provincial status until after Eid al-Fitr, which takes place next week. Despite unified efforts by Kurdish lawmakers in Baghdad, the Iraqi parliament once again failed to convene and vote on elevating Halabja's status to that of a province - an ongoing struggle that the Kurdish government and politicians have fought for many years. The parliament's official agenda, released on Monday, listed the first item as a vote on the bill seeking to elevate the Kurdish city to provincial status. However, the meeting was postponed to Wednesday, when disputes between Shiite lawmakers, as well as conflicts with Sunni lawmakers, once again blocked the process. Kurdish lawmakers have threatened to boycott upcoming legislative sessions if the bill is not voted on separately. 'No other projects should accompany Halabja issue," Shakhawan Abdullah, deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament, told reporters, adding that in the upcoming meetings they will try to separate the Halabja issue from others so that the bill is not affected by tensions between Sunni and Shiite lawmakers over a contentious draft law related to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Abdullah, a Kurd, commended the unity of Kurds in Baghdad. "The Halabja issue is a matter that concerns all Kurdistani factions, and all parties have worked toward it. We appreciate the efforts of all parties. We have brought it to a very good stage. As the [parliament] presidency, we have added it to the agenda," he said. Soran Omar, head of the Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal) bloc, told Rudaw that "the Kurdish blocs decided that if the Halabja province bill is not voted on tonight, they will not participate in any other parliamentary sessions unless voting on this bill is included." He added that "Sunni parliamentarians are not willing to participate in the session under the pretext that the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) bill has been added to the agenda, and some Shiite parliamentarians do not want another province to be added to Iraq." Nuxsha Nasih, Halabja acting governor, commended the unity of Kurds in Baghdad and called on Iraqi politicians not to politicize the issue. "This is a humanitarian and moral issue, not a political one," she added. In December 2013, the Iraqi Council of Ministers approved a bill to make Halabja the country's 19th province. However, strained relations between Erbil and Baghdad, along with disagreements between Sunni and Shiite blocs in the Iraqi parliament, have delayed the bill's passage. The Kurdistan Region's Council of Ministers issued a decision in 2014 to designate Halabja as a province, making it the Region's fourth. Four years later, the Iraqi interior ministry recognized it as a province. On March 16, 1988, towards the end of the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, the city of Halabja was targeted with chemical weapons by the regime of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 5,000 people, primarily women and children, and injured thousands more. The massacre was part of the toppled Baath regime's Anfal campaign against the Kurds, which killed over 182,000 people. Halabja has a population of about 120,000 and consists of four subdistricts: Khurmal, Biyara, Bamo, and Sirwan. It is also a popular tourist destination.
Rudaw Net
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi parliament to vote on Halabja's long-awaited provincial status
Also in Iraq 150 Lebanese refugee families prepare to return home from Iraq: Baghdad migration ministry Iraq arrests eight suspected ISIS members Iraq recovers over 35,000 relics in effort to restore ISIS-destroyed Nimrud Iraq arrests over 700 foreign workers in Baghdad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The bill to elevate Halabja to provincial status is likely to be passed following its inclusion in the Iraqi parliament's agenda for Tuesday's session, according to Second Deputy Parliament Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah. The parliament's official agenda, released on Monday, lists the first item as 'Voting on the draft law establishing Halabja province.' The session is scheduled to take place at 8:00 pm local time in Baghdad. 'Today I spoke with the other parties in the parliament so that [the bill] is passed in a consensus vote,' Abdullah told reporters on Monday, adding, 'I have spoken with the larger blocs [in the legislature], they do not have an issue [with passing the bill].' 'This is the smallest gesture of loyalty to present Halabja, and it is a symbol that is given to those people,' Abdullah stressed. In December 2013, the Iraqi Council of Ministers approved a bill to make Halabja the country's 19th province. However, strained relations between Erbil and Baghdad, along with disagreements between Sunni and Shiite blocs in the Iraqi parliament, have delayed the bill's passage. The Kurdistan Region's Council of Ministers issued a decision in 2014 to designate Halabja as a province, making it the Region's fourth. Four years later, the Iraqi interior ministry recognized it as a province. On the 37th anniversary of the 1988 Halabja chemical attack on March 16, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, and Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani urged Baghdad to shoulder the responsibility of compensating the victims and elevate Halabja's status to a province. On March 16, 1988, towards the end of the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, the city of Halabja was targeted with chemical weapons by the regime of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 5,000 people, primarily women and children, and injured thousands more. The massacre was part of the toppled Baath regime's Anfal campaign against the Kurds, which killed over 182,000 people. Halabja has a population of about 120,000 and consists of four subdistricts: Khurmal, Biyara, Bamo, and Sirwan. It is also a popular tourist destination.
Shafaq News
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
PM Al-Sudani moves to enforce Property Restitution Law
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, directed the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers to take the necessary steps to implement the Property Restitution Law, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Shakhawan Abdullah, revealed on Sunday. Abdullah said in a statement, 'Al-Sudani signed the recommendations of the special committee tasked with resolving the issue of Kurdish farmers in the Sirkiran subdistrict of Kirkuk. We had submitted a request to the Prime Minister on February 17 regarding farmers' issues and the implementation of the law to annul the decisions of the dissolved Ba'ath Party.' On February 17, several Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk tried to cultivate lands returned to them by a court order, but an army unit blocked their efforts. Kirkuk Governor Rebwar Taha had previously announced that there are about 14 judicial decisions concerning agricultural lands totaling about 1,500 dunams, while no issues exist with approximately 18,000 dunams owned by Kurdish farmers. The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court reaffirmed in 2019 the continued applicability of Article 140, which aims to undo the demographic changes imposed by Saddam Hussein's regime in disputed areas and to hold a census and referendum on whether these territories should join the Kurdistan Region. Although the article was supposed to be fully implemented by 2007, its implementation was delayed due to security and political challenges. The court ruled that the provisions of Article 140 remain in effect until they are fully carried out.
Iraqi News
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Parliament discusses with US State Department official the latest developments in the region
Baghdad - INA Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Shakhawan Abdullah, discussed with an official from the US State Department, today, Thursday, the latest developments in the security, political and economic situations in the region. The media office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi House of Representatives, Shakhawan Abdullah Ahmed, met in Washington with Victoria Taylor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs, and - during the meeting - a number of issues and files were discussed, including bilateral relations based on common interests and the strategic framework agreement between the two countries.". He added, "The two sides reviewed the latest developments in the security, political and economic situations in the region and the means to enhance stability."
