Latest news with #Sulaimani
Rudaw Net
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
KRG deputy PM calls on Turkey to lift Sulaimani flight ban
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani on Thursday renewed his call on Turkey to lift its flight ban on Sulaimani during a meeting with Ankara's ambassador to Iraq. Anil Bora Inan on Thursday held a series of meetings with Kurdistan Region's officials and politicians, including Talabani. The Kurdish deputy prime minister said in a statement on Facebook that that during his meeting with the Turkish diplomat he "requested that the Turkish government open its airspace to flights from Sulaimani International Airport." Turkey on July 7 extended its flight ban on Sulaimani International Airport for the fifth time. The decision has prohibited flights in and out of Sulaimani from Turkey's airspace since an initial three-month ban was imposed on April 3, 2023. When first imposing the ban, Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson said it was in response to an alleged 'intensification' of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) activity in Sulaimani province. Sulaimani authorities and an Iraqi security team, which visited the airport, have denied the claims. KRG officials, especially Talabani, has repeatedly called for the ban to be lifted. Sulaimani on Friday witnessed the historic disarmament of a first group of PKK fighters as part of the ongoing efforts to establish peace between Ankara and the PKK. "Regarding the peace process in Turkey, we considered the PKK's disarmament process a historic step and emphasized the Kurdistan Regional Government's readiness to provide any form of assistance to ensure the success of the process," Talabani said. Inan also visited Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Erbil. The two discussed a range of topics, including "the importance of intensifying efforts to ensure the success of the peace process in Turkey," according to a KRG statement.
Iraq Business
09-06-2025
- General
- Iraq Business
Spotlight on the Artful Mind Project
Spotlight on the Artful Mind Project This summer, 25 orphaned and vulnerable girls from Iraq are set to begin Artful Mind-an eight-week program at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS). The program, run in partnership with EPIC (Enabling Peace in Iraq Center) and AUIS, offers English lessons, art therapy, yoga, and life-skills workshops that help these girls heal, learn, and dream. But this summer of hope hangs by a thread. We are launching a bold challenge to raise $20,000 in 20 days to keep this vital program running. Every dollar raised will provide safe transport, healthy meals, art supplies, and a nurturing space where girls like Leila-who dreams of playing soccer for Barcelona-and Rojin-who studies by flashlight to become a doctor-can pursue their dreams. This is about more than dollars-it's about giving these girls a chance to thrive beyond their circumstances. Donate now to support Artful Mind: (Source: Iraqi Children Fund - ICF)
Rudaw Net
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Sulaimani cousins missing three years after attempted asylum journey
Also in Kurdistan Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region Low water levels halt power production at Dukan Dam Kurds are 'our brothers in arms': French consul general Kurdish opposition parties plan united front for federal election A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Sulaimani family has been searching for cousins Aram Idris and Mardin Jalal for the past three years after they went missing along the Greece-Turkey border while attempting to seek asylum. The cousins, both 26, disappeared without a trace over three years ago, and their families are desperately seeking information about their fate. 'I am always thinking about him and miss him. I wish they would bring him back to me now. I wish someone would bring him back to us as a surprise by bringing him into the room,' Najiba Abdulrahman, Idris's mother, told Rudaw. Uncertainty has left the families devastated, and they are appealing to authorities and the public for help in determining the whereabouts of their sons. Idris's mother said they recently heard claims that the Turkish police handed the pair over to forces in Afrin, explaining that some people informed them that 'they have been returned to some part of Syria, for a year now, and they have been handed over to some place around Afrin in Syria' But she regretted the complete lack of confirmed information about the two. Mardin's father told Rudaw that the family has remained very worried since his disappearance. 'Until this moment, there is no trace, there is no news,' Jalal Sharif said. 'We are very anxious and worried. I mean, I don't know if my son is alive or dead.' 'I also appeal to the concerned parties, I appeal to the government and the head of government and the relevant parties who have connection with this migration and these migrants,' Sharif added. 'We would thank the Kurdistan Regional Government if they could help us in this regard. I would greatly appreciate them." Tens of thousands of people from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region take on perilous routes out of the country towards Europe every year in hopes of escaping the endless crises in the country, including the lack of employment, political instability, and corruption.
Rudaw Net
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region
Also in Kurdistan Sulaimani cousins missing three years after attempted asylum journey Low water levels halt power production at Dukan Dam Kurds are 'our brothers in arms': French consul general Kurdish opposition parties plan united front for federal election A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Turkish soldier was killed in the Kurdistan Region on Saturday after stepping on a mine during an operation in northern Duhok province, the defense ministry announced. In a statement, the ministry said that Onder Ozen 'was injured as a result of stepping on a mine/IED during the search and sweep operations' and 'was immediately taken to the hospital, where despite all interventions, he could not be saved.' Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially struggled for an independent Kurdistan but now calls for increased political and cultural rights within Turkey. Ankara and its Western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. The incident occurred amid revived peace negotiations between both sides and the PKK's unilateral ceasefire, aimed at resolving more than four decades of conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives. In late February, Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) relayed a landmark message by jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, in which he called on the PKK to disarm and disband. The PKK responded to Ocalan's message, expressing willingness to uphold his call and declaring a unilateral ceasefire with Turkey, while accusing Ankara of continuing attacks against its members. The group also requested a physical meeting with Ocalan as a precondition for the success of the peace process. As part of its outreach, the DEM Party has been meeting with leaders across the Kurdistan Region to build support for the peace initiative.
Rudaw Net
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Rudaw Net
Bloody clashes erupt between football fans in Sulaimani
Also in Kurdistan President Barzani welcomes new UK ambassador to Iraq, discusses bilateral ties Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day DEM Party urges Kurdish support for Turkey-PKK peace process Soran police arrest couple on suspicion of invalid marriage A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Several people were injured after clashes broke out between fans of Sulaimani's Newroz Sports Club and Zakho Sports Club from Duhok, following a match held at Newroz's home stadium in Sulaimani, in the east of the Kurdistan Region, on Tuesday. The two teams were facing off as part of the Iraq Stars League, and with the match nearing its final moments and still goalless, tensions escalated. Fans stormed the pitch, leading to violent confrontations among supporters and even with some players. Footage obtained by Rudaw showed plastic seats being thrown from the stands, and at least one fan appearing to suffer a serious head injury that left him unconscious. Two other bloodied fans were also seen being rushed off the field by medics, who transferred the injured to nearby hospitals. While the exact cause of the clashes remains unclear, an injured Zakho SC fan told Rudaw that his eight-month-old daughter went missing during the chaos, but was found shortly afterward. He claimed the violence erupted after the referee awarded a penalty against one of the players. 'My daughter is eight months old, she went missing in the crowd. My leg is injured, and my whole body is in pain,' he said. Another fan told Rudaw that the clashes erupted after Zakho scored a goal that was believed to be offside. 'The root of the problem was that Zakho SC scored a goal that was offside, and the referee raised his flag. After that, Zakho fans began throwing bottles at the linesman to express their frustration.' In Matchweek 29 of the league, Newroz SC had aimed to break its streak of two consecutive draws and bring joy to its team and fans, especially given the dissatisfaction of the coaching staff. For its part, Zakho SC, having lost its last two matches, entered Tuesday's game under pressure. Frustrated and angry fans were hoping for a much-improved performance from their team after the disappointing results of the previous two matches. This is a developing story.
