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Shafaq News
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
EU sanctions Syrian factions over Coast massacres
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, the European Union imposed sanctions on three Syrian factions and two of their commanders, citing their involvement in deadly sectarian violence that swept parts of Syria in March. According to the EU's Official Journal, the sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans, targeting what the bloc described as 'arbitrary crimes' and acts of torture committed during attacks in several coastal cities and towns. The sanctioned groups—Sultan Murad, Suleiman Shah, and Hamza Division—were accused of orchestrating and carrying out atrocities. Commanders Mohammad Hussein al-Jassem (Suleiman Shah) and Saif Boullad Abu Bakr (Hamza) were named for 'serious human rights violations.' Earlier, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that over 1,700 people, mostly from the Alawite community, were killed during violence on March 7–8. In a parallel move, the EU also lifted its broader economic sanctions on Syria following a political agreement reached by foreign ministers last week. However, the EU Council said it would maintain restrictions on Assad-linked entities and measures tied to national security while keeping the door open for further targeted actions.
Shafaq News
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
President Barzani, Rubio discuss regional stability
Shafaq News/ Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the importance of sustained coordination and reinforced partnership to maintain peace and stability in Iraq and Syria, in a phone call on Wednesday. The two officials discussed regional developments and emphasized the need to deepen bilateral cooperation, a statement from the Kurdish presidency said. Posting on X, Barzani expressed his appreciation to Secretary Rubio's call, and reaffirmed 'our shared commitment to peace, stability, and the strong partnership between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the United States.' I appreciate tonight's call from Secretary Rubio, during which we discussed developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region. I reaffirmed our shared commitment to peace, stability, and the strong partnership between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the United… — Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) May 28, 2025 Rubio thanked Barzani for his "constructive role" in facilitating dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil, praising his efforts to resolve disputes through diplomacy and mutual understanding. 'The United States' support for the Kurdistan Region remains a core principle of its strategic relationship with Iraq,' Rubio affirmed.
Shafaq News
12 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Mosul kicks off the first ‘Ta'theer' forum for content creators
Shafaq News/ The northern Iraqi city of Mosul launched its inaugural 'Ta'theer' (Impact) Forum for content creators on Wednesday, bringing together a diverse group of local and Arab influencers in a bid to strengthen Iraq's digital media landscape. Held under the theme of innovation and cultural renewal, the three-day forum aims to explore emerging trends in digital content and reassert Mosul's cultural presence after years of instability. 'This is the first forum of its kind in Mosul,' said Ayoob Thanoon, a member of the organizing committee. 'It's about fostering creativity and recognizing content creation as a tool for community building and cultural dialogue.' The forum includes panel discussions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and case studies of successful digital initiatives. Events are being held across three venues: Mosul University Lake, the Ramada Hotel, and the University of Nineveh. Sponsored by the Mosul Heritage Foundation and a private media firm, with support from local radio outlets, the initiative seeks to empower digital creators and amplify narratives that reflect the city's identity and challenges. 'We're aiming for real impact,' Thanoon said. 'This is about opening space for creators to produce content that tells Mosul's story — with authenticity and purpose.'
Roya News
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Russia proposes new Ukraine talks, Kyiv demands terms upfront
Russia said Wednesday it wanted new talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next Monday to present its plan for a peace settlement, but Kyiv said it needed to see the plan in advance for the meeting to yield results. Diplomatic efforts to end the three-year conflict have accelerated in recent months, but Moscow has repeatedly rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire and shown no signs of scaling back its maximalist demands. The two sides previously met in Istanbul on May 16, their first direct talks in over three years. That encounter failed to yield a breakthrough. US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a peace deal, has become increasingly frustrated with Moscow's apparent stalling and warned Wednesday he would determine within "about two weeks" whether Vladimir Putin was serious about ending the fighting. Ukraine said it had already submitted its peace terms to Russia and demanded Moscow do the same. "We are not opposed to further meetings with the Russians and are awaiting their memorandum," Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov, who negotiated for Kyiv at the last talks, said in a post on X. "The Russian side has at least four more days before their departure to provide us with their document for review. Diplomacy must be substantive, and the next meeting must yield results." Moscow's offensive, launched in February 2022, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the destruction of large parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. The Russian army now controls around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. 'Very disappointed' Russia said it would present a "memorandum" outlining its peace terms at the talks next Monday, and that its foreign minister Sergei Lavrov had briefed US counterpart Marco Rubio on the proposal. "Our delegation, led by Vladimir Medinsky, is ready to present a memorandum to the Ukrainian delegation and provide the necessary explanations during a second round of direct talks in Istanbul on Monday, June 2," Lavrov said in a video statement. Medinsky, a Russian political scientist and former culture minister, led Russia's negotiating team during a first round of talks in Istanbul on May 16. The two sides have traded waves of massive aerial attacks in recent weeks, with Ukraine unleashing one of its largest-ever drone barrages on Russia overnight and Moscow pounding Ukraine with deadly strikes over the weekend. Trump told reporters on Wednesday he was "very disappointed" at Russia's deadly bombardment during the negotiating process, but rebuffed calls to impose more sanctions on Moscow. "If I think I'm close to getting a deal, I don't want to screw it up by doing that," he said. The Kremlin earlier rejected a call by Ukrainian President Zelensky for a three-way summit with Trump and Putin. Moscow said any meeting involving Russian President Putin and Zelensky would only happen after "concrete agreements" had been struck between negotiators from each side. In exchange for peace, the Kremlin has demanded Ukraine abandon its ambition of joining NATO as well as cede territory it already controls -- a proposition that Ukraine has called unacceptable. Russia looking for 'reasons' Talks between the two sides in Istanbul earlier this month yielded a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange and the two sides agreed to work on respective peace proposals. But Russia has kept up its deadly strikes on Ukraine in the meantime while rejecting calls for a ceasefire. Zelensky on Wednesday accused Russia of dragging out the peace process and of not wanting to halt its offensive. "They will constantly look for reasons not to end the war," he said at a press conference in Berlin alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Shafaq News
12 minutes ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Public employees in al-Sulaymaniyah protest KRG's ‘My Account' payroll system
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, public employees in al-Sulaymaniyah rejected the Kurdistan Regional Government's 'My Account' (Hisabi) payroll system, calling it 'unconstitutional' and in violation of a Federal Supreme Court ruling. At a press conference, spokesperson Maryam Hussein accused the KRG of forcing workers to enroll in a system that routes salaries through private banks instead of state institutions, arguing, 'Public wages must be managed by the state, not private channels.' Critics argue the system, launched as part of the KRG's financial reform plan, disconnects salary payments from Baghdad's funding—especially in al-Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, and surrounding areas. 'No federal money reaches these accounts,' Hussein added. 'It's a digital barrier hiding the real flow of public funds.' She urged employees across the Region to reject the platform, calling it a legal and institutional breakdown. 'This is about protecting our salaries and preserving government accountability.' 'I appreciate tonight's call from Secretary Rubio, during which we discussed developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region. I reaffirmed our shared commitment to peace, stability, and the strong partnership between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the United States, and conveyed our deep gratitude for America's steadfast support over the years.
