Kurdistan: the Glorious Past and the Exciting Future

[Anthea]

Iraqi Must Respect Kurdistan Rights

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met on Tuesday with a senior US delegation led by Joshua Harris, Chargé d’Affaires of the American Embassy in Baghdad, to discuss the formation of the next federal government following recent parliamentary elections

The talks concluded with an emphasis on the urgent need for a service-oriented administration in Baghdad that respects the constitutional rights of the Kurdistan Region and upholds the federal system.

Both sides stressed that the next government must serve all citizens and components of Iraq without discrimination, ensuring that public service takes precedence over sectarian or partisan interests.

US Consul General in the Kurdistan Region Gwendolyn Green also participated in the meeting, which addressed a broad range of topics including Iraq’s political situation, ongoing negotiations among parliamentary factions, and bilateral relations.

Economic issues, particularly the Kurdistan Region’s financial entitlements and budget allocations, were central to the discussions. The parties also highlighted the importance of uninterrupted Kurdish oil exports via Turkey’s Ceyhan port, a critical source of revenue for the region.

The delegation commended the KRG for the reforms it has undertaken across governmental institutions, noting advancements in financial management and institutional strengthening. Harris reaffirmed US support for efforts to enhance the Region’s administrative capacity and economic stability.

Earlier in the day, the US delegation visited Pirmam to meet with Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Discussions focused on Iraq’s post-election political phase, with Harris praising the successful execution of the elections and Barzani’s role in ensuring a fair democratic process.

The president underlined that the legitimacy and stability of the next federal government depend on strict adherence to constitutional and legal principles, and that the cabinet must reflect the will of all Iraqis.

The meetings also examined the internal political dialogue within the Kurdistan Region. Barzani confirmed that discussions among all Kurdistani parties are ongoing to form the next KRG cabinet.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening US–Kurdistan relations and maintaining close coordination with Baghdad, emphasizing governance that delivers public services, respects constitutional rights, and strengthens Iraq’s federal system.

The KRG has long sought a federal government in Baghdad that guarantees budget transfers and financial entitlements while maintaining the Region’s autonomy. Iraq’s post-election landscape remains fluid, with negotiations among major blocs critical to forming a cabinet that balances sectarian, regional, and political interests.

The US has historically played a supportive role in fostering stability in Iraq and promoting effective cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/900046

[Anthea]

Netherlands Backs Peshmerga Unification

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met on Tuesday in Erbil with Dutch Ambassador to Iraq Janet Alberda, joined by Dutch Consul General Adrian Eiselstein, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations with the Netherlands and advancing ongoing reform efforts in the region

According to a statement from the Kurdistan Government (KRG), a key focus of the meeting was the Netherlands’ continued support for the unification of the Peshmerga forces and implementation of major reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.

Ambassador Alberda emphasised her country’s firm commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Kurdistan Region, pointing to a delegation of Dutch businessmen and entrepreneurs currently visiting Erbil to explore investment and partnership opportunities. The meeting also touched on wider cooperation across economic, security and human-rights sectors, reaffirming the shared goals of both sides.

In particular, the talks addressed the Netherlands’ role as an active partner in the reform of the Peshmerga forces: the Dutch government has provided military advisers, logistic support and technical assistance in the process of unifying previously partisan units under a single command structure.

One Dutch military advisor stated that “reform in [the] security sector is difficult, challenging … it takes time” while stressing that merging the forces could “really contribute to the stability of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as a whole.”

The Peshmerga reform agenda is rooted in efforts to consolidate the forces of the two main Kurdish parties, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which historically fielded separate commands (often called “Unit 80” and “Unit 70”) operating outside direct control of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. The Netherlands has been part of a multilateral advisory group tasked with supporting reform, professionalisation and unification.

The meeting further marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Both sides highlighted the necessity to advance women’s rights in the region and to strengthen efforts to combat all forms of violence and discrimination against women. The gender dimension is also aligned with wider Dutch-Kurdish cooperation, which has encompassed human-rights and governance projects beyond strictly military or economic ties.

On economic matters, Ambassador Alberda pointed to the visiting Dutch business delegation as an indication of growing interest in the Kurdistan Region’s potential, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy and services. The Netherlands has had a consulate general in Erbil since 2012 but the Kurdistan Region lacks formal representation in the Netherlands.

Separately on Tuesday, Prime Minister Barzani also welcomed Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Suleiman al-Shihi, the newly appointed Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during an official meeting in Erbil. PM Barzani congratulated al-Shihi on assuming his post and reaffirmed the KRG’s full support for his diplomatic mission, noting the deep and long-standing relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the UAE.

For his part, al-Shihi expressed his pleasure at beginning his duties and conveyed greetings from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He also emphasised the UAE’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding engagement with the Kurdistan Region.

The UAE is one of the Kurdistan Region’s largest trading partners. Currently more than 120 Emirati companies operate in the region, including 15 large ones, with total direct investment exceeding US$3.3 billion plus an additional US$420 million in joint ventures. These investments have generated more than 150,000 jobs in the past four years. The UAE established its consulate in Erbil in 2012, making it an early Gulf-state investor and diplomatic partner in the Region.

The dual meetings in Erbil highlight the KRG’s strategy of deepening security reform and broadening economic partnerships simultaneously. With the Netherlands focused on Peshmerga reforms and human-rights issues, and the UAE emphasising trade and investment, the Kurdistan Region is positioning itself as a hub for both international security cooperation and economic growth. The success of unifying the Peshmerga and implementing ministerial reforms remains a key test of stability and international confidence in the region’s long-term trajectory.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/900029

[Anthea]

KDP, PUK to Hold High-Level
Talks on Government Formation

Senior officials from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are set to hold a high-level meeting on Monday aimed at advancing negotiations to form the next Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet

Arrest Bafel Talabani before he completely destroys Kurdistan

Hiwa Gailani, a member of the PUK Central Committee, confirmed to Kurdistan 24 that the meeting will take place on December 1, 2025. He noted that the KDP plans similar visits to other political parties in the coming days as part of a broader effort to build consensus.

Speaking about the agenda with the PUK, Gailani said the KDP delegation intends to stress two messages: reorganizing the “fragmented Kurdish house” and presenting a unified position with victorious Kurdish blocs in negotiations over Iraq’s incoming federal government.

He said the KDP has previously shown flexibility in talks, but progress stalled due to the PUK’s lack of engagement. “This time, efforts will focus on ensuring the new cabinet is formed without further delay,” Gailani added.

The last high-level meeting between the two sides took place on September 30 in Pirmam under the supervision of President Masoud Barzani. During that round, the PUK submitted a dossier outlining its conditions for participation in the new cabinet, though both parties refrained from issuing a joint statement.

The Kurdistan Region has faced months of political stagnation following the most recent parliamentary elections, with sharp disagreements between the KDP and PUK over power-sharing arrangements, administrative authority, and security control in key areas.

Historically, the two dominant Kurdish parties have formed coalition governments, but recent years have seen heightened tensions — particularly regarding governance in Sulaimanyah, the distribution of ministries, and relations with Baghdad.

Their ability to reach a workable agreement is seen as critical not only for domestic governance but also for Kurdish representation in federal-level negotiations, especially as Iraq moves to form a new cabinet following nationwide elections with increased voter participation.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/900475

[Anthea]

Barzani Highlights Influence
of Global Kurdish Community

Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), reaffirmed the importance of Kurdish communities abroad in promoting the Kurdish cause during a meeting on Monday with the head of international relations for the Kurdistan Diaspora Confederation in Pirmam

Barzani received Rahim Rashid on Monday where both sides discussed the political and societal role of the diaspora and its contribution to national aspirations. He emphasized that Kurdish communities living around the world are a vital voice for the rights and identity of the Kurdish people.

Barzani praised the work of the Confederation and reiterated his personal support for the organization’s efforts, calling its mission “a national and patriotic project for all Kurds.” He stressed the need for continued engagement abroad to help advance the “just cause” of the Kurdish nation.

The meeting highlighted the role of the diaspora in lobbying international institutions, strengthening diplomatic outreach, and building global solidarity on humanitarian and political issues affecting Kurds. Kurdish communities in Europe and North America have increasingly taken part in advocacy campaigns, cultural promotion, and coordination with civil society organizations.

The Kurdistan Region’s leadership has long encouraged diaspora engagement as a strategic asset, acknowledging that millions of Kurds living outside the homeland can elevate Kurdish visibility internationally. Support from Kurdish professionals, students, and activists abroad has played a key role in sharing the region’s perspectives with global audiences.

As regional dynamics evolve, Kurdish officials believe diaspora organizations will continue to contribute to political awareness, economic links, and cultural preservation, helping ensure that the Kurdish voice remains present on the world stage.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/900576

[Anthea]

Kurdistan may reject Iraq census results

Kurdistan will reject the results of Iraq's nationwide census if certain demands are not met by the federal government over the disputed areas, a senior official from the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) planning ministry warned on Tuesday

Iraq held its latest population census last year

If KRG’s demands are not met “and the results are manipulated according to the information we previously received, then our stance will be to reject it and demand that the census be repeated in order to rectify the mistakes that occurred," Sirwan Mohammed, Kurdish deputy minister of planning, warned in an interview with Rudaw on Tuesday.

"This census itself started somewhat vaguely right from the beginning," Mohammed claimed, adding that they had asked Baghdad ahead of the census that two main points "must be handled with great sensitivity; the mechanism of implementing the census in the Kurdistani areas [areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad] and retrieving the census data at the very moment the census was being conducted in the field, since it was electronic."

Iraq conducted its nationwide census in November 2024, the country’s first since 1987. The initial results of the census were announced in February and the final results were released last Wednesday, confirming that the total population reached 46,118,793.

Mohammed accused the ministry of releasing the results unilaterally, saying, "The announcement itself was made without coordinating with the Kurdistan Region. According to all previous agreements, we should have made that announcement together."

Census results show that out of the total population of the country, 6,519,129 people live in the Kurdistan Region’s four provinces - Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok and Halabja - while 3,949,983 reside in the disputed areas, which include multi-ethnic Kirkuk province.

The disputed areas, which also include parts of Nineveh, Diyala and Salahaddin provinces, were affected by Saddam Hussein’s Arabization policies. Following the fall of the Baath regime in 2003, Iraq launched a de-Arabization process under Article 140 of the Constitution to reverse the demographic changes, but its incomplete implementation has made the fate of these areas uncertain.

Referring to these areas, Mohammed said the KRG "spends money on them, implements projects there, provides services... We need to count them within the framework of the Kurdistan Region's population for planning and development affairs, not for political affairs," adding that Baghdad has yet to accept this.

Ahead of the census, Iraq's Council of Ministers approved requests from the KRG to conduct the census based on residents' place of origin, using the 1957 census for reference in the disputed areas that were aimed at addressing long-standing demographic concerns.

Following the announcement of the results, KRG Planning Minister Dara Rashid on Thursday said in a press conference that the announcement of the results by the federal planning minister is “in violation of the decisions of the Council of Ministers and in violation of the political and governmental agreement between Erbil and Baghdad.”

Rashid added that the Iraqi Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim “failed to maintain his neutrality," adding that the results should not have been announced "until the results were compared against the agreements and statements."

"Unfortunately, the Ministry of Planning did not adhere to the decisions of the federal Council of Ministers," Rashid noted, calling call on the relevant parties "to investigate how a minister can violate a decision of the Council of Ministers... and can cast doubt on this census, similar to other censuses, [indicating] that it was a political census."

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/021220252