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Kurd Spring fourth consecutive day: Protests rock Iraq’s Kurdistan region

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Protests rock Iraq's Kurdistan

Protests rock Iraq’s Kurdistan

Hundreds of angry protesters have faced off with security forces in Iraq’s northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region, demanding the resignation of politicians accused of graft and corruption.

Violent protests raged for a fourth day in several parts of Iraqi Kurdistan Thursday amid widespread anger over unpaid salaries and corruption.

Police reinforcements deployed Wednesday night including in the center of Iraqi Kurdistan’s second city Sulaymaniyah. Police were also deployed en mass in the town of Ranya, where Kurdish security forces fatally shot five protesters Tuesday.

Around 20 party offices and a town hall have been set ablaze across the troubled region since Monday.

This comes as angry protesters ramped up calls for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to quit.

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has expressed its deep concern about violence and clashes during the demonstrations, urging all sides to show restraint.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has also warned against attacking protesters in the country’s Kurdish region.

Frustration over unpaid salaries to teachers and other civil servants, in addition to the deterioration of basic services and widespread corruption have been described as the main reasons behind mass protests in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

The Kurdistan region has been suffering from financial and economic hardships as a result of disagreement with the central government in Baghdad over distribution of crude oil revenues extracted from the northern oilfields.

Tensions have been running high between Baghdad and the KRG after the Kurds held a controversial referendum on the independence of Kurdistan on September 25.

The referendum on secession of the Kurdistan region was held despite strong opposition from Iraqi authorities, the international community, and Iraq’s neighboring countries, especially Turkey and Iran.

Following the vote, Baghdad imposed a ban on direct international flights to the Kurdish region and called for a halt to its independent crude oil sales.

On October 12, an Iraqi government spokesman said Baghdad had set a series of conditions that the KRG needed to meet before any talks on the resolution of the referendum crisis could start.

Kurdistan quickly descending into chaos

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SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq — The Kurdistan region of Iraq is fast descending into chaos, with protests continuing for the third day in some parts of Sulaimaniyah province and security forces using live ammunition to disperse them. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has threatened to intervene militarily.

Thousands of angry protesters including students, teachers and government employees across the province called for the resignation of the entire Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the main two ruling parties for not being able to run the semi-autonomous region effectively.

“Some of the protesters fought the security forces,” a local journalist from the town of Raniya told Al-Monitor Dec. 19 on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “Six people were killed, but the protesters are in charge of the city tonight.”

The KRG has been unable to pay the salaries of its civil servants for over two months following the ill-fated referendum for independence in September that brought on crippling punitive measures from Baghdad, Iran and Turkey.

In Sulaimaniyah city, for the second day, the police, the peshmerga and the security force known as Asayish internal police battled protesters with tear gas and water cannons in the main bazaar. Around a dozen people were wounded, and Al-Monitor observed a man being punched in the face by a member of the Asayish.

Breaking News: The parliament speaker of Iraq’s Kurdistan first to resigns amid fatal protests against the (KRG).

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Who Is the Next?

The parliament speaker of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan resigns amid fatal protests against the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

Sources within leading Kurdish opposition movement Gorran said on Wednesday that its member Yousif Mohamed had resigned as parliament speaker. The party also withdrew its ministers from the KRG.

The Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal), another opposition party with a smaller presence in parliament, also quit the government.

The news comes after Kurdish security forces fatally shot five protesters as demonstrations continued for the second day on Tuesday amid widespread anger over unpaid salaries and corruption.

UN denounces violence in Kurdistan protests

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) expressed its deep concern about violence and clashes during the demonstrations, urging all sides to show restrain.

“The people have the right to partake in peaceful demonstrations, and the authorities have the responsibility of protecting their citizens, including peaceful protesters,” UNAMI said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the protests, people attacked several offices of the main political parties in Sulaymaniyah.

“Security forces also are urged to exercise maximum restraint in dealing with the demonstrators. UNAMI also calls on the demonstrators to avoid any act of violence, including the destruction of public and private properties,” the statement said.

UNAMI also urged the KRG to respect media freedoms after Kurdish Asayish security forces on Tuesday raided the offices of Kurdish private broadcast NRT in Sulaymaniyah, and cut its transmissions.

Frustration over unpaid salaries to teachers and other civil servants, in addition to the deterioration of basic services and widespread corruption, have been described as the main reasons behind mass protests in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.

The Kurdistan region has been suffering from financial and economic hardships as a result of disagreement with the central government in Baghdad over distribution of crude oil revenues extracted from the northern oilfields.

Tensions have been running high between Baghdad and the KRG after the Kurds held a controversial referendum on the independence of Kurdistan on September 25.

Anti-government protesters clash with police in Iraq’s Kurdistan

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Kurdish demonstrators gather in the city of Sulaymaniyah to protest against political corruption and to call on the regional government to resign, in Iraqi Kurdistan, December 18, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

People are taking to the streets in Southern Kurdistan and calling on the government to resign. KDP forces are opening fire on protesters.

Everywhere has turned into a scene of protest in Southern Kurdistan as people have taken to the streets in masses in Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, Seyidsadiq, Ranya, Qeladiz, Sengeser, Derbendîxan, Kelar, Teqteq and Chamchamal. People are calling on the government to resign due to ongoing problems such as non-provision of service to the people, non-payment of salaries and corruption.

HEWLÊR

Asayish forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) attacked the demonstrators with rifle butts and sticks in Hewlêr’s Rewandiz district. Several people were detained or injured as a result of the crackdown.

Demonstrators set the KDP office on fire in the town of Piremegrun in Sulaymaniyah’s Dukan district. Calling for the government’s resignation, people were attacked by the attacks of asayish (public security) forces in several areas. Thousands chant slogans in English, Kurdish and Arabic calling for “an end to 26-year reign”.

Large numbers of teachers, workers and citizens have gathered in Sera, Sulaymaniyah and marched to the KDP office on Salım Avenue in protest at the practices of the government.

Asayish forces blocked the demonstrators on Mewlewi Avenue and attacked them with tear gas and opened fire into the air in an effort to disperse the mass.

People gathered in front of the KDP office are calling on the KRG to resign, highlighting electricity, water and salary issues.

KDP OFFICES STONED

In Sulaymaniyah’s Seyiqsadiq district, demonstrations continue since early morning hours. Protestors stoned the KDP offices in the district, after which party members left offices and security units opened fire on the people, forming a line of guard around offices. Some citizens have been injured during the ensuing turmoil.

“OUR PROTESTS WILL CONTINUE”

In Sulaymaniyah’s Chamchamal district, people state that their protests against the government will continue until their demands are met. District Governor Remk Remezan called for common sense against acts of violence.

GERMIYAN

In Germiyan’s Kelar district, demonstrators led by teachers and public servants gathered at Leyla Qasim Park, stressing that the government is no more legitimate.

Arî Ezedîn said the following on behalf of the teachers; “As all segments of the society, we do no more accept these conditions Southern Kurdistan is under. This situation cannot be defended anymore, for which reason we decided to stage mass protests. We are here to end this reign which has no legitimacy left. We will defend the power of the people. People must make their decisions themselves.”

CRACKDOWN ON PEOPLE

As demonstrations continue, security forces are reportedly opening fire on protesters. Some people were reportedly injured as a result of KDP asayish’s attack in Rewandiz.

Iraq: 16 schools damaged by powerful quake in Darbandikhan

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – More than a dozen schools have been damaged in Darbandikhan due to the 7.3 magnitude earthquake which shook the Kurdistn Region and neighboring countries last week.

The Education Department of Darbandikhan explained 16 schools were damaged as a result of the earthquake and its aftershocks and that these schools cannot be used for classes due to the high possibility of the buildings collapsing.

“I was sad to see these things here. I want the government to repair this place. I want to go back to school to study,” Helen Mohammed sighed while holding the hands of her 3rd grader brother and looking for their class in the school only to find it in ruin.

In Darbandikhan area, a loss of 10 billion Iraqi Dinars (IQD) has been incurred on the education sector, according to local officials.

Darbandikhan Education Department now brings students from four schools and puts them in one building in order for the education process to continue.

“Sixteen of our schools and 2 kindergartens have been damaged. Classes cannot resume in them for now,” Omar Mohammed, head of the Darbandikhan Education Department, told Rudaw. “We distributed the students of these schools on other schools in Darbandikhan.”

He explained that “some schools will have three, sometimes four rounds of classes a day.”

After the Education Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) met with the head of Education Department and headmasters of affected schools, he said they were trying to dedicate a budget to renovate the schools.

“Although the government is in deep financial crisis, we should dedicate some of the budget to attend to things that require urgent attention,” KRG Minister of Education, Pishtiwan Sadiq, told Rudaw.

Some 1,968 teachers teach 16,343 students at 70 schools and kindergartens throughout Darbandikhan.

Students in Darbandikhan were wishing to go back to school after the earthquake. But the committee formed by the Darbandikhan Education Department says that some schools in the town should be demolished because of the direct impact of the earthquake.

Darbandikhan dam built in 1961 was also damaged by the powerful quake.

The death toll of last week’s earthquake, according to the latest figure, rose to 12 in the Kurdistan Region. More than 500 people were injured mainly in the areas of Darbandikhan, Halabja, Kalar and Khanaqin ,the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) announced in a press report on Tuesday.

Iraq Kurdistan Lost 50% of Oil Profits After Baghdad Took Over Kirkuk – Lawmaker

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An Iraqi Kurdistan energy official has told Sputnik about how the recent capture of the oil-rich Kirkuk region and escalated tensions over recent months have influenced the oil market.

“We lost 50 percent of all of our revenues from oil after the Iraqi Army … came,” Dilshad Shaaban, deputy head of the energy and natural resources committee in the Kurdistan Parliament, told Sputnik.

Tensions in the area have been escalating since the Kurdish referendum on independence that was held on September 25, which had resulted in more than 90 percent of Kurds favoring secession from Iraq. Baghdad has opposed the referendum and launched an offensive to recapture the Kurdish-held disputed areas of the country.

According to recent statements made by the Moscow office of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan and the Iraqi government are still negotiating on the status of the region and future actions.

Russia’s Stake

Dilshad Shaaban has explained why the Iraqi government and the UK oil and gas company BP should come to an agreement with Russia’s Rosneft and Iraqi Kurdistan to start pumping oil from the Kirkuk field through a pipeline to Turkey.

“The Iraqi government and BP will not be able to start working and deliver Kirkuk oil to Turkey without cooperation with Rosneft and the Kurdish government. Rosneft’s stake in the Iraqi Kurdistan pipeline is 60 percent. That’s why, BP must simply agree with Rosneft on the joint development of deposits in Kirkuk and the subsequent transportation of oil to the Turkish port of Ceyhan,” the lawmaker said.

According to Shaaban, the Kurdish government retained control over the Fish-Khabur border crossing, which was the only point through which oil could be transported to Turkey, as the Iraqi oil pipeline was destroyed by terrorists, and, therefore, Baghdad needed to agree with Erbil on the issue.

Earlier, the Iraqi Oil Ministry had asked Rosneft to clarify its position on contracts with Iraqi Kurdistan amid escalating tensions in the region, with the Russian company responding that it had clarified all necessary issues.

Kurdish independence referendum: Iraq court rejects result

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Iraq’s Supreme Court has ruled that the constitution does not allow any region to secede. The declaration comes a month after the northern Kurdish region overwhelmingly voted for independence in a disputed referendum.

Iraq’s top court said on Monday there were no articles in the country’s constitution that allowed a region or province to break away.

The ruling was a response to a request from the central government in Baghdad to put an end to any “wrong misinterpretation” of the constitution and assert the unity of Iraq, a court spokesman said.

The court also rejected the September 25 Kurdish referendum that saw the Kurds overwhelmingly vote for independence, defying the government in Baghdad.

Tensions between the government in Baghdad and the Kurds escalated following the non-binding referendum.

Last month, Iraq-led forces launched an operation in the Kurdish-held areas and recaptured the oil-rich province of Kirkuk and other disputed territories from the Kurdish peshmerga forces.

Major blow for Kurdistan

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday called on the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to abide by the court’s ruling.

“We call on the region to clearly state its commitment to non-separation or independence from Iraq,” he said in a statement. There was no immediate reaction from Kurdish authorities.

Abadi said the government was now “taking the necessary measures to impose federal authorities.” He did not provide any further details.

The ruling is a major boost for Abadi as he seeks to prevent a repeat of the September vote, said Ahmed Younis, a Baghdad-based constitutional expert.

“The court ruling has put an end to the Kurdish attempt to breakaway from Iraq,” he added.

Denying Turkey a piece of the pie can break regional plot against Kurdistan

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Kurdistan Erdogan cash cowK

www.gagrule.net For last 10 years we have been exposing Erdogan fooling Iraqi Kurdistan leader Barzani and Kurdistan become Erdogan Cash cow but Barzani pretended Erdogan is brotherly friend now someone is telling the truth read bellow. 

By Osamah Golpy,

A convoy carrying heavy weapons belonging to Kurdish Peshmerga forces, crosses into Turkey from the Habur border crossing on Turkish-Kurdistani border in Sirnak province of Turkey, on October 29, 2014. The Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq then sent its forces to fight alongside the Kurdish groups against ISIS militants in the Syrian town of Kobane under a special arrangement with Turkey. Photo: Ahmet Bolat/AA

It is no secret that Turkey has been part of the regional punitive measures taken in cooperation with Iraq to bring the Kurdistan Region to its knees. It is also a fact that strong economic and security relations between Erbil and Ankara—At least from the Turkish point view—never meant the recognition of the Kurdistan Region. It was all profit-driven which gained Turkey tens of billions of dollars in trade exchange. Therefore, perhaps it is now time for the Kurdistan Region to get back at Turkey where it hurts—trade, though this requires the Peshmerga to keep a hold on Fish Khabur.
Turkey does not have land border with Iraq with whom it wants closer economic relations, especially after the defeat of ISIS and where an estimated $100 billion is going to be the cost of reconstruction. Turkey wants a big, if not the lion’s share, in contracts in these destroyed cities and trade with the rest of Iraq.
Turkey would not have any problem keeping Ibrahim Khalil as its main route into Iraq had Erbil and Baghdad enjoyed  good relations. But with Baghdad determined to cross every red line including marching into undisputed KRG territories, Ankara now suggests that Iraq goes all the way to Fish Khabur  and bypass  the Kurdistan Region. This is where Iraqi and Kurdish oil is exported to the world market, and where the borders of Kurdistan Region, Turkey and Syria meet. This means there is also a Syrian Kurdish layer to this story.
With Ankara’s blessing Baghdad has now established an extra checkpoint between the Turkish and Kurdish sides of Ibrahim Khalil gate. It could, in theory, tax goods and services heading to the Kurdistan Region, and deprive Erbil of further revenues, and spike prices in KRG markets, too. But this also leaves Erbil with an advantage.
Knowing that Turkey wants a share of Iraq’s economy post ISIS, and given the fact that Erbil is in control of all border areas with Turkey, Erbil can introduce high tariffs on goods originating from Turkey and destined for Iraq-controlled areas, making it economically unviable. This will inflict billions of dollars of damage of Turkish trade with Iraq. While such a measure may prompt Iraq and Turkey to impose a blockade, it is unlikely as it will hurt Turkey—the exporter—even more because consumers in the Kurdistan Region have already lost much purchasing power due to an ongoing crisis. It will deny Turkey itself the Iraqi market where Turkish goods will be in demand.
All these, demand that the Kurdish Peshmerga are not going to cede control of any border area or territory along the Turkey border regardless of the cost militarily. It may cost the Kurdistan Region many lives, difficult times, and even kill any chance of peace with Baghdad, but in the end it is a price that should be paid. This is speaking the kind of language Turkey understands. The language of risks to its trade. The above scenario will deny Turkey the piece of the pie it hopes to win by siding—As a Sunni-majority country—with a Shiite-majority state.
Ankara will wait and see if the Iraqi military and the Hashd al-Shabai will be able to open a border with Turkey, or the Peshmerga will put the brakes on it all.  Turkey will at the end of the day deal with whoever holds the key to that gate.

How Erdogan Fool Kurdistan to call Referendum to get Mosul $100 Billion Reconstruction.

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Another Erdogan Successful False-Flag Operation

Another Erdogan Successful False-Flag Operation

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan applauded the Iraqi central government for almost clearing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from the country, vowing that Turkey is ready for a joint struggle against “all terrorist groups,” including the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

In a statement to the media on Oct. 25 after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Erdoğan said Ankara is ready to cooperate with Baghdad in the fight against PKK elements in the Qandil Mountains and the Sinjar region of Iraq.

He also said Turkey is ready to give all support to Baghdad as it seeks to reopen a crude oil pipeline from the Kirkuk oilfields to Turkey, through which Iraq stopped sending oil in 2014.

Talks are underway on a possible move to close down Turkey’s border with the autonomous Kurdish region, which last month held a non-binding referendum on independence, which both Turkey and Iraq strongly opposed, Erdoğan noted.

“From the beginning we have always said we support the territorial integrity of Iraq and we will continue [to do so] … I believe we have come to a positive point with the steps we have taken as Turkey, Iran and Iraq,” he said, touching on the measures taken after the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held a referendum for independence on Sept. 25.

For his part, al-Abadi said his government will not allow any armed groups other than official forces operate on Iraqi lands.

“Our task is, of course, to ensure the territorial integrity of Iraq and to fight against all terrorist organizations that threaten not only Iraq, but the region,” he stated.

The Iraqi prime minister also said they discussed a project that could help stabilize in the region and stressed that his government gives importance to bilateral relations between Iraq and Turkey.