|
Kurdistan Regional Government
Representation in the United States
Washington D.C.
|
|
Welcome to our August 2021 Newsletter
|
|
Like many Americans, the people of Kurdistan have been watching events in Afghanistan with great concern and sympathy. While there is a heated debate on the implementation of the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, we must remember the families of the American soldiers, Afghans and others who were killed in the ISIS-Khorasan terrorist attack in Kabul last week. We mourn the loss of innocent lives and wish the best to those who were injured.
The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has triggered a discussion on whether Washington will do the same in Iraq and if it did, would the same situation ensue. There are parallels between Iraq and Afghanistan, but also significant differences between the two countries. In Washington, there is bipartisan support for the US and Coalition to continue to support Iraqi security forces and the peshmerga in the fight against ISIS. There is also an understanding that Iraq’s security is key to the stability of the Middle East.
President Masoud Barzani issued a statement, reassuring the people of Kurdistan that there are many differences between Kurdistan and Afghanistan and their forces. Others pointed out that the US Iraq Strategic Dialogue took place only last month and the two sides agreed to US troops staying in Iraq in a noncombat role.
US in Iraq for ‘long haul’
Yesterday, Robert Palladino, the US Consul General in Erbil, told the media, ‘The United States is staying in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. We are on this journey with you for the long haul.’
|
|
He said, ‘What will happen at the end of this year is an end to any combat role for United States' forces, and that is the only thing that is ending. It is in the best interest of the United States and Iraq to continue our strategic partnership.’
When the US Ambassador to Iraq was asked by Kurdish journalists in early August if the US was about to withdraw from Iraq after Afghanistan, Ambassador Matthew Tueller said that President Joe Biden ‘understands the importance of Iraq, the importance of the US to Iraq, the importance of Iraq in the region.’
Macron in Erbil
There were two historic events in the past few days in Baghdad and Erbil, underscoring Iraq and Kurdistan’s important role. On August 29, the Kurdistan Region welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with several high officials, including the Kurdistan Region’s President, the KRG Prime Minister, his Deputy and the Speaker of Parliament, as well as President Masoud Barzani.
The visit was surrounded by a festive atmosphere, celebrating the friendship between France and Kurdistan, dating back to the 1980s and to Operation Provide Comfort in 1991. France has been a key ally to Kurdistan over the years and remains a strong partner today in the fight against ISIS, in the same way as Britain and the United States.
Baghdad conference
President Macron had attended the Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership on August 28, with leaders and foreign ministers of several regional states. The conference was welcomed by President Nechirvan Barzani, as well as President Biden, who congratulated Iraq on hosting a ‘ground-breaking’ summit. He said, ‘The United States continues to stand with our partner Iraq as we work together toward greater stability across the Middle East. We remain committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship under the Strategic Framework Agreement.’
Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman
Representative to the United States
Kurdistan Regional Government
|
|
KRG Representative briefs Senators and calls for continued support to Kurdistan
The Kurdistan Regional Government Representative in the United States, Bayan Abdul Rahman, continued her advocacy in the US Congress through several virtual
|
|
KRG Representative meets with Congressman Paul Gosar
Representative Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman had a virtual meeting with Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ), member of the House Committee on Natural...
|
|
Season 2 Episode 8 of the Kurdistan in America podcast: An interview with Colonel David Williams
Col. Williams is the former Director of the anti-ISIS Coalition's Kurdistan Coordination Center, part of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.
|
|
KRG Envoy meets with the incoming Head of Economic Affairs at the U.S. Consul General to Kurdistan
Representative Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman had a warm and productive exchange in a virtual meeting with Seth Patch, the incoming head of economic
|
|
Kurdistan President meets with US Ambassador to Iraq
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, August 10, 2021 Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Matthew Tueller, the United States' Ambassador to Iraq, in Erbil on Tuesday. Discussions focused on Iraq-US strategic dialogue, the agreements...
Read more
presidency.gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
France reaffirms support to the Kurdistan Region
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, accompanied by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Mr. Masrour Barzani, and Kurdistan Region Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Rewaz Fayeq, received the President of...
Read more
presidency.gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
President Barzani meets with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi
On the second day of his visit to Tehran, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Mr. Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on Friday. At the meeting, attended by Kurdistan Region ...
Read more
presidency.gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
President Barzani's message on the of Yazidi Genocide
On the 7th anniversary of the genocide against the people of Shingal and its surrounding areas, we pay tribute to our Yezidi sisters and brothers who fell victim to the heinous crimes. They will never be...
Read more
presidency.gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kurdistan President's statement on the Badinan Anfal
As we commemorate the 33d anniversary of the Badinan Genocide today, we pay tribute to the martyrs who lost their lives at the hands of the Ba'ath regime during the last stages of the Anfal Campaigns...
Read more
presidency.gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
PM Barzani discusses regional issues with French President
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday held a joint meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and parliamentary speaker Rewaz Faiaq ...
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
PM Masrour Barzani's message on the Yazidi Genocide
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday marked the 7th year since the genocidal attacks on the Yazidi people with a message honoring the victims of the massacre.
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement from PM Masrour Barzani on the Badinan Anfal
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani today issued the following statement on the anniversary of the Badinan Anfal campaign. "As we mark the 33rd anniversary of the Badinan Anfal campaign, we ...
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
KRG announces 4 billion-dinar water security fund
KRG will be allocating 2.5 billion dinars in funds to combat droughts across the region and 1.5 billion dinars in emergency funds to address urgent water shortages in the Erbil province.
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
A message from the KRG on the Yazidi genocide
The Kurdistan Regional Government on Tuesday released a statement commemorating the 7th anniversary of the Yazidi genocide in Shingal. Full statement from the KRG: "Today, seven years...
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
DPM Talabani and Board of Education discuss new school year
Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani today met with the Board of Education, the President of the Diwan of the Council of Ministers, and the Head of Department of Coordination and...
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
DPM Talabani discusses KRG jobs and economic growth
Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani today, at the TECHFEST event for Innovation and Technology in Sulaymaniyah, outlined the Kurdistan Regional Government's efforts to broaden access...
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
DPM Qubad Talabani meets with US delegation
Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani on Wednesday met with a US delegation led by Paul Grove of the Senate Appropriations Committee Office's Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and...
Read more
gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speaker Faiq meets outgoing Head of Canada's Embassy Office
Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Dr. Rewaz Faiq on 16 August met with Ms. Ashley Durec, the outgoing Head of Canada's Embassy Office in Kurdistan Region, to bid her farewell and thank her for her cooperation during her posting.
Read more
www.parliament.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kurdistan Parliament's statement on the Yazidi Genocide
On August 3rd, 2014, a grim and tragic day in the history of the people of Kurdistan, ISIS terrorists launched a brutal attack on Shengal (Sinjar) district and abducted Yazidi Kurdish girls and women, and buried Yazidi men and ...
Read more
www.parliament.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Former US Ambassador to Iraq talks to Rudaw TV
Douglas Silliman, Washington’s former ambassador to Iraq, said there are no plans for American forces to fully withdraw from Iraq, dismissing comparisons with Afghanistan in an interview with Rudaw. Silliman said that the situation is different between Iraq and Afghanistan. ‘Stability in Iraq creates stability in the rest of the region,’ he said.
|
|
US in Iraq, Kurdistan Region for the long haul: envoy
The United States will stay in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for the long haul and remains committed to defeating the Islamic State group (ISIS), the US...
|
|
KRG bans gas flaring: Minister of Natural Resources:
The Kurdistan Regional Government has ordered oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region to cease the environmentally harmful practice of gas...
|
|
|
‘Masoud Barzani is a good friend of mine’ — Kurdistan is not Afghanistan!
That is what Joe Biden told this reporter at a chance encounter at a local grocery store in late 2017. Biden was no longer Vice-President...
|
|
Iraq: Clock ticks on all-important elections, commitment to credibility needed
Briefing Council members in person for the first time in over a year, Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert, who is also the head of the Mission, also called claims that UNAMI...
|
|
|
KRG Electricity Minister hails privatization effort
Kurdistan Regional Government Minister of Electricity Kamal Mohammad on Sunday predicted the privatization of the Kurdistan Region’s electricity sector...
|
|
Iraq hosts summit aimed at easing regional tensions
Iraq hosted a regional conference on Saturday aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East while emphasizing the Arab country’s new role as a mediator.
|
|
|
Masoud Barzani seeks to reassure Kurdistan Region following Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
Elder statesman Masoud Barzani reassured residents of the Kurdistan Region on Sunday that there is a “big difference” between Afghanistan and...
|
|
'Our best model is Iraqi Kurdistan,' says group resisting Taliban rule in Afghanistan
An official from the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, a group recently formed after the Taliban took control of Kabul this month, said on Monday that
|
|
|
Young female entrepreneur strives to transform the medical sector in the Kurdistan Region
Twenty-five-year-old Nasreen Hassan has been working for years on a business idea that will help hospitals and medical centers in the Kurdistan Region
|
|
Congressional outreach of KRG Representation in Washington
The Representation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Washington has wrapped up a summer’s work of engagement with Congress...
|
|
|
PM Barzani asks Iraqi government to compensate victims of Badinan Anfal
On the 33rd anniversary of the last stage of the ethnic cleansing campaign known as the Badinan Anfal, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani asked...
|
|
With investment, Kurdistan’s gas sector can compete internationally: HKN
The Kurdistan Region should be able to compete with Iran and Russia for gas contracts with Turkey that will be coming up for rebids in 2026, said Matthew...
|
|
|
KRG would defend PKK in talks with Turkey if group returned to Qandil: KDP spokesperson
A “full” Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) return to the Qandil Mountains as per a 1992 agreement could see the Kurdistan Region come to the defense of the...
|
|
KRG Minister of Construction and Housing says railway project to be implemented in coming years
The Kurdistan Region Minister of Construction and Housing, Dana Abdul Karim, announced on Sunday that the regional government is determined to...
|
|
|
For inquiries, please contact Delovan Barwari, the Director of Public and Humanitarian Affairs, at: delovan.barwari@us.gov.krd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|