PUK special forces commander dead
A PUK peshmerga commander has died in Sulaymaniyah province, reportedly from a gunshot wound to his head. Hawlati Daily quoted the commando forces, stating that Burhan Ggafur, a commander of one of PUK’s commando brigades, died "as a result of a tragic event," without providing additional details.
Ghafur was said to be close to the late PUK special forces commander Akam Omar, who was killed in an IS explosion last year, according to the daily.
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Ex-President meets UN chief
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Iraqi Oil Report: Turkey has notified Iraq that pipeline is ready to go
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Sudani orders aid for Gaza strip
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Major Kurdish parties largely quiet on Israel-Palestine conflict
While Iraqi politicians have been vocal about the recent conflict between Israel and Palestine, most Kurdish officials have remained quiet. Exceptions include Islamist parties that have voiced support for Hamas’s atrocities in Israel.
Parties such as the KDP, accused by Iran of collaborating with Israeli intelligence agencies—an accusation they deny—are known to sympathize with Israel. Israel was among the few supporters of the 2017 Kurdistan independence referendum. Last year, Iran bombed the home of a Kurdish oil magnate and later claimed their target was a "Mossad base."
Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) General Secretary Salahaddin Bahadin expressed his hope that 'oppressors realize their tyranny is fleeting,' while also hoping Palestinians maintain legitimate warfare norms, respecting the rights of the deceased and captives.
A KIU website cited a statement by the union’s scholars describing Hamas's actions as a "natural reaction" to violations against Palestinian civilians, labeling it a lesson for all occupiers and urging Muslims worldwide to support the Palestinian cause in various capacities, including prayer.
Hamas's actions included the massacre of over 200 partygoers at an outdoor music festival.
Leaders from the Kurdistan Justice Union (Komal) echoed this support, attributing Hamas's actions to divine commands and citing the ongoing violence by "Zionist forces" against Palestinians as crossing boundaries, exhausting the patience of Palestinian resistance and eliciting the observed reactions.
They called for universal Muslim solidarity with the Palestinians, advocating for any available form of support, including prayer.
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PUK leader meets Victoria Taylor
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Iraqi Parliament to debate Israel-Palestine crisis next week
The Iraqi Parliament plans to meet in an extraordinary session next week to discuss the Israel-Palestine crisis. Lawmaker Yousif Al-Kilaby said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that more than 50 parliamentarians supported a request for the special session. The lawmakers will consider potential laws supporting Palestine. Al-Kilaby said the focus would be the "alleged genocide and crimes against humanity" faced by Palestinians.
Iraq has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel, a position held since Israel's formation in 1948.
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Iranian FM arrives in Baghdad for the first leg of tour
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Baghdad on Thursday as part of a trip that includes stops in Lebanon and Syria. The visit comes amid ongoing war in Gaza and Israel.
Earlier Thursday, Iran’s Tasnim Agency reported that Amir-Abdollahian would depart Tehran for Baghdad, the initial destination of his regional journey.
A Wall Street Journal report alleged that Tehran has assisted in recent terrorist acts by Hamas militants against Ismaili civilians, resulting in hundreds of deaths and dozens of captives.
Iran, a staunch enemy, has vehemently condemned Israel’s retaliatory attacks on the Gaza Strip. Iran has also announced its willingness to host an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Palestine.
Additionally, the mission expressed Amir-Abdollahian’s gratitude to OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha for a constructive exchange of views on developments in Palestine.
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Spokesperson's conference is back after a long hiatus
Recently appointed KRG Spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani begins by acknowledging the long hiatus between editions of the U.S.-style press briefings by the administration's spokesperson.
He expresses his government's appreciation for the 'resilience' of public sector workers in the face of months-long delays in salary payments.
He decries the moves by other Kurdish parties to have Baghdad pay Kurdistan's public sector payroll directly, inviting them to read the Iraqi constitution for an idea of how 'impossible' the gambit is. He also reminds them that the Kurdistan Region has its own government, treasury, and finance ministry. He says anyone who signed the letter disrespects the martyrs who died to give the Kurdistan Region its status and powers.
The KRG has done 'all in its power' to facilitate elections.
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Don shrouds, says Sadr to Baghdad protestors marching in solidarity with Gaza
Prominent Shia cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr has urged demonstrators, who are rallying in support of Gaza amid Israeli strikes, to wear shrouds in a symbolic gesture during a planned large-scale demonstration in Baghdad's Tahrir Square.
Saleh Mohammed Al-Iraqi, a close associate of Sadr and referred to as the "minister to the commander," conveyed the message on social media, urging participants to wear shrouds as a united front to "terrify the enemies."
The call for demonstration and symbolic attire is to "condemn Israeli actions," according to Sadr. Israeli forces launched air strikes in response to attacks initiated by Hamas, which included a surprise incursion into Israeli territories that resulted in substantial civilian casualties. Hundreds of civilians have been killed, with a notable incident involving the loss of over 200 innocent civilian lives at an outdoor music festival.
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Turkish intelligence agent reportedly killed in Sulaymaniyah
A clash in Sulaymaniyah resulted in the reported death of a member of the Turkish intelligence agency (MIT), during a conflict with Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters, according to sources.
Pro-PKK Roj News reported that the incident occurred in Sangasar town when two MIT agents on a motorcycle reportedly opened fire on a "nation defender," believed to refer to a PKK fighter. In the ensuing gunfire exchange, one MIT agent was reportedly killed, and the targeted individual was injured and is currently receiving medical treatment.
Roj News also shared an image, claiming it to be the identification of the deceased MIT agent, and reported that the agent had resided in Sulaymaniyah since 2019. However, there hasn't been official confirmation from local security forces regarding the incident. The Citadel hasn't independently verified the image.
This incident comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, marked by an uptick in drone attacks and assassinations targeting PKK fighters. Turkey has recently announced an intensification of its cross-border military operations in the Kurdistan Region.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday, reiterated Turkey’s commitment to enhancing air operations in northern Iraq and Syria, aiming to eliminate "terrorist group members" wherever they might be located.
Moreover, an additional report from the Turkish defense ministry revealed that a Turkish soldier succumbed to injuries sustained from an IED detonation in the Kurdistan Region earlier this week.
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Morning briefing: 200 days pass on KRG oil stoppage
Highlights from Apikur's press release
- Duration of the Closure: October 11 marks the 200th day since the halt of oil export deliveries through the ITP.
- Economic losses: The closure has caused a total loss of $7 billion in export revenues. This collective loss affects the Government of Iraq, Kurdistan Regional Government, and Apikur member companies.
- Daily liability: Since Turkey expressed its intention to reopen the ITP on October 4, Iraq may be incurring almost $1 million in liability each day.
- Impact on local communities: The closure significantly affects the livelihoods of Iraqis and local communities who have depended on the economic benefits of Apikur member company investments for over 15 years.
- Tariffs: A failure to deliver a minimum of 35 million tonnes of oil per annum through the ITP would result in the Iraqi government incurring a tariff of approximately $300 million per year.
- Calls for swift resolutions: Apikur member companies are urging for a quick resolution to the contractual issues and a clearer understanding between the Governments of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region regarding future payments.
- Engagement: Members of Apikur express willingness to engage with all parties to reach a commercial resolution that preserves contractual rights and promotes a favorable investment climate in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
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