Day: September 9, 2023

The State Administration Coalition decided to form a leadership committee from the Coalition to visit Kirkuk, find out the facts, and address matters immediately.

A political source stated that Prime Minister Muhammad al-Sudani hosted a meeting of coalition leaders in the government palace in the presence of the President of the Republic, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Muhammad al-Halbousi, to discuss the events in Kirkuk.

He called on the Coalition to adhere to a national discourse that would help calm the situation and spread security and stability in a governorate that has complex characteristics.

The Coalition stressed that local elections would be held on time, especially in Kirkuk.

The Coalition stressed the need to conduct an investigation into the events, expose it to public opinion, and hold accountable those proven to be involved, regardless of their title or affiliation.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, discussed today, Saturday, with the delegation of the Saudi Shura Council the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening relations between the two countries.

A statement by his media office stated that Al-Halbousi received the delegation of the Saudi-Iraqi Friendship Committee in the Shura Council, in the presence of the Chairman and members of the Joint Parliamentary Friendship Committee in the House of Representatives.

He added, “The meeting discussed bilateral relations, the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening relations between the two brotherly countries, the importance of parliamentary cooperation, and coordinating positions in international, Islamic, Arab, and Asian parliamentary forums regarding issues of common concern.”

The meeting stressed the importance of “parliamentary support and continued communication to enhance cooperation between Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all fields and to serve the interest of the two brotherly peoples.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

A parliamentary source announced that a meeting will be held tomorrow, Sunday, for the Presidency of the Council with the heads of the Parliamentary blocs.

The source confirmed to NINA, “During the meeting, legislation of the laws listed on the Council’s work agendas and which have priority will be discussed.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Today, Saturday, the Parliamentary Finance Committee held a joint meeting with the Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, to discuss the automation of customs revenues at all official border ports, including the ports in the governorates of the Kurdistan region.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, received today, Saturday, the Consul General of Korea to the region, Cho Kigong, to bid him farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure.

During the meeting, Barzani referred to the close historical relations and bonds of friendship between the Kurdistan Region and Korea, and expressed his thanks to the Korean Consul General for his performance and activities that contribute to expanding the horizons of bilateral relations, wishing him success in his future duties.

The Korean Consul General expressed his appreciation for the institutions of the Kurdistan Regional Government for their effective coordination and cooperation with the consulate of his country. He also expressed his willingness to move forward in strengthening relations between the two sides, especially in the field of education and supporting the reforms implemented by the ninth ministerial formation, especially with regard to electronic transformation in public services.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Independent Kurdish politician Mahmoud Othman confirmed: “The Kirkuk issue is a dangerous ticking time bomb, and the solution lies internally, not externally.”

Othman said in a statement to the National Iraqi News Agency (NINA): “The government has taken decisions regarding Kirkuk, but some political forces are stronger than government and refuse to implement them, and this affects the work of the government.”

He added: “PM al-Sudani cannot make decisions without referring to the coordination framework that nominated him to head the government,” pointing out that “the Federal Court intervened in the matter of the headquarters in Kirkuk and decided to postpone the matter.

He explained: “The external solution in Iraq has become very weak after Biden assumed the American presidency, and Iran has enough problems to deal with, and Turkey does not interfere, only calls for solving the problems, and therefore the solution lies in holding an expanded meeting of the Iraqi parties, Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds, with the government to solve the problems “.

Othman pointed out that there are some parties that seek to cause confusion and increase problems in Kirkuk and other regions for their own purposes, and this matter must be taken into consideration.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Kurdish sources announced that Turkish aircraft targeted sites in Maute district of Sulaymaniyah Governorate in northern Iraq, without specifying the losses.

Areas in the Kurdistan region, northern Iraq, are constantly subjected to Turkish air and artillery bombardment. The Turkish authorities say that they are targeting members and sites of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed, in a phone call on Friday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the crisis in his country.

During the call, Zelenskyy noted that the Kingdom hosted a meeting of national security advisors and representatives of a number of countries in the city of Jeddah to discuss the Ukrainian crisis.

For his part, the Saudi Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis, reaching peace, and continuing efforts to contribute to alleviating the humanitarian effects resulting from it.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

A force from the 12th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces carried out, this morning, Saturday, a security operation in Tarmiyah Operations Sector, north of the capital, Baghdad.

A statement by the Popular Mobilization Commission stated: “The force, with the participation of the engineering unit of the Military Engineering Directorate of the Popular Mobilization, in cooperation with the Shields Directorate of the Popular Mobilization, began conducting a large-scale security survey within the sector of responsibility.”

It explained: “These continuous operations are continuing in the sector for the purpose of securing it and maintaining safety in it.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Security forces overthrew three defendants who were trying to attack one of the oil wells in Basra Governorate.

The Ministry of Interior stated in a statement: “Detachments of the Eighth Brigade in the General Directorate of Energy Police were able to overthrow three defendants who were trying to trespass on one of the oil wells located within the borders of the southern Rumaila field in Basra Governorate.

It added that they seized items in their possession and they placed them in detention in preparation for completing the investigations and presenting the papers to the competent investigating judge in accordance with the Anti-Smuggling of Oil and Its Derivatives Law No. 41 of 2008.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency