Masrour Barzani Receives Republic of Korea’s Consul General to the Kurdistan Region
ARK News.. Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani received the Consul General of the Republic of Korea to the Kurdistan Region, Seongcheol Lim, on Monday, May 11, 2026, on the occasion of the conclusion of his diplomatic mission.
During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the South Korean consul general for his efforts throughout his tenure in strengthening the bonds of friendship between the Kurdistan Region and South Korea. He also praised the continued support and cooperation provided by Korea, both government and people, to the region.
For his part, the South Korean consul general commended the reconstruction, development, and reform process being implemented by the Kurdistan Regional Government across various sectors, stating, "Kurdistan will always remain in my heart.”
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Kurdish Film Wins Award at Veterans Media Festival in the United States
ARK News.. The Kurdish short film “Mirror of the Mind," directed by Akar Karim, achieved a new artistic milestone after winning the Special Jury Award at the Veterans Media Festival in the United States.
According to Kurdistan24, director Akar Karim said, "The film ‘Mirror of the Mind’ participated in several local and international festivals competing for awards, and fortunately we managed to win the Special Jury Award at the Veterans Media Festival in the United States.”
Karim explained that “Mirror of the Mind” carries a profound title and intense psychological symbolism, shedding light on humanity’s internal struggles and the ongoing conflict between thoughts, memories, fears, and hopes under the pressures of life.
He added that the film’s title symbolizes how the human mind functions as a mirror reflecting everything a person experiences or feels.
Speaking about the story, the director said, "The events revolve around a character living a harsh life filled with pressure and social problems, as the protagonist faces a daily struggle with memories and circumstances that robbed him of stability. Through the story, viewers can sense how a person may appear calm on the outside while fighting a devastating psychological battle within.”
Akar Karim noted that the Veterans Media Festival in the United States is considered one of the international artistic events that focuses on independent films and media productions. He described the selection of his film among numerous global entries as an indication of the growing level of cinematic production among young people in Kurdistan.
It is worth noting that “Mirror of the Mind” was produced through a joint effort by a group of university students and graduates who contributed to its preparation and production, while Kamal Ali played the leading role in the film.
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Live Media Coverage Suspended During Atef Najib Trial
ARK News.. The judge of the Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus issued a decision to halt live media broadcasts from inside the courtroom during the trial session of Atef Najib, in a move aimed at protecting witnesses and preserving confidentiality.
Judge Fakhruddin al-Aryan approved the suspension of live media coverage from inside the courtroom during the proceedings, stating that the measure was intended to safeguard witnesses and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information whose disclosure could obstruct the investigation and trial process.
Following the decision, the court immediately requested that media representatives leave the courtroom, while the session remained public “for those present,” including representatives of the prosecution and the public prosecutor’s office. Media coverage of the proceedings was assigned exclusively to the Syrian Ministry of Justice.
The decision also allows the recordings to be released at a later stage after review and the removal of witnesses’ names and classified material, with the footage to be shown only to the defendant and those present inside the session.
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Masrour Barzani and Erdogan Discuss Maintaining Peace and Stability in the Region
ARK News.. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing coordination and cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey in various fields.
The meeting took place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul as part of the prime minister's official visit to Turkey. During the meeting, Masrour Barzani praised the role played by President Erdogan and the Republic of Turkey in preserving peace and stability in the region, reiterating his desire to strengthen the bilateral cooperation and coordination.
For his part, the president of the Republic of Turkey praised President Barzani’s role and that of the Kurdistan Region as a key and essential factor for regional security and stability.
Both sides also emphasized the need to end tensions in the region and resolve issues through peaceful means and dialogue. In another part of the meeting, they reviewed the efforts and dialogues of Iraqi political forces aimed at forming the new federal government.
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region expressed his hope that the next government would lead to the consolidation of the foundations of peace and stability in Iraq, serve all components without discrimination, and resolve outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government in accordance with the Constitution.
Part of the discussions was also devoted to the peace process and the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, reiterated his full support for this process, while the President of the Republic of Turkey emphasized the importance of continuing to ensure the process's success and achieving its desired outcomes.
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First Flights Carrying Syrian Pilgrims Depart for Saudi Arabia
The first flight carrying Syrian pilgrims departed on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from Damascus International Airport to the Saudi city of Jeddah with 340 pilgrims on board.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, around 12,900 pilgrims are scheduled to travel through Damascus International Airport, while approximately 9,000 pilgrims will depart via Aleppo International Airport.
Flights carrying pilgrims from Aleppo Airport are set to begin on Sunday, in addition to designated departure points for Syrian pilgrims from several other countries.
Mohammad Nor Aaraj, Director of the Hajj and Umrah Administration at the Syrian Ministry of Endowments, had recently announced that all necessary preparations had been completed for this year’s Hajj season through the airports of Damascus, Aleppo, Istanbul, Cairo, and Gaziantep.
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KDP Parliamentary Bloc Returns to Baghdad to Participate in Parliament Sessions
ARK News.. The parliamentary bloc of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the Iraqi Parliament announced on Saturday, May 9, 2026, its return to Baghdad to participate in parliamentary sessions and contribute to granting confidence to the anticipated new cabinet headed by Ali al-Zaidi.
According to Kurdistan24, bloc MP Sipan Sherwani said preparations for the return are underway, noting that a first group of lawmakers would arrive in Baghdad on Saturday, while the remaining members of the bloc are expected to join them on Sunday.
For her part, MP Avesta Mam Yahya stated that the decision to return and participate in the voting sessions came under direct instructions from Masoud Barzani. She added that although no official date has yet been set for the confidence vote session, the KDP bloc has finalized its position in favor of participating and voting for al-Zaidi’s ministerial cabinet.
Regarding the timeline, MP Sherwan Dubardani revealed that Parliament may hold the session dedicated to the confidence vote next Monday, May 11, or Tuesday, May 12.
Dubardani warned of time constraints, noting that failure to grant confidence by Tuesday could place the government formation process in a real impasse, as a large number of lawmakers are expected to depart to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, making it difficult to secure the required legal quorum afterward.
He concluded by referring to a proposed scenario that would involve voting on “half of the ministerial cabinet” should a final agreement on all ministerial portfolios fail to be reached, with the remaining ministers to be voted on after lawmakers return from the Hajj season.
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1,200 Families Return from Hasaka and Qamishlo to Their Areas in Afrin
ARK News.. A new convoy carrying around 1,200 families from Afrin departed on Saturday, May 9, from Hasaka toward their villages and towns in the Afrin region in the countryside of Aleppo, as part of the continued return of residents to their original areas after years of displacement.
Mustafa Abdi said that 1,200 families from Afrin residing in Hasaka and Qamishlo are being transported to villages and towns in Afrin under the escort of Internal Security Forces in the governorates of Hasaka and Aleppo.
A previous convoy carrying 800 families from Afrin had returned to their villages and towns on April 14 as part of efforts to resolve the displacement issue and facilitate return.
On January 29, the Syrian government announced an agreement with the SDF on a ceasefire and the launch of a phased integration process for military and administrative forces, in addition to the handover of all civil and governmental institutions, border crossings, and checkpoints to the state, as well as resolving the issues of detainees and displaced persons.
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Australia arrests three women linked to ISIS after their return from Syria
ARK News.. Australian police announced charges against two women linked to the ISIS terrorist group who returned from a refugee camp in Syria, accusing them of engaging in slavery and slave trading activities while affiliated with the organization.
The two women, aged 53 and 31, face charges including crimes against humanity, among them owning and using slaves in Syria. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. They were arrested at Melbourne Airport on Thursday, immediately upon arrival.
Stephen Nutt, Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism at the Australian Federal Police, said in a statement: “This remains an active investigation into extremely serious allegations.”
Police said the two women traveled to Syria in 2014 with their families, and it is alleged that they held a housekeeper as a slave in their homes.
In a separate development, a 32-year-old Australian woman was arrested at Sydney Airport on Thursday and charged with terrorism-related offenses, including allegedly joining ISIS.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and she is scheduled to appear before a court in Sydney.
Police stated that the woman traveled to Syria in 2015 with the intention of joining her husband, who had previously left Australia and joined the ISIS terrorist group.
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UN: 900 Syrian Refugees Returned from Iraq to Their Homeland This Year
ARK News...The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that around 900 Syrian refugees have returned from Iraq to Syria since the beginning of 2026, confirming that the return process is still ongoing.
In a statement published on its “X” platform on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the UNHCR explained that returning refugees are receiving individual counseling to ensure that their decision to return is made voluntarily and of their own free will.
Last year witnessed the return of around 6,100 Syrian refugees from Iraq as part of the UNHCR’s ongoing efforts to facilitate safe and dignified returns and support them in rebuilding their lives inside their country.
Earlier in January, the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Syria, Celine Schmitt, confirmed that more Syrian refugees are seeking to return to their homeland, noting that 1.4 million refugees have already returned to Syria, along with nearly two million internally displaced persons returning to their areas.
According to the United Nations, nearly six million Syrian citizens have left their country since 2011, while almost seven million others have been internally displaced due to the war that lasted nearly 14 years.
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Syria raises fuel and gas prices amid mounting economic pressures
The Syrian Company for the Storage and Distribution of Petroleum Products, “Mahroukat,” has raised the prices of fuel and gas products, including diesel, gasoline, and domestic gas cylinders.
According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, the company set the new prices of petroleum derivatives in the local market, effective Thursday, as follows:
First-grade diesel: $0.88 per liter.
90-octane gasoline: $1.10 per liter.
95-octane gasoline: $1.15 per liter.
Domestic gas cylinder: $12.50.
Industrial gas cylinder: $20.
The prices were also set in the new Syrian pound, based on a fuel exchange rate of 133 pounds per US dollar. Under the new pricing structure, the price of diesel increased from $0.75 to $0.88 per liter.
The move is expected to trigger a new wave of price increases affecting consumer goods and essential commodities in local markets.
Explaining the reasons behind the price adjustment, the Syrian Petroleum Company said the measures are aimed at ensuring the sustainability of services and maintaining supply continuity amid regional and international developments impacting the energy sector, in a way that balances service stability with uninterrupted provision.
The company added that the adjustment in fuel derivative prices comes in light of continued global increases in oil prices, rising supply and shipping costs, as well as the repercussions of ongoing regional conditions, which have placed additional pressure on the energy sector.
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