The first shipment of Iraqi fuel oil has been unloaded at the Banias terminal in Syria.
ARK News.. The Syrian Petroleum Company has announced the launch of the first export operations of Iraqi fuel oil via Syrian territory, with shipments being loaded at the Baniyas terminal in preparation for transport by designated tanker.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, April 15, the company confirmed that it has begun loading the initial shipments, marking a step that reflects the readiness of infrastructure and the efficiency of national personnel in managing transport and export operations.
The company noted that this development highlights Syria’s growing role as a strategic transit corridor in the regional energy sector, as well as its capacity to provide logistical solutions that support supply continuity and enhance integration among regional countries.
Earlier, on April 1, the Syrian Petroleum Company announced the arrival of the first convoys of Iraqi fuel oil via the al-Tanf border crossing, heading toward the Baniyas oil terminal on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, in preparation for export through Syrian ports.
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Kurdistan Interior Ministry: Region Targeted by Four Explosive Drones
ARK News.. The Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government has issued an official statement condemning a new wave of attacks involving explosive-laden drones targeting the Kurdistan Region, noting that this marks the second such escalation since the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
In its statement, the ministry said that “on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Kurdistan Region was targeted by four explosive drones at different times,” describing the incident as a renewed breach of the relative calm witnessed in the region in recent days.
The ministry reaffirmed the region’s consistent strategic stance, emphasizing that “Kurdistan has never been a party to this conflict” between international and regional actors.
It concluded by calling for an end to using the region’s territory as a battleground for settling scores, stressing the need to halt attacks that threaten general stability and the safety of civilians in Kurdistan.
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President Barzani Congratulates on the Yezidi New Year
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani issued a congratulatory message on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, to the Yezidi community on the occasion of the Yazidi New Year.
The following is the full text of the message:
“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
On the occasion of the Yezidi New Year, we extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to all our Yezidi sisters and brothers in Kurdistan and around the world, wishing them continued happiness and well-being.
Our Yezidi sisters and brothers are an integral part of the people of Kurdistan. On this occasion, I reaffirm our unwavering support for them in their pain and suffering, and emphasize our full backing—through all available means—for their demands.
We hope that all your holidays and occasions pass in an atmosphere filled with joy and reassurance. Wishing you continued goodness and happiness.
Masoud Barzani
April 14, 2026”
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Kurdish National Council Congratulates on the Yezidi New Year
ARK News.. The General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria issued a congratulatory statement on the occasion of the Yezidi New Year, emphasizing the importance of unity and joint action to safeguard rights and strengthen coexistence among all components of the Syrian people.
The following is the full text of the statement: “The General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria extends its warmest congratulations and sincere best wishes to our Kurdish people everywhere, and to the Yezidi Kurds in Syria and across the world, hoping that this occasion brings goodness, peace, and reassurance to all.
This ancient occasion, which symbolizes renewal, life, and hope, constitutes an integral part of the cultural and religious heritage in Syria and the region. It reflects the deep historical roots of the Yezidi Kurds and their steadfast adherence to their identity and values despite the many challenges they have faced.
As we share in your joy on this blessed holiday, we reaffirm the importance of solidarity, unity, and collective action to preserve rights and promote the values of coexistence and mutual respect among all components of the Syrian people.
Happy New Year, and may it return to you with goodness, prosperity, and blessings.”
Qamishlo – April 14, 2026
General Secretariat
Kurdish National Council in Syria
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Message from President Barzani on the 38th Anniversary of the Anfal Tragedy
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani, in a message marking the 38th anniversary of the Anfal Campaign on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, stressed the need for international recognition of the crime as genocide.
The following is the full text of President Barzani’s message:
“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
The Anfal remains a deep wound in the hearts of all the people of Kurdistan. It stands as one of the most heinous crimes systematically and deliberately committed by the former authority in Iraq against the people of Kurdistan. These inhumane acts resulted in the loss and martyrdom of 182,000 Kurdish citizens, whose only ‘crime’ was their Kurdish identity.
These crimes also included chemical bombardment, Arabization policies, forced displacement, demographic change, the destruction of thousands of villages, and attempts to eradicate all means of life in Kurdistan—atrocities carried out by the former Iraqi government against the Kurdish people.
The Anfal constituted a grave injustice and an act of extreme aggression. At the same time, it serves as a vital lesson for present and future generations—one whose lessons must never be overlooked under any circumstances. It is imperative that this crime be internationally recognized as an act of genocide.
At the level of Iraq, there must be guarantees to ensure that such crimes are never repeated against the people of Kurdistan. The Iraqi state also bears responsibility for compensating the victims of Anfal and addressing the damage caused by this genocide inflicted upon our people.
On the 38th anniversary of the Anfal tragedy, we send our deepest salutations to the souls of the Anfal martyrs and all martyrs of Kurdistan, and we express our solidarity with the dignified families of the victims.”
Masoud Barzani
April 14, 2026
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Masrour Barzani on Anfal Anniversary: Baghdad Must Fulfill Its Responsibilities Toward Victims’ Families
ARK News.. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, issued a statement on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marking the 38th anniversary of the Anfal Campaign, stressing that the Kurdistan Region’s entity and achievements are the result of immense sacrifices, not a grant from any party, and calling on the federal government to uphold its constitutional obligations toward the families of the victims.
The following is the full text of the statement:
“Today, we commemorate the tragedy of the ill-fated Anfal campaigns, which constitute one of the most heinous crimes of ethnic cleansing and genocide committed by the former Iraqi regime against the people of Kurdistan.
These atrocities left behind profound suffering, marked by the disappearance and martyrdom of thousands of innocent citizens, and the eradication of thousands of villages and towns across Kurdistan. This genocide and the massacres committed against our people must remain alive in our conscience and collective memory, so that future generations understand that our present achievements were not easily attained, nor were they a favor or gift from anyone.
Rather, they are the outcome of a bitter struggle and the pure blood shed by thousands of proud martyrs to nourish the land of Kurdistan. As we mark this anniversary, we reaffirm the necessity for the federal government to assume its moral and constitutional responsibilities, and fulfilling its obligations to provide fair and adequate compensation to the families and relatives of the martyrs and of Anfal victims.
On the 38th anniversary of Anfal, peace be upon the pure souls of the victims and all the martyrs of Kurdistan.”
Masrour Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region
14/4/2026
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Mohammad Al-Ahmad: U.S. Mediation Ongoing to Reach Security Agreement Between Syria and Israel
Welat TV – Erbil
Mohammad al-Ahmad, Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed that U.S. mediation efforts are still ongoing with the aim of reaching a security agreement between Syria and Israel.
According to remarks he made to Al Mamlaka TV, the proposed agreement is based on the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, and includes provisions preventing Israeli interference in Syria’s internal affairs, in addition to Israeli withdrawal from areas it entered following the fall of the regime.
Al-Ahmad noted that prior communication with Israel had led to the drafting of a preliminary agreement. However, the process stalled due to what he described as a “technical issue” related to a change in the head of the Israeli negotiating team.
He expressed Damascus’s hope that Israel will demonstrate seriousness in adhering to the disengagement agreement and moving forward toward consolidating security understandings between the two sides.
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Trump Weighs Limited Military Strikes on Iranian Targets
ARK News.. Donald Trump is currently reviewing, alongside his advisers, the option of launching limited military strikes against Iranian targets as a pressure tactic to break the deadlock dominating the stalled peace negotiations.
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing informed sources, that the option of a “comprehensive and sustained attack” is currently the least likely scenario under consideration by Trump. Instead, the primary focus is on conducting precise, limited strikes in parallel with imposing a tight naval blockade.
In posts on his platform Truth Social, Trump announced that U.S. naval forces will begin asserting full control over maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
He accused Tehran of threatening regional security by laying naval mines, describing such actions as “global extortion operations.”
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Washington Post: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Opens Secret Communication Channels with the U.S.
ARK News.. The Washington Post reported that figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have begun opening parallel communication channels with United States, in a move reflecting escalating internal competition for influence and preparations for a new political phase inside Iran.
The newspaper stated on Monday, April 13, 2026, that “these moves come in the context of competing with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibav, who emerged during the Islamabad negotiations as one of the most prominent figures capable of negotiating with the West, despite the failure of talks between Tehran and Washington.”
Quoting columnist David Ignatius, the report said that “Ghalibav, in his capacity as head of the Iranian delegation, left a strong impression on the American side as a professional and organized negotiator, and even as a potential candidate to lead Iran in a future stage.”
The report indicated that the round of talks revealed not only the complexities of the relationship between the United States and Iran, but also exposed shifts within the structure of the Iranian system, as multiple factions within the Revolutionary Guard seek to secure positions in any future political arrangements, reflecting internal movement to reshape the balance of power.
In the same context, the report explained that the deadlock reached in the Islamabad talks does not necessarily mean a move toward direct war, as economic pressure continues to be used as a primary tool without military escalation.
The newspaper added that Donald Trump does not show a desire to engage in a new armed conflict, given the major and unpredictable risks that any military escalation may entail.
According to the report, the U.S. administration is moving toward intensifying economic pressure by placing Iran in an “economic squeeze,” aimed at pushing it to change its behavior through reaching a comprehensive deal.
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Hakan Fidan: No Restrictions Should Be Imposed on Navigation Through the Strait of Hormuz
ARK News.. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, affirmed that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must remain safeguarded without any obstacles or imposed fees.
Speaking to the press on Monday, April 13, 2026, Fidan stated, “No country should impose restrictions on transit movement in the vital Strait of Hormuz,” noting that Ankara considers it inappropriate for international actors to intervene under the pretext of reopening the waterway.
Regarding Lebanon, Fidan indicated that the ongoing developments fall within what he described as Israel’s expansionist policies, warning that the continuity of the crisis could lead to a broader regional conflict.
He added that initial understandings suggested the ceasefire agreement would include Lebanon; however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disrupted this course, accusing the United States of “remaining silent regarding these developments.”
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