Russia Warns Against Syria Being Drawn into Escalating Middle East Conflict
ARK News.. Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, warned of the risk of Syria being drawn into the intensifying conflict in the Middle East, calling on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent a wider war that could destabilize the region.
Speaking during a session of the UN Security Council, Nebenzya said the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, is increasingly pulling more regional actors into the conflict, including Syria.
He added that the tense situation along the Syrian-Lebanese border is a particular concern, noting that the Syrian government has deployed additional units to the area to secure the frontier amid ongoing confrontations involving Hezbollah and Israel.
Nebenzya urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid the outbreak of a “major war” that could undermine stability across the entire region.
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Nechirvan Barzani on Eid al-Fitr: Let Us Turn the Spirit of the Holiday into an Opportunity for Unity and Cohesion
ARK News.. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued a message on Thursday to mark Eid al-Fitr, extending his congratulations to Muslims.
On the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to all Muslims in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world.
I offer special greetings to the families and relatives of our proud martyrs, hoping that this Eid will be the beginning of peace, reassurance, and happiness for all.
Let us make the noble meanings and message of this Eid—of tolerance, reconciliation, and forgiveness—a renewed opportunity to strengthen harmony and unity.
Given the sensitive circumstances in our region amid the complexities and risks of war, we must act with a sense of historical and national responsibility to safeguard the Kurdistan Region and confront these challenges.
We look to the future with hope and optimism, confident that the people of Kurdistan, through their resilience and unity, will overcome this difficult phase as well. We hope this Eid brings good and happiness to all.
Eid Mubarak, and may you be well every year.
Nechirvan Barzani,
President of the Kurdistan Region,
March 19, 2026
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Masrour Barzani on Eid al-Fitr: We Pray This Holiday Marks the Beginning of Ending the War in the Region
ARK News.. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani issued a message on Thursday, March 19, 2026, extending his congratulations to Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.
On the occasion of the blessed Eid al-Fitr, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to all Muslims in Kurdistan, Iraq, and around the world.
On this blessed occasion, we pray that Almighty God accepts the good deeds and acts of worship of all, and that this Eid becomes a source of reassurance, security, and stability, and a starting point for extinguishing the flames of war and easing tensions across the region and the world.
Eid Mubarak, and may God keep Kurdistan prosperous and secure.
Masrour Barzani,
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region,
March 19, 2026
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Barzani Extends Eid al-Fitr Greetings to Muslims
ARK News.. Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani extended his congratulations to Muslims around the world, including in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.
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 blessed Eid al-Fitr, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to Muslims around the world, in Iraq, and in Kurdistan. I also extend my greetings to the families of the martyrs, to the brave Peshmerga, and to all citizens of Kurdistan.
On this blessed occasion, I wish the dear people of Kurdistan continued prosperity, happiness, and dignity. I pray to Almighty God to accept the fasting, prayers, and good deeds of all Muslims, and to make this Eid a gateway to good and a step toward achieving peace and stability for our region and for humanity as a whole.
Masoud Barzani 30 Ramadan 1447 AH
March 19, 2026
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Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs: Three Peshmerga Fighters Injured in Drone Attacks
ARK News.. The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs announced on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, that two of its positions in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah were targeted by drone attacks, resulting in the injury of three Peshmerga fighters.
In a statement, the ministry said the “irresponsible attack” comes after previous incidents in which Peshmerga sites were repeatedly targeted. It added that the violations have been reported to the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Joint Operations Command.
The statement strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as “terrorist acts,” and called on the Iraqi Commander-in-Chief to fulfill legal responsibilities and put an end to such internal attacks.
The ministry also stressed the need for urgent and decisive measures to deter outlaw groups and prevent the recurrence of such actions, warning that they pose a serious threat to regional security.
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Brent Crude Surges Over 10% Amid Supply Concerns
ARK News.. Oil prices continued to rise sharply after strikes targeting energy infrastructure in the Middle East heightened concerns over global supply.
According to reports, Brent Crude jumped by more than 10%, reaching $119.13 per barrel. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose by 2.6% to $98.81 per barrel.
The surge comes amid Iranian attacks on a major liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar—considered one of the largest in the world—as well as strikes on oil refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, intensifying fears of disruptions to global energy supplies.
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Nechirvan Barzani Receives Turkish Consul General in Erbil
ARK News.. President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, received on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, “Erdem Topçu”.
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the latest regional developments and the repercussions of ongoing conflicts, stressing the importance of intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and to find peaceful solutions.
Discussions also focused on the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with both parties emphasizing the need to avoid dragging Iraq and the Region into the conflict and to work at all levels to preserve security and stability.
In another aspect of the meeting, President Barzani expressed his appreciation to Turkey for the assistance and facilitation it provides at border crossings to ease the movement of travelers from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
The talks also addressed the impact of the war and regional tensions on Turkey, bilateral relations, and expectations for future developments in the region.
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Masrour Barzani: Decision to Allow Oil Exports via Kurdistan Pipeline
ARK News.. Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, announced a decision to allow oil exports through the Kurdistan Region’s pipeline, confirming that exports will resume as soon as possible.
In a post published on X on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Barzani said: “Given the exceptional circumstances facing the country, and based on our shared responsibility to overcome this difficult phase, we have decided to allow oil exports through the Kurdistan Region’s pipeline at the earliest opportunity.”
He added that discussions with Baghdad will continue in parallel to urgently lift restrictions on imports and commercial movement to the Region, as well as to provide the necessary guarantees for oil and gas companies to resume production in a safe environment.
Barzani concluded by expressing his appreciation to partners in the United States for their continued support and role in facilitating this process.
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Erbil–Baghdad Reach Agreement to Resume Oil Exports
ARK News.. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s negotiating delegation announced on Tuesday that Erbil and Baghdad have reached a comprehensive agreement to resume oil exports from the Region’s fields and those of Kirkuk via the Kurdistan–Ceyhan pipeline in Turkey, starting Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Statement by the KRG Negotiating Delegation
On March 17, 2026, a joint meeting was held between the federal government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to discuss oil exports from Kirkuk fields and the resumption of Kurdistan Region oil exports through the pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan.
At the outset of the meeting, the KRG delegation reaffirmed—within the framework of constitutional partnership and national responsibility—its full readiness to take all necessary measures to boost public revenues and address the financial crisis, particularly in light of the sensitive regional conditions, with the aim of securing salaries, livelihoods, and public services.
The Kurdistan Regional Government agreed to export oil from Kirkuk fields in parallel with oil from the Region’s fields through the Kurdistan–Ceyhan pipeline.
To this end, both sides agreed to form a joint committee from the federal Ministry of Oil and the KRG Ministry of Natural Resources to initiate the required technical and administrative steps, paving the way for exports to global markets via the pipeline starting the following day. Oil revenues will be returned to the federal treasury.
The two parties also agreed to take the necessary security measures to protect oil fields and ensure the continuity of export operations.
The Kurdistan Regional Government reiterated its commitment to fully cooperate and support efforts aimed at addressing Iraq’s financial challenges, ensuring sufficient revenues for public spending, salaries, and essential services.
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Thomas Barrack Conveys Donald Trump Greetings to Masrour Barzani
ARK News.. Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, received a phone call on Tuesday evening, March 17, 2026, from Thomas Barrack, U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey.
During the call, both sides discussed the general situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the wider region.
Barrack conveyed the greetings and appreciation of Donald Trump to Prime Minister Barzani, praising his opinion and readiness to cooperate with the federal government to resume oil exports via Turkey.
Barzani noted that discussions with Baghdad are ongoing, confirming that he has instructed the Kurdistan Region’s team to provide the necessary facilitation for oil exports in the interest of citizens amid the current challenges.
He added that the Kurdistan Regional Government will take all necessary steps in this regard to serve the public interest, calling on the United States to continue playing a monitoring role in the ongoing negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad regarding customs issues and trade restrictions.
The two sides also emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination and cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the United States to promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
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