Barzani Charity Foundation Releases Detailed Statistics on Its Relief Activities in Syrian Kurdistan
ARK News.. The Barzani Charity Foundation has published detailed statistics on its humanitarian relief activities in Syrian Kurdistan, which included the distribution of heating fuel, the provision of hot meals, and the delivery of healthcare services.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 9, 2026, the foundation announced that it has delivered 367 truckloads of humanitarian aid to Syrian Kurdistan since the first day of the outbreak of events up until Sunday, February 8, 2026.
According to the statement, the foundation has so far provided 89,670 hot meals to residents, while the total number of families benefiting from various forms of assistance reached 15,195.
Regarding energy and services, the foundation noted that 332,492 liters of heating fuel were distributed to 9,064 families. In addition, healthcare and medical services were provided to 7,952 individuals.
In terms of supporting local employment, the foundation stated that it has created job opportunities for 906 workers through its projects and activities in the region.
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Transfer of 2,225 ISIS Detainees from Syria to Iraq
Welat TV – Erbil
A media source reported that Iraq has so far received 2,225 ISIS detainees who had been held in Syria and whose transfer was initiated by the US military last month.
The head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, Major General Saad Ma’an, told France Press Agency (AFP) on Saturday, February 7, 2026, that “Iraq has received 2,225 terrorists from the Syrian side, both by land and air, in coordination with the US-led International Coalition,” which has been fighting the extremist group since 2014.
He added that those transferred are part of up to 7,000 ISIS detainees, whose relocation from Syria to Iraq was announced last month by the US Central Command (CENTCOM). The move, CENTCOM said at the time, aims to “ensure that terrorists remain in secure detention facilities.”
Ma’an noted that the detainees are currently being held in highly secured official detention centers.
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Details of Mulla Mustafa Barzani’s Letter to General Charles de Gaulle
ARK News.. A historical document dating back to February 1968 has revealed the details of a “moving” letter sent by the historic Kurdish liberation leader, Mullah Mustafa Barzani, to then-French President General Charles de Gaulle.
The letter, written at a time when the Kurdish people were enduring harsh conditions, carried deep political and humanitarian significance, portraying France as “the Kurds’ last hope.”
At the beginning of his message, Mullah Mustafa Barzani employed a highly diplomatic tone, introducing himself as “an elderly man who dedicated his life to the dignity and freedom of his people,” and addressing General de Gaulle as “the greatest warrior and liberator of France.”
Barzani highlighted that de Gaulle, as a global symbol who championed the principle of self-determination and opposed all forms of oppression, was best positioned to understand the Kurds’ ongoing six-year struggle in the mountains.
In a strategic diplomatic move, Barzani recalled de Gaulle’s criticisms of the Vietnam War, urging the French president to consider the Kurdish cause with the same humanitarian standards. He wrote: “You can empathize with the harsh war that the Kurds are waging in the mountains of northern Iraq… I am confident that the fate of the Kurds is no less important to you than that of the Vietnamese.”
The letter depicted the tragic international situation of the Kurds at the time, describing their isolation in the struggle for survival, noting that the United Nations ignored their plight while world powers competed to supply the Iraqi government with weapons.
Barzani directly warned France against arming Baghdad, stating: “Iraq requests weapons from France without resolving the Kurdish issue, and these weapons will only be used for destruction and the mass killing of our women and children.”
The letter concluded on a spiritual and humanitarian note, emphasizing hope and trust. Barzani described de Gaulle and France as “the refuge and clear horizon upon which the Kurds place their hopes,” writing: “Every man has in his soul a sanctuary of hope and peace,” affirming that France represents this sanctuary for the Kurdish nation.
This document reflects Mulla Mustafa Barzani’s strategic vision and deep understanding of international dynamics, as well as his relentless efforts to secure moral and political support for the Kurdish cause at a time when Kurds were under severe military and political pressure.
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Yann Brim: France Closely Monitoring Developments of the SDF–Syrian Government Agreement
ARK News.. The French Consul General in the Kurdistan Region affirmed France’s commitment to maintaining relations of friendship and partnership with the Kurdistan Region, stressing the need for concerted international and regional efforts to enhance stability in the region, particularly in Syria.
French Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, Yann Brim, said that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot discussed the ceasefire file with the government in Damascus, emphasizing the importance of protecting Kurdish rights in Syria and ensuring their effective presence and rightful role in “the Syria of the future.”
The French consul noted that the meeting between the French foreign minister and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Commander Mazloum Abdi focused on the details and contents of the agreement concluded between the SDF and the government in Damascus. Brém stated: “France is closely monitoring the developments of this agreement, and we will continue our support and oversight of the political and on-the-ground situation.”
He added that France has always believed that dialogue and negotiation are the best means to resolve crises.
Brim also praised the role played by President Masoud Barzani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in the developments in western Kurdistan, describing it as a “decisive and positive” role in achieving peace, stability, and containing crises in the region.
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![Kurdistan Region President Receives Commander of Syria\](https://www.arknews.net/files/%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%86%20%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A_0.jpg "Kurdistan Region President Receives Commander of Syria\")
Kurdistan Region President Receives Commander of Syria\
ARK News.. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), along with a delegation, on Thursday evening, Feb. 5, 2026.
The two sides discussed the latest field and political developments in Syria, the Kurdish issue, and the agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF.
Barzani reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s support for peaceful solutions to disputes, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue among all parties and safeguarding the rights of all communities, particularly the Kurdish population, within a unified Syria.
For his part, Abdi provided an overview of the regional situation and his talks with Damascus and international actors, expressing appreciation for President Barzani’s ongoing role and the Kurdistan Region’s efforts to support the legitimate rights of the Kurdish people and ease regional tensions.
The meeting also addressed terrorism threats and ISIS movements in the region. Both sides agreed that coordination among parties and support from the International Coalition are essential to protecting regional security.
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Cargo Plane Lands at International Coalition Base South of Rmelan in Syrian Kurdistan
ARK News.. A Syrian rights source reported that a cargo plane landed at the Kharab al-Jir base in rural Hasaka, coinciding with the arrival of 10 buses transporting ISIS fighters accompanied by armored vehicles to the base.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, these movements were accompanied by intensive helicopter flights over the area, amid a lack of official clarification regarding the nature or objectives of these military reinforcements.
On 1 February, a military convoy belonging to the International Coalition departed from Kharab al-Jir base, south of Rmelan in Hasaka countryside, heading toward Iraq via the al-Waleed border crossing.
The convoy reportedly included dozens of trucks carrying military equipment, armored vehicles, and fuel tankers, amid heightened security measures and coalition helicopters securing the withdrawal route.
These movements coincided with the gradual evacuation of some coalition military points in Hasaka province, in the context of recent field developments in northern and eastern Syria.
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Al-Monitor: France Secured “Right to Education in the Kurdish Language” in SDF–Damascus Agreement
ARK News.. The US-based outlet Al-Monitor revealed, in a special report, details of the pivotal role played by France in shaping the new agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government in Damascus, confirming that Paris was the primary driving force behind enshrining Kurdish civil and cultural rights.
Citing diplomatic sources, the report said that the French government exerted strong pressure to ensure the inclusion of the “right to education in the Kurdish language” as a core, non-negotiable provision in the agreement, which entered into force on 2 February.
According to the report, Paris views the protection of cultural and linguistic rights as a fundamental step toward broader recognition of Kurdish identity within the Syrian state.
The report added that French ambitions go beyond field-level arrangements, as Paris seeks to ensure these rights are entrenched in Syria’s new constitution as “permanent constitutional provisions.”
In this context, France has stressed the importance of strong and effective Kurdish representation in the committee tasked with drafting the Syrian constitution, in order to prevent the marginalization of Kurdish demands in the future
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Human Rights Watch: Syrian Government Has Provided Only Limited Transparency in Holding Senior Officials Accountable
ARK News.. Human Rights Watch stated in its annual report, World Report 2026, that Syria’s new government took initial steps in 2025 to advance justice and accountability for crimes and violations committed by the former government, signaling a potential shift in the human rights file after many years.
In its report released on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, Human Rights Watch said Syrian authorities had established new government bodies tasked with transitional justice and uncovering the fate of thousands of missing persons. However, the organization warned of a lack of transparency regarding the responsibility of senior leaders for “recent acts of violence.”
The report noted that a constitutional declaration issued in March 2025 affirmed the independence of the judiciary, but stressed the need to establish the necessary legal and institutional frameworks to prosecute serious international crimes, address command responsibility, and avoid limiting accountability to individual offenses alone.
Human Rights Watch said that “the Syrian authorities have provided only limited transparency regarding the role of senior military and civilian officials in the violence that occurred across the country in 2025, particularly violence carried out on the basis of identity.”
According to the report, “the deployment of government forces in response to attacks and armed violence in the governorates of Latakia, Tartous, and Hama in March, and in Suwayda in July, led to a wave of identity-based violence. Despite the launch of credible investigations into these incidents, the authorities have not clarified how those in positions of command authority implicated in the violence will be held accountable.”
Adam Coogle, Deputy Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch, said that Syria’s new authorities have made justice and accountability a priority, “but these efforts cannot be selective or one-sided.”
He added: “To move Syria into a new era that respects rights, comprehensive accountability must be ensured for violations committed by all parties before and after December 2024, including institutional responsibility, not only individual crimes.”
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German Parliamentary Delegation Praises President Barzani’s Role in Protecting the Kurdish People in Western Kurdistan
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani received, on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, in Pirmam, Berivan Aymaz, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Germany’s North Rhine–Westphalia state.
During the meeting, Aymaz expressed her pleasure at visiting Kurdistan and meeting President Barzani. She extended her gratitude to President Barzani for taking a leading role in defending the Kurdish cause in Western Kurdistan amid the recent risks and developments, highly commending his efforts to protect the Kurdish people there.
She also thanked the Barzani Charity Foundation for its role in delivering humanitarian aid and providing relief to those affected in Syrian Kurdistan. Aymaz expressed her hope that the Kurdistan Region would continue to grow stronger and more prosperous, and praised President Barzani for his support and continued attention to the affairs of the Kurdish diaspora abroad, describing it as an influential and effective force in supporting the Kurdish cause.
For his part, President Barzani welcomed Berivan Aymaz and commended her tireless efforts and determination, which have enabled her to attain a prominent political position in Germany. He wished her continued success and prosperity. President Barzani also addressed issues related to the Kurdish diaspora, offering guidance and advice, and emphasized the importance for Kurds living abroad to preserve their Kurdish identity and language.
The situation in Western Kurdistan and the peace process in Turkey were also among the key topics discussed during the meeting
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Kurdistan Region Enters the Automotive Manufacturing Sector
ARK News.. The Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced that a major Chinese company has expressed interest in opening a large car assembly plant in the Kurdistan Region in the near future.
According to a statement issued by the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a delegation from China’s IAT Group visited the chamber as part of efforts to expand the group’s industrial and investment activities in the automotive sector.
The statement noted that the delegation was received by the Chamber’s Vice President, Marouf Azizkhan Harki, and was headed by Amir Saadati, Commercial Director of the IAT Group.
During the meeting, Saadati highlighted the company’s expertise in manufacturing spare parts, vehicle design, and car assembly, explaining that IAT provides high-quality products tailored to customer requirements.
He added that, as an initial step, the company will participate in the Erbil International Auto Show (Auto Show), while its main strategic objective is to establish a large-scale car assembly plant in the Kurdistan Region in the near future.
With the establishment of a car assembly plant in the Kurdistan Region, the region would enter the automotive manufacturing arena, positioning itself as a player in decision-making within the industry at the local level, and potentially at the regional level in the future.
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