Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Receives the Head of the State of Law Coalition
ARK News.. Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani received Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
The meeting focused on the overall situation in Iraq following the parliamentary elections, as well as the ongoing efforts and political consultations aimed at forming the new federal government.
Both sides agreed on the importance of resolving the outstanding issues between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government on the basis of the constitution and previously signed agreements.
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Masrour Barzani: Meeting of Kurdish Parties in MEPS is a Positive Step Toward Rapprochement
ARK News.. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, affirmed that the participation of various Kurdish parties in the Middle East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS 2025), held in Duhok represents a positive and important step towards promoting peace in the region.
This came in a press statement made by Masrour Barzani on the sidelines of his participation in the forum. The Prime Minister pointed out that the participation of the leadership of the Kurdish National Council (KNC) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the forum is a significant step toward further enhancing peace in the region, especially among the Kurdish parties. Barzani also emphasized that the forum's goal is to achieve genuine peace in the Middle East in general.
About the rapprochement among the Kurdish parties during this critical period in the region, Masrour Barzani expressed hope that the Kurdish relations would continue to improve, noting that the sooner the Kurdish sides come closer together, the better. He added that there are some issues that still require further dialogue and deeper consideration in order to achieve the desired unity.
During a panel discussion at the forum, Barzani stressed the need for a constitution in Syria that represents all components, and that the Syrian government must negotiate with all parties, adding “Dialogue is the best way forward for Syria.”
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Iran Considers Halting Uranium Enrichment
ARK News.. Iran has announced that it is considering suspending uranium enrichment, indicating that Tehran's position may be shifting in line with its national interests.
Iranian media quoted government spokesperson Fatima Mohajerani on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, as saying, “Uranium enrichment is not currently being carried out, and the possibility of completely halting the enrichment process is under consideration in line with national interests.
The adopting of a compromise solution in the nuclear dispute with the West is being studied.” Mohajerani added that the country's Atomic Energy Organization, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Supreme National Security Council will decide on the best option for Iran.
For his part, Kamal Kharrazi, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said Tehran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the Trump administration and negotiate a reduction in uranium enrichment levels.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei also announced on November 10 that IAEA inspectors visited Iranian nuclear sites last week, saying: “We are obliged to make a decision on any request from the agency to inspect nuclear facilities after coordinating with the Supreme National Security Council.” U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and major world powers, imposing numerous unilateral sanctions on Iran.
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Syrian Foreign Ministry Condemns Netanyahu’s Visit to Territory in Southern Syria
ARK News.. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the visit made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the ministers of defense and foreign affairs and several military officials, to an area in southern Syria, describing it as “illegal and a serious violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
In its statement issued on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the ministry said the visit “represents another attempt to impose a de facto reality that contradicts relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” stressing that “Israeli actions fall within the occupation’s policies aimed at entrenching its aggression and continuing its violations of Syrian territory.”
The ministry affirmed that “Syria will continue to defend its sovereignty and inalienable rights until every inch of its occupied territory is restored.” It also called on the international community to “assume its responsibilities in deterring the practices of the occupation and compelling it to fully withdraw from southern Syria,” emphasizing the need to return to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to respect internationally recognized borders.
The statement warned that “continued Israeli violations in southern Syria pose a direct threat to regional stability,” adding that international silence amounts to “a green light for further breaches.” Israeli ground incursions in southern Syria have recently intensified, particularly in the countryside of Quneitra and Daraa, where Israeli forces have been targeting several villages and carrying out operations with various objectives.
Earlier, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that negotiations with Syria had reached a dead end, despite efforts by international mediators to broker a security agreement between Israel and the new Syrian government, based on the 1974 accord.
The broadcaster explained that the main point of contention centered on the withdrawal from southern Syria, where Israeli forces advanced following the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024.
It added that Israel is not seeking a mere security arrangement but is aiming for a comprehensive peace agreement with Syria, affirming that it is willing to withdraw from the occupied areas only after such an agreement is signed. It also reiterated Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the territories it seized after Assad’s fall.
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Masrour Barzani: The Kurdistan Democratic Party Is the Leading Party in Iraq
ARK News.. Masrour Barzani, Vice President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, corrected statements made by speakers at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum “MEPS 2025” regarding the number of votes in the recent Iraqi parliamentary elections.
During the forum, some speakers stated that the KDP ranked as the second-largest party in Iraq based on total votes.
However, Barzani intervened to clarify, saying: “I want to correct the points raised in this session. You mentioned that the Kurdistan Democratic Party is now the second-largest party in Iraq. But in fact, we received more than one million and one hundred thousand votes — therefore, we are the first party.”
Barzani added that while some alliances may have collected several thousand votes more collectively, this does not change the fact that the KDP, as a single party, is the top party in Iraq
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Nechirvan Barzani: A Strict Centralized System Is Not Suitable for Governing Syria
ARK News.. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, affirmed that the Region has always sought to be a source of security and peace in the Middle East, emphasizing that Kurdistan has “done its utmost not to be part of the problems that have unfolded in the region.”
Speaking during a panel session at the Middle East Peace and Security Forum “MEPS 2025,” organized by the American University of Duhok and launched on Tuesday under the theme “Directed Chaos: A New Middle East,” President Barzani stressed that it has always been the Kurdistan Region’s policy to promote peace and stability — a policy he said the Region will continue to uphold.
Barzani noted that the region’s crises require “sound thinking” to find solutions, as warfare no longer brings anything but destruction. He stressed that issues must be resolved through dialogue.
He expressed satisfaction that initial steps have been taken toward addressing crises in the Middle East — particularly in Gaza — describing yesterday’s UN Security Council resolution on the matter as significant and expressing hope that it will yield results.
Regarding the role of the United States, Barzani said Washington remains a global power capable of playing a very important and serious role in the Middle East.
He also discussed the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, reiterating that both sides seek to resolve their disputes peacefully and through dialogue.
On the peace process in Turkey, Barzani said the Kurdistan Region has always been ready to support the process because it benefits all communities in Turkey and has a profound impact on the Kurdistan Region and the wider region. He emphasized that peace is a serious undertaking that cannot be achieved overnight and requires time and commitment from all parties.
Barzani noted that the Region’s role lies in helping Turkey and the PKK move toward an understanding. He added that there is significant seriousness in Ankara toward implementing the process, while Abdullah Ocalan continues to stress the need to move forward with it.
Turning to Syria, the President said the Syrian people deserve a much better life, adding that the rise of Ahmad al-Sharaa to power represents a major opportunity to bring calm and stability to the country.
Barzani reiterated that a strict centralized system is not suitable for governing Syria, given its ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity.
“Syria needs a new model of governance,” he said, “but unfortunately the government is still holding on to a strong centralized system. We believe this model cannot build a better future for the country.”
Regarding Turkey’s role in Syrian affairs, he explained that Ankara strongly wishes to help solve Syria’s problems and is making efforts in that direction. However, he stressed that it is ultimately up to the Syrian government to reach a conclusion that enables the adoption of a new governance model.
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Nechirvan Barzani and Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani reaffirm commitment to the Constitution
ARK News.. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, received Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Duhok.
During their meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of the parliamentary elections. They discussed the political landscape and the priorities of the coming phase, agreeing on the importance of joint efforts and coordination among political actors as the country moves forward.
The two leaders reaffirmed that adherence to the Constitution is essential for protecting state institutions, resolving outstanding issues, and ensuring citizens’ rights.
In another part of the meeting, both sides stressed the need for all parties to uphold national principles in order to preserve stability, democracy, and the supreme national interest, and to meet the aspirations of all components of the Iraqi people
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Human Rights Watch Issues a Set of Recommendations to Authorities in Syria
ARK News.. Human Rights Watch has released a new report outlining the steps needed to achieve comprehensive justice in Syria.
The report, published on Monday, 17 November 2025, includes several key recommendations addressed to the authorities in Syria, their international partners, and all states. The most prominent recommendations are:
— Prioritize comprehensive justice: Support independent and fair justice pathways for victims and survivors of international crimes committed during the conflict, regardless of the perpetrators’ identity. This includes involving victims, survivors, civil society, and experts in designing and implementing both domestic and international accountability mechanisms.
— Strengthen cooperation with existing international justice mechanisms: Ensure effective and mutual cooperation between Syrian authorities and international bodies, including UN agencies, the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria (COI), the International Court of Justice, and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and its Investigation and Identification Team, in addition to national authorities in countries undertaking Syria-related cases under universal or other extraterritorial jurisdictions.
— Implement legislative reforms and accede to the International Criminal Court: Undertake timely and comprehensive legal reforms, including improving the detention system and supporting the prosecution of perpetrators of international crimes, alongside Syria’s accession to the International Criminal Court and granting it jurisdiction over past crimes.
— Build political will and justice-focused partnerships: Urge states supporting Syria-specific international mechanisms—such as the IIIM and the Independent Institution for Missing Persons—to hold regular meetings, develop practical options for justice, and coordinate with Syrian authorities, civil society, the United Nations, and other concerned actors.
The organization stressed that the fall of the deposed Bashar al-Assad and the end of more than six decades of Baath Party rule present an unprecedented opportunity to end decades of impunity for grave crimes.
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Over 134,000 Tons of Wheat Arrive at the Ports of Latakia and Tartous
ARK News.. The Syrian Grain Establishment announced the arrival of five cargo ships carrying more than 134,000 tons of wheat to the ports of Latakia and Tartous.
Hassan Othman, Director General of the Syrian Grain Establishment, said that the ships arrived from Ukraine and Russia as part of the government’s plan to secure the wheat supply needed to maintain uninterrupted bread production.
He added that the establishment is continuously overseeing the implementation of import contracts to ensure the steady arrival of the required quantities.
Othman noted that unloading, transportation, and storage operations are being carried out with strict procedures and in constant coordination with the relevant authorities to maintain the quality of the wheat and ensure the daily needs of the mills are met
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President Barzani: A Real Opportunity Exists to Resolve Syria’s Problems
ARK News.. Speaking at the opening session of MEPS 2025 at the American University of Kurdistan in Duhok, President Masoud Barzani called for amending Iraq’s electoral law, describing the current system as unfair.
President Barzani said: “Unfortunately, the Sykes–Picot Agreement did not bring stability to the region. We continue to suffer from its consequences to this day. We must therefore reflect seriously on the flaws within that agreement — because once we understand the defect, we will know how to fix it.”
He added that policies of dominance and imposed authority have failed in Iraq and across the Middle East, stressing that “everyone was harmed, and future generations deserve to live in stability.”
President Barzani noted that the Iraqi state established after World War I was built on the principle of partnership. Following the 14 July 1958 Revolution, a document was drafted affirming that Kurds and Arabs are partners in this homeland. This strengthened Iraq and ushered in a period of stability, he said, but the opportunity was never fully utilized. He recalled the March 11 Agreement between the Kurdish leadership and the Iraqi government, which also went unimplemented over time.
Throughout his remarks, President Barzani emphasized that the Kurdish revolutionary leadership had never rejected opportunities for peace. Whether in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1970, or 1991, he said, the Kurdish side always extended its hand whenever a peaceful solution was possible. “As Kurds, we have proven that we are advocates of peace. We do not forget what we endured, but we do not seek revenge, because we know that the brotherhood between Kurds, Arabs, and all other components is greater than any violations committed by successive governments.”
Barzani stressed the distinction between political disputes with governments and the deep, enduring ties among peoples, saying: “Problems with the government are one thing; the bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and shared destiny between nations are something entirely different.”
Following the fall of the regime in 2003, he said, Iraq was presented with a golden opportunity. Based on three core principles — consensus, balance, and partnership — the 2005 Iraqi Constitution was drafted. Compared with the constitutions of neighboring countries, Barzani argued, Iraq’s constitution remains far more progressive.
“We hope that these recent elections will put us back on the right path toward resolving all our outstanding issues,” he said.
President Barzani also expressed support for the peace process in Turkey, hoping it leads to meaningful solutions.
Turning to Syria, he remarked: “There is now a real opportunity to resolve its problems.
We hope these issues will finally be addressed.”
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