President Barzani: We Fully Support the Success of the Peace Process in Turkey
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani expressed his full support for the ongoing peace process in Turkey, voicing optimism about recent positive steps taken by the involved parties. In a statement issued on Monday, May 12, Barzani welcomed the constructive positions adopted and the efforts made toward a peaceful resolution.
The full text of President Barzani’s message reads:
In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,
It is encouraging to see the parties involved in the peace process in Turkey adopting constructive positions and taking meaningful steps toward a peaceful solution. The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has also convened its congress and issued a number of resolutions.
We hope this process will lead to positive outcomes that serve the interests of the region and all its peoples.
We hereby declare our full support for the success of this process through all possible means.
Masoud Barzani
May 12, 2025
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Final Statement of the Kurdish Unity and Common Position Conference Issued in Qamishlo
ARK News.. Following the conclusion of the Kurdish Unity and Common Position Conference held, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Qamishlo, the final statement was issued, in which participants adopted the Joint Kurdish Political Vision as a founding document representing a collective will and offering a realistic approach for a just and comprehensive solution to the Kurdish issue within a unified Syria characterized by its multiethnic, multireligious, and multicultural identity.
Text of the Final Statement:
The Kurdish Unity and Common Position Conference was held on April 26, 2025, in Rojava, Kurdistan (Qamishlo city), following intensive dialogues and commendable efforts by friends and allies. The conference witnessed the participation of Kurdish political parties, civil society organizations, women’s movements, and independent Kurdish societal figures from across Kurdish regions in Syria. The aim was to adopt a unified Kurdish vision regarding the reconstruction of a new Syria and to work toward a just resolution of the Kurdish issue at this crucial historical juncture.
After the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus on December 8, 2024—a regime responsible for widespread repression, displacement, and devastation—the Syrian people, including Kurds, made immense sacrifices to achieve freedom and dignity. The Kurdish people, in particular, contributed thousands of martyrs and maintained their national struggle in alignment with the broader Syrian democratic movement.
Driven by historical responsibility and the urgent demands of the current stage, a Joint Kurdish Political Vision was formulated. This vision calls for a decentralized, democratic Syria where the rights of all components, including the Kurdish people, are constitutionally recognized and protected, in accordance with international human rights conventions, while empowering women to fully participate in political and social institutions.
The conference unanimously endorsed this Joint Kurdish Political Vision as the foundation for future national dialogue—both among Kurdish political forces themselves and between Kurdish representatives and the new administration in Damascus, as well as other Syrian national forces. The vision promotes building a new, inclusive Syria, free from exclusion or marginalization, based on pluralism and mutual respect, while preserving regional and international relations and contributing to peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the conference resolved to form a joint Kurdish delegation as soon as possible to translate this vision into political reality through engagement and dialogue with all relevant parties.
Qamishlo, April 26, 2025
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المجلس الوطني الكوردي يناقش آخر تطورات كونفرانس وحدة الصف والموقف الكوردي
ناقش المجلس الوطني الكوردي وحدة الصف الكوردي، وآخر التطورات حول انعقاد الكونفراس والعمل من أجل نجاحه.
عقد المجلس الوطني الكوردي اليوم الخميس 24 نيسان 2025، اجتماعا في مقر الحزب الديمقراطي الكوردستاني – سوريا بمدينة قامشلو بكوردستان سوريا.
وفق إعلام المجلس الوطني الكوردي في سوريا تم مناقشة وحدة الصف الكوردي خلال الاجتماع، والوقوف على آخر التطورات حول انعقاد الكونفراس والعمل من أجل نجاحه يعد خطوة مهمة في تاريخ كوردستان سوريا.
وفق المصدر سيتم خلال الكونفرانس تحديد وحدة الصف الكوردي وبعدها سيتم تشكيل وفد مشترك للذهاب إلى دمشق وتحقيق مطالب الشعب الكوردي في سوريا المستقبل بعد سقوط النظام السابق.
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Nechirvan Barzani and Emmanuel Macron Discuss Syria and Regional Stability
ARK New.. On Monday afternoon, April 14, 2025, Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, was officially received at the Élysée Palace in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron.
During a bilateral meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations between France, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region, and to expand mutual cooperation. President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his gratitude and appreciation for France’s continued support, and for President Macron’s steadfast backing of both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Both leaders reaffirmed their shared desire to deepen bilateral relations and further develop cooperation across all sectors. They emphasized the importance of maintaining Iraq’s security and stability, and of shielding the country from the complexities of broader regional tensions.
A key part of their discussion focused on the latest developments in the Middle East, particularly the situation in Syria, the ongoing threat of terrorism, and the persistent danger posed by ISIS. The two presidents underscored the importance of safeguarding the rights of Kurds and other communities in Syria and stressed the need for dialogue and mutual understanding to achieve peaceful resolutions to the region’s challenges.
The meeting also covered a range of other issues of mutual interest and concern.
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34th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 688 in Support of Kurdistan
ARK News.. On Saturday, April 5, 2025, marks the 34th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688, which was passed in favor of Kurdistan, effectively prohibiting Iraqi warplanes from flying over Kurdish airspace.
The resolution was adopted on April 5, 1991, following a joint letter submitted to the United Nations by France, Iran, and Turkey, expressing grave concern over the tragic political events unfolding in Iraq—particularly the 1991 popular uprising. The letter urged the Iraqi government to cease its attacks on the Kurdish people in Iraqi Kurdistan and to prevent the Ba’ath regime from targeting Kurdish civilians.
The Security Council adopted Resolution 688 with 10 votes in favor, 3 against (Yemen, Zimbabwe, and Cuba), and 2 abstentions (China and India).
France and the United States later used the resolution as a legal basis to establish a no-fly zone over northern Iraq (Kurdistan, north of the 36th parallel) to protect displaced civilians fleeing brutal crackdowns by the Ba’ath regime.
Resolution 688 included six provisions under Chapter VI and thirteen under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The first paragraph condemned the aerial bombardment of civilian populations in various parts of Iraq, including those in Iraqi Kurdistan. It called on Iraq to eliminate threats to international peace and security and to respect the human rights of its citizens.
The Council further condemned the repression of civilian populations and urged Iraq to grant international humanitarian organizations access to affected regions to deliver aid and essential supplies.
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President Barzani: The Wound and Pain of the Halabja Chemical Attack Will Forever Remain in the Hearts of Kurdistanis
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani published a message on the "X" platform marking the 37th anniversary of the chemical attack on Halabja.
Full Text of President Barzani’s Message:
"The wound and pain of the heinous crime of Halabja’s chemical bombing will forever remain etched in the hearts and memories of all Kurdish people. It is an unforgettable tragedy that will always be present in our collective consciousness.
The responsibility for this crime against humanity, including its consequences, impacts, and compensation for the victims' families, lies with the Iraqi state. On this solemn occasion, as we commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Halabja chemical massacre, we honor the souls of the heroic martyrs of Halabja, as well as their families and all those who suffered due to this atrocity."
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Unprecedented Popular Protests Sweep Multiple Iranian Cities
ARK News.. Iran is witnessing an unprecedented wave of popular protests as economic conditions worsen and the national currency plunges to record lows. The U.S. dollar has soared to 95,300 tomans, while the price of a gold bullion has exceeded 79 million tomans.
The currency decline follows remarks by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who reiterated his rejection of negotiations with the United States, further fueling market uncertainty.
Demonstrations have spread across various Iranian cities, with large-scale protests erupting in Tabriz, Sanandaj, Hormozgan, Mariwan, and Bijar. Retirees from the telecommunications sector have continued their weekly Monday gatherings for months, demanding updates to social welfare allocations for 2022 and 2023, improvements in supplementary insurance, and the disbursement of overdue payments at current rates.
In the energy sector, workers at the South Pars Phase 4 refinery staged protests over low wages and poor working conditions, stressing that their salaries remain inadequate amid rising living costs.
Meanwhile, in the healthcare sector, nurses and staff at "Mardani Azar" Hospital in Tabriz staged a demonstration, calling for salary increases and better living conditions. Protesters carried banners reading, "Silence from any nurse is a betrayal to their colleagues."
In Tehran, employees of the University of Tehran held a protest on "16 Azar Street," denouncing low wages and disparities in salary increases across university departments.
Additionally, job applicants for the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad protested outside the Administrative Affairs Organization after the number of announced job openings was slashed from 19,000 to 10,000, depriving thousands of employment opportunities.
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Washington Post Reports Trump Administration Reviewing Policy Amid Heated White House Exchange
ARK News.. The Trump administration is considering a complete halt to all ongoing military aid to Ukraine following a heated exchange between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, according to a report by The Washington Post on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Citing a senior U.S. official, The Washington Post revealed that the administration is "weighing the termination of all ongoing military aid shipments to Ukraine," which could include billions of dollars' worth of radar systems, vehicles, ammunition, and missiles.
"The Trump administration is now reviewing its policy, putting billions of dollars in radar systems, vehicles, ammunition, and missiles at stake," the official said.
According to the report, the repercussions of the "explosive meeting" between the two leaders resonated globally. Senior officials in Brussels were reportedly glued to their phones, closely following the verbal clashes.
A high-ranking European diplomat emphasized the urgency for Zelensky to defuse the situation by issuing a statement reaffirming his respect for Trump. Another European official described the confrontation as definitive proof that Europe had lost the U.S. as an ally.
Following the meeting, President Zelensky expressed gratitude for U.S. support and his visit to Washington.
"Thank you, America. Thank you for your support. Thank you for this visit… Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly towards that," Zelensky wrote on his personal account on the "X" platform.
Trump reportedly ordered Zelensky to leave the White House despite Ukraine’s desire to continue discussions and canceled a planned joint press conference.
According to a separate CNN report, the future of U.S. military aid for Ukraine’s war effort—as well as Zelensky own political future—now hangs in the balance.
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With Syria’s Participation, Saudi Arabia to Host an Arab Ministerial Meeting
ARK News.. The newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that the city of Mecca will host an Arab ministerial meeting at the end of the first week of the upcoming Ramadan, with Syria’s participation, to discuss the ongoing developments in the region, particularly in Gaza and Syria.
The meeting is expected to include the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, and Jordan. It will take place two days after the emergency Arab summit, scheduled to be held in Egypt on March 4, which is dedicated to discussing the situation in Gaza following the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the future of the region.
The General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council stated that joint ministerial meetings will be held between the GCC foreign ministers and their counterparts from Egypt, Syria, Morocco, and Jordan.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Mecca meeting will focus primarily on regional developments, particularly the situation in Gaza, as well as the political developments in Syria.
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Netanyahu: Israeli Army to Remain in Southern Syria for the Foreseeable Future
ARK News.. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that the Israeli army will remain in southern Syria for the foreseeable future.
In a recorded address to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference in Washington, Netanyahu stated, “In Syria, the Israeli Defense Forces will continue to hold positions atop Mount Harmon,” referring to what is also known as Jabal al-Sheikh.
He added, “As for the adjacent buffer zone, we will remain there for the foreseeable future. We will not allow the presence of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham or any new Syrian army in the area south of Damascus.”
Netanyahu emphasized, “Southern Syria will be a demilitarized zone.”
Last Sunday, the Israeli prime minister said he had demanded the complete withdrawal of the new regime’s military forces from southern Syria, insisting that the area remain a “demilitarized zone.”
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