Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Attends World Government Summit
ARK News.. At the official invitation of the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani departed for the UAE today, Monday, February 10, 2025, leading a government delegation to participate in the World Government Summit, set to be held in Dubai from February 11 to 13.
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Barzani is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral and high-level meetings with world leaders, senior officials, and decision-makers from across the globe. Additionally, he will engage with prominent figures in the private sector, as well as business leaders and investors from the region and beyond.
These discussions will focus on strengthening and expanding bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and various participating entities, with a particular emphasis on economic, investment, trade, and development cooperation. The meetings will also provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives on key regional and global issues.
The participation of the Kurdistan Region delegation, led by Prime Minister Barzani, underscores the KRG's commitment to actively engaging in international efforts aimed at building a more sustainable and prosperous future for future generations. It also reinforces the region’s role as a reliable and proactive partner in the global community.
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الذكرى السنوية الثانية لزلزال 6 شباط المدمر "جنديرس"
تمر اليوم الخميس 6 شباط، الذكرى السنوية الثانية للزلزال المدمر الذي ضرب شمالي سوريا وجنوبي تركيا. بلغت قوة الزلزال 7.7 درجات أعقبه أخر بقوة 7.6 ومئات الهزات الارتدادية، ما أدى إلى مقتل أكثر من 59 ألف شخصٍ.
ناحية جنديرس في عفرين بكوردستان سوريا، تعد واحدة من أكثر المناطق المتضررة، إذ فقد فيها نحو 1354 شخصاً حياتهم جراء الزلزال، وفق الإحصائيات.
إضافة إلى 489 بناء مهدم بشكل كامل و2529 بناء مهدم بشكل جزئي أو متضرر و24 مدرسة مهدمة ومتضررة.
في تقرير رصد أوضاع السكان المدنيين في مناطق شمال غربي سوريا عقب الزلزال المدمر، قال فريق منسقو استجابة سوريا إن عدد الأسر المتضررة المسجلة بلغ 334,821 عائلة، بعدد أفراد 1,843,911 نسمة.
وجاء في التقرير أن عدد النازحين نتيجة الزلزال نحو 48,122 عائلة، بعدد أفراد 311,662 نسمة يشكل الأطفال والنساء والحالات الخاصة 67% من إجمالي النازحين.
وحول الخسائر البشرية العامة، تحدث الفريق عن توثيق فقدان 4,256 مدني لحياتهم وإصابة 11,774 آخرين، إضافة إلى نقل أكثر من 2240 جثمان من مختلف المعابر الحدودية مع تركيا إلى الداخل السوري، كما تم توثيق حالات مفقودين نتيجة الزلزال، بلغت 67 نسمة.
ولفت إلى أن نسبة الاستجابة الإنسانية منذ الزلزال 47,18 % لكافة القطاعات الإنسانية، ونسبة الاستجابة الإنسانية للمتضررين من الزلزال إضافة إلى مشاريع اخرى بلغت 53.73 %.
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ممثلية إقليم كوردستان لـENKS ومؤسسة بارزاني الخيرية تناقشان أوضاع اللاجئين
ناقشت ممثلية إقليم كوردستان للمجلس الوطني الكوردي مع مؤسسة بارزاني الخيرية أوضاح اللاجئين وأكد الجانبان على ضرورة الاهتمام بأوضاعهم.
استقبل موسى أحمد، رئيس مؤسسة بارزاني الخيرية، اليوم الأثنين 3 شباط 2025، في رئاسة المؤسسة، وفدا من ممثلية إقليم كوردستان للمجلس الوطني الكوردي في سوريا برئاسة جدعان علي.
خلال اللقاء جرى الحديث عن أوضاع اللاجئين، وأكد الجانبان على ضرورة الاهتمام بأوضاع اللاجئين وحياتهم.
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مخيم باسرمة.. بارزاني الخيرية تفتتح دورة لتعليم الموسيقى
افتتحت مؤسسة بارزاني الخيرية دورة لتعليم الموسيقى في مخيم باسرمة للاجئين في حدود محافظة أربيل.
قالت مؤسسة بارزاني الخيرية على صفحتها في موقع التواصل الاجتماعي (الفيسبوك) إنها وبالتعاون مع ( The Stirling Foundation ) افتتحت بتاريخ 21 كانون الثاني 2025، دورة لتعليم الموسيقى " العزف على الة الأورغ" في مركز تيريج الثقافي والاجتماعي في مخيم باسرمة في حدود أربيل عاصمة إقليم كوردستان.
وأضافت المؤسسة أن 22 طفلا يشاركون في الدورة، التي ستستمر 10 أيام.
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US Organization: Austin Tice Still Held in Syria
ARK News.. The head of a U.S.-based organization focused on hostage recovery has stated his belief that American journalist Austin Tice is still being held in Syria by individuals loyal to Bashar al-Assad.
Nizar Zakka, president of the Hostage Support Organization, told Reuters during his visit to Damascus:
"We believe Tice is being held by a very small number of people in a safe house, likely awaiting an exchange or a deal."
Zakka explained that investigations conducted by the organization have concluded that Tice remains in Syria, and "significant progress" has been made in recent weeks toward locating him.
However, he noted that Syria's new administration has not provided substantial assistance. He added:
"We had hoped that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham would assist us more, but unfortunately, they have not due to their own concerns."
Zakka admitted he does not have precise information on Tice's exact location but believes that a deal, potentially involving pressure from Assad's ally Russia, could lead to the journalist's release.
Tice was detained at a checkpoint in Darayya near Damascus in August 2012. Reuters previously reported that Tice escaped his cell in 2013 and was seen moving between houses in the upscale Mazze neighborhood of Damascus.
According to current and former U.S. officials, he was recaptured shortly after his escape, likely by forces reporting directly to Assad.
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الرئيس بارزاني يؤكد على أهمية تحقيق وحدة الصف بين الأطراف الكوردية في سوريا
استقبل الرئيس مسعود بارزاني، اليوم الثلاثاء، 14 كانون الثاني 2025، في مصيف صلاح الدين، السيد كريستوفر بيم، سعادة السفير الكندي لدى العراق.
وخلال اللقاء، أكد السفير الكندي أن بلاده تتطلع باهتمام كبير لعلاقاتها مع إقليم كوردستان وتواصل توسيع وتعزيز هذه العلاقات.
كما أعرب السفير عن تهانيه للرئيس بارزاني على نجاح انتخابات برلمان كوردستان التي جرت في تشرين الأول 2024 في أجواء هادئة وبمشاركة شعبية كبيرة، واصفاً العملية الانتخابية بالنموذجية.
من جانبه، قدّم الرئيس بارزاني شكره لحكومة كندا على دعمها لقوات بيشمركة كوردستان خلال الحرب ضد داعش، وشدد على توطيد العلاقات بين الجانبين.
وكانت العلاقات بين حكومة إقليم كوردستان والحكومة الاتحادية العراقية، إلى جانب الأوضاع السياسية والأمنية في المنطقة بما في ذلك سوريا، والمخاطر المحتملة لعودة الإرهاب محاورَ أخرى للقاء.
وفيما يخص الوضع في سوريا ومصير الشعب الكوري فيها؛ أشار الرئيس بارزاني إلى تاريخ من المآسي والحرمان كابده الشعبُ الكوردي في سوريا، مؤكداً على أهمية تحقيق وحدة الصف بين الأطراف الكوردية في سوريا لضمان عدم تكرار الكوارث والمِحَن بحق الشعب الكوردي.
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Najah Hevo Congratulates Muhammad Ismail on His Election as President of KNC
ARK News.. Najah Hevo, head of the European Representation of the Kurdish National Council (KNC), extended her congratulations to Muhammad Ismail, Secretary of the Kurdistan Democratic Party–Syria, on his election as President of the KNC in Syria.
The congratulatory letter reads as follows:
Dear Mr. Muhammad Ismail, head of the Kurdish National Council,
Greetings,
First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your election as President of the Kurdish National Council. It is both a great honor and a significant responsibility, and I trust that your leadership in this critical and sensitive role will be directed toward advancing and safeguarding the interests of our Kurdish people and achieving their aspirations for freedom and justice.
At the same time, we recognize that this position demands wisdom, courage, and collective effort. I am confident that you possess the qualities necessary to guide the council toward a better future, addressing political and social challenges in alignment with the aspirations of future generations.
In this sensitive period, following the fall of tyranny and the end of Assad's oppressive regime, Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue and adherence to rights and principles remain essential. I am certain that you will work tirelessly to realize these goals.
I wish you every success in your new role. May you be granted the strength and vision to lead effectively and fulfill the hopes of the Kurdish people under wise and determined leadership.
Sincerely,
Najah Hevo
Head of the European Representation of the Kurdish National Council
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Statement Issued by the Expanded Meeting of the Democratic Youth Movement in Syria
ARK News.. The Democratic Youth Movement in Syria discussed the latest political developments following the fall of the former regime in Damascus, marking the end of an era of dictatorship and the beginning of a new chapter in Syria’s history. This new phase brings hope for drafting a political transition roadmap with the participation of all Syrian components, ensuring the legitimate rights of the Kurdish people in Syria.
The Full Statement:
The Democratic Youth Movement in Syria held its expanded meeting in the city of Qamishli on December 28, 2024, with the participation of the Movement’s leadership body, heads and members of its committees, and representatives in local councils of the Kurdish National Council in Syria. Distinguished guests from the Presidency of the Kurdish National Council and the head of local councils also attended.
The meeting began with a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs.
The discussions focused on the recent political developments in Syria following the fall of the former regime in Damascus. This moment signifies the end of dictatorship and the dawn of a new era for Syria, bringing hope for a political transition roadmap that includes all Syrian components. The roadmap aims to safeguard the legitimate rights of the Kurdish people and calls on all Syrians to unite, reject all forms of sectarianism and nationalism, and maintain civil peace.
Regarding the Kurdish issue, the meeting stressed the importance of supporting Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue to serve the broader interests of the Kurdish people in Syria and the need to form a unified delegation to negotiate with the new administration in Damascus.
Organizational Discussions:
The meeting also reviewed and approved the draft bylaws for the Movement’s operations. It emphasized the importance of engaging with all political and civil currents (including secular, liberal, and democratic groups) to reach mutual understandings. The Movement aims to establish mechanisms for continued struggle toward building a new Syria characterized by multiculturalism and a decentralized governance system.
Qamishli, December 28, 2024
Democratic Youth Movement in Syria
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US: No country should exploit events in Syria
ARK News.. The United States has stressed that no country should take advantage of events in Syria, calling for de-escalation and a renewed push to reinvigorate the political process.
In remarks at a press briefing, US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said: "The events of the past three days underscore that this conflict can only be resolved once and for all through what we view as a political solution consistent with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.
Patel reiterated that the U.S. believes it is time to reinvigorate this political process, stressing that the only viable path forward is one facilitated by the United Nations.
He added that the US is "reaching out to partners and allies with a consistent message: anyone with influence or leverage over actors in Syria must do everything in their power to continue to emphasize the need for de-escalation".
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Masrour Barzani receives Italian Consul General Michele Camerota in the Kurdistan Region
ARK News.. The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Masrour Barzani, has expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Italian Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, Michele Camerota, for his efforts in strengthening relations between Italy and the Kurdistan Region during his tenure.
The meeting, which took place on Saturday, marked the end of Consul General Camerota's diplomatic mission in the region.
At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani thanked Consul General Camerota for his commitment to promoting bilateral relations and wished him success in his future diplomatic endeavors.
For his part, the Italian Consul General praised the cooperation and support provided by the KRG institutions and highlighted the high level of coordination between the two sides. He reiterated Italy's commitment to the further development of bilateral relations.
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