Masrour Barzani calls on international partners to provide the necessary equipment to protect the citizens of Kurdistan.
ARK News.. Masrour Barzani on Saturday, April 18, 2026, strongly condemned the recent attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region, despite the ongoing ceasefire and negotiations between the United States and Iran, calling on international partners to provide the necessary equipment to protect Kurdistan and its energy infrastructure.
The following is the full text of the statement:
“We strongly condemn the attacks that have targeted the Kurdistan Region. Although we were not a party to the war, the attacks have continued over the past few days.
Despite the ceasefire and ongoing negotiations, the recent attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of five individuals and the injury of many others. This represents an attempt to undermine the ceasefire and inflict further damage on our region. We reiterate the need for the federal government to take practical measures to put an end to these attacks.
We also call on our international partners to provide the necessary equipment to protect Kurdistan and its energy infrastructure from these ongoing threats.”
Masrour Barzani
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region
April 18, 2026
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Kurdistan PM and U.S. Interior Secretary Discuss Ways to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
ARK News.. Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of the Interior and Chairman of the White House National Energy Council, Doug Burgum, to discuss avenues for enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the energy sector, and the pivotal role of American companies in supporting and developing this vital field.
During the call on Friday, April 17, 2026, both sides reviewed the latest security and economic developments in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, in light of recent understandings and the ceasefire agreement between United States and Iran, as well as its implications for regional stability.
For his part, Burgum expressed high appreciation for Barzani’s leadership in the energy sector and his ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation, affirming Washington’s support for these initiatives.
Barzani, in turn, praised continued U.S. support for the Kurdistan Region, stressing the need to provide necessary protection for the region and to put an end to attacks targeting oil and gas infrastructure.
He also reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s firm commitment to acting as a key partner in promoting regional peace and prosperity.
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Barzani, Barrack Discuss Kurdish Situation in Syria on Sidelines of Antalya Forum
ARK News.. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, met on Friday, April 17, 2026, with Tom Barrack, the special envoy of Donald Trump for Syria and US ambassador to Turkey, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
The meeting addressed relations between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and the United States, in addition to the latest developments in Syria, particularly the situation of the Kurdish population in the country.
Both sides exchanged views on broader Middle East developments and the implications of the ongoing conflict on regional security.
They also highlighted the impact of the war on Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, stressing the importance of continued coordination and joint efforts to promote peace and safeguard stability across the region.
Several other issues of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.
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Kurdistan Region President Arrives in Antalya to Attend Annual Diplomacy Forum
ARK News.. Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, arrived in Antalya on Thursday, April 16, 2026, following an official invitation to participate in the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
During the forum, President Barzani is expected to hold a series of meetings and discussions with world leaders and senior officials attending the event.
The talks will focus on regional developments and a range of issues of mutual interest, as part of broader diplomatic engagement on key political and security dynamics in the region.
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KDP: Current Situation in Kirkuk Is a Continuation of “Rashid Hotel Deals”
ARK News.. Mahmoud Mohammed, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, stated on Thursday that the current situation in Kirkuk is a direct extension of what he described as the “Rashid Hotel deals,” reaffirming the party’s clear opposition to those arrangements.
In an official statement issued on April 16, 2026, Mohammed emphasized that the party consistently supports the rights of all components in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
“We state with full clarity that the stability and progress of our country depend on ensuring the legitimate rights of all national, religious, and sectarian components,” he said, adding that Kirkuk remains a center of coexistence among its diverse communities.
Mohammed stressed that the KDP had firmly opposed the agreements reached at the Rashid Hotel, describing them as imposed on the city “without good faith” and without the participation of political parties representing the people of Kirkuk.
“The current situation is nothing but the consequences and continuation of those deals,” he added.
He further noted that the KDP has made significant sacrifices for Kirkuk and its people, asserting that all of the party’s positions and efforts have been aimed at their welfare and prosperity.
At the same time, Mohammed underscored that the party would support decisions and recommendations reached through genuine partnership among all political actors and representatives of the city’s components.
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Rebar Ahmed: KDP Rejects Any Agreement That Bypasses the Will and Legitimacy of Kirkuk Voters
ARK News.. Rebar Ahmed, a member of the Central Committee of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), affirmed the party’s rejection of any political arrangements conducted outside the framework of consensus and electoral legitimacy.
Speaking at a press conference, Ahmed stated: “As a key party in the administration of Kirkuk, we have always sought the formation of a legitimate administration that aligns with the will and aspirations of the province’s residents.”
He added that the party had formed a negotiating committee with relevant stakeholders in Kirkuk and held multiple meetings under the auspices of the federal Prime Minister, aiming to reach a comprehensive agreement that ensures the participation of the Kurd, Turkmen, Arabs, and the Christian component in governing the province.
Ahmed stressed: “The agreement reached by certain groups and parties at the Rashid Hotel in Baghdad—referred to as the ‘Rashid Hotel Administration’—is entirely unacceptable to us. The KDP does not accept any agreement that bypasses the legitimacy and will of Kirkuk’s voters.”
He further clarified: “We reject all outcomes stemming from the Rashid Hotel agreement and will not participate in any meeting organized on this basis.”
Ahmed emphasized that any future administration must genuinely reflect the electoral mandate, noting that the issue is not about who holds the position of governor, but rather about ensuring full consensus among all components to responsibly govern Kirkuk in a manner that represents all its communities.
These remarks come amid ongoing political deadlock in Kirkuk and deepening disputes over the legitimacy of the recently announced local administration, which was formed without the participation of the KDP and other blocs.
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Deteriorating Legal and Humanitarian Conditions for Syrians in Egypt
ARK News.. The Syrian Network for Human Rights has revealed a marked deterioration in the legal and humanitarian conditions of Syrian nationals residing in Egypt in recent months.
According to the network, the period between January and April 2026 witnessed a significant decline, marked by arbitrary detentions and escalating indirect pressures pushing Syrians toward forced departure. These measures have reportedly affected even individuals registered with the UNHCR.
The organization stated that such practices constitute a clear violation of Egypt’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention, as well as several international human rights agreements.
It further noted an increasing tightening of residency renewal procedures since early 2024, which has forced many Syrians into irregular legal status due to administrative complexities, without the provision of viable alternatives.
Additionally, the network documented cases of arrest and detention affecting various groups, including individuals registered with UNHCR, asylum seekers awaiting decisions, and others holding valid documentation or even official release orders—yet who remained in detention in breach of international legal standards.
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Masrour Barzani on Chemical Attack Anniversary: We Honor Our Martyrs and Take Pride in Our Fighters’ Sacrifices
ARK News.. Masrour Barzani issued an official statement on Thursday, April 16, 2026, marking the 39th anniversary of the chemical bombardment that targeted the areas of Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati valley, reaffirming the legal and material rights of the victims’ families.
In his statement, the Prime Minister said: “On the 39th anniversary of the chemical attack on Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati valley, we commemorate the martyrs with deep respect and appreciation, and express our great pride in the struggle and sacrifices of the resilient people of those areas.”
He also underscored the legal responsibility borne by Baghdad, stating: “We reiterate the necessity for the federal government to provide fair and rightful compensation to the families of the martyrs and the Anfal victims.”
This call comes within the ongoing efforts of the Kurdistan Regional Government to secure the rights of victims of the former regime, and to emphasize the implementation of laws ensuring compensation for those affected by acts of genocide, including the Anfal Campaign and chemical attacks against the people of Kurdistan.
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Barzani Message Marks Anniversary of Chemical Attack on Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati Valley
ARK News.. Masoud Barzani issued a statement on Saturday, April 16, 2026, marking the 39th anniversary of the chemical attack carried out by the former Iraqi regime in 1987 against the areas of Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati valley, stressing that those atrocities were part of a systematic policy aimed at the extermination of the Kurdish people.
The following is the full text of the statement:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
On April 16, 1987, the former Iraqi regime committed another crime against the Kurdish people by bombing the regions of Balisan, Sheikh Wasanan, and Khoshnawati valley with chemical weapons. This crime resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a large number of innocent civilians in those areas.
This atrocity marked the beginning of campaigns targeting civilian populations with chemical weapons and the continuation of a policy of genocide against our people. The regime did not stop at this crime; it later arrested dozens of those injured in the disaster and buried them alive in a brutal manner.
On the 39th anniversary of this inhumane crime, we honor the souls of the martyrs of that tragedy and express our solidarity with their families and loved ones. We will never forget the painful memory of this crime and all the suffering endured by the people of Kurdistan; it will forever remain present in our collective memory.
Masoud Barzani
April 16, 2026
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U.S. Preparing to Deploy Thousands of Additional Troops to the Middle East
ARK News.. The United States is preparing to deploy thousands of additional troops to the Middle East in the coming days, according to a report by The Washington Post citing U.S. officials.
The report states that the U.S. Department of Defense is moving forward with plans to send reinforcements to the region in order to intensify pressure on Iran, while also considering the possibility of further strikes or even a ground operation if the ceasefire fails to hold.
According to the source, approximately 6,000 troops are expected to deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, accompanied by several warships, as confirmed by current and former officials.
An additional 4,200 personnel are anticipated to arrive later this month with the amphibious ready group centered around the USS Boxer, along with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, according to the report.
The reinforcements are set to integrate with existing U.S. naval forces already stationed in the Middle East, as the temporary ceasefire approaches its expiration on April 22. These forces will join approximately 50,000 personnel that the Department of Defense says are currently engaged in operations related to confronting Iran.
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