Russia and the United Nations Reaffirm Support for Syria’s Unity and Independence
ARK News.. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen discussed recent developments in Syria and the surrounding region during a phone call.
According to a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the talks focused on ongoing security threats and the risks of internal destabilization in Syria, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability across the country.
Both sides reaffirmed the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, underscoring their commitment to supporting Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, while promoting a comprehensive, Syrian-led political process.
The discussions also touched on the United Nations’ activities in Syria in light of a strategic review conducted by the UN Secretariat, as Pedersen’s term as Special Envoy nears its end.
In late September, the intelligence website Intelligence Online reported that the United Nations is preparing to appoint a new Special Envoy for Syria.
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9th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Suleiman Girokaya
ARK News.. Today, Thursday, October 30, 2025, marks the ninth anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Peshmerga Suleiman Girokaya, who lost his life while performing his duty in defusing and clearing mines and explosives left behind by ISIS in the Kurdistan Region.
Dr. Suleiman was seriously injured when a mine left by ISIS exploded in the village of Tiskhrab al-Kabira in the Bashiqa sector on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. He was immediately airlifted by helicopter to Erbil, and later transferred to Germany for treatment.
However, on October 30, 2016, Dr. Suleiman Girokaya — an explosives disposal expert in the Peshmerga forces — was declared martyred in a hospital in Germany.
Originally from a Kurdish family in Turkish Kurdistan, Dr. Suleiman spent many years living in Germany. When ISIS attacked the Kurdistan Region in 2014, he volunteered to join the Peshmerga forces, where he successfully defused thousands of explosive devices planted by the terrorist group.
His body was laid to rest with honor and ceremony in his hometown in Turkish Kurdistan.
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President Barzani: We Reject Dictatorship in All Its Forms
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani met on Wednesday evening, October 29, 2025, in the city of Duhok, with representatives of various social and community groups from Nineveh and Sinjar.
In his address, President Barzani emphasized that Nineveh and Mosul, with their people and land, hold a special place in the hearts of the Kurdish people, describing them as a natural extension of the Kurdistan Region, particularly of Duhok and Erbil, and vice versa. He highlighted the deep historical ties that bind these areas, calling Nineveh “a miniature Iraq” that embodies the spirit of coexistence among its diverse communities.
Reflecting on the battle against ISIS and the role of the Peshmerga forces in liberating Nineveh and Sinjar, President Barzani said: “We witnessed what happened in the region and how the Peshmerga protected all communities, sacrificing their lives for the safety of civilians in Nineveh, Duhok, and other regions. The number of Peshmerga martyrs and wounded in this battle reached 12,000.”
Reaffirming the Kurdistan Region’s humanitarian commitment, Barzani stated that Kurdistan has always been — and will remain — a safe haven for all Iraqis without distinction, offering refuge to those in need regardless of ethnicity or religion.
He noted that ISIS committed heinous crimes that deeply harmed the region and its values of brotherhood and coexistence. Yet, thanks to the dedication of sincere people from all faiths and communities, the region managed to overcome that dark chapter.
Barzani drew a distinction between political disputes with the authorities and the social bonds among people, urging everyone not to let political circumstances harm the sacred ties that connect the peoples of Iraq.
Regarding the upcoming sixth parliamentary elections, President Barzani expressed hope that the vote would produce different results from previous ones and help restore Iraq’s political process to the right path — based on the principles of partnership, balance, and consensus, and full adherence to the constitution.
Touching on the Iraqi constitution, he stressed that it clearly defines rights and responsibilities, saying it contains sufficient guarantees to protect and honor all Iraqis. Addressing Articles 111 and 112 — related to oil and gas — Barzani called for a return to constitutional principles, stating:
“If they reject federalism, the constitution, or the Kurdistan Region itself, then we reject dictatorship in all its forms.”
He further emphasized that Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) candidates were instructed to represent all Iraqis and their diverse communities, not just the Kurdistan Region.
Recalling the September Revolution, Barzani noted: “At no time did we ever take any action that harmed Iraqi citizens — from the south to the north.”
In his closing remarks, President Barzani addressed the people of Nineveh and Sinjar, saying: “Vote for the individuals and parties who will serve you and defend your rights. The choice is yours, and you are free to make it. We do not pay heed to those issuing threats — such voices are merely the noise of election fever. We know they do not represent the true will of the people, especially the Arab street.”
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Private Bank Reopens Banking Channels Between Syria and Saudi Arabia
ARK News.. The Bemo Saudi France Bank, Syria’s first private bank, has announced the reopening of banking channels with Saudi financial institutions after nearly 15 years of suspension — a move reflecting the growing Saudi financial presence in the Syrian economy and the two countries’ efforts to facilitate joint investments.
The bank’s CEO, André Lahoud, told Saudi outlet Asharq that Bemo held a series of meetings with the Saudi Ministry of Investment, which played a key role in supporting negotiations with the Saudi France Bank to reactivate the banking account. He revealed that the first successful transfer from a Syrian bank to a Saudi bank took place about two weeks ago.
Lahoud noted that Saudi France Bank is both the founder and strategic partner of Bemo, and that cooperation extends beyond financial operations to include training Syrian staff and developing digital infrastructure for the Syrian banking sector, enabling investors to conduct transactions directly between the two countries.
He added that Bemo is building new relationships with additional Saudi banks, as Saudi investors increasingly enter the Syrian market.
Current discussions, according to Lahoud, focus on facilitating financial transfers, expanding letter-of-credit services for import financing, and enhancing digital banking tools to allow Saudi investors to open accounts remotely without traveling to Damascus.
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President Masoud Barzani, Kobani, Peshmerga, Kurdistan Region, ISIS, Liberation, Historic Anniversary
ARK News.. On October 28, 2014, and under the direct orders of President Masoud Barzani, Peshmerga forces set out toward the city of Kobani in Syrian Kurdistan to help defeat the terrorist group ISIS.
Following the approval of a majority in the Kurdistan Parliament, President Barzani authorized the deployment of a Peshmerga contingent to support the people of Kobani, who were then enduring a brutal siege by ISIS.
The Peshmerga crossed from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq through Kurdistan of Turkey, proudly carrying the Kurdistan flag, and reached Kobani on October 31, 2014. There, they joined local forces in the battle to repel one of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organizations.
The people of Kobani and Bakur (Northern Kurdistan) welcomed the Peshmerga with flowers, celebrating their arrival as a moment of unity and courage.
That day remains a historic milestone for the Kurdish nation, symbolizing solidarity and sacrifice, as the Peshmerga and allied forces successfully liberated Kobani and its surrounding villages from ISIS control.
Kobani had come under heavy attack on September 13, 2014, forcing hundreds of thousands of Kurds to flee. After months of fierce battles, the city and its countryside were finally liberated on January 26, 2015, thanks to the joint efforts of the Peshmerga, YPG, and international coalition air support.
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President Barzani Expresses Delight at Duhok’s Development, Calls for Further Progress
ARK News.. As part of his visit to Duhok Province, President Masoud Barzani toured the city on the evening of Tuesday, October 28, 2025, expressing his satisfaction with the city’s ongoing development.
During his visit, President Barzani walked through Sarhildan Park in Duhok and voiced his joy that a new, modern park had been established in one of the city’s underprivileged neighborhoods.
He expressed hope that Duhok—and all cities across Kurdistan—would continue to see greater reconstruction and progress.
President Barzani also visited the Martyrs’ Café in Duhok’s central market, where portraits of more than a thousand martyrs from the war against ISIS, as well as from the Kurdish liberation movements, are displayed alongside traditional Kurdish artifacts and historical items.
He praised the patriotic and devoted efforts behind the initiative and the loyalty to the memory of the martyrs, pledging to support the café’s expansion as a vital cultural landmark in Duhok.
During his visit, President Barzani also met with several residents of the city and engaged in friendly conversations with them.
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Netherlands to Syrian Refugees: Return Home and Receive a Repatriation Bonus
ARK News.. Dutch media outlets have revealed that the Netherlands’ Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) has rejected nearly 85% of the regular asylum applications submitted by Syrian refugees.
According to reports, the IND is currently processing around 17,000 pending Syrian asylum applications, with some applicants having lived in asylum centers for many years.
Sources indicate that the Dutch government is now urging Syrian refugees to return to their homeland, suggesting that losing their right to reside in the Netherlands has become almost certain.
The Dutch newspaper Trouw reported that the processing of Syrian applications was suspended for six months following the fall of the former Assad regime, adding that the government’s message is now unmistakably clear: “Return to your country — and receive a repatriation bonus.”
The newspaper added that since the beginning of this year, the Dutch government has been encouraging voluntary return by offering financial assistance of up to €5,000 for adults and €2,500 for minors, in exchange for renouncing residency rights or withdrawing asylum applications.
These developments come after the Dutch government announced in June that Syria is now considered sufficiently safe for the return of its citizens.
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Syria Seizes Nearly 11 Million Captagon Pills Smuggled from Lebanon
ARK News.. The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced that the Anti-Narcotics Department in Homs has seized a vehicle coming from Lebanon loaded with millions of Captagon pills.
According to a statement from the ministry, security forces confiscated approximately 11 million pills of the narcotic Captagon, along with the vehicle used in the smuggling operation.
The ministry added that investigations are ongoing to uncover the identities of those involved and to identify what it described as “criminal networks”
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President Barzani Urges Baghdad and European Nations to Recognize the Anfal Crimes as Genocide and Deliver Justice to Victims
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani has called on the Iraqi government to assume its legal and moral responsibilities and fulfill its duty toward delivering justice to the victims of the Anfal campaign, while also urging European countries that have investigated these crimes to officially recognize the atrocities committed against the Kurdish people as acts of genocide.
Speaking at the Conference on the Kurdish Genocide held at Duhok University on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, President Barzani said: “Throughout history, the destiny of the people of Kurdistan has been one of pain, suffering, and injustice. But what matters most is that future generations never forget the genocidal campaigns endured by their ancestors.”
Welcoming Arab guests in Arabic, President Barzani expressed appreciation for their solidarity, stating: “I am pleased to be among you today at this important conference on the genocide in Kurdistan. Your presence reflects your compassion and your sharing in our grief. The images documenting these crimes pierce the heart — may God have mercy on the martyrs and grant patience to their families.”
Opening his address, he noted: “The people of Kurdistan have long endured hardship and persecution, particularly in the last century, when the genocide against our people began in an organized and systematic manner, starting with the Fayli Kurds.” He revealed that large numbers of Fayli and Barzani Kurds were forcibly relocated to Akashat and Al-Qaim, where chemical weapons were tested on them.
President Barzani emphasized that since the Kurdish people gained self-governance, they have never sought revenge, even during the 1991 uprising, when two Iraqi army corps fell into the hands of Kurdish civilians and Peshmerga forces: “Not a single Iraqi soldier was harmed or humiliated — even though they were the same soldiers who destroyed more than 4,500 of our villages and carried out the Anfal campaigns.”
He continued: “We lost many of our loved ones, but they departed with honor and achieved martyrdom. Those who committed those crimes perished in disgrace and shame.” Barzani stressed that the most important duty today is to prevent the repetition of such atrocities against the Kurdish people, and to ensure that no innocent person is ever targeted simply for being Kurdish.
He thanked the parliaments of Sweden and the United Kingdom and all nations that have recognized the Anfal crimes as genocide, urging other European countries to do the same: “Although the Iraqi Parliament recognized the Anfal as genocide in 2008, no practical steps have been taken since.
The federal government must compensate the families of the victims.” Looking ahead, Barzani expressed hope that the post-election political environment in Iraq would bring greater stability and adherence to the constitution: “If the constitution governs relations between Erbil and Baghdad, and between citizens and their government, we will have no problems. But if personal whims dictate decisions, our problems will persist and worsen.”
President Barzani concluded by reaffirming the Kurdish people’s spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, saying: “Nowhere else in the world has a government used chemical weapons against its own people — except in Kurdistan. Yet our people chose peace over revenge. Still, it is our duty never to forget these crimes and to teach future generations the price of the freedom we now enjoy.” He reiterated his call on the federal government to uphold its constitutional and moral obligations: “The constitution mandates compensation for the victims. The Kurdistan Regional Government will continue to coordinate and work to ensure this promise is fulfilled.”
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Derik: Kurdish National Council Holds Lecture on National Identity and Ethnic Rights
ARK News.. The Derik Local Council of the Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC), in cooperation with the Legal Committee of the KNC, organized a lecture titled “National Identity and Ethnic Rights,” delivered by lawyer Ibrahim Ahmad, a member of the Legal Committee.
The lecture was attended by a number of doctors, teachers, intellectuals, lawyers, dignitaries, and politicians, along with a delegation from the Kochara Local Council of the KNC.
In the first part of his presentation, Ibrahim Ahmad discussed the concept of national identity, outlining ten key elements essential to fostering a genuine sense of belonging among citizens — describing them as the foundation of any true democracy. He also compared different models of national identity across the region and the world.
In the second part, Ahmad addressed ethnic rights, reviewing the chauvinistic policies and exceptional measures that have historically targeted the Kurdish people, leading to double marginalization and a loss of mutual trust among communities. He emphasized that the solution lies in building an inclusive Syrian national identity based on constitutional recognition of ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity, ensuring fair representation in state institutions, and equal participation in decision-making.
He further stressed the importance of transparent transitional justice and addressing historical grievances in line with international conventions — such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Minorities, the Right of Peoples to Self-Determination, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Ahmad also called for the implementation of the Qamishlo Conference (April) resolutions through dialogue with the Syrian Transitional Government, describing it as a viable path toward a sustainable political solution that guarantees stability and balance, free from exclusion and marginalization.
He concluded by underscoring the need for the Kurdish delegation emerging from the Intra-Kurdish Conference (April 26) to engage openly with Damascus without compromising the Kurdish people’s national rights.
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