Damascus Hosts Syrian–Jordanian–U.S. Meeting to Resolve Suwayda Crisis
ARK News.. Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi is set to visit Damascus today, Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to advance discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in Suwayda.
In a statement posted on X, the ministry said Safadi will hold a trilateral meeting in Damascus with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and U.S. envoy Tom Barrack to discuss the situation in Syria.
According to the statement, the talks are a continuation of previous meetings hosted in Amman on July 19 and August 12, which focused on cementing a ceasefire in Suwayda province and finding a long-term solution to the unrest in the region.
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KDP-S and Yakiti Kurdistan-S Discuss Key Issues in Hasaka
ARK News.. A delegation from the Kurdistan Yakiti Party–Syria visited the office of the Kurdistan Democratic Party–Syria in Hasaka, Syrian Kurdistan.
During the meeting, both sides discussed the current political situation locally and nationally, as well as issues related to Kurdish affairs.
The two parties emphasized that the Joint Kurdish Document serves as a guiding framework for the current stage, noting that its implementation depends on the Kurdish National Council’s (KNC) work among the people.
Participants agreed that continued dialogue between KNC components and other Kurdish political forces remains a cornerstone for strengthening understanding and unifying positions in the face of ongoing challenges.
They further stressed that enhancing joint Kurdish action has become an urgent necessity that can no longer be delayed.
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رئيس إقليم كوردستان يدعو الحكومة العراقية إلى تعويض ضحايا جريمة الانفال
أصدر رئيس إقليم كوردستان بيانا بمناسبة الذكرى السابعة والثلاثين لأنفال منطقة بادينان، داعيا الحكومة العراقية إلى تعويض ضحايا جريمة الانفال وجميع ضحايا جرائم النظام السابق.
فيما يلي نص البيان:
في الذكرى الـ(37) لأنفال بادينان، نستذكر بإجلال شهداء بادينان وكوردستان عموماً. في هذه الذكرى، يشير دفن رفات عدد من شهداء تلك الجريمة في منطقة (بري كارا) في مراسم تقام اليوم بعد إكمال الإجراءات القانونية والطبية، إلى مظلومية شعب.
كانت أنفال بادينان جريمة أخرى في سلسلة جرائم السلطة العراقية آنذاك، ضد شعب كوردستان، ففي الفترة (25 آب – 6 أيلول) من العام 1988، وفي آخر مراحل عمليات الأنفال، استهدف المدنيون والأرض والهواء والبيئة في بادينان.
في هذه الذكرى نؤكد على مطالبتنا الحكومة الاتحادية العراقية بتعويض ضحايا أنفال بادينان وجميع جرام النظام العراقي السابق. فقد أقرت المحكمة الجنائية العليا في العراق بأن عمليات الأنفال هي جريمة إبادة جماعية وجريمة حرب وجريمة ضد الإنسانية، ولهذا يكون من حق الضحايا أن يتم تعويضهم بكل الأشكال.
الماضي المرير للعراق، لم يجلب على العراق والعراقيين غير الدمار والخراب، وجرائم الأنفال وكل الجرائم الأخرى التي ارتكبت ضد شعب كوردستان، يجب أن تترجم إلى دروس يعتبر بها، وأسباب تدعو لضمان حقوق شعب كوردستان بمكوناته كافة.
ونؤكد في هذه الذكرى على حل المشاكل، وعلى التعايش السلمي، وعلى حماية أمن واستقرار البلد، والعمل المشترك بين كل الأطراف السياسية والمكونات في العراق وإقليم كوردستان، لكي نبني معاً حاضراً ومستقبلاً أفضل.
تحية للأرواح الطاهرة لشهداء أنفال بادينان وجميع شهداء كوردستان.
نيجيرفان بارزاني
رئيس إقليم كوردستان
25 آب 2025
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President Barzani Receives Delegation of Tribal Leaders from Iraqi Provinces
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani on Monday welcomed a delegation of sheikhs and notable tribal leaders from various Iraqi provinces at Salahuddin Resort.
During the meeting, President Barzani warmly received the visiting delegation, praising the role of Iraqi tribes in preserving civil peace and fostering a spirit of coexistence among the people of the nation.
The delegation expressed its deep belief in the need for unity among Iraqis as the foundation for stability, emphasizing dialogue as the best means to resolve problems and disputes.
The guests also reaffirmed their support for the vision of the supreme religious authority in Najaf, which calls for restricting arms to state control, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring justice for all citizens.
The delegation voiced its rejection of any foreign interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, stressing that Iraqis are capable of solving their problems through dialogue and mutual acceptance, away from regional and international polarization.
In conclusion, the participants underscored the importance of maintaining coordination and communication among Iraq’s components, and working for a stable and secure federal Iraq where the dignity of all citizens is protected—from Erbil to Basra, and from Mosul to Nasiriyah.
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التحالف الدولي يجري تدريبات عسكرية في قاعدة الشدادي بالحسكة
أفادت مصدر حقوقي سوري أن قاعدة تابعة للتحالف الدولي بريف الحسكة الجنوبي شهدت تدريبات عسكرية مكثفة.
قال المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان إن قاعدة الشدادي العسكرية بريف الحسكة الجنوبي شهدت ليلة أمس السبت 9 آب 2025، تنفيذ تدريبات عسكرية مكثفة.
وفق المصدر، تميزت التدريبات مشاركة واسعة للطيران الحربي وإطلاق قنابل ضوئية في أجواء المنطقة.
كما وشهدت القاعدة عمليات محاكاة متقدمة لإسناد القوات الأرضية من الجو، فضلاً عن تدريبات على التحكم في ساحات القتال الليلية باستخدام التقنيات الضوئية الحديثة.
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Faisal Youssef: All Kurdish Parties in Syria Share a Unified Stance on Dialogue with Damascus
ARK News.. Faisal Youssef, spokesperson for the Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC) and a member of the Joint Kurdish Delegation for negotiations with Damascus, confirmed that all Kurdish political factions in Syria have adopted a unified position regarding dialogue with the Syrian government.
In an interview with Kurdistan24, Youssef stated: “The Kurdish demand in Syria was one of the main issues addressed during the latest meeting of the Joint Kurdish Delegation. There is a shared understanding and a united stance among all Kurdish parties to engage in serious dialogue with the authorities in Damascus.”
Key Points from Faisal Youssef's Statement: Repeated Requests for Dialogue: The delegation has submitted multiple requests to meet with representatives of the Syrian government, but no official response has been received so far.
Vision for a New Syria: Youssef emphasized the Kurdish aspiration for a new Syrian state based on equal rights for all national and ethnic groups, stressing the need for true partnership, not domination by any single group or ethnicity.
Lack of International Guarantees: He warned that there are currently no international guarantees preventing the repetition of targeted violence against Kurds, similar to what happened with the Druze community in Suwayda.
Rejection of Arabization Policies: Youssef called for an end to Arabization and the erasure of Kurdish identity, describing such policies as a longstanding injustice that must be reversed.
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KNC: Joint Kurdish Delegation Is the Sole Legitimate Representative of the Kurdish People
ARK News.. With the participation of KNC President Mohammed Ismail, members of the presidency, and the majority of council members, the Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC) held its regular meeting, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Western Office of the Kurdistan Democratic Party–Syria in Qamishlo.
The meeting’s agenda covered the latest developments on the Syrian scene in general and the Kurdish situation in particular, including recent events in Suwayda Governorate.
KNC spokesperson Faisal Youssef stated that the meeting took place amid rapidly evolving political developments in the country and the region, with special focus on the incidents witnessed in Suwayda in recent weeks.
Youssef emphasized that the future Syria must be an inclusive homeland for all its ethnic and religious components, including Arabs, Kurds, Druze, Alawites, and others.
He stressed that the Kurdish delegation formed out of the Conference on Kurdish Unity and Common Position held on April 26 is the sole legitimate representative of the Kurdish people in Syria, urging the new administration in Damascus to recognize this fact.
At the end of the meeting, participants discussed the need to expedite preparations for the upcoming fifth KNC congress, considering its importance as a key organizational and political milestone in the council’s path.
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President Barzani and Italian Consul General in Erbil Exchange Views on Regional Developments
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani met, on Sunday, August 3, 2025, with Tommaso Sansoni, the Italian Consul General in Erbil, at the Salahuddin Resort.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the latest developments and challenges, discussing political changes in the region and Iraq, as well as the ongoing tensions in Syria.
President Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region attaches great importance to its relations with Italy and always appreciates the role of the Italian government and people toward the Kurdistan Region. He recalled Italy’s support during the war against ISIS terrorists, emphasizing that the Kurdistan Region will never forget this assistance.
For his part, Consul General Sansoni affirmed Italy’s commitment to continuing its support for the Kurdistan Region and expressed his country’s intention to further strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.
The meeting also covered relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi federal government, the peace process in Turkey, and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the bonds of friendship between the peoples of Kurdistan and Italy.
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President Barzani: Iraq Will Never Enjoy Peace While Chauvinistic Mentality Persists
ARK News.. President Masoud Barzani, in a message marking the 42nd anniversary of the Barzani Anfal massacre, emphasized that the people of Kurdistan continue to bear the memory of the tragedies and injustices inflicted by former Iraqi regimes.
Full Message:
In the Name of God, the Most Merciful
Throughout the year, there are few days that pass without recalling a tragedy, crime, or injustice committed by successive Iraqi governments against the people of Kurdistan.
Forty-two years ago, today, the former Iraqi regime abducted 8,000 Barzani men, aged 9 to 90, and transported them to the southern Iraqi deserts, where they were executed in a brutal mass massacre. This atrocity was part of a chain of crimes against the Kurds, including the disappearance of 12,000 Fayli Kurds, the Anfal campaigns in Garmiyan and Badinan, the chemical bombardment of Halabja and other areas, as well as forced Arabization and mass displacement.
The mindset behind these crimes was chauvinistic and rooted in denial, a source of misery and backwardness for all of Iraq. Sadly, some still carry this mentality into politics today. As long as this mentality persists, Iraq will never enjoy stability or peace.
On the anniversary of the Barzani Anfal, I express my gratitude to the people of Erbil Plain, Harir, and Soran, who stood by the Barzanis during those dark times. I salute the resilience of the families of the Anfal victims, especially the Barzani mothers and women who endured the pain of separation for decades.
Today, we send thousands of greetings to the souls of the Barzani Anfal martyrs, all Anfal martyrs, and the martyrs on the path to Kurdistan’s freedom.
Masoud Barzani
July 31, 2025
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U.S. Companies to Develop Comprehensive Plan for Syria’s Oil, Gas, and Power Sectors
ARK News.. A consortium of U.S.-based companies is set to draft a comprehensive plan for Syria’s oil, gas, and electricity sectors, as part of a partnership aimed at rebuilding the country’s war-ravaged energy infrastructure following a 14-year civil conflict.
Jonathan Bass, CEO of Argent LNG, announced that Baker Hughes, Hunt Energy, and Argent—all headquartered in the United States—will jointly prepare the plan to help re-establish Syria’s energy backbone.
Sources say the move represents a dramatic shift, as it marks the entry of U.S. firms into a country that was, until recently, subject to one of the world’s most severe sanctions regimes. The development comes after U.S. President Donald Trump lifted American sanctions on Syria at the end of June.
The companies are expected to assist in oil and gas exploration and extraction, as well as electricity generation—steps aimed at revitalizing Syria’s economy as the government pushes forward with reconstruction and reintegration into the international arena.
The plan also follows a wave of agreements signed by other foreign companies—many from Gulf Arab states—focused on energy generation and port infrastructure in Syria.
Details of the comprehensive energy plan have not been previously disclosed. “We’re initiating the development of a foundational and integrated energy and power generation plan for Syria, based on a preliminary assessment of near-term opportunities to improve capacity and service delivery,” said Bass.
He added: “Our efforts aim to support the recovery of Syria’s energy sector in close coordination with relevant stakeholders.”
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