Parliamentary power: Kurds did not provide a convincing justification for non-commitment to pay oil money

[ChuckFinley]

30 minutes ago, Wiljor said:

 

Morning Chuck, a super Sunday out to ya  

Same to you. I know it is your busy day, so pace yourself.  

[10 YEARS LATER]

This is ALL very SMOKIN' HOT stuff - I trust I'm not just going out here on a limb by saying . . .  WEEEEE ' RRRRRREEEE BAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK  

[10 YEARS LATER]

2 hours ago, ChuckFinley said:

Going to Ditto the Ditto. 

 

I'll DITTO the DITTO you just DITTO'd and with a DITTO of my own ( hmm, thats a Double Ditto-well, ok ) . . . Come on folks, lets' DOUBLE DOWN on the DITTO'S and get those positive waves going.  

[Spider]

ISRAEL ASKS FOR AIR CORRIDOR TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO IRAQI KURDISTAN IN ITS STANDOFF AGAINST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – REPORTS

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Illustrative image

 

On October 21, Maxim A. Suchkov‏ a journalist in the US-based Al-Monitor news website said on Twitter that according to “Moscow rumors”, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that Israel is considering using the Syrian airpsace as a corridor to send planes to the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

 

Thus, Israel is allegedly going to provide aid to the Kurdistan Regional Government against the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

 

While it’s very unlikely that Tel Aviv is ready to provide some kind of military assistance to the KRG, there are no doubts that the Israeli leadership is considering options to provide “humanitarian assistance” to the KRG.

 

Suchkov added that Russia does not see an Israeli involvement in the Iraqi Arab-Kurdish crisis as a good idea. Such intervention might risk the Russian investments in the Iraqi oil sector, Suchkov argued. In other words, Russia rejected the Israeli request for the assistance in the issue.

 

On October 20, Reuters reported that an Israeli official confirmed to it that Netanyahu is lobbying world powers to prevent further setbacks of the KRG as they lose contested areas to the Iraqi Army. The official told Reuters that the Israeli prime minister discussed the the Iraqi Kurdish issues with the United States, Russia, Germany and France.

 

Another Israeli official told Reuters that the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is “a foothold” and a “strategic place” for Israel due to its proximity to Israel‘s enemies in Tehran and Damascus. The official also said that Israel wants to see Iraqi Kurds provided with the means to protect themselves.

 

“It would be best if someone gave them weaponry, and whatever else, which we cannot give, obviously,” the official said according to Reuters.

 

Back on September 13, Netanyahu announced an official Israeli support to creation of an independent Kurdish state in the Middle East. the Israeli prime minister’s office released a statement claiming that Israel “supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to attain a state of its own“.

 

However, on September 25 two Israeli officials told Reuters that Netanyahu barred the Israeli government comment on the Kurdistan Region independence referendum in Iraq. One of the officials told Reuters back than that the Iraqi Kurdistan Region subject is “too sensitive”.

 

In the near future, Israel will likely continue its media, diplomatic and other efforts to prevent the stabilization in Syria and Iraq after ISIS is defeated.

 

https://southfront.org/israel-asks-for-air-corridor-to-provide-assistance-to-iraqi-kurdistan-in-its-standoff-against-federal-government-reports/

[ChuckFinley]

1 hour ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

This is ALL very SMOKIN' HOT stuff - I trust I'm not just going out here on a limb by saying . . .  WEEEEE ' RRRRRREEEE BAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK  

Hey, 10YL, I think we are back in the game here.  We had to run through Exteral Issues (ISIS) and Internal Issues (Referendum).  Iraq seems to be cleaning house while cutting deals internationally  I am watching for the Kuwait agreement with the remainder of the war debt to be worked out. They cut a deal, which would release Iraq. There is a meeting with the UN in Nov. My guess is that if Kuwait is happy with the deal, then the UN will go along with it too. Then I am watching for the passing of the National Oil and Gas company and the HCL to pass. I think this will go extremely fast if they see money coming in.  

Edited October 22, 2017 by ChuckFinley

[drj]

2 minutes ago, ChuckFinley said:

Hey, 10YL, I think we are back in the game here.  We had to run through Exteral Issues (ISIS) and Internal Issues (Referendum).  Iraq seems to be cleaning house while cutting deals internationally  I am watching for the Kuwait agreement with the remainder of the war debt to be worked out. They cut a deal, which would release Iraq. There is a meeting with the UN in Nov. My guess is that if Kuwait is happy with the deal, then the UN will go along with it to. Then I am watching for the passing of the National Oil and Gas company and the HCL to pass. I think this will go extremely fast if they see money coming in.  

 

I LOVE the way you think, Chuck!  

 

GO RV!!!

[Butifldrm]

Presidential President 

Statement issued by the Information Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives

 October 22, 2017 13 Views

In light of the developments taking place in the Iraqi political arena and in order to obtain views and views and try to crystallize ideas and visions aimed at resolving crises and encircling them and correcting them towards détente and solution.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr. Salim al-Jubouri with the leaders of the Alliance of Iraqi National Forces are conducting a comprehensive dialogue in the coming days with a number of political leaders in the country as well as a meeting with the Prime Minister, and will discuss the problems and outstanding issues in the Iraqi arena to prevent further agreement and to establish the basis To address crises and problems.

In addition to maintaining a comprehensive and frank dialogue between the political parties and reaching a unified vision of the challenges facing the country.

The meetings will include political and official leaders, national symbols and all actors involved in resolving the crisis.

***

information Office

To the Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives

22/10/2017

http://ar.parliament.iq/2017/10/22/بيان-صادر-عن-المكتب-الاعلامي-لرئيس-مجل-5/

 

 

[DropItLikeItsHot]

Not to be a downer... I do like the article, but once again it is the opinion of...... (from the original article)

 

Bashdar Pusho Ismaeel is a London-based freelance writer and analyst whose primary focus and expertise is on the Kurds, Iraq, and current Middle Eastern affairs.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Kurdistan 24.

 

Be nice if it was official from Baghdad!

Still waiting for that day.... Go RV

 

[Butifldrm]

Jubouri's policy intends to conduct a "comprehensive dialogue" to contain the Iraq crisis

 

 Twilight News    

 

 7 minutes ago

 

 

Iraqi parliament speaker Salim al-Jubouri said on Sunday he planned to join forces with the leaders of the Iraqi Union of Iraqi Forces to contain the crisis in Iraq, a reference to what appears to be the crisis between Baghdad and Erbil.

"The speaker of the parliament with the leaders of the Iraqi National Forces Alliance will hold a comprehensive dialogue in the coming days with a number of political leaders in the country as well as a meeting with the prime minister," Jubouri's office said in a statement.

He added that "the problems and outstanding issues in the Iraqi arena will be discussed in order to prevent further crisis and to establish a basis for dealing with crises and problems, in addition to maintaining a comprehensive and constructive dialogue between the political parties and reaching a unified vision of the challenges facing the country."

The statement said that "the meetings will include political and official leaders and national symbols and all actors and actors in resolving the crisis."

 

 

Keywords: 

http://www.shafaaq.com/ar/Ar_NewsReader/77466160-4ccf-43ae-99e8-8e6feb07f8e5

[3n1]

Thanks englishman ,this freelance writer gets it .... abadi's forces with iranian terrorist help can over run any area they like but it has to be dealt with by the constitution ,,, implement art.140 for all the people of iraq i understand why maliki would not during his reign of dictatorship but abadi was to be different (by the books) so to speak following the constitution  ... we wait 

[nannab]

2 hours ago, 10 YEARS LATER said:

 

I'll DITTO the DITTO you just DITTO'd and with a DITTO of my own ( hmm, thats a Double Ditto-well, ok ) . . . Come on folks, lets' DOUBLE DOWN on the DITTO'S and get those positive waves going.  

 

Double Daug Ditto !!!!!!!  

[Butifldrm]

In the document: proposals praised by Abadi submitted to Barzani before the imposition of security in Kirkuk did not take them

 

Sulaimaniyah: 
A group of members of the leadership council of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, on Sunday, the project they submitted to the joint meeting between the Patriotic Union and the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Dokan in the presence of President Fuad Masum and President Massoud Barzani, stressing that if the project was accepted below The disaster occurred in Kirkuk and other areas as described.

The members published a document containing the points they proposed for discussion at the joint meeting between the two parties in Dukan to resolve the outstanding problems between Baghdad and Erbil. 
According to the document, 38 members of the leadership council of the National Union provided the points below but their representative at the meeting, Pavel Talabani, but the points below did not take into account what caused the occurrence of the province of Kirkuk and other areas. 
Suggested points to solve the problems between Baghdad and Erbil: 
1- Forming a joint command near Kirkuk in which the representative of the US forces and the Iraqi army as well as the Peshmerga, their first task is to spread peace and security in the region and be based in the camp Ki-Wan. 
2 - not to bring any military force into Kirkuk. 
3 - solve all outstanding problems between Baghdad and the region through dialogue and the Constitution. 
4. The United Nations and the United States should help us to implement the above points.
According to the document, the United Nations and America, as well as the Prime Minister and neighboring countries, hailed the points above.

 

 

 

 

https://www.alghadpress.com/news/اخبار-العراق-السياسية/124683/بالوثيقة-مقترحات-اشاد-بها-العبادي-قدمت-لبارزاني-قب

[ChuckFinley]

1 hour ago, drj said:

 

I LOVE the way you think, Chuck!  

 

GO RV!!!

Thanks DrJ. Guess I am getting a clean bill of health.  

[ChuckFinley]

1 hour ago, DropItLikeItsHot said:

Not to be a downer... I do like the article, but once again it is the opinion of...... (from the original article)

 

Bashdar Pusho Ismaeel is a London-based freelance writer and analyst whose primary focus and expertise is on the Kurds, Iraq, and current Middle Eastern affairs.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Kurdistan 24.

 

Be nice if it was official from Baghdad!

Still waiting for that day.... Go RV

 

No worries, we are moving forward everyday. 

[10 YEARS LATER]

3 hours ago, nannab said:

 

Double Daug Ditto !!!!!!!  

 

Double Duag'n the Dittos' - Let's hope those knuckle dragging " Daug Breath " fools rise to the occasion Pronto Like !  

[yota691]

2017/10/23 (00:01 PM)   -   Number of readings: 140   -   Number (4048)

 

 

32 Kurdish parties call on the government for unconditional dialogue

Baghdad / Range 
 

Kurdish parties and political parties, during an expanded meeting held yesterday in Erbil, made recommendations on the developments of the ongoing crisis between the Kurdistan region and the federal government.

The Kurdish parties, in a statement seen by Al-Mada yesterday, refused to engage in "conditional dialogues" with Baghdad on controversial issues, asserting that the referendum is a constitutional right for the people of Kurdistan, while stressing the unification of the Kurdish ranks under the current circumstances. 
"Any negotiations with the Kurdistan Regional Government will be conditional on respect for the sovereignty of the federal government on border crossings, airports, sovereign wealth, Peshmerga forces, Kurdish security services and law enforcement in the disputed areas," the prime minister's spokesman said on Saturday. 
The joint statement, issued after the meeting, which included 32 parties and political parties in the Kurdistan region, on the "unity of grade and the word between all forces and political parties in Kurdistan .. And see that this is the guarantor of success and overcome all problems."
"The political parties strongly reject any move towards a return to the division of the territory into two departments, and must enter the Kurdistan region unified to any dialogue with the Iraqi government," adding that "the referendum constitutional right and legal for the people of Kurdistan will not abandon it." 
The Kurdish forces called on all partisan and independent media institutions to "avoid the language of defamation and incitement. The news and events must be reliably transferred and the unity of class and social peace maintained." 
"We declare to all parties that we are ready for unconditional dialogue on the basis of the Constitution and away from the policy of imposing fait accompli, aggression and military arrogance," the statement said.
Saadi Bira, a spokesman for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said that the conditions set by the federal government to resume dialogue with Erbil on the outstanding issues between the two sides were "unacceptable." He pointed out that the prosecutions issued by the Baghdad courts against some Kurdish leaders, Not "serious presence", to open the door to dialogue. 
The Iraqi judiciary has issued an arrest warrant against Kusrat Rasul Ali, deputy head of the Kurdistan region and deputy secretary-general of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, after statements describing the Iraqi forces as "occupied." 
On Tuesday, the Integrity Commission issued a warrant for the arrest and search of former Iraqi army chief of staff Babeker Zebari, based on the provisions of Article 340 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which deals with waste of public funds.
"The arrest warrant against the accused was intended to cause damage to the money of the party in which he was working," the agency said in a statement read by Al-Mada.

[Spider]

Main Kurdish opposition calls for formation of ‘salvation government’

Mon Oct 23, 2017 02:09AM

1. Home
2. Middle East
3. Iraq 

Iraqi children wave their national flag as they celebrate in the city of Kirkuk on October 18, 2017, after Iraqi government forces retook almost all the territory disputed between Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdish region. (Photos by AFP)

 

The main opposition party of Iraq’s Kurdistan region has called on Kurdish President Massoud Barzani to quit, urging the formation of a “National salvation government.”

 

“The Kurdistan presidency must be dissolved and a national salvation government be formed to overcome the current situation,” said a statement released by the Gorran, or the Change Movement party, on Sunday.

 

Founded in 2009, Gorran is the official opposition to the ruling two-party coalition of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. The political party, under the leadership of Omar Said Ali, was one of the Kurdish political parties that were against the last month’s highly controversial independence referendum.

 

Read More:

• Iraqi court issues arrest warrant for Kurdistan’s vice president
• Saudi, UAE secretly worked for Kurdistan secession: Report
• Ayatollah Sistani urges Iraq to protect Kurds amid tensions

 

The developments followed weeks of simmering tensions between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government over the referendum, held on September 25 in open defiance of the central government in Baghdad.

 

Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani (L) sits next to Iraqi President Fuad Massum during a ceremony at the airport in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah following the arrival of Iraqi ex-president Jalal Talabani's coffin on October 6, 2017.

Following the vote, Baghdad imposed a ban on direct international flights to the Kurdish region and called for a halt to its independent crude oil sales.

 

Last week, Iraq’s judiciary also issued arrest warrants for three senior Kurdish officials, who were allegedly behind the contentious plebiscite, which also faced strong opposition from regional countries, including Iran and Turkey. Iraq's Supreme Court has already ruled the referendum unconstitutional.

 

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/10/23/539557/gorran-iraq-kurdish-independence-barzani

[yota691]

Allawi: the ruling "Constitution" of the situation of disputed areas and the referendum has become the past

 

 Since 2017-10-23 at 12:25 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad - Mawazine News

Deputy President of the Republic, Iyad Allawi, on Monday, that the referendum on the independence of Kurdistan has become the past and that the Constitution is the ruler of the situation in the disputed areas, pointing to his support and support for any actions contribute to the unity and preservation of Iraq.

 "The latter received in his office the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Iraq, Jan Kubic, who handed him a letter from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in which he praised Allawi's efforts to resolve the situation and expressed his support and support for his initiative, Of resorting to dialogue to resolve the current crisis. "

The statement added that "during the meeting discussed the latest developments on the political and security arenas, in addition to recent developments in the province of Kirkuk and disputed areas."

"Allawi's support and support for any measures that would contribute to reducing tension and preserve the lives of civilians and preserve the unity, safety and stability of Iraq, and start a bilateral dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil," Allawi said.

He pointed out that "the referendum has become the past and the Constitution is the ruler of the situation in the disputed areas," stressing "the importance of the United Nations and the Arab League to support constructive dialogue under the Constitution to reach solutions to outstanding problems."

[yota691]

Jaafari: Kurds do not face political isolation .. Lavrov: Russia supports the unity of Iraq (expanded)

Release date: 2017/10/23 13:52 • 11 times read

Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that the Kurds in Iraq do not face political isolation because of the referendum on secession from Iraq. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated his country's support for the unity of Iraq.

"The referendum in the Kurdistan region is unconstitutional and the Iraqi government has treated it wisely," Jaafari told a joint news conference with Lavrov at the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow on Monday. 
He added: "There was a very important tactical position contributed by the Kurds and Arabs and Turkmen to reject this referendum and forced the Iraqi government to deal wisely with him and responded to the people of the region and was resolved the Kirkuk crisis within 15 hours and law and authority were applied. 
"We are not talking about all the Kurdish factions, but they have contributed with the Arabs and Turkomans and fought together against the former regime," he said, noting that "the Kurds contribute to the administration of the state and occupy key positions."
Jaafari said that "Iraq today in front of a new situation and the participation of political and not political isolation and participate in this Kurds as part of the Iraqi people and take their natural right and enjoy the right to the federal budget by 17%, but even though it is limited by 12.9% . 
The foreign minister stressed that "Iraq bears all the responsibility and courage to protect its citizens and land, and he will not hesitate or delay in defending it," stressing that "can not arrest citizens without judicial orders and Kurds have stood a supervisor with their Kurdish brothers." 
He pointed out that "after Iraq folded the confrontation with Daash, now is the time to turn the wheel of construction and reconstruction," revealing "Tujia invitation to the Lavrov to visit Baghdad and the time to witness the visit of Russian President or Foreign Minister to visit Iraq."
Jaafari also praised Russia's support for Iraq in the fight against terrorism. 
He reiterated "Iraq's firm stance towards the conflict and the crisis in Syria, which is to leave the news to the Syrian people in self-determination and there should be no interference in its internal affairs." 
For his part, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov reiterated his country's position in support of Iraq's unity and dialogue to resolve differences according to the constitution. 
"We have expressed our vision in the referendum and we want to emphasize the understanding of the aspirations of the Kurdish people in their dream and their souls, but we believe it is right to achieve these aspirations in dialogue with Baghdad and taking into account all the circumstances and away from the formation of hotbeds of new unrest in the region. 
" Lavrov added: Different political in Iraq and not the Kurds alone and we seek to communicate with all of them. "
And that "our support for the efforts of the Iraqi government not only in the fight against terrorism , but in solving internal problems, through inclusive national dialogue through the participation of all components" LAVA that "he discussed with al - Jaafari , " the results of the referendum of the Kurdistan region , which took place last September 25. " 
He continued , " I have "We have confirmed the Russian position in support of finding a solution between Baghdad and the Kurdistan region on the basis of respect for the unity of Iraq and its territorial integrity and through dialogue and consensus as we agreed on a solid basis in bilateral cooperation between the two countries," 
Lavrov said. The Parties shall take the decision in If they are ready for dialogue and accept our mediation but do not impose ourselves. "
He stressed that "the Iraqi government does not abandon the Kurds and declare them criminals and do not destroy the Kurdish effects, but to merge them with power and grant them rights and I think that all opportunities are available to achieve agreement on how to achieve partnership according to the Constitution." 
He announced that "the increase of scholarships for Iraqi students in Russia," noting that "the Iraqi-Russian joint committee will meet today to discuss the development of relations between the two countries and the activation of the agreements between them." 
Lavrov said he would soon meet Jaafari's invitation to visit Baghdad in the near future

[yota691]

Kurdish Change Movement calls for the resignation of Barzani

 

 

 

Politician  Number of readings: 11 2017/10/23 10:01

 

Baghdad: National Information Center (NNC):

The Movement for Change called the opposition in Iraqi Kurdistan to the resignation of the President of the region Massoud Barzani after the control of Iraqi government forces on the areas controlled by the Peshmerga in Kirkuk. 

Shorsh Haji, a member of the executive body of the movement, which holds 24 seats out of 111 in the Kurdistan Parliament, Barzani and his deputy Kosrat Rasool to resign. 

He said at a press conference - after the meeting of the National Council movement - that "the meeting discussed the current situation in the Kurdistan region, and the loss of the equivalent of half of the territory of the region." 

Haji added that "the president of the region and his deputy do not have legitimacy and they must resign," referring to the need to "dissolve the presidency of the region and organize the work of parliament." 

The rapid progress of Iraqi government forces in the province of Kirkuk has led to the exchange of the two main parties in Kurdistan with accusations of "treason".

Haji called for "the formation of a national salvation government, to prepare for dialogue with Baghdad, and the organization of elections." 

He pointed out that "the current situation is due to failure to take into account the repercussions of the referendum." 

The authorities in the Kurdistan region of Iraq said they were ready to dialogue with the central government in Baghdad. 

The Kurdish Peshmerga forces have taken over large parts of Kirkuk since 2014, when the Islamic state organization swept through vast areas in the north of the country. 

Central government forces - backed by armed factions loyal to them - have driven Kurdish fighters from the northern oil-rich province of Kirkuk and from areas in Nineveh and Diyala provinces. 

The military developments came after the September 25 referendum on secession from Iraq by the Kurdistan region, which the central government called "illegal."

The Change Movement called for the dissolution of the Supreme Political Council of Kurdistan, which was formed after the referendum, saying it was "illegal and must be resolved." 

The United Nations has expressed concern about reports of the forcible transfer of civilians, mainly Kurds, in northern Iraq. 

Kurdish authorities say 100,000 people have fled their homes, but there are no independent statistics to confirm these statistics.

[yota691]

Kurdish official: the political leadership of the Kurdistan region to submit its resignation

 

 Since 2017-10-23 at 15:52 (Baghdad time)

Special - Mawazine News

The official of the Protection and Information Agency in the Kurdistan region of Lahore Sheikh Janki, on Monday, criticized the current political leadership of the region for not recognizing the failure, while calling for the leadership to resign.

"We do not want any party to make a single decision about the fateful files of the people of Kurdistan and the current political leadership must present its resignation," Sheikh Janki said in an interview with a number of journalists, including the Muawazin News correspondent.

"The visits of US and European officials to the Kurdistan region in the past were to support the war against the terrorist organization, but the assessment of the political leadership of these visits was wrong, and now the Kurds do not have any international support, not even the international coalition, as in the past because of the error "This mistake led to the Peshmerga forces facing an unequal war. If we do not understand the mistakes and we do not act wisely, we will lose everything we have, as we have lost half of Kurdistan."

He added that "what happened recently is not a natural thing, but was a regional agreement between Iraq and Iran and Turkey and the green light of the international coalition, and we must know well that all Arab international countries seek to support Iraq and open new horizons with him."

On the dialogue between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government, Janki said, "What we have left is to seek to protect our gains through the Constitution and must be sent new faces of dialogue with the federal government, because it may refuse to the federal government to receive the faces of old so we have to search for a new alternative, "We should not wait for this leadership, which is not ready to apologize and instead issued statements and clarifications and is not ready to admit failure, and must resign."

[nannab]

The sooner the better for the Kurdish people and all of Iraq.

Thanks Yota and good morning DV. 

[Butifldrm]

 

Iraq

Baghdad tells Tillerson he cannot tell Iraq what to do

By Rudaw 2 hours ago

A picture taken on October 20, 2017 shows a pickup truck bearing the logo of Iranian-backed Hashed al-Sahaabi militia carrying a fighter manning an anti-aircraft turret, in the region of Pirde or Altun Kupri, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Erbil where Iraqi forces heavily clashed with Kurdish peshmerga. Photo: AFP/ Marwan Ibrahim

BAGHDAD, Iraq--The office of Iraqi prime minister said on Monday that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had no right to tell the Iraqis what do and that his call for the militia groups to disband and "go home" was wrong because they are Iraqi fighters and government command.

"The warriors of the Hashd al-Shaabi are patriotic Iraqis and paid with their lives in the defense of their country and the people of Iraq and they abide by the Iraqi command according to the law of the parliament," said a statement from PM Haider al-Abadi's office.

These words came in response to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who said in Riyadh on Sunday that Iranian-backed Shiite militias in Iraq must go home now that the war with ISIS was ending.

"No one has the right to interfere in Iraqi affairs and decide what they should do," read the statement.

 

http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/231020175

It went on to say that "any foreign or coalition forces on the ground in Iraq were limited in number and were there to provide training and logistical support and had no combat role,"

[LeeC]

https://clarionproject.org/victory-u-s-iran-grabs-kirkurk/

 

Iran Grabs Kirkurk; Claims ‘Victory Over the US’

Home > World > Iran > Iran Grabs Kirkurk; Claims ‘Victory Over the US’

By Meira Svirsky Monday, October 23, 2017

 

 

A member of the Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi militia in Iraq (Photo: ACHILLEAS ZAVALLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

 

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization celebrated the Iraqi take-over of the city of Kirkuk from the Kurds, calling it a victory over the U.S. and Israel, Rudaw.net reported.

“Our victory in Kirkuk is a victory over the U.S. and Israel and an answer to Trump’s threats to Iran,” said Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, deputy head of Hezbollah’s executive council and the lead Hezbollah official in Lebanon.

Qaouk was right

The U.S.’s emphatic desertion of the Kurds – before, during and after their historic referendum calling for independence – paved the way for an Iranian takeover of the region, in continuation of its push to create a Shiite crescent in the Middle East and dominate the region.

Never mind that the takeover of Kirkurk was made infinitely easier by the Kurdish Talabani faction, representing the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), through a deal made with Iran. In exchange for a cut in the profits from Kirkurk’s strategic oil fields and a role in running the civil government of the city, the Kurdish PUK forces rolled over and played dead, allowing Iraqi forces to take over the city without a fight.

Who are these “Iraqi” forces?

The takeover of Kirkurk – a disputed city which had been under Kurdish control since the summer of 2014 when ISIS rolled into Mosul and the surrounding areas and the Iraqi army dropped its guns and ran – was accomplished not only by Iraqi forces but by the Hashd al-Shaabi, Iranian-backed Shiite militias that officially joined the Iraqi forces last year.

The Hashd militias are “advised” by none other than the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, who was reportedly seen on the ground in Kirkuk during the takeover.

It seems the invasion of Kirkuk was Iran’s answer to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would not certify the Iranian nuclear deal and instead had directed the Treasury Department to impose new sanction on Iran.

Unfortunately, such measures come with very few teeth

The damage the nuclear deal has already done – i.e., failing to stop Iran’s path to a nuclear weapons and thwarting its terrorist activities – is long accomplished, as confirmed recently by the U.S.’s own CIA director Mike Pompeo, speaking in the name of his boss, the president.

And without American backing for the Kurdish bid for independence, there is no force stopping Iran from regional hegemony in the Middle East.

Although Pompeo said that the president would push back against “both Iran … and the Syrian regime,” he gave no specifics.

Iran, through Hezbollah and its Shiite militias is at Israel’s doorsteps on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights after Trump effectively handed Syria over to Russia and Iran last summer.

If Pompeo is referring to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s trip October 22 to Saudi Arabia to promote ties between Saudi Arabia and Iraq as a way of countering Iran, Iraq is playing America for the fool.

While Iraq will be happy to reap any financial benefit the Americans (and Saudis) are offering, it seems they have already decided with whom to hedge their bets.

Historic ties

In a meeting also on Oct. 22 with a senior advisor to Iran’s vice president, Iraqi Vice President Fuad Masum spoke about the “depth of the historical ties between Tehran and Baghdad, pointing out Iraq’s interest in developing these ties in all fields in a way that serves the interests of the two neighboring peoples.”

Masum specifically mentioned “the importance of coordination between the two countries in the field of protecting oil prices in world markets for the benefit of the oil exporting countries, in indication to the need to support the OPEC,” according to a statement issued by his office.

For Iran’s part, the statement noted that Iran was eager to develop relations with Iraq in every aspect of the country, “and continue to help the Iraqi people in its war against terrorism” (read: fight the Iraqi’s battle with the Kurds to maintain Iraq’s strategic assets).

Iran also offered “altruistically” to help Iraq in the reconstruction of its war-torn country. “Iran has good experience in agriculture and industry fields and we are keen to use these experiences,” according to the advisor.

So Iraq is lost

All this means that Iran has virtually taken over Iraq. The portions of the country that still maintain a semblance of independence are fast becoming obliged to Iran, a dependency set up perfectly and skillfully by the Iranians.

Trump’s pledge to get out of foreign wars and put “America first” might have resounded with a foreign-war weary electorate during the campaign, but the long-term consequences of creating a vacuum that Iran is only all too happy and able to fill will be felt not only financially in the U.S. but also in the fight against terror which will come back to haunt the homeland.

[SnowGlobe7]

say what??? IRAN???

 

I am thinking no....the saudis were just there

 

 

Edited October 23, 2017 by SnowGlobe7