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

[gregp]

GM, Yota. 

 

They had had to restock Kleenex and water bottles. 

 

Thanks. 

[yota691]

POSTED ON 2017-10-28 BY SOTALIRAQ

Launch of the Joint Technical Group meetings between Baghdad and Erbil

A meeting of Iraqi and Kurdish officials to negotiate the withdrawal of Peshmerga forces from the disputed areas between Baghdad and Arbil and the deployment of federal forces began, a spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office Saad al-Hadithi said on Saturday.

"This step is intended to allow a joint technical team of federal and regional forces to work on the ground to deploy Iraqi federal forces in all the disputed areas, including Fishekhabour and the international border," he was quoted as saying.

"The main task of the joint team is to create the deployment of federal forces in the border areas without clashes," he said.

He explained that "there are meetings between the leaders of the federal forces and the Peshmerga to redeploy in these border areas smoothly and smoothly."

"The prime minister decided to stop the movement of the federal sectors to allow the team to prepare the ground to complete the redeployment and the extension of federal forces powers."

According to al-Hadithi, "the technical team consists of military leaders specializing in the area and the border and works to ensure the deployment of federal forces on the border of the Blue Line defined by the Constitution and separate the territory and federal territory," noting that "the goal of Iraqi forces redeployment to reach the area of Vishkhabur on the Iraqi border Turkish ".

[yota691]

The government sends engineering crews to operate 40 oil wells west of Mosul

By

 rami

 -

October 28, 2017

13

0

 

 

 

An Iraqi army commander said on Saturday that federal forces had controlled 40 oil wells west of Mosul, controlled by Peshmerga forces.
“Joint forces managed to control 40 oil wells out of 44 wells during the recent military operations in the Zammar district of Tall Afar as part of the tasks of enforcing the rule of law,” Maj. Gen. Hammad al-Abdali said. On the disputed territories. ”
Al-Abdali said that “the central government sent engineering crews specialized in the operation of wells to maintain the extraction of oil without interruption,” pointing out that “Iraqi forces are working to provide the necessary protection for oil engineering crews in order to carry out its duties without experiencing difficulties.
The tension between Baghdad and Erbil after the Kurdistan region referendum on independence on 25 September last, which confirms the Iraqi government “unconstitutional” and refuses to deal with the results.
During a lightning crackdown launched in mid-October, Iraqi forces redeployed in the vast majority of disputed areas, including Kirkuk, after the Peshmerga forces evacuated their positions.

[yota691]

Washington refuses to return Maliki to power .. His coalition reveals the reasons Policy access_time 2017/10/28 18:49 Number of readings: 328  Baghdad today A coalition of state law, Saturday, why the US refused to return the Vice-President Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister, explaining that Washington and Riyadh do not want to defeat Massoud Barzani in front of the challenges of holding the referendum. "The United States does not want to defeat Barzani in front of the challenges of holding the referendum, especially after the actions taken by the federal government, and the latest military progress in northern Iraq, it does not want to defeat Barzani is not loved by, but from In order to make the success of its fragmentation project for Iraq, and this project has partners, especially Saudi Arabia. " "Saudi Arabia wants Barzani to win this crisis in order to keep him in office, which has made Erbil a safe haven for terrorists and foes supported by Riyadh and its allied countries," he added. He explained that "Washington does not want the return of al-Maliki to the premiership, he is the one who drove them out of Iraq, after they dreamed of entering, he refused to give or establish any US military base in Iraq after the withdrawal of the occupation forces, and this is why the United States, And does not want to return, as it stands against its partition and conspiracy projects. " The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported in its report that the United States and Saudi Arabia find the Kurdistan Regional Party president a strategic ally and refuse to defeat him in the current confrontation with Baghdad.

[yota691]

First Published: 2017-10-28

Negotiations of Baghdad and Erbil are making 'acceptable progress'

Al-Ghanmi announced that there were understandings in a number of points while there were still other outstanding issues awaiting the resolution of the Kurdish side.

Middle East Online

Temporary suspension BAGHDAD - Iraqi and Kurdish military officials made "progress" during their meeting on Saturday to negotiate the withdrawal of Peshmerga forces from disputed areas between Baghdad and Erbil, but there are still sticking points, the chief of staff of the Iraqi army announced hours before the end of the truce announced by Baghdad. "There is an acceptable progress, but the final decision is linked to the second Kurdish delegation," Lieutenant General Osman al-Ganami told reporters as he left Nineveh Operations Headquarters. "We have reached a common understanding in some points, and some points commented on the answer to them until the return to the region and to express opinion and contact us." He pointed out that "the cease-fire is 24 hours, in the coming hours if no agreement is reached, there is a second opinion," without further details. Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said on Friday evening that "stop the movement of military forces for 24 hours" in the disputed areas "to prevent clashes and bloodshed among the people of one country." He added that the move aims to "allow a joint technical team between the federal forces and the forces of the region to work on the ground for the deployment of Iraqi federal forces in all disputed areas," which include "Vishkhabor and the international border." "The main task of the joint team is to prepare for the deployment of federal forces in the border areas without clashes," al-Hadithi said. He explained that "there are meetings between the leaders of the federal forces and the Peshmerga to redeploy in these border areas smoothly and smoothly." Tensions between Baghdad and Erbil rose a month ago when the region organized a referendum on independence, with the result "yes" overwhelmingly. Heavy artillery battles on Thursday between Kurdish fighters and Iraqi forces heading to the border crossing with Turkey to secure the pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Al-Hadithi said that "we seek to avoid clashes and bloodshed and lives. In this sense, the Prime Minister decided to stop the movement of the federal sectors to allow the team to prepare the ground to complete the redeployment and the extension of federal forces powers." According to Hadithi, the technical team consists of military leaders specialized in the area and borders and works to "ensure the deployment of federal forces on the border of the Blue Line, which was defined by the Constitution and separate the territory and federal lands." The Blue Line of the province includes the cities of Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, Dahuk and Erbil only, while the Kurdish authorities have expanded since 2003 in Kirkuk, Ninewa, Diyala and Salahuddin. Al-Hadithi stressed that "the objective of the Iraqi forces to redeploy to the area of Vishkhabor on the Iraqi-Turkish border." Located at the head of a border triangle between the Turkish, Iraqi and Syrian territories, Vishkabur is a strategy especially for the Kurds. The Peshmerga forces took control of the oil pipeline from Kirkuk province through Mosul in the northern province of Nineveh, following the chaos that followed the massive attack on the Islamic state three years ago.

[Spider]

Federal Iraqi forces peacefully retake Kurdistan borders after deal with Iraqi Kurds

Sat Oct 28, 2017 06:41AM

1. Home
2. Middle East
3. Iraq

Federal Iraqi security forces gather outside the Kurdish-held town of Altun Kupri, north of Kirkuk, Iraq, October 19. 2017. (Photo by AP)

 

Federal Iraqi forces have peacefully taken control of all border crossings ringing the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) following an agreement with Kurdish authorities.

 

A reported agreement between Baghdad and Erbil facilitated the peaceful handover of the border posts to the federal Iraqi forces.

 

In a statement released on Friday, the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said he had ordered a 24-hour suspension of military operations against Kurdish militants.

 

The halt in fighting “should allow a joint technical committee... to work on the deployment of federal Iraqi forces in all disputed areas, including Fish-Khabur, and the international borders,” the statement read. “This should prevent bloodshed between the children of the same country.”

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (photo by AP)

 

The KRG confirmed that the truce had taken effect at 1 a.m. local time on Friday (2200 GMT on Thursday).

 

Vahal Ali, the director of KRG President Masoud Barzani’s media office, told Reuters, “The ceasefire is holding,” adding, “Diplomatic efforts are underway to set a date for talks to start between Erbil and Baghdad.”

 

The development came less than two weeks after Iraqi government troops began an operation to take back positions held by Kurdish Peshmerga forces since 2014, when they joined the fight against Daesh terrorists.

 

The military campaign was a response to a controversial referendum on the secession of the Kurdistan Region and a refusal by the Kurdish militants who had overrun territory in the course of the fight with Daesh to leave those areas.

 

The KRG held the plebiscite on September 25 in defiance of strong objection from Baghdad and Iraq’s neighbors, particularly Iran and Turkey.

 

On October 16, the first day of the operation, the federal Iraqi forces managed to capture the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk.

 

Under mounting pressure, the Kurdish leadership offered on Wednesday to freeze the results of the vote and engage in dialog with the central government, but Baghdad wants the results to be totally annulled.

 

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/10/28/540122/Iraq-Kurdistan-peaceful-takeover-border-posts-Kurds

[ChuckFinley]

Thanks Yota, hopfully we can get this cleaned up.  

[Wiljor]

2017 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) initiative to hold dialogue with the Iraqi central government and find a peaceful solution to their disputes.

An official from Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said his country follows the political developments between Erbil and Baghdad, that it supports peaceful talks in accordance to the Iraqi constitution.

The Saudi Gazette cited the anonymous source as saying that Riyadh believes that peaceful negotiations would save lives.

The KRG previously said it is ready to “freeze” the results of September’s independence referendum for resumption of talks with Baghdad.

However, the Iraqi government, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi rejected the initiative as asked for complete cancelation of the result of the independence vote.

basnews

 

http://iraqdailyjournal.com/story-z16116884

[Wiljor]

Iraq, October 28, 2017 

Congress is threatening to stop sending weapons to Baghdad after reports today that Iraqi forces and Iran-backed Shiite militias are shooting at US-friendly Kurdish forces in northern Iraq.

Iraqi federal troops moved overnight to take control of Kirkuk and its surrounding oil fields following last month’s disputed independence referendum. Kurdish peshmerga fighters have accused the Shiite-dominated Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) of using US-supplied Abrams tanks (pictured) and Humvees in the offensive, sparking outrage among US lawmakers who have long worried about US equipment ending up in Iranian-friendly hands.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., issued a statement calling on Iraqi forces to “take immediate steps to de-escalate this volatile situation by ceasing their advances.”

“I am especially concerned by media reports that Iranian and Iranian-backed forces are part of the assault,” wrote McCain. “Make no mistake, there will be severe consequences if we continue to see American equipment misused in this way.”

Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and has introduced a resolution supporting Kurdish independence from Iraq, went further by suggesting that the United States should cut off financial support to Baghdad.

“I urge Iraqi Prime Minister [Haider] al-Abadi to fulfill his pledge to prevent any external or internal attack against the Kurds and prove Baghdad is not the puppet of Tehran,” Franks said in a statement. “Otherwise, the US will have no other choice but to pull funding as it cannot in good conscience send money to an Iranian patsy working to subvert American interests.”

The concern is bipartisan. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also expressed his outrage after issuing a statement strongly supportive of Kurdish independence following last month’s referendum.

businessnew

 

http://iraqdailyjournal.com/story-z16116731

[blueskyline]

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-kurds-barzani/iraqi-kurdistan-leader-barzani-will-hand-over-presidential-powers-on-november-1-idUSKBN1CX0L6...............

#WORLD NEWS

OCTOBER 28, 2017 / 11:51 AM / UPDATED 6 HOURS AGO

Iraqi Kurdistan leader Barzani will hand over presidential powers on November 1

 

Raya Jalabi

4 MIN READ

•  
•  

 

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdistan’s veteran leader Masoud Barzani will not extend his presidential term beyond Nov. 1, a Kurdish government official said on Saturday.

 

FILE PHOTO - Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani casts his vote during Kurds independence referendum in Erbil, Iraq September 25, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

His decision came just weeks after a referendum on Kurdish independence backfired and triggered a crisis for Iraq’s Kurds who had been enjoying a period of unprecedented autonomy.

 

A plan to divide up the president’s powers was outlined in a letter Barzani sent to the Kurdish parliament on Saturday, the official told Reuters. The plan asks parliament to distribute the president’s powers among the government, parliament and judiciary.

Barzani’s current term was set to expire in four days, the same date that presidential and parliamentary elections were due to be held. However, those elections were delayed indefinitely last week, amidst an escalating regional crisis.

 

Critics say the Sept. 25 independence referendum, orchestrated and championed by the 71-year-old Barzani, has left a bleak outlook for Iraq’s Kurds.

Less than four weeks after Kurds in the region voted overwhelmingly to break away from Iraq, the central government launched a military offensive to wrest back the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which the Kurds regard as both their spiritual homeland, and a key source of revenue for their would-be independent state. It was one of several retaliatory measures taken by Baghdad, which vehemently opposed the referendum.

In a matter of days the Iraqi government has transformed the balance of power in the north of the country, exerting tremendous pressure on Barzani to step aside and wrecking decades-old dreams of Kurdish independence. Iraqi forces have continued to advance on all Kurdish-held territory outside the autonomous region’s borders.

Iraq’s prime minister demanded on Thursday that Kurds declare their independence referendum void, rejecting the Kurdish autonomous region’s offer to suspend its independence push to resolve a crisis through talks.

Earlier this year, Barzani said he did not intend to stand in the November elections. However, prior to the referendum, few expected he would stick to his promise.

Barzani has held the office of the presidency since 2005. The region last held a presidential election in 2009, in which Barzani won. His term of office expired in 2013 and was extended twice.

The president is expected to address his people before his term formally expires, marking the end of a storied career.

 

Barzani was born in 1946, soon after his legendary father, Mulla Mustafa, founded a party to fight for the rights of Iraq’s Kurds. After decades spent fighting with the Peshmerga, Barzani became a central figure in the drive to create an autonomous Kurdish state in northern Iraq, after Saddam Hussein was toppled in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Barzani’s letter will be discussed by parliament on Sunday, though the government official said it was unclear whether ministers would need to vote the plan into action during the session.

(This version of the story corrects paragraph 7 to read “...of Kurdish independence.”)

Reporting by Raya Jalabi; editing by John Stonestreet and Stephen Powell

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[blueskyline]

Al-Fawadi: The Peshmerga is preparing to march back and hand over its headquarters to the federal forces

Release date: 2017/10/28 20:55 • 2366 times read

(Baghdad: al-Furat News) Revealed MP for the National Alliance Haider al-Fawadi on the unloading of military barracks of the Peshmerga and handed over to the federal forces.

"The Peshmerga forces are now working to disperse the military barracks in all the disputed areas and hand them over to the federal forces," Fawadi told AFP. 
"The government is serious about activating these decisions and extending the authority of Iraq throughout its territory," he said. 
He pointed out that "the federal government is serious about imposing its hegemony over all Iraqi territory, where it sent a technical team specialized to extend its influence in all parts of Iraq," noting that "the negotiating delegation starts from the position of force is the Constitution, and the next hours will prove this." 

 

 .................http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=152960

 

 

•  

[siberian_shaddow]

Much Appreciated Blueskyline,  I am interested in seeing what's coming next. Is this a plan in motion, looking forward to this coming month. 

[Officiallytook]

How I looooovvvee

[blueskyline]

http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2652858&language=ar...Iraq Prime Minister: Moving towards control of the border crossing in Kurdistan..........(wont copy paste )

[Synopsis]

Thank You, BlueSkyLine, for posting these and all the other Great Articles! The Best Of Your Weekend To You! 

 

Go Moola Nova!

[Boozer]

about like Maliki stepping down

[DinarDavo]

19 minutes ago, Boozer said:

about like Maliki stepping down

 

Didn't a recent article indicate that he wanted to hand it over to his Barzani Jr?

 

Edited October 29, 2017 by DinarDavo

[DF#1]

Hang over my arss, hang his azz........ 

[blueskyline]

Glad to be a part of this Synopsis. Good night for pilfering 

[10 YEARS LATER]

1 hour ago, Boozer said:

about like Maliki stepping down

 

. . . Maliki stepping down atop a land mine would be a great thing.

[chinadawg]

after handing over the presidency,,,,how bout handing over the 55 billion in stolen funds......to kick start the RV.

[zul]

3 hours ago, blueskyline said:

Iraqi Kurdistan leader Barzani will hand over presidential powers on November 1

 

Raya Jalabi

4 MIN READ

•  
•  

 

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdistan’s veteran leader Masoud Barzani will not extend his presidential term beyond Nov. 1, a Kurdish government official said on Saturday.

 

FILE PHOTO - Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani casts his vote during Kurds independence referendum in Erbil, Iraq September 25, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

His decision came just weeks after a referendum on Kurdish independence backfired and triggered a crisis for Iraq’s Kurds who had been enjoying a period of unprecedented autonomy.

 

A plan to divide up the president’s powers was outlined in a letter Barzani sent to the Kurdish parliament on Saturday, the official told Reuters. The plan asks parliament to distribute the president’s powers among the government, parliament and judiciary.

Barzani’s current term was set to expire in four days, the same date that presidential and parliamentary elections were due to be held. However, those elections were delayed indefinitely last week, amidst an escalating regional crisis.

 

Critics say the Sept. 25 independence referendum, orchestrated and championed by the 71-year-old Barzani, has left a bleak outlook for Iraq’s Kurds.

Less than four weeks after Kurds in the region voted overwhelmingly to break away from Iraq, the central government launched a military offensive to wrest back the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, which the Kurds regard as both their spiritual homeland, and a key source of revenue for their would-be independent state. It was one of several retaliatory measures taken by Baghdad, which vehemently opposed the referendum.

In a matter of days the Iraqi government has transformed the balance of power in the north of the country, exerting tremendous pressure on Barzani to step aside and wrecking decades-old dreams of Kurdish independence. Iraqi forces have continued to advance on all Kurdish-held territory outside the autonomous region’s borders.

Iraq’s prime minister demanded on Thursday that Kurds declare their independence referendum void, rejecting the Kurdish autonomous region’s offer to suspend its independence push to resolve a crisis through talks.

Earlier this year, Barzani said he did not intend to stand in the November elections. However, prior to the referendum, few expected he would stick to his promise.

Barzani has held the office of the presidency since 2005. The region last held a presidential election in 2009, in which Barzani won. His term of office expired in 2013 and was extended twice.

The president is expected to address his people before his term formally expires, marking the end of a storied career.

 

Barzani was born in 1946, soon after his legendary father, Mulla Mustafa, founded a party to fight for the rights of Iraq’s Kurds. After decades spent fighting with the Peshmerga, Barzani became a central figure in the drive to create an autonomous Kurdish state in northern Iraq, after Saddam Hussein was toppled in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Barzani’s letter will be discussed by parliament on Sunday, though the government official said it was unclear whether ministers would need to vote the plan into action during the session.

(This version of the story corrects paragraph 7 to read “...of Kurdish independence.”)

Reporting by Raya Jalabi; editing by John Stonestreet and Stephen Powell

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

 

 

 

 

 

We knew this was coming...but WOW!!

Next ~ come the political stability..

[zul]

2 hours ago, Synopsis said:

Thank You, BlueSkyLine, for posting these and all the other Great Articles! The Best Of Your Weekend To You! 

 

Go Moola Nova!

Ditto.

[Officiallytook]

Nice

[gregp]

1 hour ago, Officiallytook said:

Nice

 

Very