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News / Kurdistan

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists

US, UK, Canada, Netherlands and Germany consulates in Erbil, co-organized a panel discussion on legal protections for press freedom in the IKR as we marked the International Day to End Crimes of Impunity Against Journalists. The diplomatic envoys supported the full implementation of the IKR press law and access to information law. Mohammed Rauf, editor-in-chief of Darw Media orfanization participated as a panelist. Rauf Discussed the situation of journalism in the Kurdistan Region and the challenges journalists face.

Erbil security forces expel members of the HDP representation from the city

The security forces of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Erbil, forced representatives of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) to leave the city and took them to the borders of Sulaymaniyah. Hikmet Hatip, Aydın Yalvaç, Sıtkı Vakar and Nasır Yağız, spokespersons and members of HDP's Kurdistan Region Representative Office in Erbil were forcibly taken out of the city by the security forces of the KDP. The party members were transported in two separate vehicles under heavy guard.

DNO: More than 84,000 barrels of oil are produced daily in the Kurdistan Region

DNO, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, reported a 24 percent increase in revenue to USD 170 million in the third quarter of 2024, with operating profit also higher at USD 31 million, up from an operating loss of USD 3 million in the previous quarter. Third quarter net production averaged 77,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), to which Kurdistan contributed 63,200 boepd, North Sea 11,200 boepd and West Africa 2,800 boepd. Kurdistan production was up and sold at higher prices in the local market with payments received in advance to the Company’s international bank accounts. North Sea production was down due to maintenance, primarily at Arran and Norne fields. During the quarter, the Company completed the second successful appraisal well on the 2023 Heisenberg discovery. Heisenberg is one of eight discoveries DNO has made in the exploration hotspot close to the Troll and Gjøa hubs offshore Norway since 2021. A final investment decision is expected by yearend 2025 for the first of these finds to be developed, with concept selection for other discoveries also expected at about the same time. In Kurdistan, DNO continued to deliver strong production. At the Tawke license (DNO 75 percent and operator), three wells that were drilled but not completed due to the closure of the Iraq-Türkiye Pipeline last year were brought onstream midyear 2024 to meet demand from local traders. These new wells, together with well interventions such as workovers, helped increase gross production by six percent to 84,200 boepd in the third quarter. On its other operated license in Kurdistan, Baeshiqa (DNO 64 percent and operator), the Company is reviewing results of well testing programs and considering next steps. DNO exited the third quarter with cash deposits of USD 919 million and net cash of USD 134 million, essentially unchanged from the second quarter. Given the continuing strength of the balance sheet, the Board of Directors has authorized a dividend payment of NOK 0.3125 per share in November, maintaining quarterly distributions at the level of last quarter’s payout.

Seats of the parties in the sixth session of the Kurdistan Parliament

Parties Seats KDP 39 PUK 23 New Generations 15 KIU 7 Justic Group 4 Halwest 3 People’s Front 2 Coalition 1 Change Movement 1 Total 95

Votes of the parties in the sixth session of the Kurdistan Parliament election

Parties 2024 Election KDP 812,794 PUK 409,548 New Generations 292,032 KIU 117,444 Justic Group 64,864 Halwest 56,008 People’s Front 33,461 Coalition 13,226 Change Movement 11,636

The Consul General of China in Erbil visited Draw Media

The issue of the sixth session of the Kurdistan parliamentary elections and the election campaign was discussed with the presentation of the results of several polls and predictions for the votes and seats by Draw Media organization. Mr. Liu Jun, the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Erbil and Chen Guojing, Head of Political Department of the Chinese Consulate visited Draw Media to discuss the issue of the sixth session of the Kurdistan parliamentary elections and the way the election campaign is conducted, with the presentation of some of the results of four surveys conducted by Draw Media. All the statistics and data were presented to the Chinese Consul General with the results of the special surveys that (Draw) has conducted on the issue of elections. And the forecast of votes and seats of the lists in all four constituencies was presented to the Chinese Consul General, based on the (four) surveys prepared by the Draw polling department, and the previous votes of the parties with reading the current situation of the parties, the forecast of votes and seats of the lists was explained.

Iraqi faces $21 billion loss due to suspension of KRG oil exports: APIKUR

Tens of billions of dollars have been lost since the Kurdistan Region’s oil pipeline exports were halted last year, the oil producing firms said on Saturday, affecting the people and governments of Iraq and the Region. “It has been more than a year since the pipeline has been closed,” Myles Caggins, spokesperson for the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), told Rudaw in an interview. “And over that time, a whopping, a very big $21 billion has been lost to all people. The companies lose, the Kurdistan Regional Government loses, the people of Iraq lose.” Oil exports from the Kurdistan Region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023 after a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, saying the latter had breached a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin independent oil exports in 2014. “We need to get oil flowing again,” Caggins added. Before the stoppage, Erbil exported around 400,000 barrels per day through Ankara, in addition to some 75,000 barrels of Kirkuk’s oil. The loss in oil revenues, the Kurdistan Region’s main source of income, has worsened the financial situation and left the government unable to pay its public sector without assistance from Baghdad. Erbil and Baghdad have held numerous meetings since the halt but to no avail. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani told Bloomberg last month that “there are ongoing talks with the companies and with brothers in the Kurdistan Region. And we hope to reach a solution based on the legal paths.” He called a solution by the end of the year “possible.”

Kurdistan parliamentary elections see 6% drop in eligible voters

The upcoming sixth parliamentary election in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is set to see a 6% decline in the number of eligible voters compared to the previous term, despite the inclusion of new-age groups now qualified to vote. The drop has raised concerns over the reasons behind it, with experts pointing to migration, administrative challenges, and potential demographic shifts. Decline Despite Historical Growth Trends According to data from the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq, 2,899,578 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the upcoming elections, down from 3,085,461 in the previous cycle. The decrease stands in contrast to the 16% increase witnessed in the fifth term compared to the fourth when the number of eligible voters rose to 2,653,743. Historically, the voter base in the Kurdistan Region has been growing steadily. The third parliamentary election saw a 10% increase in eligible voters compared to the second, with numbers rising by 228,037. The second term experienced a modest 1% increase over the first. Migration's Impact Many analysts attribute the current decline to large-scale migration out of the Kurdistan Region in recent years, driven by political and economic instability. "Demographic changes from migration have directly impacted the voter numbers. Many who left the country remain on voter lists, while the new generation eligible to vote has not been properly registered, leading to a gap," Haori Karzan, a local observer, told Shafaq News Agency. Administrative Delays Administrative delays in updating voter records are also contributing to the decline. Arslan Mohammed, an election affairs expert, highlighted issues with removing the names of deceased or emigrated individuals and the slow registration of new voters. "Rural areas and regions with high population mobility face significant challenges in updating voter databases, directly affecting the final voter count," Mohammed explained. The decrease in eligible voters ahead of the sixth term could affect voter turnout and potentially influence the results, posing challenges for political parties relying on their traditional bases. Lack Of Awareness And Registration Another factor contributing to the decrease is the lack of awareness among newly eligible voters about the need for prior registration. "Many young people who reached voting age are not sufficiently aware of the importance of registering for elections. The electoral commission has not effectively communicated this message, especially in remote areas where access to information is limited," Karzan explained. This lack of awareness particularly affects new age groups, reducing the number of actual registered voters. Technical And Administrative Challenges The systems used to register voters and update their information continue to face technical issues that lead to errors or delays in processing data. Political analyst Shukr Ahmad told Shafaq News Agency that "the systems used to update the voter registry face numerous technical problems. In some cases, there are delays in updating the data of new voters, and in others, the systems crash due to data overload. These challenges directly reduce the number of registered voters." Impact Of New Age Groups Interestingly, a significant number of new voters have become eligible to participate in this election, with a large segment of youth reaching the voting age of 18 over recent years. Despite this, the expected increase in voter numbers has not materialized. "The inclusion of new-age groups should have boosted the number of voters, but administrative and technical challenges hindered the registration of many of them. Moreover, some youth are disillusioned with the political and economic situation, leading to a reluctance to register and participate," noted Arslan Mohammed. Political Implications The drop in eligible voters despite the inclusion of new voters could have a direct impact on election results. Political analyst Shukr Ahmad believed that "the political parties may be affected by the distribution of votes due to this decline. Changes in the voter base could lead to some parties losing their traditional shares in certain areas, especially where there is weak voter registration." These figures come as the countdown begins for the sixth parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region, where the decline in eligible voters compared to previous terms could significantly influence voter turnout.

Kurdistan Parliament elections pivotal amid new independent oversight

The upcoming elections for the Kurdistan Region’s parliament are set to be a watershed moment for political forces, as they will be conducted under the supervision of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) for the first time, offering a fresh opportunity for opposition representation and reshaping the political landscape. Journalist Dilovan Barwari pointed out the significance of this election, noting, "This is an important event for all political entities, especially for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), as it will be overseen by IHEC, a body not part of the Kurdish political fabric." Previous elections faced criticism, particularly from opposition groups, over allegations of bias by the Kurdistan Region's electoral commission. Barwari, in a statement to Shafaq News, anticipated a close race between the KDP and PUK, with neither expected to secure a decisive majority. “The gap between the leading parties will be narrower than in previous elections,” he said, adding that the results will realistically reflect each party’s strength. New Players Enter the Scene Haifa Majid, head of the Shukh Organization (Arabic: شوخ) for Women’s Development, believed the election dynamics would shift with the participation of new political entities and independent candidates. “These elections will see increased competition and participation due to new political movements and independents,” Majid told Shafaq News. The ruling KDP and PUK, she said, are fielding numerous candidates to maximize their vote share, while opposition parties are being more selective in their choices to boost individual chances. Al-Sulaymaniyah remains a critical battleground, despite Erbil being the capital, Majid explained. “Al-Sulaymaniyah has long been a hub for opposition movements like Gorran and New Generation, and it’s expected to see fierce competition,” she added, highlighting the emergence of two new movements, "Mawqif" and "Jabhat Al-Shaab," alongside notable independent figures. Majid also noted that while the Kurdistan Islamic Union remains competitive in areas like Halabja and Duhok, smaller parties like Gorran have lost ground in recent years, and their influence in this election is expected to diminish. "The days of a single party dominating the Kurdistan Parliament are over," she said, noting that many new voters are young, unemployed, or recent graduates, who have growing demands that traditional parties struggle to meet. Opposition Seeks Gains Former independent MP Abu Bakr Hildini viewed the elections as an opportunity for opposition parties to make substantial gains. "IHEC’s oversight ensures a fair process, providing a chance for the people of Kurdistan to cast their votes freely," Hildini told Shafaq News, predicting that opposition parties could secure between 40 and 50 seats in the 100-seat parliament. Election Integrity Emphasized According to the IHEC, 136 political parties, alliances, and independent candidates have been approved to participate in the elections, with a total of 1,191 candidates, including 823 men and 368 women. Five seats are reserved for minorities, including Turkmen and Christians. Over 2.8 million voters are eligible to participate in the elections, with around 2.6 million casting votes in the general election and more than 251,000 security personnel participating in a special vote. The IHEC has also established polling stations outside the region for security forces in various governorates including Baghdad, Al-Anbar, and Diyala. IHEC spokesperson Jumana Al-Ghalay stressed that voter confidentiality is guaranteed, and no one can determine who a voter selects. "The vote is secret, and ballots do not include voter names," she said, adding that legal actions would be taken against any attempts at voter intimidation, with penalties including fines and potential imprisonment for violators.

APIKUR Responds to Iraq's Proposals on Oil Contracts

The Association of Petroleum International Kurdistan (APIKUR) emphasizes its commitment to finding solutions that benefit all parties involved. APIKUR addressed the Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament’s suggestions to shift from production-sharing contracts to profit-sharing agreements in its official statement shared on (X). "As we have stated many times, APIKUR member companies seek mutually beneficial solutions and prompt action from the Government of Iraq officials, who have publicly stated that reopening the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline is a priority. Where are the formal proposals from the Iraqi federal government?" the APIKUR statement read. Earlier this month, APIKUR urged for the immediate reopening of the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline, noting that since oil exports from the Kurdistan Region to Turkey were halted in March 2023, the region has lost approximately $20 billion. "Every day of delay hurts Iraq’s economy. We’re ready to work with all parties to make this happen soon," APIKUR added. Established in 2023, APIKUR currently comprises eight members—international upstream oil and gas companies with a direct or indirect interest in one or more upstream oil or gas contracts in the Kurdistan Region. As discussions continue, APIKUR remains hopeful for a swift resolution that supports the economic interests of both the Kurdistan Region and the broader Iraqi economy.

Iraqi Parliament Proposes Changes to KRG Oil Contracts

The Finance Committee of the Iraqi Parliament has proposed changing oil contracts between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and oil companies, suggesting a shift from production-sharing contracts to profit-sharing agreements. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with the committee's chairman and members in Erbil to discuss the proposal. Khalil Ghazi, a member of the Finance Committee, told Kurdistan 24 that the proposal aims to ensure fairer distribution of revenues from Kurdistan's oil production and exports, which have been suspended since March 25, 2023. "The KRG has no objection to the proposal, but it requires acceptance from the oil companies, which have not yet made their decision," Ghazi said. He added that the primary goal of the visit was to increase non-oil revenues, such as customs and taxes, with both sides reaching a good understanding on several outstanding issues. A statement from the KRG noted that Prime Minister Barzani emphasized the importance of resuming oil exports and enacting a federal oil and gas law during the discussions. However, Nehro Ruandzi, Deputy Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, voiced concerns over the proposal, stating that production-sharing contracts are more beneficial for the KRG and oil companies. "The proposal is not in the interest of the KRG," Ruandzi said citing concerns about potential corruption in profit-sharing contracts and their dependency on fluctuating oil prices. He also expressed doubt that the oil and gas law would be enacted during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's tenure, despite Sudani’s desire to see the law passed.

APIKUR calls for immediate resumption of oil exports

The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) on Sunday called on Baghdad to immediately resume oil exports via the Iraqi-Turkey pipeline (ITP). APIKUR urged the Iraqi Federal Government to collaborate with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and international oil companies to find a solution that benefits all parties. In light of recent encouraging statements from both KRG and Iraqi government officials, APIKUR proposes a tripartite meeting to facilitate discussions and expedite the resumption of exports. This renewed call from APIKUR coincides with an exclusive Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath interview with KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. Addressing the suspension of oil exports, Barzani highlighted the substantial economic losses incurred, exceeding $19 billion for the Iraqi economy. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani late Saturday arrived in New York to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), his office announced. Before his visit, al-Sudani told Bloomberg in a televised interview that “there are ongoing talks with the companies and with brothers in the Kurdistan Region. And we hope to reach a solution based on the legal paths.” He called a solution by the end of 2024 “Possible”.

KRG Charges Businesses for Failing to Enrol Workers in Social Security and Pension Schemes

According to statistics from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government, during the ninth cabinet, 182,000 local and foreign workers were enrolled in the social security and pension scheme, and 1,816 projects were penalised for failing to enrol staff in the scheme. Employment rights in the Kurdistan Region are protected by the Pension and Social Insurance Act. The legislation entitles male employees to retire after 20 years of service or upon reaching the age of 60, whereas female employees may retire after 20 years of service or upon reaching the age of 55. In the past four years, 957 workers in the Kurdistan Region have benefitted from the Social Insurance Fund (SIF). According to regulations, local businesses must employ at least 75% citizens from the Kurdistan Region and no more than 25% foreign workers. Employees are enrolled in the social security and pension scheme, with contributions of 5% by the employee and 12% by the employer. This fund will be saved in SIF until the employee reaches the age of retirement. Local businesses are required to register their employees with the Directorate of the Social Security to ensure they are adequately covered. Failure to comply will result in charges by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Department of Media and Information

Dana Gas unit Pearl Petroleum starts arbitration against Enerflex over project delays

On Tuesday, Dana Gas announced that Pearl Petroleum Co. Ltd. has initiated arbitration proceedings against Enerflex, the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the Khor Mor 250 gas production increase project. In August, Pearl Petroleum issued an official notice terminating its contractual relationship with Enerflex due to the latter's inadequate performance in executing the contracted work. "Enerflex's poor performance severely impacted its ability to meet obligations, causing significant delays in the project in Iraq's Kurdistan Region (KRI)." “Pearl reserves its full rights under the contract, including claims for damages.” According to the company's statement, “this termination became effective on September 9, and Pearl Petroleum has since begun arbitration proceedings under the contract to recover costs and claim damages resulting from Enerflex's underperformance.” Pearl Petroleum—a consortium led by Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas—reaffirmed its commitment “to ensuring the project's successful completion and safeguarding the interests of stakeholders and the KRI people.” Dana Gas confirmed that it will update the market on the new expected completion date for the project, as it works with its partners at Pearl Petroleum to get the project back on track. Notably, the Khor Mor gas field in the Chamchamal district of al-Sulaymaniyah is Iraq's largest-producing gas field, covering 135 square kilometers. With 8.2 trillion cubic feet of reserves, it is crucial to generating electricity, supplying 67% of Kurdistan's needs. Managed by a consortium led by Dana Gas, production has been disrupted by repeated attacks, delaying expansion plans.

PM Al-Sudani stresses efforts to form alliance against drugs

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired a meeting, on Monday, to discuss and follow up on the government's measures to combat drugs in Iraq. According to the PM’s media office, “The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Interior, Health, and Justice, as well as the Chair and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.” The meeting reviewed a working paper presented by the head of the Parliamentary Drug Committee, which addressed several aspects, including the practical measures taken by the Ministries of Health, Interior, and Justice, the role of governors, amending the anti-drug law, and the possibility of elevating the status of the drug control unit in the Ministry of Interior. “The Prime Minister directed that this meeting be held regularly every two months to follow up on the implementation of decisions previously made by the Council of Ministers and the Higher Committee for Coordination between governorates, including the allocation of land in each governorate for the construction of advanced centers for the rehabilitation of addicts.” Moreover, Al-Sudani praised the formation of a specialized parliamentary committee to tackle the drug challenge, emphasizing the “government's responsiveness to all positive initiatives in this critical issue.” He highlighted the recent recommendations from the religious authority, which emphasized the support of security and auxiliary forces in combating the growing drug threat.” He highlighted the “inclusion of drug-related crime reports and drug seizures in the reward mechanism,” ensuring that “necessary resources have been allocated for anti-drug security operations.” The PM stressed the government's openness to collaborating with organizations, activists, and all parties concerned with protecting the youth from the dangers of drugs. Al-Sudani also announced coordination between “the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, as well as the National Intelligence Service, to appoint liaison officers with friendly countries for tracking drug networks, recognizing it as a cross-border crime,” stressing efforts to form a regional and international anti-drug coalition, with Iraq as a key member. Additionally, the prime minister affirmed progress in completing memoranda of understanding with neighboring countries for swift intelligence sharing to combat drug trafficking networks, noting unprecedented cooperation with these nations. Notably, the drug problem in Iraq has intensified in recent years, evolving from a minor issue to a major crisis due to political instability, weakened governance, and porous borders. Historically a transit country, Iraq now faces significant challenges with rising drug trafficking and domestic consumption, particularly of crystal meth, captagon, and hashish.