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A weekly brief of events occurred in the Kurdistan regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
Iran
- The Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qasim al Araji, arrived in Tehran on a formal visit to discuss the recent security agreement between Iraq and Iran. The agreement primarily focuses on “border security” and aims to disarm and remove Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in Iraqi Kurdistan. Al Araji is set to meet Mohammad Pakpour, the Commander of the Ground Forces of the Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who told a state-owned media outlet, that they are “awaiting the Iraqi government to fulfill its obligations under the security agreement.” Pakpour vowed to continue attacks on the Kurdish opposition if Iraq fails to implement the agreement.The IRGC has already conducted several missile and drone strikes on the headquarters of the Kurdish opposition in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Iraq-Iran security agreement, officially signed on March 19.
- Iranian authorities have continued their crackdown on protests that have taken place over the past few months. Reports indicate that at least 10 Kurds have been arrested in various cities, including Tehran, Senna, Ahwaz, Bandar Abbas, Karaj, and Sahna. Although the anti-government demonstrations have subsided, the regime courts are still actively issuing sentences against both organizers and participants. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Mehabad recently issued a verdict, sentencing a father and his son to three years and seven months in prison. This follows a series of other sentences imposed on various individuals. Among them, a Kurdish Imam in Senna was sentenced to seven and a half months, the son of a deceased political victim in Shinno received a three-year sentence, a Kurdish labor activist in Baneh was sentenced to fifteen months, and a female activist in Ilam received a three-month sentence. These sentences demonstrate the ongoing legal actions against organizers and participants despite the conclusion of the anti-government demonstrations. In addition to these developments, there have been reports of Iranian border guards injuring at least ten border porters (kolbar) in the Kurdish region over the past two weeks.
Iraq
- Tensions have recently emerged between Erbil and Baghdad following amendments made by the financial committee in the Iraqi House of Representatives to two articles of the Iraqi budget bill concerning the Kurdistan region. These amended articles now impose an obligation on the region to deliver 400,000 barrels of crude oil to the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO). The decision of whether this oil will be used for domestic consumption or exports lies with SOMO. These amendments also contradict a previous agreement between the two sides, which involved the establishment of a joint bank account to manage the oil revenue. Top officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have strongly criticized these changes, expressing concerns that they may hinder the region from receiving its allocated budget. Of particular concern is an amendment that stipulates the federal government will only release the Kurdistan region’s budget dues if the region hands over the designated amount of oil on a daily basis. Kurdish officials worry that the logistics of transporting the oil within the region, especially if SOMO decides to utilize it for domestic refineries, may not be feasible given the geographical challenges. Consequently, there are fears that the Kurdistan region may not receive its budget as a result of these developments. According to reports from Rudaw, negotiations took place between Kurdish officials and the Iraqi ruling parties of the State Administration Coalition, which enjoys support from Iran. Since March 25, Kurdistan’s oil exports have been suspended as a result of an international ruling that favored Baghdad’s authority over independent Kurdish oil exports. This ruling has had a severe economic impact on both the Kurdistan region and Iraq, resulting in substantial losses of over $1.5 billion.
- On Tuesday, May 30, the Iraqi Federal Court delivered a ruling that further escalated tensions between Baghdad and Erbil. The court declared the extension period of Kurdistan’s Parliament as unconstitutional. The extension, which was passed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) on October 9, 2022, faced a legal challenge from opposition lawmakers.The court also deemed all legislation issued after the extension as constitutionally “invalid”. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has not yet responded to the ruling. The Federal Court’s rulings concerning the region have been a subject of controversy, with some questioning its legality and impartiality.
Syria
- The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reported the successful capture of an ISIS (Da’esh) terrorist in Deir Ez Zor. This operation was conducted with the support of the US-led coalition. The SDF also seized weapons during the raid, further enhancing their efforts in combating ISIS. In a separate development, the SDF detained two individuals accused of acting as “agents” for Turkey. These individuals were allegedly gathering sensitive information regarding the locations of security and military forces, as well as the centers of the Autonomous Administration. The SDF stated that the detainees were involved in identifying SDF leaders and were receiving financial compensation for their activities.
- Following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s victory in the runoff election,Turkish-backed armed factions expressed their support by firing shots in celebration. However, this act resulted in the injury of several civilians in the Turkish-occupied areas of Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
- Following a recent meeting on May 10, the Foreign Ministers of Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Iran are scheduled to gather once again in Moscow in the near future. These meetings primarily focus on Russia’s efforts to facilitate the normalization of relations between the Syrian regime and Turkey. Despite statements from Bashar al-Assad expressing his reluctance to meet with President Erdogan, officials from both countries, including their intelligence chiefs, have been engaged in regular discussions and consultations.
Turkey
- In the aftermath of the Turkish elections, the pro-Kurdish coalition led by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) released a statement attributing the outcome to the government’s “plans” to dismantle the Kurdish movement. While acknowledging that the election results fell short of their desired goal, the HDP affirmed its commitment to maintaining an essential role in organizing, advocating politically, and engaging socially.
- During victory speech, President Erdogan pledged to keep the imprisoned Kurdish politician, Selahattin Demirtas, behind bars. Erdogan’s supporters, in a disturbing display, chanted “death penalty” for Demirtas. Responding to these chants, Demirtas derisively mocked Erdogan and characterized those who chanted against him as a “lynch mob.”
- President Joe Biden congratulated Erdogan on his victory in the rerun election and revealed that the Turkish president asked about F-16 jets from the United States. Previously, attempts to facilitate the sale of these fighter jets were met with opposition from the US Congress, leading to their blockage. However, there is a possibility that the Biden administration could engage and encourage Congress to reconsider their stance if Turkey agrees to support Sweden’s bid for NATO membership. On a separate matter, the Turkish lira experienced another historic decline following Erdogan’s election victory. This decline in the value of the currency has raised concerns about the economic challenges that lie ahead for Turkey in the coming era.