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Masoud Barzani Mobilizes to Seal Baghdad-Erbil Rift

File photo shows Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani with Masoud Barzani (left) and Nechirvan Barzani (AFP)
File photo shows Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani with Masoud Barzani (left) and Nechirvan Barzani (AFP)
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Masoud Barzani Mobilizes to Seal Baghdad-Erbil Rift

File photo shows Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani with Masoud Barzani (left) and Nechirvan Barzani (AFP)
File photo shows Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani with Masoud Barzani (left) and Nechirvan Barzani (AFP)

Tensions between Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan Region, had been escalating due to political and legal disputes, notably the Federal Supreme Court’s February decision to nullify minority quotas. However, since the Court reversed its ruling in May, relations have remarkably improved, marking a new era of calm and cooperation.

This positive turn follows strained ties exacerbated by Kurdistan’s 2017 independence referendum.

Masoud Barzani, influential leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), is set to visit Baghdad—the first in six years—to engage in talks and negotiations aimed at resolving long standing issues.

According to Kurdish sources, Barzani is scheduled to arrive Wednesday for discussions aimed at finalizing solutions to ongoing disputes, including financial allocations, employee salaries, oil and gas legislation, electoral issues, and governance challenges in Kirkuk, where local elections have yet to form a government six months after voting.

Barzani’s agenda in Baghdad is expected to include discussions on Sinjar, recent Turkish military actions in Dohuk province and other Kurdish areas, and potential threats from armed groups targeting Erbil.

A Kurdistan Regional Government delegation arrived in Baghdad on Monday to prepare for Barzani’s visit and discussions. The delegation includes Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed, Finance and Economy Minister Awat Sheikh Janab, and the Director General of Customs and Border Crossings.

As Barzani prepares for his visit, Erbil is swiftly strengthening ties with Iraq’s judiciary, especially the Federal Supreme Court.

Relations had soured in recent years due to what the Kurdish region criticized as biased rulings.

Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani’s support for Chief Justice Fayeq Zidan is a key development amidst reports of potential US sanctions linked to Iranian interests targeting Iraqi leaders, including Zidan.

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Arab World

Yemen Accuses Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of Managing Houthi Military, Security Units

The Houthis exploited the war in Gaza to recruit tens of thousands of fighters (AFP)
The Houthis exploited the war in Gaza to recruit tens of thousands of fighters (AFP)
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Yemen Accuses Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of Managing Houthi Military, Security Units

The Houthis exploited the war in Gaza to recruit tens of thousands of fighters (AFP)
The Houthis exploited the war in Gaza to recruit tens of thousands of fighters (AFP)

Sources familiar with the situation in the Houthi-run Yemeni capital, Sanaa, report that Iranian Revolutionary Guard representatives have strengthened their control over all Houthi military and intelligence units, now exercising authority over all decisions.
Concurrently, they are forming sectarian-aligned combat units similar to those found in Iran.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat under conditions of anonymity, the sources clarified that recent arrest operations by Houthis were supervised by Revolutionary Guard elements.
The recent wave of arrests targeted numerous UN and international humanitarian staff, along with former US embassy employees.
It also marked the first time that members from the Houthi group itself were included.
Sources indicate a purge within Houthi intelligence, known as the “Security and Intelligence Apparatus,” and the internal “Preventive Security,” aiming to remove disloyal or ideologically questionable individuals from key administrative, security, and military positions, even within the Houthi ranks.
During the takeover of Sanaa, Houthis enlisted non-ideological personnel who had previously worked in government institutions or local and international organizations.
However, sources confirm that their role is now obsolete.
According to sources, some Houthi members who had served the insurgency for years are now being excluded.
Reasons cited include not being from Saada province or being deemed disloyal to Abdul-Malik al-Houthi’s leadership or suspicious of their sectarian beliefs.
Yemeni sources also revealed that Iranian Revolutionary Guard units, who previously controlled military operations, especially regarding ballistic missiles and drone production facilities, have recently expanded their influence to dominate the entire Houthi security scene.
These units allegedly exploited the Israeli conflict in Gaza to instruct the Houthis to recruit thousands of teenagers from summer camps and sectarian schools, along with graduates of cultural programs.
They were misled into believing they were being trained to fight in Palestine.
According to sources, the purpose of this operation is to create military units modeled after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. These units would swear absolute loyalty to the Houthi leader, viewing him as the chosen ruler by divine mandate.