Barzani Concludes Baghdad Visit by Resolving Several Disagreements

Barzani urged the Iraqi Sunni forces to resolve the dispute over the candidate for Parliament Speaker (X)
Barzani urged the Iraqi Sunni forces to resolve the dispute over the candidate for Parliament Speaker (X)
TT
20

Barzani Concludes Baghdad Visit by Resolving Several Disagreements

Barzani urged the Iraqi Sunni forces to resolve the dispute over the candidate for Parliament Speaker (X)
Barzani urged the Iraqi Sunni forces to resolve the dispute over the candidate for Parliament Speaker (X)

The leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, concluded his visit to the Iraqi capital, after holding a series of meetings with government officials and politicians, as well as ambassadors of several countries.

Sources said that the talks helped resolve several outstanding disagreements between Baghdad and Erbil.

Barzani’s visit ended a six-year freeze in ties with the federal government. The Kurdistan leader met with Prime Minister Mohammad Shiaa al-Sudani and commended his efforts to reach a breakthrough in the relations between the two sides.

During his meeting with representatives of the embassies of eight Arab countries, Barzani emphasized the need to take into account the interests of Iraq and the region with regard to the presence of the US-led international coalition forces in the country.

The ambassadors of Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, as well as the Chargé d'Affaires of the embassies of Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE took part in the meeting.

According to an official statement, the Arab diplomats expressed hope that Barzani’s visit will send a message of stability to Iraq, stressing full support to Baghdad in order “to enhance the security, stability, and well-being of Iraqi citizens and address political differences in the country.”

Political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the outcome of the meetings held by Barzani in Baghdad turned the page of deep differences between the two sides. They added that comprehensive solutions hinge on “mutual commitments.”

Barzani’s most important meeting, according to observers, was with leaders of rival Sunni parties. The head of the Sunni Sovereignty Party, Khamis al-Khanjar, said that he met with Barzani in Baghdad in the presence of party leaders, most notably Mohammad al-Halbousi and Muthanna al-Samarrai.

Sources said that the Kurdistan leader urged the Sunni parties to resolve the dispute over the candidate for Parliament Speaker to ensure the holding of the election session.

Al-Khanjar described Barzani’s visit as “important,” saying it aims to strengthen relations between Baghdad and Erbil to resolve all outstanding issues, stressing that the Kurdistan region is a fundamental pillar in the political process.



Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20

Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)

The humanitarian aid system in Gaza is "facing total collapse" because of Israel's blockade on aid supplies since March 2, the heads of 12 major aid organizations warned Thursday, urging Israel to let them "do our jobs".

Israel has vowed to maintain its blockage on humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged territory, saying it is the only way to force Hamas to release the 58 hostages still held there.

"Every single person in Gaza is relying on humanitarian aid to survive," the chief executives of 12 NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children, wrote in a joint statement.

"That lifeline has been completely cut off since a blockade on all aid supplies was imposed by Israeli authorities on March 2," they said, adding that "This is one of the worst humanitarian failures of our generation."

A survey of 43 international and Palestinian aid organizations working in Gaza found that almost all have suspended or drastically cut services since a ceasefire ended on March 18, "with widespread and indiscriminate bombing making it extremely dangerous to move around", the NGOs said.

"Famine is not just a risk, but likely rapidly unfolding in almost all parts of Gaza," they said. "Survival itself is now slipping out of reach and the humanitarian system is at breaking point."

"We call on all parties to guarantee the safety of our staff and to allow the safe, unfettered access of aid into and across Gaza through all entry points, and for world leaders to oppose further restrictions."

Israel's renewed assault has killed at least 1,691 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, bringing the overall toll since the war erupted to 51,065, most of them civilians.

Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.