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)
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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.



Yemen's Houthis Allege US Airstrike Hit a Prison Holding African Migrants

Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH
Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH
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Yemen's Houthis Allege US Airstrike Hit a Prison Holding African Migrants

Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH
Yemeni soldiers walk amid the rubble as they inspect a damaged area after US airstrikes targeted a neighborhood in Sana'a, Yemen, 27 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARH

Yemen’s Houthi militant group on Monday alleged a US airstrike hit a prison holding African migrants, killing and wounding some of the 100 inmates held there. The US military had no immediate comment.

The strike in Yemen's Saada governorate, a stronghold for the Houthis, is the latest incident in the country's decadelong war.

It also likely will renew questions from activists about the American campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” which has been targeting the group as the Trump administration negotiates with their main benefactor, Iran, over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

The US military's Central Command in a statement early Monday before news of the alleged strike broke sought to defend its policy of offering no specific details of its extensive airstrike campaign.

“To preserve operational security, we have intentionally limited disclosing details of our ongoing or future operations,” Central Command said. “We are very deliberate in our operational approach, but will not reveal specifics about what we’ve done or what we will do.”

It did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press about the alleged strike in Saada.

Graphic footage shows aftermath of explosion

Graphic footage aired by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite news channel showed what appeared to be dead bodies and others wounded at the site. An al-Masirah correspondent said some 100 migrants had been detained at the site.

Casualty figures weren’t immediately clear. However, footage from the site analyzed by the AP suggested some kind of explosion took place there, with its cement walls seemingly peppered by debris fragments and the wounds suffered by those there.

A woman's voice, soft in the footage, can be heard repeating the start of a prayer in Arabic: “In the name of God.” An occasional gunshot rang out as medics sought to help those wounded.

US military says over 800 strikes conducted in campaign so far

Meanwhile, US airstrikes overnight targeting Yemen's capital killed at least eight people, the Houthis said. The American military acknowledged carrying out over 800 individual strikes in their monthlong campaign.

The overnight statement from the US military's Central Command also said its “Operation Roughrider” targeting the Houthis had “killed hundreds of fighters and numerous Houthi leaders,” including those associated with its missile and drone program. It did not identify any of those officials.

“Iran undoubtedly continues to provide support to the Houthis,” the statement said. “The Houthis can only continue to attack our forces with the backing of the Iranian regime.”

"We will continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region," it added.

The US is targeting the Houthis because of the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route, and on Israel. The Houthis also are the last militant group in Iran’s self-described “Axis of Resistance” that is capable of regularly attacking Israel.