Kurdpress News Aganecy

Kurdish cities celebrate Iran's football national team's victory over South Korea

19 June 2013 12:05 +3:30 +3:30

Abdulbaset Sieda asks Syria Kurds to join SNC

19 June 2013 11:49 +3:30 +3:30

The former chief of opposition Syria National Council (SNC), Abdulbaset Sieda asked the Kurdish parties of the country to join the council, Anatolia news agency said.

World and regional situation not ready for Turkey Kurds independence: Layla Zana

19 June 2013 10:20 +3:30 +3:30

The Kurdish independent deputy of southeastern province of Diyarbakir Layla Zana said the world and regional situation does not allow the independence of the Turkey Kurds, T24 news portal said.

Al-Monitor's picture of the day

19 June 2013 09:38 +3:30 +3:30

It's been non-stop celebration in Iran since the election of Hassan Rowhani on Saturday and today, Iran won over South Korea, qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. Here, Andranik Teymourian of Iran celebrates Munsu Cup Stadium in South Korea on June 18, 2013, al-Monitore wrote about Iran national team's victory over South Korea yesterday.

Iraqi Kurdistan gives Turkish company six oil exploration blocks

19 June 2013 09:35 +3:30 +3:30

The Iraqi northern region of Kurdistan local authorities have given an unnamed Turkish company licenses to explore for oil the enclave, Reuters said in a report.

Iranian Kurdish coalition candidate wins Tehran council election

19 June 2013 09:24 +3:30 +3:30

The candidate of Islamic Iran Kurd Epic-Builders’ Coalition elected as one of the Tehran Council members.

Iran books ticket for 2014 World Cup

19 June 2013 08:17 +3:30 +3:30

National Iranian soccer team has secured its place at the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil, after it recorded a 1-0 victory against South Korea.

Turkey threatens to deploy army to end unrest

18 June 2013 14:33 +3:30 +3:30

The Turkish deputy prime minister has said that the army could be deployed to halt protests that have swept the nation over the past two weeks.

Pictures of the day

18 June 2013 14:26 +3:30 +3:30

I discussed Iran nuclear issue with Ashton: Iraq’s foreign Minister

18 June 2013 13:54 +3:30 +3:30

The Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said he has discussed Iran’s nuclear issue with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, Al-Menar said.

Chevron signs third oil deal with Kurdistan Region

18 June 2013 13:29 +3:30 +3:30

Chevron signed its third oil exploration deal with the Iraqi autonomous region of Kurdistan, the US energy giant said on Monday.

Iran and Kurdistan Region will improve ties further: Nazim Dabbagh

18 June 2013 13:14 +3:30 +3:30

The relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iraqi self- ruling region of Kurdistan will improve further, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan representative to Tehran Nazim Dabbagh said.

Diyarbakir conference announces demands from government

18 June 2013 12:41 +3:30 +3:30

The two-day conference Diyarbakir ended on Monday with a declaration listing the demands of Turkey's Kurds including freedom for the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, and special autonomous status for Turkey's Kurdish-dominated regions, Zaman daily said.

Syria Kurds to send delegation to Geneva II

18 June 2013 11:09 +3:30 +3:30

A delegation of Syrian Kurds is due to visit Cairo in order to discuss Geneva meeting II which aims to find a solution to civil war in Syria, Dicle news agency said.

Syria government cannot solve our problems: Kurdish officials tell Kurdpress

18 June 2013 10:47 +3:30 +3:30

The Syrian Kurds believe the present government of Syria is unable to solve their problems and meet their ends, two Kurdish officials told Kurdpress through phone calls.

Catherin Ashton meets Massoud Barzani in Erbil

18 June 2013 09:50 +3:30 +3:30

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton visited Kurdistan Region on Monday and met the president of the self- ruling enclave Massoud Barzani in Erbil.

Catherine Ashton arrives in Baghdad

17 June 2013 17:53 +3:30 +3:30

The European Union Chief of Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton arrived hours ago in Baghdad.

Yasar Kemal demands unity between Turks and Kurds

17 June 2013 13:12 +3:30 +3:30

The Turkey Kurdish world known novelist Yasar Kemal asked for unity among Kurds and Turks and said the two people should accept they have made mistakes against each other before.

World responds positively to Iran’s presidential election

17 June 2013 12:43 +3:30 +3:30

(MNA) – A number of international figures have commented on the resounding victory of centrist cleric Hassan Rohani in Iran’s presidential election, expressing hope that the new president would bring positive changes to the country.

In AKP stronghold, Erdogan is cheered and criticized / Sibel Utku Bila

17 June 2013 11:16 +3:30 +3:30

A crowd of some 100,000 supporters rallied in support of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in one of his main strongholds near Ankara [June 15] in a show of force amid unprecedented street protests opposing his rule. Outside the venue, however, many watched with apprehension and some even pledged to never vote for him again.

Change Movement asks for restricting president authorities

17 June 2013 11:06 +3:30 +3:30

Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s main opposition Change Movement asked for making changes in the enclave’s constitution in order to restrict the self-ruling region president’s authorities, the movement’s affiliated website Sbiey said.

Syria Kurds in London asked ending to Efrin blockade

17 June 2013 10:51 +3:30 +3:30

The Syrian Kurds in London protested Syria opposition armed forces’ besiege of Kurdish city of Efrin in Aleppo province and demanded the siege should end soon.

Massoud Barzani and Nouri al- Maliki invited to Russia

17 June 2013 10:13 +3:30 +3:30

Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani and Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki were officially invited to travel to Saint Petersburg, Russia to attend the Saint Petersbug Economic Forum, Rudaw website said.

No change in Turkey government outlook towards Kurds in 100 years: Ahmet Turk

17 June 2013 09:19 +3:30 +3:30

The co-leader of Democratic Society Congress (DTK), Ahmet Turk, blamed Turkey government outlook towards the Kurds and said the approach has not changed in the past 100 years, ilkhaber reported.

US foreign ministry delegation meets Massoud Barzani

16 June 2013 13:46 +3:30 +3:30

A delegation from the US foreign ministry met on Sunday the president of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani, the presidency website said.

President-elect Hassan Rohani supporters celebrate victory

16 June 2013 13:34 +3:30 +3:30

Photo: sources

27 were killed in Iraq bombings and attacks

16 June 2013 12:55 +3:30 +3:30

At least 27 people were killed in attacks and bombings across Iraq on Sunday, police and medics told Reuters.

At least 20 Iraqis killed in car bombs

16 June 2013 11:52 +3:30 +3:30

At least 20 people have been killed in a wave of car bomb attacks in several southern cities in Iraq.

Ocalan is worried about the future of peace talks: brother

16 June 2013 11:41 +3:30 +3:30

The jailed Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan is worried about the future of peace talks with Ankara government, Ocalan’s brother Mehmet Ocalan said after meeting him in Imrali Island on Friday.

Kurdistan Region secular and Islamic parties to announce candidate to vie Barzani

16 June 2013 11:36 +3:30 +3:30

The opposition Islamic and secular parties of Kurdistan Region are intending to announce a candidate to vie the president of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani in the upcoming presidential election of the region.

Kurdpress felicitates Rohani on victory

16 June 2013 09:51 +3:30 +3:30

The International news agency of Kurdpress felicitates president-elect Hassan Rohani on his victory in Friday election.

Supreme leader felicitates Iranians, Rohani

16 June 2013 09:31 +3:30 +3:30

The supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei expressed his gratitude to the Iranian people for their massive turnout in the 14 June presidential and city and village council elections.

Turkey Kurds political conference starts in Diyarbakir

16 June 2013 09:03 +3:30 +3:30

Kurdish parties and political activists started a conference on Saturday in Turkey southeastern province of Diyarbakir in order to discuss the current peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), ilkhaber said in a report.

Ahmadinejad congratulates Rohani on Iran election victory

16 June 2013 08:36 +3:30 +3:30

Incumbent Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated Hassan Rohani following his victory in Iran’s 11th presidential election.

Hassan Rohani elected as Iran’s new president

15 June 2013 23:20 +3:30 +3:30

Hassan Rohani has won Iran's 11th presidential election with more than 50 percents of the votes.

Latest election results, Rohani widens lead

15 June 2013 14:43 +3:30 +3:30

Partial vote count is giving Hassan Rohani a wider lead in the presidential race, Iran's interior minister announced Saturday afternoon.

Pictures of the day

15 June 2013 14:31 +3:30 +3:30

The election results till 12: 30, Rohani talks big lead

15 June 2013 13:45 +3:30 +3:30

The poll results till 12: 30 shows moderate candidate Hassan Rohani is a head of other contenders with 6049655 votes.

Russian Laurov stresses Syria Kurds should attend in Geneva II

15 June 2013 13:35 +3:30 +3:30

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed the Syrian Kurds Should be included in Geneva II meeting which aims to find a solution for the war in Syria, ilkehaber said.

2,000 join PKK over past three months

15 June 2013 13:07 +3:30 +3:30

Some 2,000 people have joined the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants over the past three months amid Turkey peace talks with the party’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, Zaman daily said in a Saturday report.

PKK blames Kurdistan Region, asks Erbil to reopen Syria border

15 June 2013 12:25 +3:30 +3:30

The leading council of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) blamed Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for shutting the region’s border with Syrian Kurdish regions, PKK- affiliate news agency of Firat said.

The result of Iran's presidential election so far

15 June 2013 10:10 +3:30 +3:30

The last result of the Iran’s presidential election so far was announced at 09:30 with reforming hopeful Hassan Rohani still ahead.

Early results of presidential election announced with Rohani taking lead

15 June 2013 08:42 +3:30 +3:30

The early results of the yesterday presidential election was announced with Reformist candidate Hassan Rohani in the lead and principalist Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf coming in second place.

Voting hours will be extended: Interior minister

14 June 2013 16:48 +3:30 +3:30

the voting hours of the country’s 11th presidential and the fourth city and rural councils elections will be extended, Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar told reporters.

People in Kurdish cities arrive at polls in big numbers

14 June 2013 15:49 +3:30 +3:30

Crowds of people in the Kurdish cities of the country have attended in the presidential and city and village council elections began early on Friday.

Election polls in Kurdish regions

14 June 2013 15:28 +3:30 +3:30

Photos are from polls in Saqez, Paveh and Kermanshah

Catherine Ashton to visit Kurdistan Region

14 June 2013 14:16 +3:30 +3:30

The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton is planned to visit Kurdistan Region to meet with the Region's President Massoud Barzani.

More than 400 foreign reporters covering Iran elections

14 June 2013 13:47 +3:30 +3:30

Some 430 reporters from 40 countries are covering the presidential election of Iran, the head of the Foreign Reporters Bureau of Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, said on Wednesday.

Huge turnout as election starts in Kermanshah

14 June 2013 11:41 +3:30 +3:30

People in Kermanshah turn out in big numbers as presidential and village and city council elections began in the western province.

Disputes endanger Iraq stability: Kurdish deputy

14 June 2013 11:37 +3:30 +3:30

Iraq will be divided if the political disputes among different blocs remain unsolved, Kurdistani Alliance deputy in Iraqi parliament said on Thursday.

Supreme leader and the country officials cast vote

14 June 2013 11:29 +3:30 +3:30

Iranian presidential candidates and politicians cast ballot

14 June 2013 11:15 +3:30 +3:30

Best pictures of the February

14 June 2013 10:47 +3:30 +3:30

Supreme leader casts ballot

14 June 2013 10:05 +3:30 +3:30

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has cast his ballots in Iran’s 11th presidential and 4th city and rural council elections as the polls officially open across the country, Press TV reported.

Presidential and council elections start in Iran as big turnout is expected

14 June 2013 09:28 +3:30 +3:30

Dozens of millions of people are expected to vote for their own presidential and city and village council candidates on Friday as polls officially opened in the early hours of morning.

Massoud Barzani to visit Baghdad next week

13 June 2013 23:01 +3:30 +3:30

The president of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani is due to visit Baghdad in the next week, Kurdish deputy Mahmoud Othman told Awina news on Thursday.

Election excitement heats up

13 June 2013 13:39 +3:30 +3:30

The Iranian people will go to the polls on Firday to elect, among six hopefuls, the new president of the country

Picture of the day

13 June 2013 13:04 +3:30 +3:30

A fly lands on the head of a vine snake in the Choco of Colombia
National Geographic

Countries are worried about Ankara- Erbil relations: Hussein Celik

13 June 2013 12:43 +3:30 +3:30

There are big problems in our relation with Kurdistan Region and there are regional and western countries that are worried boat the relation, Ruling Justice and Development (AKP) deputy leader Hussein Celik was quoted by Dogan news agency as saying.

Self-immolation continues among Iraqi Kurdish women / Brenda Stoter

13 June 2013 11:31 +3:30 +3:30

Berma, 26, lies in a white hospital bed in the female burn unit in Erbil. Her body lies in an uncomfortable position — because her legs are not allowed to touch the bed — and her eyes show she’s in a lot of pain. Her husband and four children are nowhere to be found; only her best friend stays with her the whole time. The friend softly caresses Berman’s head, the only place on Berma’s body that has no burn marks.

Qalibaf vows to pay greater attention to rural areas

13 June 2013 11:19 +3:30 +3:30

The presidential hopeful Muhammad Baqer Qalibaf promised to pay greater attention to rural areas of the country.

Iran should engage with the world through diplomacy: Velayati

13 June 2013 11:14 +3:30 +3:30

The presidential hopeful for tomorrow presidential election, Ali Akbar Velayati stressed the Islamic Republic of Iran should engage with the world through an effective diplomacy, Mehr news agency reported.

600 Kurdish officers and soldiers to be tried: Dicle Operation Commander

13 June 2013 10:18 +3:30 +3:30

The commander of Dicle Operation Abdulamir Zaidi said more than 600 Kurdish soldiers and officers of Iraqi army’s 16th battalion will be tried for denying to follow military orders.

Talabani health status is stable: Kurdish deputy

13 June 2013 09:16 +3:30 +3:30

A deputy of Kurdistani Alliance in the Iraqi Parliament announced the health status of Iraqi ailing president Jalal Talabani is status.

Ocalan's brother travels to Imrali to see PKK leader

13 June 2013 08:43 +3:30 +3:30

The younger brother of jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan travelled to Imrali yesterday to meet Ocalan, Zaman daily said.

High voter turnout will disappoint, defeat Iran enemies: Leader

13 June 2013 08:14 +3:30 +3:30

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says massive participation of Iranians in the June 14 presidential election will once again disappoint enemies of the Islamic Republic.

Picture of the day

12 June 2013 13:59 +3:30 +3:30

Freediver over the airplane wreck in the Bahamas

Kurdistan Province enjoys agricultural trade potentials, needs help in other areas: Rezaei tells Kurdpress

12 June 2013 13:54 +3:30 +3:30

The presidential contender for Iran’s 14 June election Mohsen Rezaei said the province of Kurdistan benefited from having agricultural and trade capabilities which can provide food and job for 23000000 people.

Turkey-Kurdish peace could be victim of Istanbul showdown / Kadri Gursel

12 June 2013 13:42 +3:30 +3:30

On June 11 before noon, as I sat down at my desk to write this article, a few hundred meters away from my residence the police launched an operation to dismantle scores of barricades preventing entry of vehicles to Taksim Square and to remove the banners and placards on the defunct opera building and the Ataturk statute in the square.

Erbil- Baghdad disputes unlikely to solve until 2017: analyst

12 June 2013 13:01 +3:30 +3:30

Despite Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Sunday visit two Erbil, political analyst believes disputes between the two sides is less likely to be ended till 2017.

Any administration will need Majlis, Judiciary cooperation: Jalili

12 June 2013 12:24 +3:30 +3:30

Iranian presidential candidate Saeed Jalili says no administration can succeed on its own without the much-needed cooperation or support from the Judiciary and (Majlis) parliament, Press TV reported.

Syria Kurds need unity against FSA: official tells Kurdpress

12 June 2013 11:19 +3:30 +3:30

The chief of Syria Kurds National Council (KNC) said the Syrian Kurds need to be united against the attacks of anti-government Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces on the northern Kurdish city of Efrin.

Ocalan is codifying plans for second round of people talks: deputy

12 June 2013 09:56 +3:30 +3:30

The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Deputy Pervin Buldan said the jailed leader of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is considering and codifying his plans for the second round of peace talks with Ankara government.

Kurdish language classes growing in Istanbul

12 June 2013 09:21 +3:30 +3:30

Demands to learn Kurdish language and taking part in the language’s classes are increasing in Istanbul as peace talk between Turkey government and Kurdistan workers’ Party (PKK) is continuing, Aksam daily said in a report.

I will defend Iran’s nuclear rights: Velayati

11 June 2013 15:49 +3:30 +3:30

Iranian presidential candidate Ali Akbar Velayati says his administration will defend Iran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, while seriously dealing with the issues in economy and foreign policy.

Are cross-sectarian alliances possible in Iraq? / Mustafa al-Kadhimi

11 June 2013 14:57 +3:30 +3:30

Joyful news does not always come out of Iraq. The news that Sunni and Shiite political parties seek to announce a single cross-sectarian bloc to run in the upcoming elections should be “joyful.”

Rezaei says will better Iran ties with region

11 June 2013 14:46 +3:30 +3:30

Iranian presidential candidate Mohsen Rezaei vows to boost Islamic Republic of Iran ties with regional countries if he would be elected as president in June 14 election.

Police apologizes to protesters/ Erdogan to meet representatives of protesters

11 June 2013 14:31 +3:30 +3:30

Istanbul police apologized to Gezi Park protesters for using pepper gas as Turkey Prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to meet the representatives of the protesters.

KRG opposition parties to forms alliance

11 June 2013 14:12 +3:30 +3:30

The opposition parties of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) are due to form an alliance in the upcoming election of the region in order to seize power from the co- ruling KDP and PUK.

Ahmet Turk blames Ankara government, warns the peace talks will fail

11 June 2013 12:39 +3:30 +3:30

The co- leader of Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Ahmet Turk blamed Ankara government for neglecting the demands of the Kurds in Turkey peace talks with Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Maliki did not protest Peshmarga forces deployment to Kirkuk: KRG deputy PM

11 June 2013 11:14 +3:30 +3:30

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) deputy Prime Minister Imad Ahmad denied Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has protested the deployment of Kurdish forces of Peshmarga to the northern province of Kirkuk.

Kurds will never leave Ocalan alone: Demirtas

11 June 2013 11:07 +3:30 +3:30

The co-leader of Pro- Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Selahattin Demirtas said Turkey Kurds are firmly supporting Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan and will never leave him alone.

Presidential candidates' visits to Kurdistan province

11 June 2013 10:52 +3:30 +3:30

Photo: Yahya Samadi

At least 70 Iraqis killed in chain of bombings

11 June 2013 10:34 +3:30 +3:30

A wave of attacks killed at least seventy Iraqis and injured dozens across the country on Monday.

PUK says Massoud Barzani is its candidate for presidency

11 June 2013 09:51 +3:30 +3:30

The co- ruling Patriotic Union of Kurdistan announced Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani is its candidate for the upcoming presidential elections of the northern self- ruling enclave.

Aref withdraws candidacy

11 June 2013 09:23 +3:30 +3:30

The reformist candidate for the Iran’s 14 June presidential election ,Mohammad Reza Aref announced he quited from the race in order to give the reformist camp a better chance to win.

Picture of the day

10 June 2013 21:28 +3:30 +3:30

A Syrian army soldier plays the oud in Bowayda Alsharqia in the Qusair countryside on June 8, 2013, after government forces took the city.

Jalili stresses need for economic epic to resolve woes

10 June 2013 21:15 +3:30 +3:30

Iran’s presidential candidate Saeed Jalili has underscored the need for the creation of economic epic in the country to resolve economic woes.

Hakeem calls Maliki-Barzani’s meeting symbolic, says it brings marvelous success

10 June 2013 21:12 +3:30 +3:30

Leader of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC), Ammar al-Hakeem, stressed that the symbolic meeting of Iraq Prime Minister, Maliki and President of Kurdistan, Massoud Barzani, held recently, has achieved marvelous success, Ninanews said in a report.

Picture of the day

09 June 2013 13:09 +3:30 +3:30

A boy drinks water from a burst water pipe in Aleppo's Karm al-Jabal district

Expectations are high for Maliki-Barzani summit in Erbil / Ali Abel Sadah

09 June 2013 13:06 +3:30 +3:30

June 9 will be the official date for ending the long boycott between Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani and federal government President Nouri al-Maliki.

Massoud Barzani welcomes Maliki at Erbil Airport

09 June 2013 12:06 +3:30 +3:30

The president of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani officially received and welcomed the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki and his accompanying delegation, Xendan said.

Rohani says will save nation’s economy

09 June 2013 11:44 +3:30 +3:30

(Press TV)- Iranian presidential candidate Hassan Rohani says improving the economic situation in the country through proper planning is high on his agenda.

Ocalan calls Barzani the leader of all Kurds

09 June 2013 11:27 +3:30 +3:30

The jailed leader of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan hails the policies of Kurdistan Region president Massoud Barzani and called him the leader of all Kurds, Milliyet daily said in a report.

Nouri al-Maliki arrives in Erbil

09 June 2013 11:14 +3:30 +3:30

The Iaqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki arrived miniutes ago in a planned visit in Erbil to hold a meeting of his cabinet in the capital of the northern autonomous region.

Nawshirwan Mustafa predicts big victory for Gorran

09 June 2013 10:54 +3:30 +3:30

The leader of Kurdistan Region’s main opposition Change Movement (Gorran) Nawshirwan Mustafa predicted his movement will gain a big victory in the upcoming elections of the northern autonomous enclave.

Suicide bomber kills at least seven in Baghdad

09 June 2013 10:47 +3:30 +3:30

A car blew up by a suicide bomber at police checkpoint at the entrance of Baghdad's Kadhimiya district on Sunday, killed at least eight people and wounding 16 more, police officials were quoted by Reuters as saying.

Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki arrives in Erbil

09 June 2013 10:05 +3:30 +3:30

This is breaking news.
More soon...

Sulaymaniya and Lorestan commerce chambers sign agreement

09 June 2013 08:59 +3:30 +3:30

The commerce chambers of Iran’s Lorestan province and Sulaymaniya province of Kurdistan Region signed an agreement to boost trade ties.

Using indigenous forces will be my priority in Kurdistan: Aref tells Kurdpress

09 June 2013 08:19 +3:30 +3:30

The candidate for Iran’s June 14 presidential elections, Muhammad Reza Aref said special economic plans and using indigenous forces would be his priorities in the deprived bordering province of Kurdistan.