Kurdistan RegionG says 34,851 displaced families in Kurdistan

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: The Kurdistan Regional Government Kurdistan RegionG) on Monday said that there were 34,851 displaced families in the three Kurdish provinces of Arbil, Sulaimaniya and Duhuk, noting the tight security measures by security forces on persons entering the region are not against the constitution. The statements came within a response by the Kurdistan RegionG, published on its web site, to the Iraqi prime minister’s statements in which he “attacked” the region’s “unconstitutional” position on several issues. “The Federal Prime Minister pointed to restrictions on Iraqis traveling to the Kurdistan Region from other parts of Iraq, including the requirement that travelers must obtain an affidavit or proclamation from a local resident before they can travel to the Region. This may sound as if Iraqi citizens are prevented from traveling to the Kurdistan Region. “First, it is important to consider figures on Iraqi citizens who have become residents of the Kurdistan Region after fleeing threats of violence in other parts of the country. Our figures indicate that 10,559 Arab, Kurd, Turkmen, and Christian families have fled to, and now reside in, Arbil province. In Duhuk province, the figure is 17,980 families. And in Sulaimniya province, it is 6,312 families. “In addition, some 1,900 university lecturers from outside the Kurdistan Region have joined universities in the Region. At least 3,740 students from Baghdad and Mosul and other places study in the Region’s universities. About 14,543 people from other parts of Iraq work as laborers in Arbil province while in Duhuk the figure is 9,500. “As for restrictions on travel to the Region, it should be pointed out that there are more checkpoints in Baghdad than the total of all other checkpoints in the country. The Kurdistan Region has also been a target for terrorists. Some of our most prominent political leaders and many others have been victims. “As elsewhere in Iraq, checkpoints screen all travelers entering the Kurdistan Region regardless of their ethnic and religious background, whether they are Kurd, Arab, Turkmen, others, or foreigners. The procedures are not unlike those followed elsewhere in the country. “All peace loving people are welcome. This past summer, hotels in Duhuk, Shaqlawa, Sulaimaniya, and other places in the Kurdistan Region, were full of guests from Baghdad, Mosul, and other parts of the country. “The Kurdistan Region accepts full responsibility for the security of all visitors and citizens alike regardless of their origin or background. The laws of the Kurdistan “Region and the Iraqi Constitution allow us, and, in fact, they obligate us, to provide security in the Region. The measures we take are purely for security reasons to protect lives. “It should not be forgotten that in the past the Kurdistan Region was a sanctuary for people fleeing the oppression of the former regime. The mountains of our Region embraced them, including many of Iraq’s current leaders and their families. Many Christian families, Mandaean Sabians, and others who have fled the threat of violence have relocated to our Region. The doors of the Kurdistan Region shall remain open to all, except to terrorists.” AmR (I) 1