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Mikalina
Joined: 03 May 2011 Posts: 140 Location: Home (said in a Joe90 voice)
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Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:29 pm Post subject: Kurdistan - changing situation |
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I thought the Kurds' referendum, as it was non-binding, would be just tolerated and then ignored, as per....
...but the Iraqi government have just ordered troops into Kirkuk and Turkish and Iraqi forces are running joint military exercises on the Turkish border.
A lot of what is called Iraqi forces are Shi'ite militia and, of course, the majority of Kurds are Sunni.......
I don't think the area of Kurdistan (except perhaps Suli) will be safe now... |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 9:47 am Post subject: |
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It is a war zone. Do not go there. |
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Fareastbelfast
Joined: 26 Jun 2014 Posts: 7 Location: Iraqi Kurdistan
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Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in Kurdistan right now. I think we are generally more concerned about being trapped here rather than direct military action. |
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Siobhan 22
Joined: 13 Jul 2016 Posts: 170
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Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:06 pm Post subject: |
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'Trapped' might be apt. Based in eastern Kurdistan since late Aug though with the referendum and the death of the ex-Iraqi president Talibani (a Kurd) classes have not started yet - basically a 2-month holiday on full pay.
We can leave Kurdistan on a domestic flight to Baghdad but there would be insuperable problems returning to Baghdad to Kurdistan due to visa issues.
As for Kurdistan being a 'war zone' - somewhat disproportionate remark to say the least. |
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Mikalina
Joined: 03 May 2011 Posts: 140 Location: Home (said in a Joe90 voice)
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Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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When the elephants fight, it is the grass which suffers.
Perspectives from relative security of Suli are going to be different from those further north or west of Erbil. |
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Fareastbelfast
Joined: 26 Jun 2014 Posts: 7 Location: Iraqi Kurdistan
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Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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Siobhan 22 wrote: |
'Trapped' might be apt. Based in eastern Kurdistan since late Aug though with the referendum and the death of the ex-Iraqi president Talibani (a Kurd) classes have not started yet - basically a 2-month holiday on full pay.
We can leave Kurdistan on a domestic flight to Baghdad but there would be insuperable problems returning to Baghdad to Kurdistan due to visa issues.
As for Kurdistan being a 'war zone' - somewhat disproportionate remark to say the least. |
Lucky you. We were teaching like zombies last Thursday after a sleepless night of gunfire celebrating imaginary victories. |
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cartago
Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 283 Location: Iraq
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Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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Does anyone know about a fee for the airport in Baghdad. I heard they were waving the visa requirement to transfer - many countries don't require a visa just for an airport transfer anyway - but two travel agencies informed me the Baghdad airport is charging a 500,000 IQD fee for transfer through Baghdad.
So if that's true they're basically extorting money from people trying to leave. I mean I realize they're over-extended with too many flights but that's ridiculous.
I asked the US embassy and they didn't know but heard people might be charged between 100,000 to 500,000 depending on length of stay in Kurdistan. I asked my employer who seemed entirely unconcerned and basically said you figure it out. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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cartago wrote: |
I asked the US embassy and they didn't know but heard people might be charged between 100,000 to 500,000 depending on length of stay in Kurdistan. I asked my employer who seemed entirely unconcerned and basically said you figure it out. |
Unfortunately, these types of pricy fees aren't unusual in countries with unstable governments and/or economies. (Some of us remember the Arab Spring.) Given the bad blood between the Iraqi central government in Baghdad and the KRG, the high cost to transfer through Baghdad from Kurdistan shouldn't be a surprise. (See Iraq halts international flights to Kurdistan Region.) Anyway, it's your responsibility to pay unless explicitly covered by your employer per your contract. |
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currentaffairs
Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 828
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Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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I hope that you all get out safely! |
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cartago
Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 283 Location: Iraq
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:31 am Post subject: |
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nomad soul wrote: |
cartago wrote: |
I asked the US embassy and they didn't know but heard people might be charged between 100,000 to 500,000 depending on length of stay in Kurdistan. I asked my employer who seemed entirely unconcerned and basically said you figure it out. |
Unfortunately, these types of pricy fees aren't unusual in countries with unstable governments and/or economies. (Some of us remember the Arab Spring.) Given the bad blood between the Iraqi central government in Baghdad and the KRG, the high cost to transfer through Baghdad from Kurdistan shouldn't be a surprise. (See Iraq halts international flights to Kurdistan Region.) Anyway, it's your responsibility to pay unless explicitly covered by your employer per your contract. |
I work in the news media and am well aware of the current situation here as far as the halt to international flights, as everyone here is. No one, including the embassy seems to be aware of transfer costs. Anyway, thanks for the input, I guess I should say.
Last edited by cartago on Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:41 am; edited 1 time in total |
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cartago
Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 283 Location: Iraq
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:38 am Post subject: |
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currentaffairs wrote: |
I hope that you all get out safely! |
I honestly don't feel unsafe here but was wanting to leave for awhile for personal reasons. However I think I'm going to take another position while actually may be better than my current one so maybe this will work out, hope so. It's an interesting time anyway. |
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Fareastbelfast
Joined: 26 Jun 2014 Posts: 7 Location: Iraqi Kurdistan
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Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:14 am Post subject: |
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I get the impression that there may well be a $420 charge on the basis that the Iraqis don't recognise our Kurdish iqamas. That is to say that we would be considered illegals. And, no it isn't our personal responsibility. |
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