Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Kurdistan - changing situation

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Middle East Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Mikalina



Joined: 03 May 2011
Posts: 140
Location: Home (said in a Joe90 voice)

PostPosted: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:29 pm    Post subject: Kurdistan - changing situation Reply with quote

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...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is a war zone. Do not go there.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Fareastbelfast



Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
Location: Iraqi Kurdistan

PostPosted: Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm in Kurdistan right now. I think we are generally more concerned about being trapped here rather than direct military action.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Siobhan 22



Joined: 13 Jul 2016
Posts: 170

PostPosted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

'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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Mikalina



Joined: 03 May 2011
Posts: 140
Location: Home (said in a Joe90 voice)

PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 1:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Fareastbelfast



Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
Location: Iraqi Kurdistan

PostPosted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cartago



Joined: 19 Oct 2005
Posts: 283
Location: Iraq

PostPosted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 10:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
currentaffairs



Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Posts: 828

PostPosted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 10:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I hope that you all get out safely!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cartago



Joined: 19 Oct 2005
Posts: 283
Location: Iraq

PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cartago



Joined: 19 Oct 2005
Posts: 283
Location: Iraq

PostPosted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 5:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Fareastbelfast



Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Posts: 7
Location: Iraqi Kurdistan

PostPosted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Middle East Forum All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China