Rebar Ahmed, the Interior Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), delivered a speech at the first ministerial panel of the Border Security Summit in London, attended by representatives from 40 countries. The summit, organized at the invitation of the UK Home Office, focused on border security and combating organized crime.

In his address, Minister Ahmed expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate and highlighted the historical struggles of the Kurdish people. "The citizens of the Kurdistan Region have endured oppression, war, mass displacement, chemical attacks, and genocide," he said. "For decades, unjust policies in the Middle East, particularly under successive Baghdad regimes, forced our people into exile and displacement. We thank the nations that opened their doors to us during our most difficult times."

Post-2003 Hope and the ISIS Crisis

Ahmed noted that after the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003, many displaced Kurds returned to rebuild their homeland. However, the rise of ISIS in 2014 disrupted this progress. "Kurdistan became a refuge for those fleeing ISIS, especially Yazidis and Christians who suffered genocide," he said. "Yet, due to ongoing instability in Sinjar and the Nineveh Plains, many remain in displacement camps, unable to return safely."

Financial Disputes and Constitutional Failures

The minister criticized the unresolved financial disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, stressing that the Iraqi constitution’s full implementation is key to stability. "The humanitarian crisis worsened due to economic disagreements with Baghdad," he said. "We urge the international community to support a democratic Iraq based on constitutional principles."

Border Vulnerabilities and Human Trafficking

Ahmed pointed out that border residents are most vulnerable to organized crime, including human trafficking. "Conflict, lack of jobs, and weak public services push people toward irregular migration, making them easy targets for smugglers," he explained.

KRG’s Countermeasures

To combat these challenges, the KRG has taken several steps:

Economic diversification to reduce youth unemployment.

Strict oversight of travel agencies to prevent illegal migration.

Public awareness campaigns, especially on social media, to warn against smuggling risks.

Reducing cash reliance by moving salaries to digital banking.
Cracking down on unregistered SIM cards used by criminal networks.

Call for International Support

Ahmed called for global cooperation to secure borders and protect vulnerable communities, emphasizing that stability in Kurdistan contributes to regional security.

The KRG’s participation in the summit underscores its commitment to addressing border security challenges while advocating for its people’s rights and safety.