Northern Iraq

In Northern Iraq the committee members met the Norwegian force participating in Operation Inherent Resolve. The delegation first visited the Minela base outside Kirkuk, a city controlled by Kurdish forces. Minela base is where members of the Telemark Battalion are training Kurdish Peshmerga troops. On its visit, the delegation was thoroughly familiarised with the important work being done by the instructors to boost the Peshmerga forces’ skills in their fight against ISIL. The committee members also visited several Norwegian officers stationed at the international airport in Erbil. 

“The Norwegian forces in Northern Iraq are an important contribution to the fight against ISIL,” said committee chair Anniken Huitfeldt. “Norwegian training is enhancing the combat power of the Peshmerga forces and their capacity to engage ISIL,” she added. “The Norwegian soldiers we met were highly motivated and professional, and are highly regarded both by the soldiers they are training and their partners in the international coalition,” Huitfeldt concluded.

Ongoing developments in the region, and the battle against ISIL in particular, were the main agenda topics at the delegation’s meetings with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and Head of the Department of Foreign Relations Falah Mustafa Bakir of the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government. The Norwegian delegation also met former Prime Minister Barham Salih and independent analysts. The impending battle for Mosul was discussed, and in particular the substantial challenge of ensuring stability in the region post-ISIL.

The autonomous Kurdish authorities’ strained relations with the central government in Baghdad and the lack of trust in the Shia Arab militia in particular were emphasised in the talks. All parties identified the Kurdish region’s economic situation, which has worsened dramatically as a result of low oil prices, as perhaps the current greatest challenge. The conflict in Syria, including the role of Russia, was also discussed.

The delegation visited the Harshm camp for internally displaced persons at Erbil, receiving a briefing on the humanitarian situation in Iraq and the Norwegian Refugee Council’s educational programme and programme to prevent gender-based violence. The delegates spoke to several refugee families from Sunni Arab areas currently under ISIL occupation.

Turkey

In Ankara, one of the main topics in discussions with the Turkish Parliament’s defence and foreign affairs committees, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for EU Affairs was the flow of migrants and refugees. The conflict in Syria was addressed extensively, including Turkey’s tense relations with Russia and the influence of Iran. Relations with the Kurdish population were discussed in some detail, in particular the Turkish authorities’ conflict with the PKK and with Kurds in Syria. EU-Turkey relations were also discussed.

“Turkey deserves great credit for receiving more than 2.7 million Syrian refugees since the outbreak of war,” said Anniken Huitfeldt. “Turkish society is shouldering a great burden, and has shown exceptional hospitality,” Ms Huitfeldt added.

The delegation also addressed human rights issues during the talks, particularly inadequate freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. These concerns were dismissed by the Turkish representatives, who cited anti-terrorism measures. In its meetings with civil society representatives, researchers and opposition politicians, the delegation heard strong criticism regarding the authorities’ violation of fundamental human rights. It was stated that Turkey is moving in the wrong direction in this area.  

The following members of the Committee travelled to Turkey and Northern Iraq: Anniken Huitfeldt, committee chair (Labour), Øyvind Halleraker, First Vice Chair (Conservative), Trine Skei Grande (Liberal) and Bård Vegar Solhjell (Socialist Left).