The UK recognises Turkey's right to self-defence, while fully supporting Iraq's territorial integrity. We encourage restraint from activity that could lead to loss of civilian life, or damage to civilian infrastructure. It is critical that Turkey and Iraq reach a way to address security concerns that does not lead to regional instability. We welcome recent high-level engagement between both countries, including President Erdoğan's visit to Iraq on 22 April. As a close NATO ally, we regularly engage Turkey on regional stability. Most recently, the UK National Security Advisor discussed this issue with his Turkish counterpart in London on 11 April.

The UK regularly engages with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) on the security situation in Sinjar, and we continue to advocate for the implementation of the Sinjar Agreement. Progress on this has been hindered by numerous factors, including tensions between the Government of Iraq and the KRG and the extremely complex politics of the region. ⁠We encourage both governments to agree a candidate to appoint as mayor of Sinjar, an important and necessary step to improve the security situation and lives of people living there.

Our funding and support is delivered through implementing partners and not directly through the Government of Iraq. Thorough due diligence assessment of all funding is carried out to ensure partners have procedures in place to manage the main risks of aid diversion from activities it funds, including specific controls to ensure that assistance goes direct to the intended beneficiaries.

We do not currently provide any funding directly to the Government of Iraq, rather our programmes are delivered through implementing partners, including UN agencies, NGOs and private sector organisations.

Thorough due diligence assessments of all funding is carried out to ensure that partners have procedures in place to manage the main risks of aid diversion from activities it funds, including specific controls to ensure that assistance goes direct to the intended beneficiaries. Programmes are monitored regularly in year and through annual and project completion reviews. Third Party Monitoring, incorporated into some programmes, strengthens assurance and supports learning and evidence.

The UK wants to see a more stable, peaceful and prosperous Iraq. Through both our bilateral and centrally managed programmes, we aim to counter threats, foster stability and development, while promoting UK interests and values. We do not currently provide any funding directly to the Government of Iraq, rather this is delivered through implementing partners, including UN agencies, NGOs and private sector organisations. All of our partners are subject to rigorous and robust checks to ensure that our funding reaches intended beneficiaries.

Thorough due diligence assessment of all funding is carried out and the FCDO ensures partners have procedures in place to manage the main risks of aid diversion from activities it funds, including specific controls to ensure that assistance goes direct to the intended beneficiaries.

Thorough due diligence assessment of all funding is carried out and the FCDO ensures partners have procedures in place to manage the main risks of aid diversion from activities it funds, including specific controls to ensure that assistance goes direct to the intended beneficiaries.

The UK is concerned over the kidnapping of Israeli-Russian dual national Elizabeth Tsurkov. The Government of Iraq opened an investigation into her kidnapping last year and we await the findings. Those suspected of criminal responsibility for her kidnapping should be brought to justice in fair trials. However, as Elizabeth Tsurkov is not a British citizen, we are not in a position to offer direct consular assistance.

The UK is concerned over the kidnapping of Israeli-Russian dual national Elizabeth Tsurkov. The Government of Iraq opened an investigation into her kidnapping last year, and we await the findings. Those suspected of criminal responsibility should be brought to justice in fair trials. His Majesty's Government has not had any discussion with the Government of Iraq regarding the kidnapping.

The UK wants to see a more stable, peaceful and prosperous Iraq. Across our programmes, we aim to counter threats and foster stability and development, while promoting UK interests and values. Our funding and support is delivered through implementing partners and not directly through the Government of Iraq. While we do not provide any UK funding or support directly to the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), it is not always possible for the UK to restrict participation in UK-funded initiatives to only non-PMF personnel.

The UK condemned the Iranian regime's attacks in Erbil on 15 January which killed civilians including UK-Iraqi national Karam Mikhael, and against targets in Pakistan on the 16 January. These actions were an unacceptable violation of both Iraq and Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have long condemned Iran's destabilising activity in its neighbourhood and wider region. The Foreign Secretary made clear to the Iranian Foreign Minister on 17 January that Iran must stop using the regional situation as cover to act recklessly and violate the sovereignty of others.

We continually monitor the security situation in Iraq, working closely with our fellow members of the Global Coalition and the Government of Iraq. The US drone strike in Baghdad on January 4 which killed Abu Taqwa, a leader of the Iran Aligned Militia Group Harakat al-Nujaba, was announced as an act of self-defence by the US. The ongoing safety and protection of Coalition Forces members in Iraq remains paramount. The UK highlights the Government of Iraq's commitment to protect these forces. Lord Ahmad spoke with Minister Hussein on 4 January, and we frequently engage at official level.

The UK recognises Turkey's legitimate security interests in Syria and Iraq. We engage regularly with Turkey, a NATO ally, on regional security issues and encourage restraint from any activity that leads to further regional instability. The UK is monitoring water supply issues in north east Syria; we have raised the humanitarian issue of water availability bilaterally with all parties in the region, including Turkey. We do not have plans for formal discussions on this issue at NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) or the Council of Europe (CoE).

The UK remains committed to the safety and security of refugees, including Yazidis in North-East Syria and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Due to the shifting circumstances on the ground we are not in a position to make an accurate estimate of their number. When appropriate we raise the troubling humanitarian situation in refugee camps with the relevant authorities. Durable solutions must be pursued for displaced populations, including return, relocation, or local integration, where appropriate. We regularly raise this with the relevant authorities, the Iraq Government, UN bodies, international partners and our development programming in Iraq will support these efforts.

The UK monitored the events in Sinjar over the 28-29 April weekend. We work closely with the Government of Iraq to ensure that the returns of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are safe and dignified and that they are able to reintegrate into society in a way that is positive for communities, including those who have suffered at the hands of Daesh. Our British Embassy Baghdad and Consulate General Erbil will continue to monitor the situation.

Our diplomatic missions are in regular contact with Government of Iraq and Kurdistan regional Government authorities on the safety and security of the communities located in Sinjar. The UK Government provides funding support to the Directorate of Yazidi Affairs and during my [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] recent visit to Iraq I met with Yazidi communities and leaders to hear their experiences and reiterate UK support.

Our "Building Peace and Security in Iraq" (BPSI) programme will support those affected by the protracted displacement crisis and includes both returnees and local communities, who face many of the same problems. The UK continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Government of Iraq as it works to rebuild from Daesh and deliver a more peaceful and hope

The UK advocated strongly for the passing of the Yazidi Survivors Law, an important first step toward assistance and justice for survivors of sexual violence by Daesh. Since 2021, the UK has been supporting the Directorate of Yazidi Affairs through the International Organisation for Migration to ensure technical and practical implementation of the law. As part of this, 1,200 community members were reached in 2022 through events aimed at raising awareness of the law and how Yazidi survivors can access support. We are providing a further £100,000 to increase the capacity of the Directorate to provide mental health and psychosocial support services for survivors and provide technical assistance to strengthen survivor participation in the dialogue on accountability of Daesh crimes. In parallel, the UK has also provided grants to 19 women's rights organisations, including those who provide training and workshops for Yazidi women. During Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon's recent visit to Iraq he met with the Yazidis' communities and leadership to hear first-hand their experiences and reiterate UK support.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported 65,724 Iraqi refugees registered in Jordan in November 2022. In 2022 the UK supported 70,000 vulnerable refugees in Jordan with cash assistance to cover basic needs such as food and shelter and 150,000 refugee children to access education. The UK does not distinguish its support between Iraqi and other refugees but instead targets its support to the most vulnerable through UN agencies.

Since the expansion of Daesh in 2014, the UK has committed over £370 million in humanitarian and stabilisation assistance in Iraq to support communities across Iraq, including the reconstruction of areas affected by conflict and creating the conditions for displaced Iraqis to be able to return home. This includes £5 million to provide technical assistance to the Government of Iraq to improve its capacity to support displaced communities to return home and improve the coordination of services available to them. We continue to work with the Government of Iraq to ensure that areas affected by conflict are adequately support and that any returns are safe, dignified and voluntary.