Erbil governor, oil tycoon sign memorandum to renovate city’s citadel

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil governor and prominent Kurdish businessman signed a memorandum of understanding to renovate the city’s ancient citadel on Thursday, a step that aims to attract more tourists to the site. 

As part of the renovation process at Erbil citadel, Omed Khoshnaw and oil tycoon Baz Karim Barzinji, signed an agreement to restore the historical site. 

“The memorandum that was signed to renovate Erbil citadel will be another part to bring back life into the citadel,” Khoshnaw said during a press conference, noting that serious efforts must be taken to promote the site as a crucial attraction area to tourists. 

Located in the heart of the Kurdish capital, Erbil citadel dates back to 4,000 years BC. It is constructed on a 110,000 square meter circle, overlooking Shar Square and the central bazaar.

It is a popular destination for tourists and locals with a souvenir shop, textile, and geology museum. The site was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014. 

“Erbil citadel is our history, it’s the civilization of our nation, it’s the foundation of our nation’s future,” Karim, also the founder and CEO of oil company KAR Group, said of the significance the citadel holds. The company has previously invested in renovating the citadel. 

The signing of the memorandum marks Karim’s first public appearance after the Iranian missile attack on his residence in Erbil last month, which Tehran fired under the pretext of targeting an Israeli base in the city.

When asked about his demolished house, Karim reiterated the historical significance of the citadel and that his “house is a part of this history. If we rebuild this area, or my house, it’s all the completion of the community of Erbil.” 

Karim’s family residence is still in ruins.

 “I will leave it to the people of Erbil, the governor and the authorized committees [to decide] to either leave it [the house] as a historical site or to renovate it,” he said. 

An investigative committee was formed to investigate the attack on March 15. Karim said the investigation has not yet yielded any results.