KRG's Ninth Cabinet Transformed Civil Defense Capabilities, Erbil Official Says

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Ninth Cabinet has significantly strengthened Civil Defense services through new rescue equipment, firefighting technology and improved technical capabilities, according to Colonel Shakhawan Saeed, spokesperson for the Erbil General Directorate of Civil Defense.

Speaking to Kurdistan24 on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, Saeed described the government's investment in emergency-response infrastructure as a major development for teams responsible for protecting residents from fires, flooding and other emergencies.

"The Ninth Cabinet was a golden cabinet for Civil Defense because the logistical equipment and supplies that were provided gave us very strong support," he said.

Among the capabilities introduced, Saeed highlighted 100-meter rescue ladders available in Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimani. He compared the equipment with technology used in developed countries, saying it had expanded the resources available to emergency responders.

Civil Defense services have also acquired firefighting and rescue drones. Several officers and employees are undergoing training in China to learn how to operate the aircraft in rescue operations, he said. The training is part of the directorate's efforts to incorporate more advanced technology into its work.

Saeed pointed to progress beyond equipment purchases, including technical procedures and oversight. He said the directorate has a department responsible for safety permits and violations, with investigation files opened against those found to have breached safety requirements.

The changes, he explained, are intended to strengthen both emergency operations and the enforcement of safety standards, rather than limiting the directorate's development to new vehicles and equipment.

Preparations for Heavy Rain

The official's assessment came as Erbil prepared for a period of heavy rainfall forecast to begin Saturday, Nov. 7, and continue through Sunday evening, with further rain possible early Monday.

Saeed said Civil Defense prepares a seasonal emergency plan each year and has completed this year's measures in coordination with the General Directorate of Meteorology and Seismology. Advance forecasts, he explained, allow teams to identify possible risks and arrange resources before severe weather arrives.

As part of the preparations, authorities have cleaned waterways and drainage openings and carried out work in areas where rainwater has accumulated in previous years. He expressed confidence that those measures could reduce the number of flooding-related incidents, while stressing that residents still need to exercise caution.

He did not suggest that the cleaning work or new rescue capabilities could eliminate the risk of flooding.

The directorate has identified several vulnerable locations in Erbil, including the 100-Meter Road above Family Mall, the area near Franso Hariri Stadium and the surroundings of Saidawa Bridge.

Residents have been warned against parking or stopping their vehicles in those locations during intense rainfall. Saeed said the warnings had been distributed through Civil Defense platforms and television channels to help people avoid situations experienced in previous seasons.

"People need to remain cautious and should not stop their vehicles in these places because heavy rainfall is possible," he said.

He also urged drivers not to enter flooded roads and warned parents to keep children away from water channels, rivers and areas where water has collected. Floodwater can conceal holes, rocks and other hazards, he noted, and vehicles attempting to cross may overturn.

Emergency Teams on Standby

Saeed said Civil Defense crews were ready to respond if water entered homes or residents required assistance. The directorate's emergency hotlines, 115 and 125, remain available continuously, he said.

While describing the Ninth Cabinet's provision of equipment and technical support as a substantial improvement, Saeed stressed that public cooperation remained essential to avoiding preventable emergencies.

"The people of Kurdistan always cooperate with us," he said, thanking residents for their assistance.

For the directorate, the coming rainfall will require both the upgraded emergency-response resources Saeed highlighted and the precautionary steps taken by residents in flood-prone areas.