ERBIL — Influential Kurdish leader and the president of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani briefed the press on his recent visit to Baghdad and his trip to the UAE and Kuwait, saying that goodwill was seen in Baghdad, but they are waiting to see concrete steps to improve the relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
“We believe that a new chapter has been opened between the entire Iraq and Kurdistan. Mr. Adil Abdul-Mahdi is our friend and he understands the difficulties facing Kurdistan and its people. He lived in Kurdistan for a while,” Barzani told reporters on Wednesday after arriving back to Erbil.
“Therefore, we are optimistic to reach a solution with him for most of the issues. I reiterated that we will support him fully.”
Concerning the crisis in the Erbil-Baghdad relations experienced after the military attacks on Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk last year, Barzani reminded that the Kurds have always persisted on “peaceful dialogue” as the sole path to resolve disputes, but it was Baghdad who shut the doors and resorted to other options in hopes of settling the disagreements.
Barzani, whose party has won as the largest Kurdish political faction in both recent parliamentary elections in Iraq and Kurdistan Region, said his trip was to convey the message that they are seeking good ties with Baghdad as well as peaceful dialogues in search of a solution to their disputes.
“I would just like to emphasize on one point: we will take no steps at the cost of the principles and strategic goals of the people of Kurdistan,” the Kurdish leader said.
According to Barzani, there is a good mutual understanding about the prolonged issues in the Kurdish territories disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, with both sides favoring a solution through the article 140 from Iraq’s Constitution.
“However, I don’t intend to raise people’s expectations and promise them that all the issues will be resolved. It needs time; I, together with the people, wait to see actions. We will support the intention to address the issues.”
In response to a question from reporters, Barzani reasserted that the constitution is the only mean through which disputes over Kirkuk could be resolved. However, he emphasized again that they insist on making Kirkuk a successful model of peaceful coexistence for all its diverse population.
“But we do not compromise on the Kurdistani identity of Kirkuk,” he added.
Barzani pointed out that Baghdad is not expected to take harsh measures against the people of Kurdistan Region again as the ups and downs during the past one year has given a lesson that no governments would succeed in standing against the will of the people of Kurdistan with the use of force.
The former president of Kurdistan Region revealed that, while in Baghdad, officials asked for his initiative to begin the reconciliation efforts across the whole Iraq. However, Barzani noted that the possibilities and success of the proposal will be studied before any practical steps.
Asked about Barzani’s opinion on the possible re-emergence of the Islamic State (IS) in the liberated areas of Iraq, Barzani said the jihadist group is not defeated and their elimination needs time.
Barzani, who was directly involved in the Peshmerga battles against IS between 2014 and 2017, explained that the current form of battles against IS is relatively more difficult.
“The war against Daesh was easier in the past as we knew where they were. Now, they still exist, but they cannot been seen. Daesh [militants] have re-emerged in some areas in Nineveh, Salahaddin and Diyala provinces because the root causes which had led to the initial emergence of IS — and al-Qaeda before that — are not addressed.”
IS, according to Barzani, might not be capable of taking full control of an area now, but it is still capable of posing a threat to the region and impede the stabilization process in the liberated areas.