Kurdistan Parliament labels Iraqi PM’s comments irresponsible, mistake

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region on Friday slammed Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi for comparing Kurdistan’s Sep. 25 independence referendum with crimes committed by the Islamic State (IS).

Speaking at the 62nd anniversary of the foundation of his Dawa Party in Baghdad on Wednesday, Abadi mentioned the Region’s referendum and said it was “a crime no less than the threats of [IS] extremists.”

During his speech, Abadi emphasized the need to prevent “sectarian people from tearing the country apart,” likening such efforts to defeating IS across the country.

In a statement, the Kurdistan Regional Parliament’s leadership responded to the Iraqi PM emphasizing that the world knows without the bravery of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces and their leadership, Iraqi forces would have failed to achieve victory in Mosul and other areas overtaken by the extremist group.

The statement also slammed Abadi for “being proud of” and labeling the Oct. 16 attack—carried out by Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militias in Kirkuk, Khurmatu, and other areas—a success.

“The Kurdistan Parliament considers Abadi’s comments irresponsible and a clear mistake because they contradict Article 9 of the Iraqi Constitution which bans any military attacks by the Iraqi government on its citizens,” the statement explained.

The Kurdish Parliament labeled the military offensive as another clear violation of the Constitution, highlighting the Iraqi government’s failure to implement the charter equally.

In particular, Article 140, which pertains to the status of disputed territories between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi government, has led to a division in the country, according to the Parliament statement.

“The violation of Article 140 also allowed IS the opportunity to take advantage of the division and occupy large swaths of territory in Iraq, committing crimes and genocide against people,” the report continued.

The statement also called on Abadi “not to close the door for dialogue” with the Kurdistan Region, and not to let “short-term political interests negatively impact the rights of people in Iraq,” adding it is the people who will “suffer from the language of threats and use of military force.”

“Comments like Abadi’s threaten Iraq’s future to remain a civil and democratic country. Negotiations are the only way to reach solutions regarding all issues,” the Kurdistan Regional Parliament statement concluded.

Relations between the KRG and the Federal Government of Iraq have considerably deteriorated following the Sep. 25 vote.

Baghdad has imposed collective punitive measures against Kurdistan, including an international flight ban on airports in the Region, as well as conducting a military assault on Kirkuk Province and other disputed territories previously under the protection of Peshmerga.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany