Politics

Barzani: Erbil prepared for dialogue if Baghdad ready, will defend Kurdistan if necessary

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Monday said Erbil was ready for dialogue if Baghdad was prepared, adding Kurdistan is also ready to defend itself from further military advances if required.

Karzan Sulaivany 2017/10/30 14:29

kurdistan Kirkuk Masoud Barzani Kurdistan Referendum

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Monday said Erbil was ready for dialogue if Baghdad was prepared, adding Kurdistan is also ready to defend itself from further military advances if required.

During a meeting in Erbil with the Ambassador of France, Bruno Aubert, and the Ambassador of Germany, Cyril Nann, President Barzani reiterated the Region’s readiness for dialogue with the central government in Baghdad.

“Kurdistan is ready for dialogue if Baghdad really wants to,” the President said in a statement after the meeting.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) recently tabled a possible solution to the violent advance of Iraqi and Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi forces in Kirkuk and other disputed territories.

The KRG offered to freeze the results of the historic Sep. 25 referendum, where an overwhelming 92.7 percent voted for secession from Iraq.

However, Baghdad rejected the initiative and said it would not consider the results of the referendum, insisting the only precondition for the start of discourse was the cancellation of the vote.

In his meeting with the French and German Ambassadors, President Barzani stressed the “need for dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad” to resolve disputes which have been greatly exacerbated since the independence referendum was held.

The President noted the Kurdistan Region never had intentions to start a war, but “if Baghdad insists on a military option, we will defend Kurdistan.”

On Sunday, President Barzani announced he would not extend the term of his presidency beyond Nov. 1, 2017—the date it officially ends.

“Before my presidency, during, and after I was, and will remain, a Peshmerga for Kurdistan,” the President said during a televised speech.

In 2005, Barzani became the Region’s first president. He has since successfully led the fight against the Islamic State (IS) and facilitated the path for Kurdistan to hold the momentous referendum.

Editing by Sam A.