Baghdad’s refusal for dialogue will spark IS return: Peshmerga Commander

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – A Peshmerga forces commander on Tuesday said Iraq’s inaction to begin a dialogue with Kurdistan over ongoing differences would contribute to the return of the Islamic State (IS).

Sirwan Barzani, Head of the Makhmour Peshmerga front line, said IS or militant groups similar to them would “exploit the weakness and lack of coordination between the Iraqi forces and Peshmerga,” warning the Iraqi government to “be aware of this danger.”

“The continuation of the crisis between the government of Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region will be a factor to stimulate the militants to launch operations on Kurdistan and Iraq,” Barzani told Kurdistan 24.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kurdish forces and IS militants clashed near the disputed area of Makhmour in the Qarachukh mountain where one extremist was killed in the fight as Peshmerga successfully repelled the attack.

This is the first conflict between Peshmerga and IS since Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s “final victory” announcement over the militant group on Dec. 9.

The military coordination between Erbil and Baghdad has stopped since the Region held an independence referendum on Sep. 25 which won overwhelming support for secession from Iraq.

Baghdad refused to recognize the vote and instead responded by imposing collective punitive measures against Kurdistan, including the use of military force in disputed areas.

The KRG has shown its flexibility, offering to freeze the results of the referendum, but Baghdad demands a full annulment instead as a prerequisite to begin a dialogue.

“The government of Kurdistan has shown willingness to start negotiations with Baghdad more than once, but the Iraqi government is dealing with arrogance and has not responded to these calls so far,” Barzani noted.