Baghdad’s wrong policies biggest threat to Iraqi unity: PM Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Nechrivan Barzani on Sunday stated the wrong policies the Federal Government of Iraq pursues threaten the unity of the country.

“What did Baghdad do to keep Iraq united, what did it do for the Kurds or the Kurdish interest?” PM Barzani said in an interview with Iraqi al-Hadath television channel.

“What have Baghdad presented to the [Iraqi] Sunnis? The wrong policy is the biggest threat to the unity of Iraq,” the PM continued.

He mentioned the crisis in Iraq could be resolved through a political agreement with the participation of all Iraqi parties and components.

The Kurdish PM emphasized the policies Baghdad follows are a severe threat to the unity of Iraq.

“The wrong policies pursued by Baghdad and their misconception which runs the government is the greatest threat to the unity of Iraq,” he affirmed.

“Certainly, if these things are not taken seriously, and solutions are not put to it, yes, I would say Iraq is in danger,” PM Barzani added.

He also mentioned Kurds might not participate in future Iraqi elections if the wrong policies of the federal government continue.

Kurds and Sunnis make up about 40 percent of Iraq’s population—20 percent each.

Politicians from both components have repeatedly accused the Shia majority in Iraq of not sharing power, but rather marginalizing them from ruling the country, especially Sunnis.  

In another part of the interview, PM Barzani highlighted the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) presence in the Kurdish Ezidi city of Sinjar (Shingal) as a threat to stability in the area.

“The issue of the PKK’s presence in Shingal is aimed at creating instability in the region in general and, unfortunately, there are those in Baghdad who still help the PKK,” he said.

Barzani also acknowledged it was wrong for Iraq not to have good relations with its neighbors like Turkey.

“It is not in the interest of Iraq to act this way. We have to agree on the principle that PKK’s presence means instability in the Shingal region,” he added.

In the past, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and top Ezidi leaders have requested the PKK and its armed groups to withdraw from Shingal, but the group has not cooperated.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany