KRG PM urges international community to understand Kurdistan concerns

"The reason we decided to hold the referendum was due to the fear for the future of the Kurdistan Region as we receive daily threats from some the Hashd al-Shaabi commanders," Barzani said.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Ministers stated in a press conference on Wednesday that Kurdistan Region needs to protect itself against the threats it is facing.

"The reason we decided to hold the referendum was due to the fear for the future of the Kurdistan Region as we receive daily threats from some the Hashd al-Shaabi commanders," Barzani said.

He urged the international community to understand the depth of concern Kurdish and other components have for their future.

The KRG PM stated that the referendum is not only for Kurds, and the minorities living in the Region are also determining their future, reassuring the components that their rights will be fully guaranteed in Kurdistan’s future constitution. 

Nechirvan Barzani said the Kurdistan Region’s referendum "does not define the borders but it will express the will of our people."

PM Barzani added that the “referendum is a means towards a greater goal which is independence and we do not intend to declare a state the day after but to engage in peaceful dialogue with Baghdad without any issues.”

Asked about the possibility of postponing the referendum, Barzani stated that the international community is online and if they provide a better alternative that leads to independence, the Kurdistan leadership is ready to accept it.

He added that after the referendum, the Kurdistan Region will engage in dialogues with Baghdad because the Region does not want to gain independence through war.

 

Editing by Ava Homa