Nobody allowed to interfere in Kurdistan, restrict Peshmerga: Presidency Spokesperson

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency on Saturday said no party was allowed to interfere in the Kurdistan Region, referring to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani was concerned about the incident in the town of Khanasor in northwestern Shingal, the Spokesperson of the Kurdistan Region Presidency Umed Sabah revealed.

The President directed the Peshmerga Ministry to control the situation and prevent it from escalating, Sabah added.

On Friday morning, clashes erupted between the PKK-affiliated armed-wing called Shingal Resistance Unit (YBS) and Peshmerga forces in the Khanasor area resulting in casualties on both sides.

“Everyone should know that in the Kurdistan Region only the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) establishments are responsible for managing the Region,” Sabah explained.

“No party is allowed to interfere in the Kurdistan Region’s affairs or restrict Peshmerga movement in the Region,” read the statement.

In a joint statement on Saturday, Ezidi leaders called on the PKK to leave the Ezidi-populated areas in the southwestern Kurdistan Region and return to their previous locations.

PKK emerged in Shingal on Aug. 3, 2014, after the Islamic State (IS) attacked the city and committed mass killings and enslavement against the Ezidi people.

Ezidi officials have repeatedly accused the PKK in Shingal of being a barrier in the rebuilding of the city liberated by Peshmerga forces in November 2015 with aerial support from the US-led coalition.

Over 80 percent of the city has been destroyed due to the previous coalition air strikes on IS bases in the area.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany