People of Kurdistan will be successful in achieving independence despite betrayal: Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, announced in a passionate speech to the nation on Sunday that he would not give up hope for independence despite him stepping down from his role.

In his remarks made in Parliament Sunday evening, Barzani said that the people of Kurdistan were subjected to "a great injustice," referring to the events following the Sep. 25 referendum on independence, but that their votes could not be "altered by any force." 

"I, as Masoud Barzani, will continue to serve the people of Kurdistan and that I have been, before, during, and after the Presidency, the same Masoud Barzani, the same Peshmerga and will be with my people in its struggle for independence," Barzani assured.

"These injustices [in the aftermath of the historic vote] stem from a continued culture of not accepting one another and refusing to live together as partners," the President argued. 

Barzani lamented the failure of the international community to support the Kurds and honor the sacrifices of the Peshmerga, "without whom the liberation of Mosul" and other areas in northern Iraq "would not have been possible."

"The world once again showed that the people of Kurdistan have no friends but themselves and the mountains," he criticized. 

The President, who will step down on Nov. 1, also accused regional players of having deceived the Kurdish leadership.

"We decided to become good neighbors since we failed to become true partners," he said. "While initially, the reactions to our request for separation were positive, those same people were recently on top of Abrams tanks, attacking the Kurdistan Region," he added in clear reference to the recent clashes in Kirkuk and other disputed areas, even Kurdistani regions such as Zummar and Faysh Khabur. 

Barzani noted that the Kurdistan Region prioritized the war against the Islamic State (IS) instead of capitalizing on a weakened Iraqi state, but that their loyalty was rewarded with hostility. 

"The Oct. 16 attack on the city of Kirkuk by Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) was an act of betrayal," he declared, including Kurdish individuals "who cooperated with the PMF against the people of Kurdistan."

"That national betrayal temporarily crushed the dreams of three million Kurds."

The Kurdish leader also expressed disappointment toward the international community's silence, notably that of the US, regarding the use of American weapons being used against the people of Kurdistan. 

"We are befuddled that we are being attacked by certain people who are on America's list of terrorists and are using American weapons."

After twelve years in his role, President Barzani will step down on the date the presidential elections were meant to be held - November 1 - despite the eight-month extension which was offered.