'Kurds represent resistance not tragedy'

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Kurds are fighting Islamic State (IS) not only to defend themselves but also to achieve independence, and this can never be compromised, declared Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Thursday.

In a speech delivered to Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) members in Erbil, President Barzani highlighted the importance of Kurdistan's independence, fighting IS, and administrative, economic, and financial reforms.

“To achieve independence, we have to keep struggling on [two] fronts: fighting IS and corruption,” Barzani said. "Independence is our right, and we will never give it up."

The president declared that Kurds spill blood not to 'discuss' independence, but to make it a reality. "How do we answer the mother of a martyred Peshmerga if she asks why her son sacrificed his life?" Barzani exclaimed. “Either we achieve our right and objective of independence in our fight against Da’esh [IS], or we stop fighting; the blood of our Peshmerga are precious and spilled only for a great cause: the dream for all Kurds.” 

FIGHTING CORRUPTION: THE INTERNAL FRONT

The president urged the audience not to be disappointed and lose hope by the current financial situation, as it is not the first time Kurdistan Region has faced such a crisis. “The economic hardship is temporary, but we have new mechanisms to overcome this such as diversifying the economy, creating more jobs in different sectors, establishing factories and reviving the agricultural sector,” he explained.

Barzani added that citizens' dependence on government salaries originating from oil sales was "the deadly poison that led to the crisis," and insisted that initiating much-needed reforms is a "most pressing goal." Regarding corruption, he vowed, "In the process of investigating corruption, we will make no exception." 

FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE: THE EXTERNAL FRONT

The president pointed out that fighting IS has changed the way the international community views Kurds and the Kurdish question in general.

“In my visits to many countries around the world, [I noticed that] many people and leaders view Kurds differently. We are no longer a symbol of tragedy but that of resistance." 
He further noted that Kurdish Peshmerga victories on the battlefield were due to their bravery and sacrifices as well as the cooperation and coordination from the international coalition.
It is noteworthy that President Barzani initially sought to hold an independence referendum in the summer of 2014, but after IS seized Mosul--Iraq's second largest city--the project became postponed.

Reporting by Hisham Arafat
Editing by Ava Homa and Benjamin Kweskin