Zebari Slams PKK Maneuvers as Destabilizing: “A Line Must Be Drawn”
"Kurdistan Region will not tolerate actions that jeopardize its hard-won peace or seek to sow discord among its communities," said Babaker Zebari.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region's Presidential Military Advisor, Brigadier Babaker Zebari, has strongly condemned the recent actions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), describing them as "unacceptable" and a direct challenge to the legacy and guidance of the party’s jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
Speaking exclusively to Kurdistan 24, Zebari said, “The PKK’s movements are not only counterproductive, but they also cause harm to themselves before harming others.” He emphasized the urgent need to set definitive boundaries on the PKK’s activities within the Kurdistan Region and prevent further territorial encroachment or provocations.
Undermining Peace and Stability
Zebari warned that the PKK’s continued disruption poses a threat to the internal security of the Kurdistan Region, adding that the group’s recent behavior reflects a clear disregard for Ocalan’s direction, which has traditionally emphasized peace and negotiation.
“The only viable path left for the PKK is to adhere to Ocalan’s line and actively support the peace process. There is no alternative,” Zebari asserted.
He reiterated the stance of President Masoud Barzani, who has consistently opposed all forms of internal Kurdish conflict and has been a staunch advocate for peace, stability, and security in northern Syria (Western Kurdistan).
Drone Strikes Deepen Tensions
Zebari’s remarks follow a sharp escalation in hostilities, as the Kurdistan Region’s Security Council confirmed that five Peshmerga personnel were injured in two separate drone attacks on Monday. The aerial strikes, attributed to the PKK a designated terrorist group by EU, U.S. and Türkiye, targeted a Peshmerga base in Duhok province.
The Security Council condemned the incidents as “terrorist attacks”, warning all actors operating in the region that “any attempt to destabilize the Kurdistan Region will be met with firm and appropriate response.”
The attacks have further raised concerns over militant infiltration, at a time when the region is striving to maintain stability and focus on internal development and regional diplomacy.
Defending the Homeland
Zebari emphasized that the Peshmerga forces and internal security apparatus remain fully prepared to confront any hostile threat, adding that the Kurdistan Region will not tolerate actions that jeopardize its hard-won peace or seek to sow discord among its communities.
"The time has come to draw a line," Zebari concluded. "Any group that chooses violence over dialogue must be held accountable, for the security and unity of Kurdistan must never be compromised."
