PM Barzani: People of Kurdistan still hopeful of US endorsement for independence dream

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said despite the disappointment of the US opposition to the referendum, the people of Kurdistan are hopeful Washington will still endorse their dream of independence.

In an interview with Fox News, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said the people of the Kurdistan Region were disappointed with the US but still consider them their number one partner.

Barzani explained that the people’s disappointment stemmed from Washington’s opposition to the independence referendum and silence following the vote, referring to the Oct. 16 attacks by the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi militias on Peshmerga forces.

The Prime Minister highlighted the role of Peshmerga who fought the Islamic State (IS) on behalf of the world, adding that the Kurds were expecting the US to stand by them when and if Kurdistan was threatened.

Over 1,846 Peshmerga soldiers have fallen, and more than 10,000 were wounded fighting IS, Barzani noted.

Kurdistan “did not expect that American tanks given to the Iraqi government would be used against them by the [Hashd al-Shaabi],” Barzani told Fox News.

However, the KRG Prime Minister said he believes the people of Kurdistan have hope the US will eventually endorse their ongoing dream of independence.

Barzani explained that the people of the Kurdistan Region have high expectations from the US, adding that the Region cherishes the same values Washington does.

The Prime Minister reiterated Kurdistan’s desire to maintain a long-term partnership and friendship with the US.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany