Washington will not prevent Kurdish independence: Ret. US General

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (Kurdistan24) – The United States would not stand in the way of Kurdistan’s independence if a referendum were agreed upon, according to a retired US Army General.

During a live broadcast interview with Kurdistan24, retired Brigadier General Ernie Audino said the US shared the same goals as the Kurdistan Region.

Audino pointed to shared interests regarding US foreign policy, the Islamic State (IS) war, and the balance of power in the Middle East.

Additionally, the retired General said President-elect Donald Trump supported Kurds whom he believed are a “strong ally.”

Moreover, Audino pointed to Trump’s “realistic advisors” in the region who recognized the value of Kurds in the fight against terror.

The former US Army General suggested Trump’s new administration would facilitate the direct arming of Kurdish Peshmerga forces instead of sending weapons to Baghdad first.

In another part of the interview, Audino stressed the importance of Kurdish unity especially after the imminent defeat of IS.

The former General warned there were other powers who may encourage disunity among the Kurdish leadership.

“I believe that there are regional powers who will begin to try to encourage divisions within Kurdish leadership and within Kurdistan,” Audino told Kurdistan24.

“Americans have recognized what the Kurds have been doing,” Audino said referring to the Kurdish victories against IS.

Additionally, he explained the US would not prevent Kurds from gaining their desired independence once a referendum was decided.

“There’s good talk in DC that should the Kurds decide to go forth with the referendum and pursue independence that nobody in [Washington] is going to stand in the way,” he concluded.

Editing by Ava Homa

(Rahim Rashidi arranged the interview from Washington, DC)