KRG requests Iran not interfere in Iraq, Kurdistan internal affairs

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations responded to comments made by the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson on the Kurdistan Region’s intent to hold an independence referendum.

On Tuesday, the KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations (DFR) expressed the Kurdistan Region’s concern over a statement made by the spokesperson of Iranian Foreign Ministry which addressed the people of Kurdistan's right to self-determination.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bahram Qassemi said on Monday that Kurds are an important component of Iraq and should not work to harm the unity of the country.

Responding to a reporter’s question on the referendum and Kurdish independence during a press conference, Qassemi stated Kurds had secured many of their rights in the constitution of Iraq, within the frame of a sovereign and united country.

“[Iran] will strongly stand against any measures taken with the aim to tear Iraq into pieces,” Qassemi informed.

The DFR rejected the statement by the Iranian official, underscoring that the people of Kurdistan are naturally entitled to the right to self-determination as they have made enormous sacrifices to guarantee it and will continue their struggle to achieve their noble and righteous objectives.

“As previously announced by the KRG, the referendum and Kurdish independence is an Iraqi internal matter, and it will be maintained through dialogue and agreement with the federal government in Baghdad,” the statement read.

“We reject any statement out of this context," it added, reaffirming that “the interference by any side would be unacceptable.”

The DFR concluded that holding a referendum and the deciding on independence is a right reserved to the people of Kurdistan.

Editing by G. H. Renaud