Masrour Barzani calls for Kurdistan-Iraq amicable divorce

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Separation from Iraq is the only option left for the people of Kurdistan Region, KRSC Chancellor Masrour Barzani said on Friday.

In a comprehensive analysis published in an American outlet, Washington Post, the Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region (KRSC) Masrour Barzani explained Iraq's failure as a state and the Kurdish move toward independence.

“Iraq is a conceptual failure, compelling peoples with little in common to share an uncertain future. It is time to acknowledge that the experiment has not worked. Iraq is a failed state, and our continued presence within it condemns us all to unending conflict and enmity,” Barzani said.

He mentions that now instability has surrounded the people of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region. “Eleven years after the tyranny of Saddam Hussein ended, Iraq was exposed for what it is: a country that cannot protect its people and can barely define its interests.”

In June 2014, Islamic State (IS) emerged in Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul. Following their invasion, Iraqi army failed to protect the city and escaped to Kurdistan Region, leaving all their weapons and ammunition to jihadists.

In another part of the analysis, Barzani mentions that agreements with Baghdad get signed but almost never get enacted by Iraqi officials. “Promises and obligations get ignored that many of them are constitutional.”

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad relations have gone worse in the last few years. It started in the beginning of 2014 when Iraqi government blocked the Region’s budget. KRG accuses the federal government of violating bilateral agreements and the constitution of Iraq.

“There is simply no trust between us and the central government. The relationship is irreconcilable,” he added.

“We have tried everything possible with the central government, and nothing has worked. A separation is the only option remaining,” Barzani continued. “We want to move ahead with a vote on independence, but we must first work with Baghdad to pave the way for an amicable split that secures our mutual interests.”

On Wednesday, Barzani met US Senator Marco Robio and his accompanied delegates in Erbil. During the meeting, Barzani stated that KRG tried its best to protect unity and coexistence in Iraq, but now the country is practically divided.

Baghdad officials neither believe in partnership nor share power, Barzani told the US delegates.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Ava Homa