'Iraq should be split into three entities'
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Federation has failed in Iraq and the country has to be divided into three separate entities, said a top Kurdish official on Thursday.
The Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Masrour Barzani stated that confederation in Iraq is the best solution that will allow Kurds, Sunnis and Shiagovern and manage their own territories.
“Federation hasn't worked, so it has to be either confederation or full separation. If we have three confederated states, we will have three equal capitals, so one is not above the other,” Barzani told Reuters.
The president of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani has called on holding an independence referendum in Kurdistan. "If partnership cannot be achieved, let us be brothers and good neighbors," President Barzani said earlier in May.
During the interview with Reuters, Chancellor Barzani pointed out that Sunnis should have the right to rule their areas in the north and west of Iraq where they are the majority.
"What we are offering is a solution," he said. "This doesn't mean they live under one roof but they can be good neighbors. Once they feel comfortable that they have a bright and secure future, they can start cooperating."
Barzani stated that the Sunni people of Iraq have been marginalized by the Shia leadership in Baghdad and that has helped the Islamic State (IS) to easily control Sunni- populated areas in the country.
He also highlighted the importance of Mosul liberation, the key Sunni city from IS and stated, "I think the most important part is how you manage Mosul after Daesh is defeated. We don't want to see a gap after liberation and a vacuum, which will probably turn into chaos."
Kurdistan Region is home to 1.8 million refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). As the offensive to liberate areas around Mosul has already started by the Iraqi security and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, people continuously flee from IS-controlled areas and arrive at Peshmerga front lines.
Editing by Ava Homa
