Nazem Dabbag, the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government in Iran in a round table with Bahram Amir-Ahmadian, researcher of Turkey Issues, and Mehdi Motahhar-Nia, expert and Futurist,  analyzed Racep Tayyip Erdoghan’ new policy in fighting ISIS and P.K.K of which main points followed:

In the answer to the question about the cause of Turkey’s fighting against ISIS and P.K.K Dabbagh told: in my view, Turkey's invasion of ISIS and P.K.K, Suicide Terrorism of Suruc and Turkey’ reaction to that terrorist attack was a scenario as a whole. After being unsuccessful in his regional policy against Syria and establishing Ottoman Empire, Turkey wanted going to regional changing in a new manner, since if it had not had active role in the region, it would have omitted. The second issue was the current election of Turkey. The cabinet now being forced in Turkey conceived if election repeats, by missions against P.K.K and ISIS, it is able to re-obtain all votes that it has lost as a result of the political problems and ISIS in Iraq.     

Dabbagh mentioned about the duties of regional states in this critical situation. He stated: everyone looks at this situation in lens of his benefits. I, as a Kurd, always tell that Kurds should be aware that not going to the core of states contests. I currently in an interview notified that land of Kurds as an Arian race has been Iran. Hence, Iraqi Kurds and Iran could be strategic allies. Without accusation to the turkey to assist ISIS, Dabbagh stated that assistances to the ISIS dispatch by land and the solely land road for helping ISIS is Turkey.  

Dabbagh, in continue, added: in the regional changing US has win much more than other. In my point of view ISIS would not be obliterated. It will get weak but remain. For the ground making it exists in the region and, so, as long as these grounds would not obliterate, ISIS will be alive. The religious, social, economic and even cultural ground for growth of ISIS has stayed alive. 

Ultimately, Dabbagh said: the last issue I want to mention it is that the enemy of Kurdish movement created ISIS, because of this, in the first days that ISIS occupied Mosul, I had a media interview and told that this accident made Kurd and Iraq allied. But I warned that whether ISIS could occupy Baghdad or not, it would assault to Kurdistan Region.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Norway’s Foreign Minister Borge Brende and Norway’s Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide in his office in Salahaddin today. 

In their meeting, President Barzani and the Norwegian Ministers discussed Norway’s role, as part of the international coalition against ISIS, in supporting the peshmerga forces with training and capacity building. They also discussed political developments in the country and in the wider region.

Foreign Minister Brende commended the role of President Barzani in leading the peshmerga forces against ISIS terrorists and for his personal involvement in supervising battles in the front lines against the terrorists. He reiterated his country’s commitment to continue to support the peshmerga forces in confronting the terrorists’ threat. 

President Barzani thanked Norway’s for its support and expressed his hope that this cooperation can be further strengthened. He said the with the support of Norway and other coalition partners the peshmerga forces have been able to stand up to the ISIS terrorists and inflict many losses on them. 
On the political developments in Kurdistan, the President said that what is happening is a natural outcome of a democratic process, emphasizing that the political disputes between the parties have not in any way affected the morale of the peshmerga forces. 

The President and the Norwegian delegation also discussed developments in Syria and in Turkey. On the current conflict between Turkey and the PKK, the President said that the only solution is going back to negotiations, and the KRG is ready to help restart the peace process. 

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran left a note of for Iran Press on Thurseday concerning the terrorist attack to Kurdish youths caravan in Surouch of Turkey of which most important line as followed:

Surouch adjacent to Turkey and Syria border was the scene of a horrible terrorist explosion. Ahmed David Oughlu, the prime minister of Turkey knew ISIS the cause for this suicidal attack. While condemning this terrorist action, he promised to punish the actors. Nevertheless, Turkish Syrian and Iraq Kurds have suffered hurts like Kubane tragedy as a result of the appearance of ISIS, they will not consider Davaid Oughle’s promises sufficient and Pishmerga will arise to take revenge for their innocent youths aiming to help their war-worn mankind.

Regarding Iraq and Syria’s changes it can be realized that Kurds, women in special, men and Pishmergah were the only forces who stood thoroughly against the terrorist group and played the most important roles. In addition, the victory of Democratic People Party of Kurds (HDP) in parliamentary elections of Turkey has given Kurds double strength. Nowadays the enemy of Kurds especially in Iraq, Syria and Turkey are trying to destroy them, as time being the more terrorists acts against Kurds, the better Pishmergah reacts.

Another point that should be noticed is that ISIS is not fed through sky, there are absolutely borders through where army and human aids are reached by ISIS and they are Turkey’s border. The terrorist attack om Monday to Kurdish youths caravan on Turkey border has once more again showed Ankara’s authorities that ISIS is a not a danger to one or two groups but it is an international danger.

Thus it seems that even if Turkey does not agree to withdraw from its foreign policy in the Middle East now, it will in the future. In addition to Turkey other regional countries should be warned the only option against ISIS is the international unity.   

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG in Tehran talking with the reporter of international group of Ana News Agency about the turkey’s attack to P.K.K in Dohuk Province of Kurdistan Region of Iraq by Turkish fighters’ army said: unfortunately it is true, and has caused to kill a number of this group. He continued: due to bombing the positions of P.K.K, Turkey has again made a gap in the process of cease-fire and reconciliation between this group and the government of this country. In my view this strike was great obstruction of peace negotiations. He added: I believe that turkey must not begin to strike P.K.K to solve its problem with this group since it leads no accomplishment but to aggravate the situation. Dabbagh said: as of a yet for a difference of opinion among Turkish authorities and P.K.K in the process of peace there has been disarray, now army attack and bombing the positions of this group by Turkey fighters will absolutely end the negotiations of peace and reconciliation. At the end he said of making call of some KRG authorities with Turkey about bombing P.K.K positions.

News Network of Rudaw, according to eyewitnesses, reported: following these severe bombing four numbers of P.K.K died and the residents of the region abandoned their homes and in a talk a source said PUK media that ten more members of this group injured. The media relating to this group announced that the Turkey army has begun to attack Zaab, Haftanin and Avashin and P.K.K has reacted these strikes.

This is while between Turkey and P.K.K during last two years there was cease-fire and peace negotiations, but P.K.K charged Turkey for dillydallying and killing time in negotiations and political exploitation of it, furthermore Turkish government charged this group to misuse the government operations of peace and started to strike P.K.K positions.   

In response to a question about predicting and analyzing the current conditions in Iraq and Syria, Dabbagh said: every war will finally end and be followed by peace. It cannot be said that a war will continue forever. However to end this hostility groundwork should be laid. Presently reasons causing these conflicts in the region have to be removed until this fighting ends. The reasons are: the benefits of great countries, religion affairs and the countries seeking their benefits through these tenseness’. Relating to Turkey changing its positions against ISIS Dabbagh said: some countries including Turkey on the pretext of supporting opposition of Syria against Bashar Assad have fallen into ISIS’s well. Unlike what Turkey predicted Bashar Assad’s regime not only did not fall in 10 days but it also has resisted for four years. In such conditions Turkey has tried to impose its idea but has failed as of a yet. Now this is Kurds like P.K.K and PYD have shown more resistance against ISIS. Dabbagh added that we should not begin to take revenge from this or that group, but real forces of Shia, Sunni and Kurds have to try to gain their lost rights. Dabbagh said that the war will end and the foreign countries will rush to rebuild the region; and we have to try this process to be managed by politician and leaders.

Concerning this claim that to resist against ISIS Kurds are looking for autonomy Dabbagh said: after World War I, Kurds have been divided in Iran, Syria and Iraq. The historical truth is that Iran has been Kurds’ main homeland. During Iran-Ottoman war Kurds presented in both sides and fought along with their country’s force. After Iraq and Syria had formed a part of Kurdistan was given to Iraq and another part to Iran, Turkey and Syria. The reason Kurds fighting central government has been for their violated rights. If it does not reach its right it will resist. In new Iraq the most important factor making both dictator fall and new Iraq form was Kurds. At the time of Saddam Hussein the Kurdistan Region of Iraq was separated and was given budget by the UN. For instance, the oil of Kirkuk which was pleasure to Kurds during history changed to their misery. Iraq, Turkey and Syria have always considered it allowable to be unfair against Kurds and they have had to resist to and fight to gain their right during the history. Presently Ayatollah Sistani have supported and astonished Kurds and the leader of Kurd, Jalal Talibani. Ayatollah Sistani also said: whoever takes over the leadership of Kurds, Iraq must accept it. In Iran the conditions for Kurds are different. In Iraq, Syria and Turkey Kurds do not want their rights more than what is specified in the constitution and governments has to admit this.

About I.R. of Iran Dabbagh said: Islamic revolution was a positive point for us since one of the enemies of Kurds was former Shah of Iran. After Islamic revolution’s victory, Iran has turned out to be a strong and safe shelter Iraqi Kurds and poor people of Iraq. Indeed it is a shelter for Iraqi fighters. Generally speaking I deem Islamic revolution as an event of the century. We Kurds owe to Iran, for Iran’s support has helped Kurds to be strengthened. About imperialism Dabbagh said it is we that lay the ground for them to penetration. About how to establish security in Iraq, the most strategy is to strengthen the unity, Dabbagh said. To justify this claim he mentioned the historical witnesses at the time of Saddam and occupying Mosul just by ISIS’ 300-400 forces.                    

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in Iran, mentioning that Iran have been having positive relation with Kurds, especially with ones of Iraq and always been helping them in though conditions, said to the reporter of Aftab News Agancy: it can even be said that Iran has supported Iraq; whether military or charitably. In tough conditions Iran offered us shelter, especially whatever Iran did for Kurds in Halabcheh crime will be kept in Kurds’ memory. Iran opened its border to homeless families and international reporters to come to see the bitter fact happening in Halabcheh. By Iran we could announce this criminal act of Saddam to the world followed by good reactions. He continued to mention the volume of exchanges and different borders considered to deal with Iran.

Indicating bombing in Kubaney and the death of Kurdish youths ready to help Kurds of Kubane and Syria, Dabbagh said: unfortunately this explosion left lots of hurts and martyrs, if this is no scenario on the behalf of some, has caused Turkey to realize that ISIS is a danger to them, as well. Presently we have witnessed the Turkey fighters bombed ISIS’ positions. However, unfortunately it has caused the ceasefire to be violated. For the operations of Turkish fighters on the border of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq has made riot among Kurds in Turkish cities. I advise that they should not think of war since it is not beneficial to anyone. It is necessary to mention we have to enjoy the experience of Iran and 5+1 nuclear negotiations.

The representative of KRG in Iran said the international governments should understand that ISIS is a threat to the world, humanity and civilized world and added: ISIS does not even show compassion to ancient areas. ISIS has created fear and violation on the behalf of Islam for people. I want to say that to take revenge from a country one must not use ISIS, but other tools.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - In a statement, the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers, condemned the Turkish air strike on Zargali village in the District of Rawanduz, martyring eight people, five of whom are villagers from the Kurdistan Region.

Following is the text of the statement:

Following Turkish air raid on Zargali village in the District of Rawanduz early this morning, eight people, five of whom are from the Kurdistan Region, were martyred and a number of others were wounded.

We condemn the martyrdom of Kurdistan Region citizens and targeting its villages. We call on Turkey to stay away from all forms of strike against villages and other populated areas of the Kurdistan Region. At the same time we call on the Kurdistan Workers' Party, PKK, to keep their forces and their headquarters away from villages and populated areas, to avoid targeting citizens of the Kurdistan Region and becoming victims of the conflict between them and Turkey.

We call on both sides to return to direct negotiations. We are ready to offer any required assistance in this regard.

Presidency of the Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers
1 August 2015

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, yesterday received a delegation from People’s Democratic Party, HDP, led by Turkish parliament member, Osman Baydemir, and several representatives of the party in Kurdistan Region and Turkey.

The members of the delegation expressed their condolences to the government and the people of Kurdistan Region on the killing of a number of civilians in last week’s Turkish air attack on Zargali village in the Kurdistan Region.

The delegation visited the Region in order to investigate the incidence.

The members of the delegation also shed light on the situation of the Kurdish people in the region in general, describing it as fragile and necessitates cooperation among all the political sides and protect the unity of rank in the face of the challenges ahead for the region in general and the Kurdistan people in particular.

The two sides also discussed the peace process in Turkey and the recent confrontations between Turkey and Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK. They stressed that the current tension cannot be solved militarily, but only through peaceful means.

In this regard, Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed that the Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, is ready to play its role in helping to revive the peace process in Turkey and resume negotiations between the two sides.

Regarding the civilian casualties in the recent confrontation between Turkey and PKK, Prime Minister Barzani said that PKK guerrillas should move away from villages and populated areas, and Turkey also must not target civilians in search for PKK guerrillas.

He pointed out that large numbers of civilian population have abandoned their villages in the border areas for fear of possible bombardments. 

Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed that the current tension cannot be solved militarily, calling on both sides to return to the negotiation table.