In a message addressed to French President Francois Hollande, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris today.

“On behalf of myself and the people of Kurdistan, I would like to express my condolences to you, the French people, and the families of the victims of today’s terrorist attack, and I strongly condemn this inhumane and cowardly act,” said the President.

“In this sad day, the people of Kurdistan, who are currently fighting the most barbaric kind of terrorism, stand with the people of France. I am confident that terrorism will be defeated and humanity will prevail.”

In his New Year message, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani expressed his hope that 2015 will be a year of prosperity and happiness for the people of Kurdistan, and the end of terror and fundamentalism.

He pied tribute to the brave peshmerga who sacrificed their lives fighting against the ISIS terrorists.

The President also expressed his hope that in 2015, all IDPs and refugees in Kurdistan will return to their homes.

Ardeshir Pashang from Iranian Diplomacy conducted an interview with Dr. Mohammad Seddigh Ahmad, the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran concerning military confrontation of KRG with ISIS of which important lines as followed:

Mohammad Seddigh Ahmad (Jegarkhwein) the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq while mentioning that presently the war conditions indicate the strength and sturdiness of the deployment of Pishmerga military forces and their being strengthened with heavy weapon announced superiority Pishmega forces in conflict front with extremist terrorists and Takfiri of ISIS in present condition and said: the will and the ability of Pishmerga forces to defend Kurdistan, Kurdish and Iraqi people are so strong; these forces have lots of experiences of classic and specially guerilla wars; therefore the broad area of over 1500km of fronts and confrontation with suicidal attacks require special situations that luckily Pishmerga forces have gained the power. Whereas I should say this news that during recent days Kurdish Pishmerga have been able to inflict the most hit and human losses on ISIS which has been so considerable as compared with late couple weeks.

He continued to say by Mr. Barzani’s order to call reserved forces to support military operation against ISIS and then added that military operation of USA could inflict great hit on ISIS and we hope it to be continued.

Dr. Ahmad continued that in spite of public, military and political power KRG is not such powerful in economic and presently cannot accept refugees over 1million. He went on that all Iraq’s and the Region’s friends and allies including Iran have helped this government. Some Kurdish authorities appreciated Tehran due to these aides. In addition Dr. Ahmad while mentioning Mr. Yunosi’s talk, special assistant of the president in tribal and religious affairs said: I am so pleased that he as the representative of Iran government announced his position and opinion about sustained losses against Kurds and following dangers and this support has caused us to be happy and warm.

The deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran about the soon fall of Shengal and Zumar said firstly these two towns were under the control of Iraq army, secondly Pishmerga forces presence was limited in these towns and at last unusual kind of ISIS attack typically accompanied with unrecorded violence and cruelty against civilians was considered the reason of the fall.

He said major withdraws of KRG were in the regions which regarding military geography were less important and were carried out on a completely limited level and according to definite military tactics to save civilians’ lives. At last he deemed the civilians’ conditions of Shengal mounts so painful and bitter and said about the emergence of human disaster of Izadi Kurdish refugees in this mount. He added that this disastrous condition had a nationwide reflection; and even followed the announcement of Security Council. He said many of old people and children have lost their lives for killing heat, thirstiness and hungriness. Now most of them due to air-aiding on the behalf of the USA and Iraq forces have been transferred to a safe place.