Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- A statement was released by the Kurdistan Region Presidency today regarding the new outlined strategy by the Obama administration vis-a-vis the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS. The statement commences by stating that the terror displayed by ISIS is not only a threat against Iraq and Syria but rather against the free world in its entirety.

The statement also states that the Kurdistan Region Presidency finds pride in the fact that the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdistan Region are in the forefront of the war against terrorism, a war which not only affects the people of the Kurdistan Region, but also the free world as a whole.

President Obama's new strategy of taking ISIS as a direct enemy and launching a campaign against the Islamic State, the statement says is welcomed and appreciated by the Kurdistan Region Presidency, and that such actions should be undertaken by other anti-terrorism forces in the free world. The new U.S. strategy will certainly work towards weakening the ISIS with the ultimate aim of eradication.

The Kurdistan Region has witnessed displacement of tens of thousands of Yezidi, Christian and Turkmen citizens in the recent months as a direct result of the terrorism of ISIS. The statement adds that the Kurdistan Region has allocated and shall continue to allocate its financial and other resources in its war against terrorism.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed French President François Hollande in Erbil on Friday.

After his arrival in Erbil, President Hollande and President Barzani visited a refugee camp in a district in Erbil, and later held a meeting. President Hollande, the first foreign head of state to visit Erbil, was accopamnbied by Foreign Minister Laurent Fabios and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Following their meeting with President Barzani and KRG officials, the two Presidents held a joint press conference.

President Hollande said France would continue to provide humanitarian and military aid to Kurdistan in its fight against ISIS terrorists. He said that as the Kurdistan Region is at the forefront of the fight against ISIS terrorists, a delegation from Kurdistan is invited to attend an international conference, due in Paris next week, designed to coordinate international effort to confront threat posed by ISIS terrorists.

The French President also highly praised the role of the Peshmerga forces in this fight and pledged increased military aid to the Peshmerga forces. 

President Barzani described the visit to Kurdistan by President Hollande as historic and thanked the president and people of France for standing by the people of Kurdistan in their hour of need, saying that France was first EU country to come to the aid of Kurdistan in the fight against ISIS terrorists. He also added that thanks to the support by France and other countries, the Peshmrega forces are now taking the fight to ISIS and have the upper hand. President Barzani vowed that the Kurdistan Region would continue to fight until the ISIS terrorist group is uprooted and destroyed.

Following Mohammad javad Zarif’s travel to Kurdistan region of Iraq Diplomacy Irani had an interview with Dr. Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran of which main points as followed:

Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad believes both sides have special place in their own foreign policy for each other and the foreign minister’s travel to the region at this time denotes Iran’s nation’s support from Iraq’s and Kurdistan’s people. KRG of Iraq has turn out to be the most important confrontation center with ISIS and Pishmerga forces more than any other groups have fought them. Thus to support Kurdistan’s people and military forces against this increasingly international threat is so much important to the neighboring country and I.R. of Iran as a regional power was the first country which in this direction gave precious help to KR.

About the outcomes of this travel he said I as an international researcher believe that despite of this suppress Kurds are a fact in the region. Nowadays Kurds concern is no longer an interior matter of Iraq but a regional and international. Iran is known as the origin of foreign Kurds. In spite of respecting the national benefits and the principle of foreign policy of Iran I have to say that Iran has not taken any advantages of this in spite of all these powers and effective equipment.  

Thus Dr. Zarif’s travel to Iraq at this time represents the relation of both sides as sturdy and inseparable. Definitely Kurds know Iran as their motherland wherever they are and appreciate the relation to be developed. Dr. Ahmad believes that KRG sees Shia as a strategic ally, nevertheless the occurred differences are between the Region and Iraq governments but the Shia. In the direction of solving these problems, I.R. of Iran regarding having ties with both sides can play a prominent role to converge them. Thus the important point about this is concerning establishing balance on the relations with Shia, Kurds and Sunni of Iraq in foreign policy of Tehran in Iraq.

In a response to last question, Dr. Ahmad believes that the matter of Kurdistan independency from Iraq is in the field of the right of self-determination. The policies of KRG also are according to keep peace and stability in the KRG and region. Our collaboration with Tehran is not limited to a period of time. So the short-time crises cannot create basic changes in our policy.            

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in an interview with Nasim Bidary Monthly, concerning current situation in Iraq, resulting from the attack and occupation of Mosul made by ISIS, gave some speeches of which main phrases as followed:

In a response to the first question he answered that one of our concerns with Mr. Maliki dates back to his employing security and intelligence forces of Ba’ath in the body of the Army of Iraq and its security constructions. He said that KRG authorities along with some Shia political personifications about this warned Mr. Maliki many times, but he underestimated our warning.

Dabbagh continued to introduce ISIS and considered it derived from Ba’ath. Since just the same as Ba’ath he would follow to unify Iraq and Syria. Dabbagh added that 13 terrorist groups came to an agreement to occupy Mosul. He said the former officers of Ba’ath regime were employed in military and information positions who separated from the Army and joined ISIS.

Also Dabbagh stated that witnesses denote that ISIS forces were only 3000 when they attacked to Mosul. But the sleeping kernels including those 13 groups join ISIS. Thus Mosul with two millions only within six hours was under ISIS’s control. In a response to a question Dabbagh mentioned the three main political groups of Iraq including Kurds, Sunni and Shia and recited the interior grouping concisely. Furthermore he said that before ISIS attacking to Mosul nobody said he was a Kurd, Shia or Sunni. Presently such phrases no longer are made. He frankly said now Iraq has divided into three federals.

Additionally he said that after ISIS attacking to Mosul Pishmerga forces approached the regions in dispute between Iraq and KR, they did this to prevent this region from being occupied by ISIS and took the control of the posts. Another concern between the central government and KR is Kirkuk. In his view Kirkuk itself matters so much to Kurds but its oil. To prove that whether this area is a part of Kurds or not, the maps and historical documents should be referred.

About the Army fall against ISIS he added that in spite of Maliki’s spending $27 billion for the Army it did not put up any resistances against ISIS forces just having Kalashnikov and R.P.G. the reason was that the people was dissatisfied with the government and the authority did not believe in the central government.

He said presently ISIS has taken the control of three million people in a wide area that is larger KR and central government country. To control the people and the regions increasing day by day ISIS needs a budget. Thus the attempt to Kirkuk having oil and Biji having refinery is possible.

Dabbagh said adopting non-democratic policy from Maliki caused Sunni and Kurdish political groups were not such encouraged to collaborate with the government. Their cooperation with the government is just accordance with the benefits based on the number of seats of the parliament. In a such situation it is possible for Sunni and Shia to fight. In this fighting we will just preserve our region and will not support neither sides.

He continued to say the cases in dispute with Baghdad such as the regions under quarrel and oil in special in Kirkuk and added that Maliki’s second government was basically founded in Erbil, but then after being formed of the government they neglected all agreements and he know the reason as Baghdad concern for the Region’s getting power through oil sources.

Concerning Ms. Clinton’s charge of Iraq government’s being affected by Iran he said presently both the USA and Iran support Iraq government, nevertheless the concern of Iraq now is Mr. Maliki’s being unsuccessful in the post of Prime Ministry of Iraq. Dabbagh turned down the loss of a national personification and said Mr. Talibani is national one for all Iraqis. Additionally the president of KRG cannot act as the chairman of the parliament or as the president of the government.

The past indicates that Mr. Talibani’s policies were convergent with the policy of unity maintenance. He said now Iraq needs a Gandhi. He added that after eight years of having the reign it is better Mr. Maliki give this up and somebody else from the same party substitutes for him. At last Mr. Dabbagh said presently in Iraq there are national personifications, the politicians who have fought during history, they can be employed provided that they want Iraq to be preserved.        

Following Mohammad javad Zarif’s recent travel, International Peace Studies Centre held a talk with Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran in order to study the different aspects of this travel of which details as followed:

In Mr. Dabbagh’s view this travel is so important especially when Mr. Zarif was welcomed by Masoud Barzani and Nechirvan Barzani.

In his opinion this travel states the importance of security and tranquility of KR of Iraq in foreign policy of I.R. of Iran and this collaboration more than anything is for confronting ISIS, Dabbagh continued this travel was done after ISIS’s attack to KR and after being appointed of the president, the chairman of parliament and the prime minister, nevertheless thereby I.R. of Iran intends to support this country to confront with ISIS by doing so the new government of Iraq. The representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran regarding Kurdish parties’ attitudes towards Mr. Zarif’s travel said all parties of KR had a positive opinion and view about this.

Mr. Dabagh said undoubtedly the presence of Mr. Zarif in the field of Iraq policy and his support of the way concerning solving current problems among Iraqi, Kurdish, Sunni and Shia groups will be a positive role. As Mr. Zarif said: we support to solve all problems existing in the agreements and contracts between KRG of Iraq and federal government. Dabbagh added that this travel would lead to more cooperation between Tehran and KR.

In a response to a question he replied that their political positions rely on the current political situations but demands. Since the current situation happened in Iraq results from the mismanagement and if these reasons change so will the outcome. Kurds are obedient to the constitute and following the agreements between Iraq and Kurds and Iraq groups, which Foreign Minister of Iran emphasized, cause all problems to be solved and to found a new, common and pervasive Iraq is the best guarantee for all groups.    

Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received Canada’s Ambassador Bruno Saccomani to discuss the recent visit of the Canadian Foreign Minister to Erbil and discuss the latest humanitarian and security developments.

Prime Minister Barzani conveyed his government’s gratitude to Canada for its important role in providing humanitarian aid to the Kurdistan Region to help alleviate the crisis and assist the displaced, noting the successful visit of Canada’s Foreign Minister last week. The Prime Minister appreciated that Canada was among the first countries to come forward and support the Kurdistan Region in its fight against terrorism.

The Prime Minister and the Ambassador discussed the international effort to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) terrorists and the establishment of an international coalition against the terrorists. Prime Minister Barzani welcomed the NATO coalition to combat the terrorists that followed the initiative of the United States, adding that he hoped the outcome of such a coalition would lead to tangible results on the ground.

Ambassador Saccomani commended the Peshmerga forces, fighting terrorist on all fronts, for their courage and for their victories over the past several days. Prime Minister Barzani explained that the people and the government of the Kurdistan Region are proud of their Peshmerga forces and urged the international community to support the Peshmerga in every way possible so that they are fully equipped to fight the terrorist militants.

Finally, both sides stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and Canada. The Prime Minister lauded Ambassador Saccomani’s role in furthering this relationship. The Ambassador noted that a Canadian trade delegation would visit Kurdistan early next year to help expand economic relations, an initiative welcomed by Prime Minister Barzani.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services in the US Senate, Carl Levin on Wednesday.

In their meeting in Salahaddin, President Barzani and Senator Levin discussed the fight against ISIS terrorists and the political process to form a new government in Baghdad.

Senator Levin said that the people of America admire and feel very close to the Kurdish people, and expressed their support for the Kurdistan Region peshmerga forces in fighting terrorists. He also expressed his admiration for the KRG for protecting Yezidi, Christian and other minorities, and for the traditions of peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance that exist in Kurdistan.

For his part, President Barzani thanked the US President, government and people for their military and humanitarian support in this fight and stressed that the Peshmerga forces are capable to take the fight to ISIS terrorists provided they are supplied with the right weapons. He said that with the support of the US military air strikes, the Peshmerga have made several gains recently and they would continue to push the terrorists back.

Both sides agreed that defeating terrorists needs collective action and cooperation by all sides and that political progress in Baghdad has the potential to offer an opportunity for peace and stability in the country.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird in Salahaddin today.

The President and the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister discussed Canada’s humanitarian and military support for the KRG, the fight against the ISIS terrorists, and the political process in Baghdad.

Foreign Minister Baird praised the leadership of President Barzani and the role of the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces for standing up to ISIS terrorists and said that Canada stands shoulder to shoulder with the KRG in this fight. He added that his country would continue to support the KRG with humanitarian aid and military equipment. Mr. Baird also paid tribute to the peshmerga for their sacrifices in protecting and saving Yezidi, Christian, and other minorities and for offering a safe refuge for them. He said the world appreciates the KRG and its leadership for their generosity towards the IDPs and refuges.

President Barzani thanked Foreign Minister Baird for visiting Kurdistan, saying that the visit in itself is a strong message support and solidarity to our people. The President also thanked Canada and all other countries for their humanitarian and military support and for standing by the people and government of Kurdistan.

Both the President and the Canadian Foreign Minister agreed that the ISIS terrorists pose a threat to the whole world and confronting them needs cooperation and collective action by all sides.

They also discussed efforts to form an inclusive government in Baghdad. President Barzani said that the KRG would do its best to ensure a genuinely inclusive government is formed in Baghdad.