The British newspaper Financial Times published a report on Sunday, September 27, containing several statements by Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
However, the KRG Prime Minister’s Media Office said that the headline and interpretation of the report did not accurately reflect Barzani’s remarks and position on the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Iraq. The office said the report included interpretations and conclusions that did not reflect the Prime Minister’s actual words.
Barzani said the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Iraq comes at a sensitive time, while the Kurdistan Region has faced more than 1,000 missile and drone attacks. He said leaving the Kurdistan Region without providing any defense system is a concern and that continued instability in Iraq’s security situation poses a threat to the federal system.
“We are friends and allies of the United States, but at the same time, we want to maintain good relations with all of our neighbors, including Iran,” Barzani said.
He said the Kurdistan Region has ongoing relations and dialogue with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and has always reiterated that the region is never part of any war or conflict and poses no threat to any side.
Barzani also said Iranian opposition forces have been in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for many years, dating back to the era of the former regime of Saddam Hussein.
He said the Kurdistan Region supports Federal Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in confronting corruption, disarming militias, and resolving the issues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad on the basis of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister said the Kurdistan Region is ready for any cooperation with the federal government to increase public revenues and address various obstacles and challenges.
He also said efforts and discussions to reactivate the Kurdistan Parliament and form a new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government are continuing.
