A senior PUK and KDP official say Kurdish unity is vital to protect rights, resolve crises, and face Baghdad together.
A senior official from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Erbil told The Kurdish Globe that unity among Kurdistan’s political forces is essential in this critical phase, as a unified stance could bolster the Region’s position during times of crisis.
“It’s crucial that political parties confront the current challenges with one voice,” the official stressed, noting that parties across the political spectrum are hopeful they can overcome the ongoing turmoil by working together.
Recent days have witnessed a series of joint meetings between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK, leading to the formation of a united delegation to negotiate with Baghdad. These efforts follow previous KDP-led initiatives that gathered political parties in a broader meeting to encourage a unified Kurdish position.
Speaking on the importance of this unified stance, Ashwaq Jaff, a senior member of the KDP’s Central Committee, told The Kurdish Globe: “Unity and coordination among all political factions in the Kurdistan Region is essential for protecting the rights of our people. Especially in this sensitive period, it’s not just the KDP and PUK — all parties must adopt a common voice and take collective decisions to resolve the crises.”
She added: “Right now, forming a new KRG cabinet and activating parliament are the most critical steps to protect citizens and uphold Kurdish rights. With a functioning cabinet and parliament, we can face threats directed at Kurdistan with a joint plan and united front. Some say we do not participate in meetings or that we are simply following the KDP’s lead — that’s not true. The KDP wants everyone involved in every decision. A unified message and shared responsibility are crucial. Political parties must urgently agree on a capable and effective cabinet.”
The Kurdish Globe has observed that recent months of inter-party dialogue have brought key political forces closer together, making the Baghdad delegation more representative and effective in defending Kurdish rights. Commenting on this, Hakem Salah Bapir, spokesperson for PUK’s Branch 3, told The Kurdish Globe: “Unity and a common Kurdish stance — especially between the KDP and PUK — are essential now and going forward. Experience shows that whenever Kurdish parties are divided, adversaries of Kurdistan seize the opportunity. We’ve seen the pressure from Baghdad when the Region was disunited. But when the KDP, PUK, and other parties came closer, we were more successful in demanding Kurdish rights from Baghdad.”
He added: “Political parties must work to strengthen the structure of the Kurdistan Region and confront crises with a unified message. That’s in the interest of both the parties and the people. Baghdad has created numerous problems for Kurdistan, especially over salaries. The relationship between Erbil and Baghdad has grown more strained, and we must collectively find a way to resolve these issues.”
The ongoing efforts by Kurdistan’s political parties to establish a unified Kurdish stance remain a critical priority — and one that must continue. This demand is echoed by the people of Kurdistan, who are calling for a collective response to rising challenges, including salary disputes, drone strikes on vital oil fields, the resurgence of ISIS, and the unresolved issue of Article 140.
These are not isolated threats — they require a united front to address them effectively. A cohesive Kurdish voice could not only help resolve these pressing issues but also reduce internal political tensions. As the Kurdistan Region approaches a pivotal Iraqi parliamentary election, inter-party coordination is essential to ensure stability and secure the Region’s political and social future.
The Kurdish Globe