ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Adil al-Manna, a Kuwaiti political analyst and journalist, said that many countries in the world are ready to assist the Peshmarga forces. Al-Manna told Rudaw that, “There is a possibility that the Arab states will assist the Peshmarga forces militarily and financially, because extremism does not only threaten Syria and Iraq, but the entire world. We all have a responsibility to fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). We all must work to prevent this organization from exporting terrorism to other countries and the neighbors of Iraq and Syria.” Regarding direct assistance from the Arab states to the Peshmarga forces, al-Manna said, “This issue is being discussed among the governments of the Arab Gulf states, and I believe all the Gulf States are willing to support the Peshmarga because they have very good ties with the Kurdistan Region. ISIS is a common threat and the Gulf States are looking for a way to support those who fight against it.” Al-Manna also said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has constantly fought against radical groups such as al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda, Ansar al-Sharia, and many other organizations. Now there is also the fight against ISIS, everyone needs the Peshmarga forces as we saw what happened in Shangal and Kobani. The Kurdish forces were able to hold their ground against ISIS and stop their advances.” The Kuwaiti analyst also talked about the importance of the visit by the President of Kurdistan Region to the Arab Gulf States, “The visit by the President of Kurdistan Region was influential, because the President Barzani is a respected leader among the Arab Gulf States. We all share and feel the suffering of Kurdistan Region. We know about the stability that emerged in Kurdistan Region after forcing the Iraqi army to retreat from Kuwait and the collapse of Saddam’s regime. The visit of Barzani had a positive impact, especially for the fact that Kurdistan Region is sheltering hundreds of thousands refugees.” Regarding the question of an independent Kurdish state, al-Manna said, “Frankly speaking, the Arab States do not support an independent Kurdish state, because the majority of the Kurds live in Turkey and Iran. Also Iran will never allow the formation of such a state. An international decision in this regard might become more influential for supporting a Kurdish state.”
