KHANAQIN, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani promised Peshmerga forces they would soon have advanced weapons in their fight to defend their borders, and said the forces have not occupied any territories outside Kurdish lands.
“I assure you that in the near future we put advanced weapons at your disposal,” Barzani said to a group of military officials and Peshmerga fighters in Khanaqin. “We are now trying to acquire advanced weapons for you, though your will is stronger than all weapons.”
He praised the Peshmerga for their resistance against militants of the Islamic State (IS/ISIS), who have engaged the Kurdish forces in daily battles not far from Khanaqin.
“We know you have been under intense pressure but you have stood like the mountains and have not let the enemy do any harm to Kurdistan,” he said. “You face death in order to give life to your people.”
Peshmerga forces have been battling unceasing attacks from IS in the town of Jalawla that was wrested from the militants only last week, after a loss of more than 20 Peshmerga lives.
“You the Peshmerga have guaranteed a kind of security and safety in Kurdistan where 1.2 million Iraqi refugees have now come in search of shelter,” said Barzani. “This is an honor achieved by you.”
Khanaqin has been under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) since 2003, but since June the Peshmerga have established a foothold in large parts of northern Diyala, Kirkuk and Nineveh.
The president dismissed claims that Kurdish forces have occupied territories outside their region: “In Baghdad they complain and say that Peshmerga have occupied territories, but we ask them ‘if the Peshmerga leave, will you be able to defend these areas? Why didn’t you protect it before?’”
He was referring to the Iraqi army, which collapsed and melted away in the face of IS attacks in the early days of their advance in Iraq’s Sunni regions.
“The Peshmerga haven’t occupied any territories,” Barzani added. “They are only protecting the people.”
Barzani said that the Kurds try to defend their land and that none of the efforts “for the past 100 years to build a democratic Iraq” has worked.
“The Kurds did their best to build a new democratic and federal Iraq where a culture of existence would prevail,” said Barzani of the Kurdish participation in Iraqi politics after the regime change in 2003. “But sadly, despite all the efforts the other parties are not willing to live together or keep Iraq together.”
The president hinted that the Kurds may soon have to go their separate way.
“As long as we live with Baghdad we will try to solve the problems, but in the meantime we will continue our strategic policies because the time has come for the Kurds to decide their future,” he said.
“We don’t want anyone to blame us later,” he added. “We will live on friendly terms with everyone, but we cannot wait for an uncertain future forever.”
He said the Kurds had done what they could for Iraq’s integrity, but it did not work: “So we have no choice but to think of our own people’s future,” said Barzani.
Advising the Peshmerga and their commanders, the Kurdish president said, “I ask you to not ever underestimate your enemy.”
“We must always be on guard,” he concluded. “Our road ahead is long and with many challenges.”
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