BAGHDAD, Iraq — The leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, arrived in Baghdad on Thursday for the first time since the independence referendum and events of October 2017. His trip is being hailed as a new page in relations between the regional and federal governments.
After being received at the airport he was hosted by new Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi.
They each spoke briefly to reporters. Abdul-Mahdi said they were "honored" by Barzani's visit.
“Mr. Masoud is the president of the Kurdistan Region. He is a big engineer in building relations not only in Iraq but the region and the world. We are welcoming a great leader," said Abdul-Mahdi.
Nothing was publicly revealed regarding budget or oil deals.
They agreed to call each other "Abu Masrour" and "Abu Hashim" as a sign of friendship, referring to their sons.
"In the beginning of the meeting, we said it would be the biggest honor for each of us personally, bigger than other titles because they represent friendship, brotherhood, and the long shared history between us," explained Abdul-Mahdi.
“Our relationship is an old one," added Abdul-Mahdi, wishing for more meetings.
For his part, Barzani described the current premier as having "a large role" in shaping the new Iraq.
"Here, we express our full support to brother Dr. Adil Abdul-Mahdi. We will communicate in the future and cooperate to strengthen this relationship and this trust — which was already strong, to resolve the complications," said Barzani.
Abdul-Mahdi and his family have been active on the political scene through regime change.
"Trust was built between us during difficult circumstances. We contributed together, before the fall of the regime, and following the fall of the regime," added Barzani.
Barzani explained further the depth of their friendship.
"A wise man was asked: ‘Do you love your brother or friend more?’ He said, ‘My brother if he was my friend’. You, Abu Hashm, are my brother and friend. I will express, here, our full support to brother Dr. Adil Abil Abdul-Mahdi," he said.
Masoud Barzani's delegation was joined by his son Masrour, who is head of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC).
Rudaw reporter Sangar Abdul-Rahman was told Abdul-Mahdi had previously apologized for not being able to receive Masoud Barzani at the airport. Prior to the meeting, Abdul-Mahdi tweeted a welcome to Barzani.
رئيس مجلس الوزراء السيد عادل عبد المهدي @AdilAbdAlMahdi يستقبل رئيس الحزب الديمقراطي الكردستاني السيد مسعود بارزاني@masoud_barzani. pic.twitter.com/aRmGgYt2ZE
— PM Media Office (@IraqiPMO) November 22, 2018
‘Opening a new door’
Barzani later said that his trip south was a show of support for Abdul-Mahdi.
"I have visited Baghdad to support the new opportunity that has come forward for Iraq,” he said in a press conference with Hadi al-Amiri after meeting with the leader of the Fatih Alliance.
During the war against ISIS, Amiri was head of the Iran-backed Badr Organization, one of the militias of the Hashd al-Shaabi. Relations between Kurds and the Hashd are strained with Kurds accusing elements within the Shiite militias of attacks and ethnic discrimination, especially in the disputed areas of Kirkuk.
Barzani and Amiri spoke positively of their discussion on Thursday.
Amiri stressed that the Peshmerga and Hashd al-Shaabi “fought ISIS together” and said they “are forging a strong partnership.”
"We want to share the same future and resolve our problem with a spirit of brotherhood,” he said.
Amiri said he hopes efforts to confront corruption will continue, cities and towns will be rebuilt after the war with ISIS, displaced Iraqis will return home over the next year, and “Barzani’s visit opens a new door.”
Barzani also had a sit down meeting with Parliament Speaker Halbousi and is making a tour visiting with the heads of Iraqi political parties.
Barzani has also met Falih Fayyadh, leader of the Bina Coalition and Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law and former Iraqi prime minister. The two have historically had an antagonistic relationship.
Speaker of Iraqi parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi, Fatih leader Hadi al-Amiri, Finance Minister Fuad Hussein, and the head of Iraqi National Intelligence Service Mustafa al-Kadhimi received Barzani on the tarmac.
Masoud Barzani, head of the KDP, is greeted by Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi and Fatih head Hadi al-Amiri on November 22, 2018 in Baghdad, Iraq.
KDP head Masoud Barzani (left) is received in Baghdad by Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi on November 22, 2018. Photo: Rudaw TV
A meeting with Barham Salih is not on the cards and the Iraqi president is in Rome.
The head of the largest party from the Kurdistan Region visits the Iraqi capital after recent agreements over exporting Kirkuk’s oil and removing customs at the internal border. His trip is the latest sign of warming relations between Erbil and Baghdad.
Erbil-Baghdad relations hit a low point after federal forces supported by Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi militias and paramilitias took over the disputed or Kurdistani areas including Kirkuk in October 2017.
Barzani's term as president of the Kurdistan Region expired on November 1, 2017, and his powers were delegated by the parliament to the KRG prime minister and government.
Barzani was last in Baghdad in September 2016 prior to the Mosul operations, meeting with former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
This is a developing story... Updated at 8:27 p.m.
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