ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani on Sunday urged Kurds to remain united and rely on themselves for their security following the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, saying their departure “does not mean the end of the world.”
Speaking to newly-graduated Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) cadres in Erbil, party President Barzani said maintaining the support and confidence of the public was essential to confronting future challenges.
“If the people are with us, I swear, we will not need anyone, except for God. If we don't have [the backing of] people, we will be considered nothing and no one will be able to do anything for us,” he said.
“We should not lose the confidence of the nation. If we do, we will lose,” Barzani warned.
Barzani’s remarks come as the Kurdistan Region adjusts to the end of a 12-year international coalition presence that supported the Peshmerga against the Islamic State (ISIS) and provided military support the Region doesn’t have, such as air defenses.
The US military completed its withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, with American forces and equipment leaving an airbase in Erbil and formally ending Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. US and Iraqi officials have said the relationship will now shift toward bilateral security cooperation, while the coalition’s counter-ISIS mission continues from Jordan.
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs said ahead of the withdrawal that more than 1,000 drones and ballistic missiles hit the Kurdistan Region during the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. It said the withdrawal, which included air defense systems, was “deeply concerning.”
President Barzani said half of the drones targeting the Kurdistan Region had been launched from Iran and areas under federal Iraqi control.
He argued that foreign support could only complement, rather than replace, the Kurds’ own willingness and ability to defend themselves.
“No one is willing to defend us, unless we defend ourselves. If we defend ourselves, others will defend us too,” he said.
“Neither Americans, Europeans or any other force will fight for you if you don't,” he added.
President Barzani said on the day of the coalition’s departure that the Kurdistan Region was coordinating closely with Baghdad against potential threats and said Peshmerga forces stood at the ready to defend the Region.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces fought alongside coalition forces in the years-long fight against ISIS, losing around 2,000 fighters. Americans and other members of the global coalition against ISIS have repeatedly highlighted the Peshmerga role in defeating the group.
The coalition, which was established in 2014 after ISIS seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, provided training, intelligence and other support to Iraqi and Kurdish forces. The coalition’s counter-ISIS mission continues from Jordan, while Washington and Baghdad transition toward a bilateral defense relationship.
The withdrawal was completed under an agreement between Baghdad and Washington in 2024, with coalition forces leaving federal Iraq earlier before completing their departure from the Kurdistan Region at the end of September.
