Kurdistan has “committed no crime,” Barzani said in a published statement, but the Iraqi government is now punishing the nation.
He called on the “freedom-lovers” around the world to pressure their governments to “prevent another genocide and disaster which is befalling our nation.”
“Governments have, due to their interests, forgotten about the sacrifices made by the people of Kurdistan and the Peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS terrorists,” he stated.
“I therefore call on you to prevent this war-mongering, murder, violations and the fleeing of people, committed by the Iraqi government through its militia forces and in cooperation with foreign assistance and guidance against Kurdistan.”
He also addressed Kurds in the diaspora in Europe and the United States to “stage protests and engage in civil activities in a legal and peaceful manner to garner support for our nation.”
“I call on you to convey the repressed voices of Kurdistan and our nation’s message of peace to the world.”
This week, Iraqi forces, including Iranian-backed Shiite militias, have taken control of the majority of territory in the disputed or Kurdistani areas that had been under Peshmerga control. On Friday, the Peshmerga put up strong resistance in the town of Pirde, also known as Altun Kupri, on the Kirkuk-Erbil border.
The military incursions followed weeks of measures imposed by Baghdad in an effort to exert federal control in the Kurdistan Region and disputed areas after overwhelming support for independence in the September 25 referendum.
The Kurdistan Regional Government on Thursday said it would welcome an initiative from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to engage in talks to resolve the tensions.
