Senior Kurdish Official Responds to US Concerns Over Independence Referendum

A senior official from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on Friday, August 6, sought to alleviate concerns regarding the independence referendum, emphasizing that the region has always been committed to fighting terrorism 'regardless of its relations with Baghdad.' According to Reuters, Masrour Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Security Council, spoke in Washington in response to the US State Department's reaction, which did not fully support the referendum plan. Last month, the US State Department expressed that holding this referendum could divert focus from 'more immediate priorities' such as defeating the Islamic State (ISIS). The State Department also acknowledged what it termed the 'legitimate aspirations' of the people of Iraqi Kurdistan while emphasizing its support for a 'unified, federal, stable, and democratic Iraq.' The President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq announced in mid-June that the independence referendum would take place on September 25, less than two months away. Masoud Barzani tweeted: 'I am very pleased to announce that Monday, September 25, 2017, has been designated as the date for the Kurdistan independence referendum.' However, this news did not sit well with Iraq's neighbors, namely Iran, Syria, and Turkey, each of which has a significant Kurdish population. In addition to these three countries, which openly opposed the referendum plan, Germany, an important ally of the Kurds in Europe, also expressed concern, fearing that Kurdish independence from Baghdad could only exacerbate tensions in Iraq. The Trump administration did not greet this plan with open arms through its State Department, which also expressed concern and reiterated support for a 'unified, federal, stable, and democratic Iraq.' In response to these reactions, particularly the US stance, Masrour Barzani defended the referendum plan on Friday, stating that concerns that the independence referendum would harm the fight against ISIS were unfounded. He emphasized the current role of the Kurds in the coalition fight against ISIS and reaffirmed the Kurdistan government's commitment to combating terrorism. Since the Islamic State declared a caliphate in Mosul three years ago and rapidly captured significant parts of Iraq and areas of Syria, the Kurds have played a crucial role in the US campaign against this group. Masrour Barzani questioned those who oppose the referendum, asking, 'For those who say now is not the right time, my question is, when is the right time?' As the date of the Kurdish independence referendum approaches, various reports are emerging regarding the impact of this decision on the region. In this context, the Islamic Republic's official news agency reported on Friday, referencing 'rumors' that neighboring governments would close their borders to the region, leading to a 'rush' of people from Iraqi Kurdistan to markets out of fear of import disruptions. The IRNA news agency quoted the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Iraqi Kurdistan as rejecting these rumors and describing the news of imminent border closures as 'an effort by the enemies of the Kurds.' In this context, the United Nations stated that it has 'no involvement' in the Kurdish independence referendum. The autonomous government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq summoned the Iranian consul general. Barzani stated that the effort to create an independent Kurdistan is irreversible. A senior security official in Iraqi Kurdistan claimed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is alive.