On Sunday, President Masoud Barzani called on the Iraqi government, political actors, and the Shi’a-majority Coordination Framework to stop the attacks on the Kurdistan Region, after dozens of attacks were carried out last night. 

“It is very surprising that some groups and actors, under the name of ‘resistance’ and with baseless slogans and pretexts, allow themselves to attack civilian areas, the economic infrastructure of the Kurdistan Region, and the bases and headquarters of the Peshmerga. 

This is warmongering and a clear aggression against the rights of citizens and against the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region,” President Barzani said.

“Throughout history, the people of Kurdistan have never sought war and have always desired peace and coexistence. If war has ever been imposed upon them, they have defended themselves and their rights. This is an unchanging principle that stems from a firm belief and from the rich culture of peace and coexistence of the people of Kurdistan,” President Barzani said.

“It is deeply regrettable that today there is significant conflict and tension in our region. Both now and in the past, our hope has always been that any problems and disputes would be resolved through peaceful means, because war always leads to destruction and devastation.”

However, President Barzani warned everyone that there are limits. 

“The Peshmerga have never accepted oppression or aggression from any side, and it cannot and must not continue that these acts of warmongering and the destabilization of the Kurdistan Region and the security of its citizens persist from these groups.

“For this purpose, we call on the Iraqi government, the Iraqi Council of Representatives, and political actors – especially the Coordination Framework – to take this matter seriously and set clear limits to these aggressions, because the continuation of such warmongering will lead to negative consequences.”

President Barzani also offered his condolences to the families and relatives of those who were killed, including the 31-year-old security guard Welat Tahir, who was killed in a drone attack on Erbil Airport yesterday.

“We also reassure the beloved people of Kurdistan that we will continue with all our capabilities to keep Kurdistan away from war and calamities, and to protect the peace, security, and livelihood of its people. Victory will ultimately belong to the people of Kurdistan.”