Masoud Barzani:
🔻 If America withdraws, I fear ISIS will return
🔻 I hope Abdullah Öcalan will be freed

Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), stated that he has no doubt the same scenario after 2012 could repeat itself and that the Islamic State (ISIS) may re-emerge if the international coalition forces led by the United States withdraw from the region. He emphasized that the threat of ISIS remains, and this has been officially announced.

In an interview with France 24, Barzani spoke about the situation of the Kurdish minority in Syria, the disarmament of the PKK in Turkey, and the planned withdrawal of coalition forces led by the U.S. from Iraq by the end of this year.

According to the source, regarding Syria’s situation, Barzani said: in March of this year, an agreement was signed between Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Ahmed Jarba, former Syrian opposition leader. The agreement referred to unifying Kurdish military and civilian institutions with the central government. However, Barzani noted that this agreement has not yet been implemented, which in his view has created risks of withdrawal, disruption, and worsening relations between Kurds and Arabs, as well as external interventions.

Barzani stressed the need to resolve issues through dialogue, not war, since war is not a solution, and governments must take into account the diversity of their societies.

Regarding the possibility of Turkish military action against the SDF, Barzani said he believes Turkey supports a peaceful resolution and has backed the March agreement so it can be implemented.

He also welcomed the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), expressing hope that it could pave the way for peace and the release of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Barzani said: I hope he will be freed.