In a recent interview, Mesrur Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, emphasized that Türkiye’s military operations in the region are targeted against the PKK terrorist group, not the Kurdish people. Barzani pointed out that the PKK’s presence in the region has led to ongoing conflict and hindered the KRG’s ability to provide services to local communities.
Barzani highlighted the PKK’s refusal to recognize the KRG’s authority and their disruptive behavior, including extortion, kidnapping, and restricting access to villages. He stressed that the KRG has taken measures to prevent further escalation of conflict by establishing a line of defense against PKK incursions into other cities in the region.
The PKK, a designated terrorist organization responsible for numerous deaths over a 40-year campaign, operates in northern Iraq and Syria, posing a threat to both local populations and Turkish forces. Barzani’s comments shed light on the complex dynamics at play in the region and the challenges faced in addressing the PKK’s activities.