Iraqi Kurdish leader seeks to allay concerns on independence voteJuly 29, 2017 - 11:15 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Iraqi Kurdish leader sought on Friday, Jul. 28 to allay concerns an independence referendum would hurt the fight against Islamic State, after the U.S. State Department said the planned vote would distract from "more urgent priorities" like the defeat of the militant group, Reuters reports. Speaking in Washington, Masrour Barzani, head of the Kurdish government's Security Council and son of President Barzani, said the government was committed to fighting "terrorism regardless of the political relationship with Baghdad." Barzani cited the Kurds' role in fighting Islamic State. The Kurds play a major role in the U.S.-backed campaign to defeat the ultra-hardline Sunni Islamist group that overran about a third of Iraq three years ago and also controls parts of Syria. The Sept. 25 vote could turn into another regional flashpoint and is likely to strain Iraq's frayed federal unity. Neighbors Syria, Turkey and Iran, who also have sizable Kurdish populations, are all opposed to an independent Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Germany, a major European ally for the Iraqi Kurds, has said it was concerned the referendum could exacerbate tensions in Iraq. "Those opponents who say this is not the right time, my question to them is when is the right time? ... When ISIS invaded parts of Iraq and attacked Kurdistan, once again we were told it's time of war so it’s not the right time. Now that ISIS is on the verge of collapse we are again being told it is not the right time," he said. While saying it appreciated the "legitimate aspirations" of the people of Iraqi Kurdistan, the State Department said last month it supports a "unified, federal, stable and democratic Iraq" and had voiced its concerns to Kurdish authorities. The Kurds have been seeking an independent state since at least the end of World War One, when colonial powers divided up the Middle East, but their territory ended up split between modern-day Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Iran. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |