Iraq’s Kurdish region wants to stay out of regional conflicts: PM Barzani

What Happened

In an Al Jazeera interview, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated that the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq does not want to become involved in the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, and denied any pressure to do so. He claimed that more than 1,000 missile and drone attacks have struck the KRG since the war began on February 28, either directly from Iran or from Iran-aligned militias within Iraq, causing severe infrastructure damage. Barzani described the attacks as 'unjustified' and urged peaceful resolution through dialogue. He specifically cited a March missile strike by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on al-Harir Air Base near Erbil, which the IRGC labeled a US headquarters but Barzani said has been empty of US troops for nearly a decade. US forces remain in Erbil for counterterrorism purposes, he said, though their presence has been repeatedly targeted. Barzani also expressed support for the Iraqi government's plan to monopolize arms, referencing a September 30 deadline set by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi for all armed factions to disarm. Additionally, he stated that the KRG maintains no relations with Israel, while ties with Syria and Turkiye are deepening.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The KRG's position highlights the vulnerability of Iraq's Kurdish region amid spillover from the US-Israeli war on Iran. Over 1,000 attacks since February 28 underscore the direct and proxy warfare threatening regional stability. Barzani's support for Baghdad's arms monopoly aligns with efforts to curb paramilitary groups, which could shift internal Iraqi power dynamics. Meanwhile, the KRG's denial of Israel ties and outreach to Syria and Turkiye reflect diplomatic recalibration as Iranian Kurdish opposition groups face renewed attention, with potential implications for Iran's internal stability.

Watch For

Monitor the September 30 deadline for armed faction disarmament in Iraq, which may provoke resistance from Iran-aligned militias. Watch for further strikes on US or KRG targets as the war continues, and track any moves by Iranian Kurdish opposition parties from their KRG bases, especially given discussions about arming them to pressure Tehran.