Kurdistan President: Iraq Must Not Threaten Gulf States, Weapons Should Be State-Controlled

President Nechirvan Barzani of Iraq's Kurdistan region has emphasized that weapons must be exclusively held by the Iraqi government and cautioned against Iraq posing any threat to Gulf states. This statement comes as Baghdad enters a new era following the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces. "Iraq should not be a threat to Gulf countries. Iraq should never do that, that is not sovereignty," Mr. Barzani stated at the annual Middle East Research Institute Forum in Erbil on Monday. He further elaborated, "Weapons should be in the hands of the government," arguing for Iraq to bolster its capacity for sovereignty and self-security.

These remarks coincide with increased pressure on Iraq to consolidate armed factions under state authority, particularly after attacks by Iran-aligned groups on targets within Iraq and the broader region. The US-led coalition against ISIS concluded its military withdrawal from Iraq on September 30, transitioning security cooperation between Baghdad and Washington to a bilateral framework. In a statement commemorating October 1 as the day of full Iraqi sovereignty post-withdrawal, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi indicated that the significant task of managing weapons outside state control commences now.

Mr. Barzani noted that Iraq no longer requires such an extensive international coalition after 12 years of its presence, suggesting the country should cultivate bilateral security relationships with partner states. "We thank them, but we are happy today that Iraq stands on its feet," he remarked. Nevertheless, he highlighted the Kurdistan region's continued need for air defence systems to safeguard itself against recurrent drone and missile attacks.

Addressing the wider regional situation amidst the Iran war, Mr. Barzani observed that the evolving Middle East landscape presents both opportunities and threats for the Kurds, though he believes opportunities may surpass the risks. He identified economic uncertainty, particularly Iraq's reliance on oil exports, as the primary threat to the nation. "If the Strait of Hormuz is not resolved, it will be a long-term challenge," he warned, referencing the critical waterway for global oil supply, which Iran has effectively blockaded since the war began. He also cautioned that Iraq and the Kurdistan region face hurdles in maintaining stable relations with neighboring countries while navigating the dynamic regional dynamics.

Mr. Barzani expressed stronger criticism towards Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, stating their actions during the war had placed the Kurdistan region in a precarious situation. "The opposition Iranian forces unfortunately behaved irresponsibly and put the Kurdistan region in an embarrassing position," he said. He reiterated the Kurdistan region's clear stance from the outset: it would not engage in the conflict. Reports of Iranian Kurdish opposition fighters preparing to cross into Iran surfaced in early March, following the outbreak of the Iran war. Several media outlets reported that Washington had approached Iranian Kurdish groups based in Iraq regarding a potential ground operation, with some fighters reportedly on standby near the border. However, these groups denied any incursion by their forces. Iraqi Kurdish officials also refuted claims of an incursion, amid concerns that any involvement could draw the Kurdistan region into the conflict and incite further Iranian attacks.

"It was not our war," Mr. Barzani asserted. The Kurdistan region shares a border exceeding 600 km with Iran. Mr. Barzani stressed the impossibility of Erbil permitting its territory to serve as a launchpad for an attack on its neighbor. He confirmed that the regional government had sealed the border in the initial days of the conflict and deployed forces along it, making it clear that no one would be allowed to use the Kurdistan region to attack Iran.