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Shafaq News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Kurdish Aspirations: From statehood dreams to the pursuit of peace
Shafaq News/ As geopolitical dynamics continue to shift across the Middle East, the Kurdish question is undergoing a notable transformation. Once defined by dreams of independence, the Kurdish narrative is increasingly centered on securing peace and preserving hard-won autonomy. A recent comprehensive report published by The National under the title 'The future of the Kurds: from dreams of independence to settling for peace' offers a timely and in-depth reflection on this shift. Across Iraq, Syria, Turkiye, and Iran — where Kurdish populations are spread — aspirations for a sovereign Kurdish state have often clashed with complex regional realities. But today, as The National notes, 'the Kurdish dream of independence [has] transform[ed] into one of peace.' This recalibration is rooted not in resignation but in pragmatism, driven by lessons learned from a century marked by conflict and fragmentation. In Iraq's Kurdistan Region, where Kurds have enjoyed a level of autonomy unmatched elsewhere, leaders are increasingly positioning themselves as advocates for regional stability. Speaking at the recent Sulaimani Forum, Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani encapsulated this shift: 'The power of peace is greater than the power of all wars.' The National observes that this sentiment is now broadly shared across the Kurdish political spectrum — a marked contrast from the more assertive rhetoric that preceded the ill-fated 2017 independence referendum. That referendum, once seen as a potential watershed moment, ultimately triggered a harsh regional backlash and brought a sobering dose of reality. Since then, Baghdad has gradually reasserted authority through legal and political channels, eroding aspects of the Kurdistan Region's autonomy. As The National rightly points out, a series of supreme court rulings have tilted the balance of power away from Erbil, while ongoing internal divisions between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have further complicated the political landscape. Yet Kurdish leaders remain undeterred in their commitment to play a constructive role. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani emphasized this vision, telling The National, 'If we can play an effective role in mediating between the parties involved in regional hostilities and improving the security of the region, that would be a positive contribution.' President Nechirvan Barzani reinforced this outlook, asserting that 'the Kurds and the people of Kurdistan are inherently peaceful… whenever there has been a hint of peace, the people of Kurdistan embraced it with optimism.' The shift in tone and strategy is also linked to recent events in neighboring Syria. Following the collapse of the Al-Assad regime, the newly formed government in Damascus has clashed with the de facto autonomy long maintained by Kurdish groups in the northeast. The National highlights how Iraqi Kurds have expressed solidarity with their Syrian counterparts, offering political support and practical guidance. 'Our brothers and sisters in Syria can benefit from the Kurdistan Region's experiment,' Prime Minister Barzani said, pointing to the possibility of a decentralized governance model that could help preserve Kurdish rights without demanding outright independence. The idea of decentralization is now gaining traction as a realistic and peaceful path forward. Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), told The National that Syrian Kurds are not seeking statehood but rather constitutional guarantees for autonomy. 'What we are proposing now… is a model to be used in other areas,' she said, citing regions like Deraa, Idlib, and Suwayda as examples where localized self-administration has already taken root. She added that this proposal could offer a stable framework for post-conflict Syria, as long as it includes the rights of all communities. This renewed Kurdish approach is not limited to Syria. In Turkiye, a glimmer of hope emerged earlier this year when imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan called for the group to disarm and disband. The National reports that this unprecedented move raised 'hopes of a renewed peace process' in a conflict that has cost more than 40,000 lives. Kurdish leaders in Iraq welcomed the announcement. 'Developments in Turkey aimed at fostering peace represent a significant historical opportunity. We wholeheartedly endorse and support these efforts,' President Barzani declared. Prime Minister Barzani echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved unilaterally. He acknowledged the involvement of nationalist parties in Turkiye and stressed that dialogue must be mutual. Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, the framework for a lasting peace has yet to be defined. Still, the gesture was widely interpreted as a signal that regional actors — including Kurdish groups — are ready to pursue new strategies grounded in diplomacy rather than armed struggle. Even as Kurds across the region pivot toward peace, internal challenges remain. In Iraq, the long-delayed parliamentary elections held in October failed to produce a government. As The National points out, 'parties have yet to reach a consensus,' raising concerns that the stalemate could drag on until Iraq's general elections in November. While both the KDP and PUK participated in a high-level meeting during the Sulaimani Forum, no major breakthroughs were announced. Despite these complications, Kurdish leaders continue to stress the importance of unity — not just within the Kurdistan Region but across the broader Kurdish diaspora. 'The solution of the Kurdish issue in Syria is not easy,' admitted senior KDP official Hoshyar Zebari, 'but the Kurdistan Region [of Iraq] is ready to provide support in this regard.' His comment, quoted by The National, reflects a growing consensus that Kurdish interests are best served through cooperation and careful statecraft rather than unilateral moves. This emphasis on unity and peace is not merely rhetorical. As The National underscores, the Kurdish Region has become a model of governance and coexistence. 'We are one of the major partners in the Middle East,' said Rebar Ahmed, KRG Interior Minister, adding that Kurds have a duty to safeguard the rights of all communities. 'From the Kurdish perspective, we have to take care of the future of all the constituents here in the Middle East,' he said. In the background of all these developments lies the memory of a painful past: decades of persecution, cultural erasure, and military conflict. President Barzani, in remarks cited by The National, warned that 'the last century has unequivocally shown that the disregard and rejection of the rights of the Kurds and the people of Kurdistan have led to ongoing conflict, chaos, destruction, suffering, and stagnation in the region.' Today, with that history in mind, Kurdish leaders are turning the page — not by abandoning their identity or rights, but by recalibrating their goals in light of new realities. As The National insightfully concludes, the Kurdish focus is shifting from secession to stability, from maximalist demands to sustainable solutions. And in doing so, the Kurds may be charting a new course not just for themselves, but for the region as a whole.
Rudaw Net
18-04-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
PM Barzani, Turkish deputy FM discuss resuming oil exports
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday received Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz to discuss stalled oil exports and other regional developments. 'The meeting discussed the development of bilateral relations in various fields and the latest developments in the general situation in Iraq and the region,' read a statement from Barzani posted on Facebook. 'They also discussed the importance of resuming the export of oil from the Kurdistan Region through the port of Ceyhan,' the statement added. Exports of Kurdish oil through Turkey's Ceyhan port were halted in March 2023 following a Paris-based arbitration court ruling that Ankara had violated a 1973 agreement by allowing the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to export oil independently of Baghdad. Despite months of talks between Erbil, Baghdad, and the oil producers, the exports have yet to resume. Iraq's Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul Ghani said Wednesday that a delegation from the KRG's natural resources ministry will visit Baghdad on Saturday for further discussions. Prior to the halt, the Kurdistan Region was exporting about 400,000 barrels of oil per day through the pipeline, in addition to 75,000 barrels per day from Kirkuk. Barzani and Yilmaz also discussed the Development Road Project, Iraq's strategic plan to link the Persian Gulf to Turkey and Europe through highways and railways crossing the country. The KRG has raised concerns over the project, unhappy that the main corridor bypasses the Kurdistan Region and could undermine its control over cross-border trade and customs. In late March, the Region's transport ministry denied reaching any agreement with the federal government on the project. The two also exchanged views on the peace process in Turkey and reiterated their support for its success. On Wednesday, during the Sulaimani Forum, Barzani expressed hope that renewed talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) would lead to peace. The initiative began in October 2024 after Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, symbolically extended a hand to jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, suggesting he be allowed to address parliament and dissolve the group. In February, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) released a letter from Ocalan in which he called on the PKK to disarm and disband. The message raised hopes for an end to the four-decade conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. Ankara has demanded the PKK's immediate disarmament and surrender, while the group insists on Ocalan's release to oversee a congress that would finalize its dissolution.
The National
18-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Qatar brings together Syrian and Iraqi leaders to repair relations
The President of Syria and Prime Minister of Iraq have held their first known meeting since rebels led by the formerly Al Qaeda-linked group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) took control in Damascus. The meeting in Doha took place on Tuesday, an Iraqi government official told The National. It involved Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara, Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim. The three-way talks were not publicised at the time of Mr Al Shara's visit to Qatar. According to Syrian state media, the meeting addressed the issue of joint border security, with both sides "agreeing to strengthen field and intelligence co-ordination between the relevant authorities to counter shared threats". On the economic front, they discussed mechanisms to revitalise trade relations, facilitate the movement of goods and people across border crossings, encourage mutual investment, and explore new avenues for co-operation in energy, transport and infrastructure. The Iraqi News Agency said the discussion focused on "rapid developments in the region, particularly the ongoing situation in Syria", and revealed that Mr Al Sudani said Iraq was "closely monitoring the developments in Syria", as he called for a "comprehensive political process" in the country. Mr Al Sudani made an appeal to 'protect Syria's diverse social, religious, and national fabric as well as safeguarding holy sites, houses of worship and places of prayer", the agency said. It said the Iraqi leader stressed the importance of Syria 'taking practical and serious steps to combat the terrorist organisation ISIS". A day later at the Sulaimani Forum in Iraq, Mr Al Sudani revealed he had invited Syria's President to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad next month. 'Yes, a formal invitation has been delivered to him, and he is welcome to attend and participate in the Arab Summit,' Mr Al Sudani told The National's Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi during a discussion at the forum in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. The Syrian and Iraqi leaders have held one known phone call since the fall of the Assad regime in December. Iraq has long sought stability along its border with Syria, where ISIS remnants and drug trafficking networks continue to pose serious security challenges.
The National
17-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Iraqi PM meets Syria's Al Shara in secret Doha talks
News MENA First known meeting addresses 'rapid developments' since fall of Assad regime The President of Syria and Prime Minister of Iraq have held their first known meeting since rebels led by the formerly Al Qaeda-linked group Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) took control in Damascus, it was revealed on Thursday. The meeting in Doha took place on Tuesday, an Iraqi government official told The National. It involved Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara, Iraq's Prime Minister Shia Al Sudani and Qatar 's Emir Sheikh Tamim. The three-way talks were not publicised at the time of Mr Al Shara's visit to Qatar. But the Iraqi News Agency revealed on Tuesday that Mr Al Sudani was also present for what it called a discussion on "rapid developments in the region, particularly the ongoing situation in Syria". It said Mr Al Sudani said Iraq is "closely monitoring the developments in Syria" as he called for a "comprehensive political process" in the country. An administration led by HTS replaced former president Bashar Al Assad in December. Mr Al Sudani made an appeal to 'protect Syria's diverse social, religious, and national fabric as well as safeguarding holy sites, houses of worship, and places of prayer", the agency said. It said the Iraqi leader stressed the importance of Syria 'taking practical and serious steps to combat the terrorist organisation ISIS". Speaking a day later at the Sulaimani Forum in Iraq, Mr Al Sudani revealed he had invited Syria's President to attend the Arab Summit in Baghdad next month. 'Yes, a formal invitation has been delivered to him, and he is welcome to attend and participate in the Arab Summit,' Mr Al Sudani told The National 's Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi during a discussion at the forum in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. The Syrian and Iraqi leaders have held one known phone call since the transfer of power in December. Iraq has long sought stability along its border with Syria, where ISIS remnants and drug trafficking networks continue to pose serious security challenges.
Shafaq News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sulaimani Forum 2025: Kurds eye lasting role in Syria's future
Shafaq News/ On a dimly lit stage at the American University of Iraq in Sulaimani, optimism ran high as veteran Iraqi Kurdish politician Hoshyar Zebari declared that what happened in Syria is 'just the beginning.' His remarks came during the second day of the ninth annual Sulaimani Forum held in Kurdistan's al-Sulaymaniyah, where Kurdish and international officials signaled that the post-war phase in Syria may already be underway — and that Kurds intend to secure a lasting seat at the decision-making table in Damascus. "A Decisive First Step" Zebari described the newly signed eight-point agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi and transitional President Ahmed Al-Sharaa as a 'decisive first step.' The deal, endorsed by key international players including the United States and France, aims to formally incorporate Kurdish voices into Syria's post-Assad governance structure. Zebari characterized the weakening of al-Assad's grip as a 'political earthquake' triggered on February 8 last year, arguing that the emerging political order must expand beyond decades of authoritarian rule. The experience of Iraqi Kurds, he added, could serve as inspiration — if not a template — for Kurdish aspirations in northern Syria. 'We are not imposing our model,' Zebari said. 'But Kurdish unity is the key to everything.' Scrutiny on Implementation Ilham Ahmed of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), who is attending the forum, welcomed the agreement, describing it as a turning point that ends years of accusations against Syrian Kurds. Still, she struck a cautious tone, noting that the real test lies ahead with technical committees now tasked with implementing the deal. Referencing the Iraqi Kurdish experience, Ahmed said, 'We view the Kurdistan Region as an important model — but one rooted in a very different context. The reality of Rojava, and indeed Syria's entire social fabric, differs significantly from Iraq's.' She emphasized that other international models are also under study.
