Kamran Karadaghi: PUK must ‘disengage’ from Iran and its aligned militias

By Kamran Karadaghi

We must by now all agree that recent developments in the region, particularly the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s Baathist regime in Syria, have led to Iran’s defeat in what are called the “Axis of Resistance,” the “Unification of the Arenas” and other delusions.

The most significant change, however, is Turkey’s emergence. The country has become increasingly powerful and formidable as a political player in the region and internationally.

All these events have implications for Iraq and, of course, for the Kurdistan Region. In the region, the new situation requires urgent measures and decision-making to adapt.

Frankly, those who bet on Iran and allied with it and its affiliated militias must quickly rerun calculations that recent developments have proven to be profoundly flawed.

This is especially true of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. To safeguard its interests, its future, and the interests of the Kurdish nation in Iraq, the PUK must begin the process of disengaging from Iran and its affiliated militias, such as Kata’ib Hezbollah, Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, and Babylon Brigades, along with militia leaders like Qais Al-Khazali and Rayan Al-Kildani.

Disengagement is also required with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which has become a significant issue for the Kurdistan Region that draws the wrath and anger of Turkey.

It is in this context that I call on the strongest force in the Kurdistan Region, both politically and electorally—the Kurdistan Democratic Party—to extend a facilitating hand and assist in achieving these goals.

Furthermore, the rational voices within the PUK, who have so far chosen isolation and silence in the face of their leadership’s flawed policies, must step out of the shadows and urge their leadership to change its position.

I also call on wise figures outside the political parties to play their part in bringing clashing perspectives closer together and mediating if necessary, prioritizing the public interest.

Kamran Karadaghi is the former chief of staff to late Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. His views do not necessarily reflect those of 964media.