Barzani vows to keep Kurdistan Region ‘distant from war, tragedy and suffering’

ERBIL — Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani said Thursday that Kurdistan will work to remain distant from war and conflict, in a message marking the 35th anniversary of the Kurdish uprising that carried an unmistakable reference to the current regional crisis.

“Today our region is passing through a very complex and sensitive situation,” Barzani said. “We hope that all problems and disagreements in the region will be resolved through peaceful means. For our part, we will do everything we can to ensure that Kurdistan remains distant from war, tragedy and suffering, and that it remains protected.”

The statement comes as the Kurdistan Region has absorbed sustained drone and missile attacks since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began Feb. 28, with Iranian Kurdish opposition bases in Koya and Degala repeatedly targeted and debris from intercepted drones falling on residential neighborhoods in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.