FILES: Iraq’s Prime Minister Al-Sudani meets with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in Baghdad. (Photo: Al-Sudani’s media office)
Sudani, Barzani discuss war’s impact on Iraq
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani held a phone call Friday with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani to discuss the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and their impact on Iraq.
According to a statement from the prime minister’s media office, both sides expressed their rejection of attacks targeting Iraqi cities, including those in the Kurdistan Region.
Since the start of the war, the Kurdistan Region has faced repeated missile and drone attacks across several locations. Regional authorities say more than 100 missiles and drones have targeted the region, striking a range of military, political and civilian sites.
They stressed that “Iraqi territory must not be used as a launching point for attacks against neighboring countries,” the statement said.
Sudani and Barzani also voiced support for measures aimed at strengthening security and stability in the region.
The call follows U.S. President Donald Trump saying in a Reuters interview Thursday that it would be “wonderful” if Kurdish forces launched an offensive against Iran, adding that he would be “all for it.”
American media have also reported potential U.S. contacts with Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, whose camps have been repeatedly struck by drone and missile attacks in recent days.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has vigorously denied involvement in any plans to arm Iranian Kurdish opposition groups or send fighters into Iran following reports in Western media.