Nechirvan Barzani vows Kurdistan Region will not be drawn into war at security meeting

ERBIL — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani chaired a high-level military and security meeting Tuesday with senior Peshmerga commanders and security officials, stressing that the Kurdistan Region will not become part of the regional conflict and that protecting stability remains a top priority.

The meeting was held at the Kurdistan Region Presidency and attended by Vice President Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, the minister of Peshmerga affairs, the minister of interior, the Peshmerga chief of staff and senior commanders.

Participants reviewed the latest regional security developments and the potential impact of ongoing fighting on the Kurdistan Region. The meeting produced several decisions and guidelines aimed at strengthening security and stability, including guidance on how media institutions should handle unfolding incidents.

Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region “will not become part of the war and conflicts in any way,” and that “under no circumstances will the territory of the Kurdistan Region be allowed to become a source of threat or danger to the Islamic Republic of Iran or any other neighboring country.”

The meeting condemned drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region by armed groups operating outside the law, and stressed that the federal government bears responsibility for preventing such attacks and bringing those responsible to justice, describing the strikes as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.

Condolences were expressed to families of those killed and injured, and officials praised Peshmerga forces and security institutions for their efforts in protecting the region.

The meeting follows a warning by Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani on March 8 that “restraint also has limits,” calling on the Iraqi government, parliament and the Coordination Framework to stop strikes carried out by armed groups under the banner of “resistance.” Barzani described the attacks as “clear provocation and aggression” targeting civilian sites, economic infrastructure and Peshmerga positions. The recent wave of attacks has caused casualties and damage, including the death of Walat Tahir, a 31-year-old security employee at Erbil International Airport, while several airport workers were also wounded.