SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said on Wednesday that the recent violence occurred during the protests in Sulaimani province was a “plan” to disrupt the Kurdistan Region’s entity.
“We call on people to understand the danger of this situation in Kurdistan,” Barzani said in a press conference, following a meeting of Council of Ministers regarding the protests in the last three days.
Hundreds of people protested in Sulaimani province this week against salary delays and lack of services in the Kurdistan Region. Six protesters and a security guard of a political party were killed and scores were wounded during the demonstrations.
Angry protesters also set fire to headquarters of several political parties and government offices including the directorate of education.
“We understand people’s concerns and we are part of them,” Barzani said, expressing condolence to the people killed during the protests.
“The direction of the protests was changed, particularly by a group of people who took over the demonstrations and turned them to violence, looting and killing,” Barzani added.
“All parties were attacked, including those in government and those who are opposition. So, this sabotage act was not against the government. It is a plan to attack the Kurdistan Region’s entity.”
The KRG premier further said the government would support protesters who call for their legitimate demands.
Regarding issues with Baghdad, Barzani said the Kurdistan Region’s issue with the federal government was not only payment, but also the problems of land, identity, constitution and national identity.
He also called on the federal government to “take its responsibility for the constitution and Kurdistan people”.
The KRG prime minister also said a delegation would visit Baghdad on Wednesday in an effort to reach an agreement with the central government.
“We hope we will reach an agreement in the near future, so we would have this problem every month,” Barzani added, referring to salary delays in the Region.
“We have not left any excuses for Baghdad to fail to deliver its obligations to Kurdistan,” he noted. “Regrettably, the federal government has not shown flexibility in our talks. Baghdad has not paid any budget share to Kurdistan for six months this year.”
“We have not lost hope with Baghdad yet.”
