SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani on Wednesday carried out a series of meetings with Iraqi leaders, aiming to discuss the deadly Arbat drone strike and the ongoing efforts to recognize the genocide-suffered Kurdish city of Halabja as Iraq’s 19th governorate.
Talabani in Iraq’s Baghdad met with the Chairman of Al-Fatah Alliance, Hadi Al-Amiri.
The pair discussed the deadly drone attack on the Arbat airport, as well as the recognition of Halabja province as a governorate of the country, according to a release.
Talabani and Amiri also laid emphasis on continuing the coordination between the political parties, which aims to address the issues and maintain Iraq’s stability and tranquillity.
Moreover, Talabani referred to the Arbat airport drone attack that left four members of the Sulaimani-based Counter-Terrorism (CTG) Unit dead last Monday.
“Targeting military, legal, and constitutional organizations is a dangerous development,” Talabani told Amiri, calling on all sides to stand against such actions.
“The country’s border should not be a subject for violations under any justifications,” Talabani said.
Speaking on the ongoing efforts to recognize the Kurdish city of Halabja as a governorate, Talabani urged unity, the release said.
“Our unity is a moral duty toward regarding the recognition of Halabja to become a governorate and we should all support this issue,” he said.
Talabani also expressed his concerns over tying the Halabja issue with political disputes, saying “This is related to our responsibility.”
Meanwhile, Talabani met with the Head of the Al-Hikma alliance, Amar Al-Hakim, stressing enduring constructive dialogues between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq political parties, according to a seprate statement from his office.
Talabani and Hakim’s meetings also highlighted the Arbat attack and recognition of Halabja as a governorate.
Further, Talabani called for a national consensus in a bid to prevent the repetition of violating Iraq’s sovereignty.
“Preventing the assaults and protecting Iraq’s sovereignty requires a national consensus,” Talabani said during a separate meeting with the Chairman of the Victory Alliance, Haidar Al-Abadi.
Regarding Halabja, Talabani added that the obstacles before the process of recognizing Halabja as a governorate will serve no sides.
“All sides should carry out their moral duty to compensate and reconstruct the city,” Talabani continued.
