SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Co-president Bafel Talabani said the Kurdistan flag represents the dignity of a nation and that any excuse which allows for aggression on the flag is “unacceptable”.
“The sacred flag of Kurdistan represents the dignity of a nation and is product of the blood of the martyrs, and any excuse that allows for aggression on our land and flag which we had sacrificed for is unacceptable,” Talabani said in a statement on Saturday.
Talabani’s remarks came after dozens of Hashid al-Shaabi supporters stormed and burned down the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) headquarters in Baghdad earlier on Saturday.
Footage circulated on social media showing a group of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) supporters burned Kurdistan flag while storming the office.
“We love our history which is about brotherhood, peaceful coexistence and accepting each other, and not bowing to enemies of our land and nation,” Talabani said.
“The protection of our people is a fiduciary of our fathers and grandfathers, nation and PUK’s Mam [Jalal], which we will preserve,” he added.
“We need to unite our people now more than ever to face challenges and to protect our country with our loyal friends in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region.”
Earlier on Saturday, the Ministerial Council for National Security held a meeting led by Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi Armed Forces Mustafa al-Kadhimi to discuss the attack on the KDP office.
The council condemned the burning of the KDP office in Baghdad and ordered an investigation into the attack, a statement by Kadhimi’s press office said.
At least 15 people who violated law were also arrested, it added.
It also affirmed that the federal government would take “firm measures” against those who try to break the prestige of the state and the rule of law.
