ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated on Wednesday that Erbil will not contribute to any form of escalation in the Middle East, amid the “rapid and sensitive developments” currently unfolding across the region.
“If we can play an effective role in mediating between the parties involved in regional hostilities and improving the security of the region, that would be a positive contribution,” Barzani said at the Suli Forum 2025. He added that the Kurdistan Region should not be part of regional conflicts.
Barzani also reflected on the shift in U.S. foreign policy following the election of Donald Trump, noting that the new administration has adopted “a more different policy” toward the Middle East, one that may involve what Trump calls “delivering peace through strength.” He emphasized the need for regional actors to “adapt to this new U.S. policy.”
Kurds in Syria
On the situation in Syria, Barzani expressed hope that the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) would “benefit from the Kurdistan Region’s rich political experience” while avoiding “repeating our mistakes.”
“I believe this is the best advice to our Kurdish brothers and sisters in Syria,” he added.
Following a swift offensive in early December, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, under the leadership of Ahmad al-Sharaa, toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa was appointed interim president in January and formed a 23-member cabinet in March.
Kurdish political parties were excluded from both the cabinet and the drafting process of the interim constitutional declaration.
Barzani warned that the new government in Damascus has yet to consolidate power nationwide, which has allowed Islamic State (ISIS) militants to regroup.
“Our intelligence reports indicate that their activities have increased,” he said, adding that any area where “security is absent and the economy is unstable” becomes fertile ground for extremist ideologies.
“Conditions for creating an inclusive government are now feasible,” he said, urging the new authorities in Damascus to take advantage of international aid and support.
In mid-March, the European Union pledged around $2.7 billion in aid to help address Syria’s humanitarian crisis. Germany committed approximately $327 million through UN agencies and selected organizations, while the UK pledged $200 million to support food, healthcare, and education programs.
While Washington has not yet recognized the Sharaa-led government, several EU countries have expressed cautious support, warning that continued extremist policies or failure to establish an inclusive political process would result in renewed sanctions.
Barzani said that if there are genuine intentions, “federalism could be established” in Syria. However, he cautioned that in the absence of goodwill, even constitutional provisions for federalism could be undermined.
Peace process in Turkey
Turning to Turkey, Prime Minister Barzani expressed hope for the success of the renewed peace process between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
This initiative appeared to gain momentum in October 2024 when Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, extended a symbolic hand to jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament and dissolve the PKK.
At the end of February, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) released a letter from Ocalan, currently imprisoned on Imrali Island. In the letter, Ocalan called on the group to disarm and disband, raising hopes for an end to the four-decade-long conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives.
Ankara has demanded immediate disarmament and surrender from the PKK, while the group has insisted on Ocalan’s release so he can oversee a congress expected to formalize its dissolution.
“Peace cannot be achieved by one side alone,” Barzani said, noting that “radical parties” are now including peace in their rhetoric, and Ocalan’s message offers more hope than the short-lived initiative in 2013.
Erbil amid Washington-Tehran tensions
Barzani reiterated that the Kurdistan Region stands outside the rivalry between Washington and Tehran and seeks to maintain balanced relations with both powers.
“Iran is our neighbor and has supported us in several stages,” he said, while also highlighting that the United States “has consistently helped us overcome challenges and remains a good ally to the Kurds and to Iraq as a whole.”
“Kurds do not need to take sides,” Barzani added. “We can also play a role in reconciling differences and enhancing regional security.”
