Barzani: Kurds prefer independence

Kurdish President Massoud Barzani said on Sunday that Kurds aspire to be independent and criticised Kurdish parties that called for a parliamentary governance system in the region.

During a visit to Kurdish peshmerga forces stationed in Erbil and Mosul, Barzani said that “our national struggle throughout history was not to keep Kurds under someone else’s rule or to remain under the command of others.”

Barzani criticised the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Change Movement, without naming them, for calling to transition to a parliamentary governance system, saying “a golden opportunity” has emerged for the Kurds and they are very successful.

Barzani expressed surprise about “some talk about the need for two administrations in Kurdistan at this stage, adding that “those who are unhappy with Kurdish are free to choose another place to live.”

Barzani called to provide assurances to the people of Mosul about their participation in the city administration prior to the commencement of operations to retake the city from the Islamic State militant group.

Earlier in May, Barzani said during a visit to the United States that Kurds prefer independence, which he considers a “natural right” for them.

Barzani also stressed that Iraq’s unity is “optional, not mandatory”, but added that Kurds do not have immediate plans to secede from the central government in Baghdad.