While the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) and leaders of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) emphasise the need for strategic perspectives to safeguard Kurdish interests in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI or Başur) and North and East Syria (Rojava), Erbil’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) continues to advocate tactical views driven by narrow party interests.
President Nechirvan Barzani, leader of the KDP, the dominant party in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), highlighted in a recent interview that despite efforts to downplay the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) role in the recent market fires in Erbil (Hewlêr) and Kirkirk (Kerkûk), the involvement of PKK remains evident. President Nechirvan Barzani, leader of the KDP, the dominant party in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), highlighted in a recent interview that despite efforts to downplay the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) role in the recent market fires in Erbil (Hewlêr) and Kirkirk (Kerkûk), the involvement of PKK remains evident.
Barzani’s remarks contrast with recent statements from the KCK and Murad Karayilan, both associated with the PKK, who stressed the importance of strategic foresight in addressing regional issues in Kurdistan. Karayilan further pointed out the influence of nationalistic chauvinist groups in instigating the recent fires.
Karayilan mentioned an alleged connection between Turkish intelligence (MİT) and the ultra-nationalist Turkish group known as the National Covenant Organisation, and the latter’s claim of responsibility for the fires, stating:
“This group has been associated with previous blazes in Kirkirk. It is crucial to approach this issue not only tactically but also strategically. The Turkish government […] seeks to undermine Kurdish influence in Başur and Rojava and eliminate self-rule or federalism.”
However, Barzani, speaking to the media in Austria, attempted to shift blame towards the PKK forces. He described the recent arrests as a joint operation involving the local KRI and central Iraqi intelligence services. He said:
“The recent arrests were carried out jointly by Baghdad and the KRI, involving cooperation between their respective Ministry of Interior and intelligence agencies. It’s important to clarify that these arrests were the result of collaborative efforts between the KRI and Baghdad, not unilateral actions.”
While trying to downplay the role of PUK, the president added:
“Regarding the events in Erbil and Kirkuk, there is evidence suggesting the involvement of individuals connected to the PKK. However, there is no political motive or support from the PUK as an organisation for these incidents. Investigations in Baghdad, as reported in the media, indicate possible involvement of individuals associated with the PUK, whether former or current members, but the PUK as a political entity was not implicated in these events.”
Amid internal regional tensions between KDP and the PUK, President Barzani attempts to link these tensions to the presence of PKK. On the other hand, PKK leaders consistently emphasise the prioritisation of national interests and advocate for a strategic approach to the Kurdistan Region’s issues and regional matters.
In response to these events, Karayilan underscored the necessity of acknowledging Turkey’s explicit and covert policies, urging Kurds to adopt a strategic perspective. He stated:
“Turkish objectives and methods are evident, utilising both overt and covert political tactics to achieve their aims. Therefore, We urge KDP authorities to recognise these realities and address them from a strategic rather than a tactical standpoint.”
