Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani has accused Turkey of blocking efforts by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to advance a peace initiative, citing continued air and drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
In a recent interview with Kurdish-language broadcaster Kurdsat TV, Talabani said the PKK had declared a ceasefire and was preparing to hold a congress to discuss its future strategy, but these plans had been disrupted by Turkish military operations.
He claimed that US officials had also voiced concern over the strikes.
“The Americans told me, ‘Turkey’s drones are not giving the PKK a chance to hold its congress’,” he said.
The PKK ceasefire, announced following a 27 February peace call by imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan through a delegation from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, was intended to pave the way for renewed dialogue. But Talabani suggested that Turkey’s ongoing military operations have rendered this path unviable.
“The PKK is not a terrorist organisation in my opinion. Those are not the terms I use,” Talabani said. “We can assist Turkey in promoting peace and dialogue. We are helping them in these things, but it is not our job to shed Kurds’ blood.”
He also commented on wider regional dynamics and his party’s role in Iraqi politics. Talabani called for Kurdish unity in negotiations with Baghdad and highlighted his close ties with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi, with whom he said he regularly discusses developments in Syria.
Talabani reiterated his opposition to one-party dominance in the Kurdistan Region and reaffirmed the PUK’s stance on retaining key political posts, including the Iraqi presidency, which he described as the party’s right.
Touching on freedom of expression, he said residents in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) should be free to speak their minds and pledged to meet with those expressing dissatisfaction.
On economic matters, Talabani warned of potential financial strain in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq due to declining oil prices, cautioning that salary payments may be affected if the trend continues.
