Sema
A member of the Security and Defense Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, Mariwan Qarni, stated that areas where PKK militants are present within the Kurdistan Region should, according to the Iraqi constitution, fall under the authority of the Peshmerga forces.
In a statement, Qarni said: “The PKK has officially announced its withdrawal and the suspension of its armed operations and all activities under that name. While this decision concerns them directly, it is a positive step, as all Kurdish people aspire to peace and reject war.”
He added that “this decision could be a new opportunity to push the peace process forward in the Middle East, North Kurdistan, and Turkey.” He confirmed that “this process has the full support of President Masoud Barzani, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and this support could contribute significantly to its success.”
He continued: “The areas seized by PKK elements in Qandil and Shingal are territories belonging to the Kurdistan Region. According to the Iraqi constitution and the laws in force in both Iraq and Kurdistan, the protection of these areas is the responsibility of the Peshmerga forces. Therefore, it is necessary that all these areas be returned to Peshmerga authority.”
He stressed the importance of the KRG reconstructing these areas in the future, ensuring the return of the border village residents and Ezidi Kurds to their original areas, and preventing any renewed conflict or armed confrontations, in order to restore stability and normal life for the local population.