Concluding statement on the KDP Leadership Committee meeting

The Kurdistan Democratic Party held a meeting with its Leadership Committee to discuss the outstanding domestic issues, the political crisis in Iraq, Kurdistan's financial turmoil and the military campaign against the so-called Islamic State extremist group.

Headed by President Massoud Barzani, their meeting convened in Erbil focusing on looking for ways to resolve the problems that has gripped the region for over a year during which it has seen civil servant salaries suspended, rising heated disputes with the government in Baghdad, military operations on the outskirts of the region and civil unrest in some areas.

The statement noted on the complexity of the daily situation in Iraq and repulsion between the participating parties in the political process where recent events have proved there has been no adherence to the constitution and sides were only stipulated with accordance to its own interests, adding the Baghdad government has lost control of security matters and it has hidden bilateral agreements between several parties that led to the loss of parliamentary doctrine.

On the war against the Islamic State, the statement expressed praise to the Peshmerga's military offensives in battling the extremist group, the Kurdish people's steadfastness and emphasised support from coalition forces in aiding the region. It mentioned that while there are many firm obstacles, with determination success can be achieved and the Peshmerga had shown this courage in defending their homeland and humanity. The Leadership Committee wished those wounded soldiers a full and quick recovery.

It concluded stating that given the uncertain circumstances with the political, military and security situation in the Kurdistan Region, the people of Kurdistan in general and the parties must be prepared to face all eventualities. They spoke of the impending Kurdish referendum where the masses of Kurdistan will decide on its future. At the end of the meeting, the KDP authorised the Political Bureau to analyse the situation.