Kurds Are True Friends of US, Deserve Our Support: Sen. John McCain He praises Barzani’s decision to step down as president of Kurdistan

US Senator John McCain, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released on Monday a statement, commending President Barzani’s leadership and voicing his support for the Kurds in their dialogue with Baghdad.

“President Barzani’s decision not to seek an additional term is befitting of a bold statesman whose career has been defined by devotion to his people,” McCain said in a statement.

President Barzani announced earlier this week that he would not seek an another term of presidency after it ends on November 1.

McCain hoped that the political transition would lead to the resolution of longstanding tensions between Erbil and Baghdad and pave the way for orderly elections in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

“I look forward to supporting the Kurdish leaders as they engage in dialogue with Baghdad, secure Kurdistan from aggression sponsored by its neighbors, and provide vital support countering forces that seek to destabilize the region,” said the US senator.

“The Kurdish people are true friends of the United States and deserve our support through these challenging times,” he added.

In response to the September 25 referendum held by the Kurdistan Region on secession from Iraq, the Iraqi government forces including Hashd al-Shaabi, backed by Iranian Revolutionary Guards and equipped with the US-supplied weapons, attacked Kurdistan Region’s disputed territories on October 16.

The military assault led to a humanitarian crisis and further escalated the tensions and political disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.