Barzani ready to deploy Peshmerga to Kobani

President of Kurdistan Region Massoud Barzani has said that the Peshmerga forces being sent to the besieged city of Kobani are merely a back-up force that won’t engage in direct fighting against IS militants.

In a statement, Mr Barzani said that any time more forces are needed in Kobani or any other places in Syrian Kurdistan the KRG wouldn’t hesitate to send more forces and weapons.

He also revealed that at the start of the Islamic State attacks on Kobani they tried to send forces and weaponry to the Kurdish fighters of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), but the difficulty of the situation and the location prevented them from doing so.

“Peshmerga deployment to Kobani without the approval of Turkey and US would have been impossible,” said Barzani.

He also revealed that US secretary of State John Kerry called him and said that they are working with Ankara to allow Peshmerga to access Kobani from the Turkish side of the border.

He also thanked US-led coalition forces in supporting them in their fight against Islamic State militants.

Regarding the questions as to why they have “only” sent 150 Peshmerga, Barzani said the number of Peshmerga was the request of YPG political wing, the Democratic Union Party (PYD).

“We contacted the PYD leadership and told them we are ready top send Peshmerga forces to Kobani and they told us they only need back-up Peshmerga forces; we have sent this force on the basis of the PYD request,” added Barzani.

On Wednesday, about 150 Peshmerga officers crossed in to Turkey and were expected to enter Kobani.