Masrour Barzani to ZDF TV: The Kurdish nation like any other nation, it has the right to self-determination and to decide on their destiny

The Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region and Head of Security Council (KRSC) Masrour Barzani said during an interview with the German TV channel ZDF, that the best way to find out the demands of the Kurds is the direct holding of the referendum and listening to the people of Kurdistan and find out what they want for their future. He added that the Kurdish nation like any other nation has the right to self-determination and to draw their own future.

In response to a question about the support received from the international coalition, training for the Peshmerga forces and what the Kurds want more

Mr Barzani replied, "We thank all the countries, especially Germany, who have provided   the Peshmerga with sophisticated weapons that were an effective factor in repelling terrorist attacks, but as we all know that ISIS seized large amounts of gear and sophisticated weapons from armoured vehicles and heavy weapons so the Peshmerga needs larger quantities of advanced weapons to be able to overcome ISIS’’.

The question on why Germany provided greater support for the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS,

Mr  Barzani said, "The problem is ISIS and that it’s an international organisation bringing people from around the world and some of them are German nationals, they did not only come to participate in the war, they are here to learn how to fight and how to recruit others and re-organise. If they return to their homes they will become the biggest problem for their countries. "

And on ensuring that the ISIS threat is eliminated in Kurdistan and Erbil

Mr Barzani said, "They tried to expose Erbil and to occupy the entire Kurdistan, but thanks to the bravery of Peshmerga forces and support of the coalition and the international community forces we were able to stop them in their place, even forcing them to retreat, but when they have the chance they will not hesitate to attack us. Adding, “It is not easy to eliminate the ISIS ideology and it will take some time to militarily defeat ISIS and elimination it is not difficult, however, it is not impossible.”

“The fight with ISIS and to  defeat them  needs a regular force that  possesses complete and sophisticated equipment and a wise strategy, and in addition to the ISIS fight , we  must also  think of ways to annihilate their financial sources,”

And with the participation of Iraqi forces in the liberation of the city of Mosul, the Kurdistan Region Security Council adviser, said:

“We have no problem when the opportunity arises, as we have worked with the Iraqi forces. There is something in the battle to liberate Mosul, and the decision to deploy the Peshmerga forces and send them out of the region needs to be authenticated by  the Kurdistan Parliament, as we understand the importance of liberalisation of the city of Mosul, and certainly the defeat of  ISIS in Mosul will be beneficial for  the Kurdistan Region.”

And on separation from Iraq,

Mr Barzani said, “Independence is not a dream, and I think that is a natural right of any nation and its people, the Kurdish nation like any other nation, it has the right to self-determination and to decide on their destiny. There cannot be any political debate on it. We believe that the best way to find out what the Kurdish people want is a direct referendum and the people of Kurdistan will then be determined by their future.”