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January 29, 2025 Special Dispatch No. 11800

Fmr. Kurdish President Masoud Barzani: A Full U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq Would Lead To A Resurgence Of ISIS, Worse Crisis Than In 2014; Wars With Israel Have Only Led To Destruction And Bloodshed, Peace Is The Only Solution

January 29, 2025
Iraq | Special Dispatch No. 11800

In an interview on Zagros TV (Iraqi Kurdistan) on January 25, 2025, former Kurdistan president Masoud Barzani discussed various regional issues. He stated that wars with Israel, from 1948 to October 7, have only led to destruction and bloodshed, emphasizing that peace is the right path and solution. Barzani also congratulated President Trump for his stance on recognizing only two genders and warned that if U.S. forces completely withdrew from Iraq at this point, it would face a worse crisis than the 2014 ISIS takeover.

Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV:

"War With Israel Has Only Led To Ruin, Destruction And Blood; Peace Is The Right Path"

Interviewer: "Do you think the time is right to discuss a peace plan with Israel? I am talking about Iraq."

Masoud Barzani: "We have seen the outcome of wars, since 1948 and all the way to October 7. What has been the outcome, apart from ruin, destruction, and blood?"

Interviewer: "Nothing."

Barzani: "It is not about what you like or want, or whether you agree or disagree with one party or another. Peace is the right path, the right solution."

Interviewer: "But after seeing what happened in Gaza..."

Barzani: "Tragedies. These are tragedies."

Interviewer: "Is Hamas responsible for these?"

Barzani: "Should these tragedies continue, or should they be stopped? I hope that this ceasefire will hold, and that as a result, peace will take its course."

[...]

"With Regard To American Relations With Iran... The Swings Between Solution And Impasse That Characterized The Previous U.S. Administration Cannot Continue"

Interviewer: "Do you see a decline in the Iranian influence in the region?"

Barzani: "Of course, this is clear."

Interviewer: "Do you see it also in Iraq?"

Barzani: "No, in Iraq there has been no change, but it is clearly the case in Lebanon and Syria. The fall of the Syrian regime was a blow to Iran, of course."

Interviewer: "And the fall of Hizbullah in Lebanon, as well..."

Barzani: "Absolutely.

[...]

"With regard to the [American] relations with Iran – there will be either a political solution or a dangerous escalation. The swings between solution and impasse that characterized the previous U.S. administration cannot continue."

[...]

"If The Americans Had Not Withdrawn In 2011m ISIS Would Not Have Been Able To Occupy Half Of Iraq; If They Withdraw Now, This Scenario Will Repeat Itself"

Interviewer: "[Trump] has declared that the U.S. policy would change and there would be two genders only – male and female."

Barzani: "I congratulate President Trump on this honorable position. I am a believing man. I believe in God. The holy Quran says: 'In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate, Oh mankind, We have created you from male and female.' Trump went back to how Allah created Man. Indeed, male and female. I congratulate him on this honorable position."

[...]

Interviewer: "You do not support a complete withdrawal of the U.S. forces from the region yet."

Barzani: "In all honesty, I am against all this posturing. If the Americans had not withdrawn in 2011, ISIS would not have been able to occupy half of Iraq [in 2014]. If they withdraw now, this scenario will repeat itself, perhaps even to a worse extent."

 

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