Barzani: Protecting Iraq's sovereignty is in the interest of every citizen

BAGHDAD-INA

President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, stressed Sunday, that protecting Iraq's sovereignty is in the interest of every citizen, calling to consider Peshmerga forces as part of Iraq's defense system.

 "Protecting the sovereignty of Iraq is in the interest of every citizen and every spot in Iraq," Barzani said during the graduation ceremony of the sixth class  for officers and the 16th class of the Peshmerga at the Third Military College of Qalagolan in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), adding that “ protecting the sovereignty of Iraq is in the interest of every citizen and every spot in Iraq," noting that "protecting the Kurdistan region as part of the Iraqi state is of interest to every Iraqi and to all Iraqi state institutions, and is viewed as a common duty.

He praised, "the role of the Peshmerga forces in the war against ISIS," noting that "the Peshmerga is a strong partner and support for the army and all Iraqi armed forces in protecting the provinces of Kirkuk and Diyala and in liberating Mosul."

 He added, "our sovereignty in Iraq is common, and our interests, victories and defeats are also common."

 Barzani called, "the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Minister of Defense, and the Chief of Staff of the Army, to deal with the Peshmerga as part of Iraq's defense system, as stated in the constitution, and to secure the needs of the Peshmerga."

He stressed, "the need to expedite the conduct of the two joint brigades in carrying out their scheduled tasks, to prevent the entrenchment of ISIS in the disputed areas, especially with the increase in ISIS attacks and operations in those areas in Iraq and Kurdistan.

 He continued, "The recent joint operations between the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga were very successful, but this is not enough and needs continuous joint action."