Erbil, Kurdistan Region – President Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), has called for greater unity among Syrian Kurds, emphasizing the need for peaceful efforts to secure their rights. In an exclusive interview with Shams TV, Barzani addressed pressing issues related to the Kurdish struggle in Syria, the Kurdistan Region’s elections, and broader regional dynamics.

Barzani revealed a recent meeting with Mazloum Abdi, Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), during which they discussed the importance of Kurdish solidarity. “The high national interest made it necessary for me to meet with Mazloum Abdi,” Barzani stated. “I advised him not to despair, to engage in dialogue, to end all foreign hegemony, and to unite Kurdish voices and positions. I also urged him to avoid clashes with the PKK.”

He criticized external interference in Syrian Kurdish affairs, particularly from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), saying, “The PKK must allow Syrian Kurds to determine their own destiny.” Barzani stressed the Kurdistan Region’s potential to facilitate dialogue between Syrian Kurds and Damascus, suggesting that the Region’s governance model should serve as an inspiration rather than a prescription.

On the topic of self-determination, Barzani reiterated the Kurdish people's right to pursue it as “a legitimate, divine right,” emphasizing the importance of working in harmony with regional nations. “Denying us this right is a great injustice, but the Kurdish people have endured and will continue to resist,” he said.

Turning to domestic matters, Barzani addressed claims regarding delays in the Kurdistan Region’s parliamentary elections. He dismissed accusations that the KDP was responsible, attributing postponements to opposition groups and certain government factions. Celebrating the KDP’s electoral success, he remarked, “The Kurdish people have overcome conspiracies, and the KDP emerged stronger.”

Barzani urged all political parties to swiftly form the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), warning against delays tied to Iraq’s upcoming elections. “The formation of the new government should not be postponed until after Iraq’s elections, as some parties suggest,” he cautioned.

The KDP leader expressed hope for genuine reforms in Syria, emphasizing the importance of action over rhetoric. He concluded with a personal note, expressing his deep connection to Qamishli, a city in northeastern Syria. “Qamishli is in my heart. I hope to visit it soon,” he said.

Barzani’s remarks underscore the challenges and opportunities facing Kurdish unity in the region and highlight the broader aspirations of the Kurdish people for peace, rights, and stability.