In recent weeks, Iranian border guards have clashed with several terrorists and opposition groups in the country’s western areas, particularly near the borders with Iraqi Kurdistan.
The Kurdish Council of Ministers issued a statement on the clashes near the Kurdistan Region border areas with Iran and Turkey.
The statement reaffirmed the KRG’s commitment to the protection of its borders with neighbouring states and urged opposition groups to avoid launching attacks on Iran and Turkey using Kurdistan’s territory.
At the same time, it called on Tehran and Ankara to stop shelling Kurdish regions in their fight against opposition groups, as the bombardment has caused villagers to abandon their homes, as well as damaging livestock and crops.
Here is the full text of the statement:
In the past few days, the borders of Kurdistan Region were attacked by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Turkey, injuring a number of Kurdistan Region civilians, forcing dozens of villagers to abandon their homes, and damaging livestock, crops and the natural environment of Kurdistan Region.
The Kurdistan Regional Government is concerned about the injuries and damages and is asking the neighbouring countries, Iran and Turkey, to end their attacks against Kurdistan Region borders. The Kurdistan Regional Government reiterates that its policy of having friendly relations with the neighbouring countries has not changed and it is committed to international laws to protect the borders of neighbouring countries and to work for achieving peace and stability for the people of Kurdistan Region, Iran, Turkey and the entire region.
In the meantime, we object the use of Kurdistan Region’s territories and borders by some of the Iranian opposition groups and Kurdistan Workers Party [PKK] to launch attacks against the neighbouring countries. We ask all parties to stop using Kurdistan Region territories to launch attacks against the neighbours of the Region and respect the stability, legal obligations and friendly relations of Kurdistan Region with its neighbours.
