Haider al-Abadi takes a victory lap in Tehran

[AmirPatriot]

Iran takes the Kurdish calls for autonomy in Iraq very seriously, worried it could stir up its own Kurdish population [AP]

Tehran, Iran - Haider al-Abadi was in Tehran on Thursday for talks with senior Iranian officials. It was a kind of victory lap for the Iraqi prime minister, bookending a tour of the region that included Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

With battlefield victories in Iraq against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and the retaking control of areas held by Kurdish Peshmerga forces, for al-Abadi and his Iranian allies, things are working out according to plan.

Haider al-Abadi on the Kurdish referendum
"Iraq and Iran are on the same side on every issue of concern in this part of the world," said Foad Izadi, a professor of world studies at Tehran University.

"They're on the same page with regard to Syria. They're on the same page with regard to the Kurdish region. Iran supports Iraq's territorial integrity, and Iraq has also realised that having a friend in Tehran can be very good for Iraq."

In Tehran, the main topic of discussion seemed to be the Kurdish referendum.

Al-Abadi, no doubt feeling like he was in a politically supportive environment here in Iran, had a strong message for Iraqis back home: A suspension of the referendum would not be enough. Nothing short of a complete annulment will do.

His Iranian hosts went even further. Eshaq Jahangiri, the first vice president, said the Kurdish referendum was an act of sedition.

Iran takes the Kurdish calls for autonomy very seriously, worried that it could have a cascading effect on its own Kurdish population.

But Iran has not seen the same kind of Kurdish armed resistance that has thrived in Iraq and Turkey.

Iran's Supreme Leader has praised Iraq's fight against ISIL during al-Abadi's visit on Thursday [AFP]

Iran's Kurds enjoy autonomy within a broader Iranian framework. They have been able to preserve their language as well as a unique cultural identity.

They also have political representatives, provincially and in parliament. But all within an Iranian context.

Many Kurds on the Iranian side of the border, however, say their friends and family in the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq are better off because they have more autonomy.

The Iranian view is that more divisions are bad for the region.

"If you start separating different regions, different ethnic groups in this part of the world, you'll have two or three times more countries than you have now and that's not going to work out," Izadi said.

Going forward, the Iraqis are likely to push a political model similar to Iran's, encouraging Iraq's Kurds to pursue more rights and representation, but within a national framework that keeps the country whole.

To that end, and in the brief moments between tough talk, al-Abadi reached out a hand of friendship to the Iraqi Kurds saying, northern Iraq is still a part of Iraq.

INSIDE STORY: What does the future hold for Iraq's Kurds after territory seized? (25:01)
So, two clear signs from leaders of Iraq and Iran.

First, both countries are on the same page on pretty much everything. And secondly, they will not compromise Iraq's territorial integrity.

The question now is, what's next for Iraq’s Kurdish people?

There is no doubt they have sacrificed more blood and treasure than most in the fight against ISIL (also known as ISIS). But, for Iran's leadership, that does not necessarily mean they deserve their own country.

Following a meeting with the Iraqi leader, the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said unity between different races was a key part of the victory against ISIL in Iraq.

Izadi said "the best solution" for the Kurds is to be part "of a prosperous Iraq and be autonomous in a prosperous Iraq".

"They basically had lots of autonomy before this recent vote was taken. … and making sure Iraq stays intact will actually ensure a region that is free from conflict. The Middle East, especially this part of the Middle East, has been under a lot of pressure, lots of wars. It's time for all these things to end."

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/haider-al-abadi-takes-victory-lap-tehran-171026135845018.html

 

[raptor22]

Iran takes the Kurdish calls for autonomy in Iraq very seriously, worried it could stir up its own Kurdish population [AP]

Tehran, Iran - Haider al-Abadi was in Tehran on Thursday for talks with senior Iranian officials. It was a kind of victory lap for the Iraqi prime minister, bookending a tour of the region that included Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

With battlefield victories in Iraq against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and the retaking control of areas held by Kurdish Peshmerga forces, for al-Abadi and his Iranian allies, things are working out according to plan.

Haider al-Abadi on the Kurdish referendum
"Iraq and Iran are on the same side on every issue of concern in this part of the world," said Foad Izadi, a professor of world studies at Tehran University.

"They're on the same page with regard to Syria. They're on the same page with regard to the Kurdish region. Iran supports Iraq's territorial integrity, and Iraq has also realised that having a friend in Tehran can be very good for Iraq."

In Tehran, the main topic of discussion seemed to be the Kurdish referendum.

Al-Abadi, no doubt feeling like he was in a politically supportive environment here in Iran, had a strong message for Iraqis back home: A suspension of the referendum would not be enough. Nothing short of a complete annulment will do.

His Iranian hosts went even further. Eshaq Jahangiri, the first vice president, said the Kurdish referendum was an act of sedition.

Iran takes the Kurdish calls for autonomy very seriously, worried that it could have a cascading effect on its own Kurdish population.

But Iran has not seen the same kind of Kurdish armed resistance that has thrived in Iraq and Turkey.

Iran's Supreme Leader has praised Iraq's fight against ISIL during al-Abadi's visit on Thursday [AFP]

Iran's Kurds enjoy autonomy within a broader Iranian framework. They have been able to preserve their language as well as a unique cultural identity.

They also have political representatives, provincially and in parliament. But all within an Iranian context.

Many Kurds on the Iranian side of the border, however, say their friends and family in the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq are better off because they have more autonomy.

The Iranian view is that more divisions are bad for the region.

"If you start separating different regions, different ethnic groups in this part of the world, you'll have two or three times more countries than you have now and that's not going to work out," Izadi said.

Going forward, the Iraqis are likely to push a political model similar to Iran's, encouraging Iraq's Kurds to pursue more rights and representation, but within a national framework that keeps the country whole.

To that end, and in the brief moments between tough talk, al-Abadi reached out a hand of friendship to the Iraqi Kurds saying, northern Iraq is still a part of Iraq.

INSIDE STORY: What does the future hold for Iraq's Kurds after territory seized? (25:01)
So, two clear signs from leaders of Iraq and Iran.

First, both countries are on the same page on pretty much everything. And secondly, they will not compromise Iraq's territorial integrity.

The question now is, what's next for Iraq’s Kurdish people?

There is no doubt they have sacrificed more blood and treasure than most in the fight against ISIL (also known as ISIS). But, for Iran's leadership, that does not necessarily mean they deserve their own country.

Following a meeting with the Iraqi leader, the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said unity between different races was a key part of the victory against ISIL in Iraq.

Izadi said "the best solution" for the Kurds is to be part "of a prosperous Iraq and be autonomous in a prosperous Iraq".

"They basically had lots of autonomy before this recent vote was taken. … and making sure Iraq stays intact will actually ensure a region that is free from conflict. The Middle East, especially this part of the Middle East, has been under a lot of pressure, lots of wars. It's time for all these things to end."

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/10/haider-al-abadi-takes-victory-lap-tehran-171026135845018.html

Do you think finally we could see stability in our western neighbor? there would be a huge economical potential if it happens .. it's been more than 4 decades that Iraq has been either in turmoil or war, I really hope it happens eventually first for Iraqi people who could live in peace finally and second for Iran.

 

[AmirPatriot]

Do you think finally we could see stability in our western neighbor?

It is a shame, a little while ago it looked like after ISIS' defeat, Iraq would finally be out of this mess. But now the Kurds have started again. Hopefully Barzani will concede defeat and Iraq can see peace.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

It is a shame, a little while ago it looked like after ISIS' defeat, Iraq would finally be out of this mess. But now the Kurds have started again. Hopefully Barzani will concede defeat and Iraq can see peace.

Amen to that. actually Americans cant digest Iraqi victory against ISIS with the help of Iran and Hizbullah so the clash with Kurds was expected
a smart diplomacy will be to bring Turkey on board as well to counter American assisted chaos in this godforsaken land. the people have suffered a lot already may God have mercy on us all

 

[Shapur Zol Aktaf]

Breaking: Barzani quits.

 

[raptor22]

Breaking: Barzani quits.

On what condition?

 

[Shapur Zol Aktaf]

On what condition?

SULAIMANIYA, IRAQ (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdistan’s leader Masoud Barzani will not extend his presidential term beyond Nov. 1, a Kurdish government official said on Saturday.

A plan to divide up the president’s powers was outlined in a letter Barzani sent to the Kurdish parliament on Saturday, which it will discuss on Sunday, the official said.

More news will follow soon..

 

[Indika]

huh, I thought it was related to some sportsperson.