Barzani celebrates Kurdistan as example of successful foreign intervention
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - As debates rages over the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Nechirvan Barzani held up the Kurdistan Region as an example of successful foreign intervention in an op-ed he wrote on Thursday during his visit to the United Kingdom.
“Action in Iraqi Kurdistan by Britain, the US, France and others in 1991 saved hundreds of thousands of my countrymen from being killed by Saddam Hussein,” Barzani wrote in The Times.
The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 688 on April 5, 1991 that condemned Iraq’s repression of Kurds and demanded Baghdad grant access to humanitarian organizations. The UK, US, and France imposed a no-fly zone over Kurdish areas and began Operation Provide Comfort.
“Interventions 30 years ago allowed us to do our own-nation building,” Barzani wrote, explaining that they provided space and security to hold elections, create a parliament, government institutions and launch the Peshmerga forces.
The UK’s prime minister at the time, Sir John Major, played a key role in securing the no-fly zone.
Barzani arrived in London on Wednesday for a three-day trip. He met with the UK’s Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace and a number of military officials as well as some members of parliament on the first day of his visit. He also met with Speaker of House of Lords John McFall and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Thursday.
The UK has been an important ally of the Region for decades. “The people of Kurdistan [Region] and Britain are firm friends, business partners, and allies against terror,” Barzani wrote, noting that his visit is a celebration of the deep partnership between the Kurdistan Region and Britain.
Last month, the United States and allies left Afghanistan after 20 years and the Taliban quickly took control of the country. The US is also under pressure from Iranian-backed forces to leave Iraq.
“The debate of Afghanistan will rage but intervention in Kurdistan was a triumph for the UK and for common humanity,” Barzani wrote.
Britain and the Kurdistan Region enjoy close ties. The UK is a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) and has trained Peshmerga forces since 2014 and is assisting with major reforms in the Peshmerga ministry. In January, the UK launched a training program for judges in both Baghdad and Erbil.
The relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the UK is strong in terms of education as well. The UK embassy and consulate general provide Chevening scholarships for students who want to pursue a post-graduate degree in the UK. It is also home to thousands of Kurds who fled Saddam Hussein's regime in the 1980s and 1990s.
“Action in Iraqi Kurdistan by Britain, the US, France and others in 1991 saved hundreds of thousands of my countrymen from being killed by Saddam Hussein,” Barzani wrote in The Times.
The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 688 on April 5, 1991 that condemned Iraq’s repression of Kurds and demanded Baghdad grant access to humanitarian organizations. The UK, US, and France imposed a no-fly zone over Kurdish areas and began Operation Provide Comfort.
“Interventions 30 years ago allowed us to do our own-nation building,” Barzani wrote, explaining that they provided space and security to hold elections, create a parliament, government institutions and launch the Peshmerga forces.
The UK’s prime minister at the time, Sir John Major, played a key role in securing the no-fly zone.
Barzani arrived in London on Wednesday for a three-day trip. He met with the UK’s Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace and a number of military officials as well as some members of parliament on the first day of his visit. He also met with Speaker of House of Lords John McFall and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Thursday.
The UK has been an important ally of the Region for decades. “The people of Kurdistan [Region] and Britain are firm friends, business partners, and allies against terror,” Barzani wrote, noting that his visit is a celebration of the deep partnership between the Kurdistan Region and Britain.
Last month, the United States and allies left Afghanistan after 20 years and the Taliban quickly took control of the country. The US is also under pressure from Iranian-backed forces to leave Iraq.
“The debate of Afghanistan will rage but intervention in Kurdistan was a triumph for the UK and for common humanity,” Barzani wrote.
Britain and the Kurdistan Region enjoy close ties. The UK is a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) and has trained Peshmerga forces since 2014 and is assisting with major reforms in the Peshmerga ministry. In January, the UK launched a training program for judges in both Baghdad and Erbil.
The relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the UK is strong in terms of education as well. The UK embassy and consulate general provide Chevening scholarships for students who want to pursue a post-graduate degree in the UK. It is also home to thousands of Kurds who fled Saddam Hussein's regime in the 1980s and 1990s.