Kurdistan Region leaders wish for prosperity, security in New Year congratulatory messages

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Officials and political leaders in the Kurdistan Region extended their wishes for a prosperous year and called for stability in Iraq as 2019 draws to a close.

“I extend my best wishes to all the people of Kurdistan on the New Year and I wish people all over [the] world a year of prosperity and success,” said President Nechirvan Barzani in a statement, offering his “special and warmest greetings” to the families of “martyred” Peshmerga fighters.

“I hope for stability for Iraq and the resolution of its difficulties and an end to the crises and turbulence in the country,” he added, referring to month-long protests demanding the toppling of the current establishment, followed by tensions between the US and the Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), locally known as Hashd al-Shaabi, after Kirkuk's K1 military base - housing US forces - was attacked on Friday evening. 

The US responded with retaliatory airstrikes on PMF bases, which led to Iranian-backed militia supporters storming the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, raising fears for Iraq's future.

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Masrour Barzani said in a statement that his cabinet  “remains committed to peace and prosperity for all.” 

“As we enter 2020, let us reflect upon how far the Kurdistan Region has come alongside the progress and sacrifices we have made. Let us acknowledge all that we have achieved, overcoming the uncertainty of war, injustice and instability while remaining united,” he said. 

This year seemed to be a prosperous one for the KRG, recovering from the financial crisis it suffered from since the emergence of Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014 and the cutting of its budget share  in 2016 after the federal government, led by Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, decided to send the region’s share of budget. 

Following Abdul-Mahdi's resignation amid ongoing protests across the south, the fate of the KRG’s share in the federal budget is not clear. 

Rewaz Fayaq, speaker of Kurdistan's parliament expressed hope that the Region can celebrate the new year with “stability and tranquility”. 

Masoud Barzani, leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), also expressed hope that the new year can bring harmony and prosperity to Kurdistan Region and Iraq. 

“I wish the people of Kurdistan, Iraq and the rest of the world a happy New Year. It is my sincere hope that the new year will bring more harmony and prosperity to our world,” he tweeted, conveying his “heartfelt wishes” for the families of Peshmerga victims.