Iraq issues statement on Peshmerga and PKK: Peshmerga a constitutional force, PKK's presence illegal
RastinewsIraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji said Peshmerga forces hold constitutional status and that Baghdad's efforts to bring weapons under state control do not include the Peshmerga. Araji described the PKK's presence in Iraq as "illegal."
Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji, in an interview with Al Jazeera, spoke about the status of armed groups in the country, the Peshmerga's status, the PKK, and Turkey's military presence in Iraq.
Araji said the Iraqi government would maintain its position that weapons should be under state control alone, adding that talks were being held with armed groups on the matter.
According to Araji, the process will be addressed more comprehensively after the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq.
Peshmerga excluded from this process
Addressing the Peshmerga's status within the debate over bringing weapons under state control, Araji noted that Kurdistan Region forces hold a different status.
"The weapons of the Peshmerga forces are defined within a constitutional framework," Araji said, noting that the disarmament efforts under way do not include the Peshmerga.
Araji said the efforts are directed at armed groups operating outside the state's legal and constitutional structure.
"The PKK's presence in Iraq is illegal"
Another prominent topic in Araji's remarks was the PKK.
Describing the PKK's presence on Iraqi territory as "illegal," Araji said Iraq was coordinating with Turkey on resolving this file.
Araji argued that if the PKK's presence in Iraq were to end entirely, the justification Turkey has put forward for its military presence on Iraqi territory would also disappear.
One of the issues that has long been on the agenda between Baghdad and Ankara is Turkey's military bases and operational points within the Kurdistan Region's borders. Turkey has justified this presence by citing its operations against the PKK, while the Iraqi government has on numerous occasions previously objected to the Turkish military's operations on Iraqi soil.
Coalition withdrawing on September 30
Araji also said a new phase would begin after the U.S.-led international coalition's mission in Iraq ends on September 30.
Araji said this date was not a deadline set for armed groups to lay down their weapons, adding that after the coalition's withdrawal, talks with the groups over bringing weapons under state control would move into a more serious phase.
Araji also stressed that the coalition's withdrawal does not mean the end of security relations between the U.S. and Iraq, saying cooperation with Washington in the security and intelligence fields would continue.
"Iran is our friend, and so is the U.S."
Addressing the tension between Iran and the U.S. as well, Araji said Iraq was trying to preserve its relations with both countries.
"Iran is our friend, and the U.S. is our friend too. But Iraq's interests come before everything else," Araji said, adding that Baghdad was ready to serve as a bridge between the two sides.
Araji said Iraq did not want the region's conflicts to spill onto its territory, adding that resolving issues that threaten the security of neighboring countries was a priority for Baghdad.
Araji also noted that security coordination to be established among the Gulf states, Iraq, and Iran would be important for stability in the region.