Iraq's Kurdish region wants to stay out of regional conflicts, PM Barzani says
By Shayan Durrani | SCN NEWS
ERBIL, Iraq — Iraqi Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani says the autonomous Kurdish region is determined to stay out of widening conflicts across the Middle East, insisting it has come under more than 1,000 attacks but faces no external pressure to enter the recent confrontation involving Iran.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Barzani said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) remains committed to stability despite repeated drone and missile attacks targeting the region in recent years.
"We want to stay away from regional conflicts," Barzani said, rejecting suggestions that the Kurdish region has been pressured to take sides in the Iran-related tensions.
More than 1,000 attacks
Barzani said the Kurdish region has endured over 1,000 attacks, many targeting energy facilities, military positions and critical infrastructure.
While he did not identify every group responsible, Kurdish authorities have frequently blamed armed militias operating in Iraq for drone and rocket attacks that have disrupted oil production and threatened regional security.
The attacks have raised concerns among international energy companies and foreign governments with investments in Iraq's Kurdish region.
No desire to join wider conflict
Barzani stressed that the KRG's priority is protecting its people and maintaining economic stability rather than becoming involved in broader regional rivalries.
His remarks come after months of heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States, Israel and Iran-backed armed groups across the Middle East.
Despite the regional instability, Barzani said there had been no direct pressure on the Kurdish leadership to participate in military action against Iran.
Economic stability remains priority
The Kurdish region remains one of Iraq's most important energy-producing areas, exporting oil through neighboring Türkiye and seeking to attract foreign investment despite recurring security challenges.
Barzani said maintaining security is essential for economic growth and warned that continued instability across the Middle East threatens both investment and regional development.
He also reiterated calls for stronger cooperation between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq's federal government to address security threats and resolve long-running disputes over oil exports and budget allocations.
Regional uncertainty continues
The Kurdish region has long attempted to balance relations with Baghdad, Washington, Tehran and Ankara while avoiding direct involvement in regional conflicts.
Analysts say that strategy has become increasingly difficult as the Middle East experiences renewed military tensions and proxy confrontations.
Even so, Kurdish leaders continue to argue that neutrality offers the best chance of protecting the region from further instability.
Why It Matters
The Kurdistan Region occupies a strategic position between Iran, Türkiye and the rest of Iraq. Barzani's pledge to remain outside regional conflicts signals the KRG's determination to preserve stability, safeguard energy infrastructure and avoid becoming another front in the Middle East's growing geopolitical tensions.