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Kurdish Parliament Speaker: Referendum Consequences Destroyed Achievements of Past 25 Years

A Kurdistan parliament meeting in Irbil, Iraq September 15, 2107. (Reuters)
A Kurdistan parliament meeting in Irbil, Iraq September 15, 2107. (Reuters)
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Kurdish Parliament Speaker: Referendum Consequences Destroyed Achievements of Past 25 Years

A Kurdistan parliament meeting in Irbil, Iraq September 15, 2107. (Reuters)
A Kurdistan parliament meeting in Irbil, Iraq September 15, 2107. (Reuters)

After extending the term of the outgoing Iraqi Kurdistan parliament, it was believed that Speaker Yusuf Mohammed Sadiq would return to Irbil and carry out his duties, especially in wake of the disastrous consequences of the autonomous region’s independence referendum.

However, neither the Speaker returned to parliament nor did the political situation stabilize. Sadiq had held the Kurdistan region’s government accountable for this instability, saying that the consequences of the September referendum cost the region 25 years worth of achievements.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Sadiq said that he is ready to hold talks with Baghdad, urging Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi against acting “arrogant.”

Explaining why he did not resume his work as a parliament speaker, he replied that the way in which the “parliament was rendered functional did not satisfy our ambitions.”

“We wanted to keep it away from partisan meddling, but the reality was that its only goal was to legislate the referendum process.”

He explained that the decision to hold the referendum took place through a partisan decision and against the parliament’s will.

He revealed that he was opposed to the extension of parliament’s term, especially since parties agreed to organize the independence vote before the parliamentary elections.

“I knew that it will be difficult to organize the elections directly after the referendum due to the short period of time between the two events,” Sadiq said.

He added that he sent a letter to the electoral commission asking it to prepare for organizing the presidential and parliamentary elections before the end of parliament’s term on June 11 because he feared that the referendum would delay the elections, but nothing transpired from his efforts.

The referendum was consequently held and the parliamentary and presidential elections were postponed.

“I believe that the Change Movement agrees with me that my return depends on enabling the parliament to perform its duties without any hegemony. I believe that we need a new agreement that ensures that the current regime is changed and that the Kurdistan Democratic Party would be prevented from meddling in the security and military institutions,” he added.

The new change would also ensure that democratic and transparent parliamentary and presidential elections are held. Negotiations would also be held with Baghdad and reforms would be introduced to achieve transparency in financial resources, he stressed.

Sadiq told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The stronger our relationship with the federal authorities is, the better it would be. Relations between legitimate institutions must be strengthened to become the bodies that supervise governance institutions.”

“I see an utmost necessity that the Kurdish parliament have an important and effective role in any negotiations between Irbil and Baghdad,” he remarked.

Should the Kurdistan Regional government be unable to open the doors to dialogue with Iraq, the parliament could form a delegation under the supervision of the presidential body to go to Baghdad to negotiate.

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Interviews

Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
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Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of the new Syrian administration, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Syrian revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere.”

He stressed that Syria “will not be used to attack or destabilize any Arab or Gulf country.”

Speaking from the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Thursday, Al-Sharaa said the Syrian opposition’s actions had “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years.”

Asked why Syria has yet to send a direct message to the Gulf and major Arab nations, Al-Sharaa responded by saying that his country has much to say to its Arab neighbors.

“Syria had become a platform for Iran to control key Arab capitals, spread wars, and destabilize the Gulf with drugs like Captagon,” he said.

He added: “By removing Iranian militias and closing Syria to Iranian influence, we’ve served the region’s interests—achieving what diplomacy and external pressure could not, with minimal losses.”

Al-Sharaa also criticized efforts to restore ties with the former Syrian regime, including its return to the Arab League in exchange for concessions.

“We were confident this would fail because we knew the regime would not make any genuine concessions or approach these overtures in good faith,” he said.

He claimed that during a meeting with Jordanian officials, the former regime was asked why it insisted on exporting Captagon to Jordan.

“The response was that it would not stop unless sanctions were lifted," Al-Sharaa said, adding “this is not how the regime operates.”

He emphasized that Gulf strategic security has since improved. “Today, the Iranian project in the region has been pushed back 40 years, making the Gulf more secure and stable.”

When asked if he would give reassurances on Syria not becoming a refuge for certain figures, Al-Sharaa dismissed concerns about hosting figures who cause concern for some Arab nations, saying Syria will not become a haven for controversial individuals.

“We are now focused on state-building. The revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere. Syria will not be a platform to threaten or unsettle any Arab or Gulf country,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria seeks to rebuild and strengthen ties with Arab nations. “Syria is tired of wars and being used for others’ agendas. We want to restore trust and rebuild our country as part of the Arab world.”

He praised the Gulf’s progress, saying: “We admire the development in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia’s bold plans and vision, and we aspire to achieve similar progress for Syria.”

He added: “There are many opportunities for cooperation, especially in economic and developmental areas, where we can align our goals.”

On Syria’s relationship with its neighbor Lebanon, Al-Sharaa acknowledged concerns raised by Lebanese counterparts about him reaching Damascus, fearing it could strengthen one faction over another in Lebanon.

“We are not seeking any form of dominance over Lebanon,” he said. “We want a relationship based on mutual respect and exchange, without interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs. We have enough work to do in our own country.”

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s intention to maintain balanced relations, saying he aims “to stand equally with all Lebanese groups, and what pleases them, pleases us.”

Al-Sharaa was asked about a national dialogue conference and a new constitution to guide Syria’s future, and the mechanism that he plans to ensure inclusivity for all Syrians in the process, especially among the base of supporters and fighters who do not necessarily agree with his current moderate speech.

Al-Sharaa acknowledged differing opinions but emphasized he does not want to impose his personal views on Syrians.

“I believe in letting legal experts shape the relationship between citizens, with the law as the guide,” he said.

“Syria is diverse, and it's natural for there to be different opinions. This difference is healthy.”

Al-Sharaa stressed that the recent victory is for all Syrians, not one group over another.

“Even those we thought were loyal to the old regime expressed joy, as they had not been able to openly express their feelings before,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that Syrians, regardless of their background, are aware enough to protect their country.

“My aim is to reach a broad agreement and build a country where the rule of law helps resolve our differences,” Al-Sharaa concluded.

On the complex issue of forced disappearances and individuals missing in prisons and mass graves, Al-Sharaa said the previous regime was a criminal gang, not a political system.

“We fought a brutal group that committed crimes like arrests, forced disappearances, killings, displacement, starvation, chemical attacks, and torture,” he said.

He stressed that while the regime is gone, the focus should be on justice, not revenge.

“We must not approach this with a desire for vengeance,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stated that those responsible for crimes like the Saydnaya prison and chemical attacks must be held accountable.

“Their names are known and they must be pursued,” he said. He also affirmed that families have the right to file complaints against unknown perpetrators.

Al-Sharaa outlined efforts to address the issue of missing persons. “We’ve broken the barriers, and specialized organizations are now helping with this task,” he said.

A new ministry will be set up to track the fate of the missing, both the deceased and the living.

“This will also assist families with documents like death certificates and inheritance,” he added.

He acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the need to uncover the truth. “This is a big task, but we must find the truth,” Al-Sharaa said.

When asked about hosting the interview at the People’s Palace, the same location where Bashar al-Assad once sat, Al-Sharaa responded with a light-hearted laugh.

“To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable at all,” he said. “But this is a place that should be open to the people, a site where they can visit and where children can play in these courtyards.”