Internal Rift Shakes Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Foundations

Lahur Talabany, co-chair of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). (Reuters)
Lahur Talabany, co-chair of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). (Reuters)
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Internal Rift Shakes Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Foundations

Lahur Talabany, co-chair of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). (Reuters)
Lahur Talabany, co-chair of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). (Reuters)

News from Iraqi Kurdistan’s Sulaymaniyah Governorate, the stronghold of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party, suggests that divisions within the Talabani family are profoundly shaking the Kurdish nationalist party that was founded by Jalal Talabani some 46 years ago.

A difference in visions and interests has manifested in a possible power struggle between Bafel Talabani and Qubad Talabani, the sons of the late founder, and their paternal cousin Lahur Talabany.

In February 2020, Lahur and Bafel were elected as co-chairs of the PUK, following years of wrangling within the party over who would succeed the late Jalal Talabani, who died in 2017.

However, current signs confirm the end of the era of co-chairing in the party as PUK sources point out that the tug of war within the party will be resolved in favor of the sons of the founding leader and at the expense of their cousins.

Party media and official social media accounts on Monday named Bafel president of the PUK. The identification was made following Bafel and Lahur holding a meeting with former Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi.

In contrast, Lahur’s media office released a statement about the meeting in which he was still named as the PUK’s co-chair.

While the party’s official media outlet focused on a “PUK roadmap and clear national strategy towards overall equations,” the statement released by Lahur’s media office focused on the “pressing need for unity among national ranks.”

The latter statement also said that accord is needed on “all sensitive and crucial issues to protect the country from problems and fragmentation and help achieve stability, security and services for citizens in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.”

The PUK was founded in 1975 after breaking away from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

The two parties fought a long civil war in the 1990s before agreeing to share power in a united administration. They both retain their own Peshmerga units and geographical areas of influence.



Moscow Reaffirms Dialogue with Damascus, Expects Respect for Russian Interests

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
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Moscow Reaffirms Dialogue with Damascus, Expects Respect for Russian Interests

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (File photo – Reuters)

Russia has reaffirmed its ongoing diplomatic and military dialogue with the Syrian government, stressing the importance of safeguarding its national interests, particularly regarding its military presence in Syria.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that communications between Moscow and Damascus remain active on a number of sensitive issues, including the future of Russian military bases and the humanitarian challenges stemming from the influx of displaced Syrians into the Russian-operated Hmeimim airbase in Latakia.

In remarks to the state-run TASS agency published Wednesday, Ryabkov noted that all issues are being discussed, despite a noticeable slowdown in public communications between the two allies in recent weeks.

He stressed that Moscow expects Syria to act in a way that respects Russia’s strategic interests, particularly as the two sides revisit the terms of longstanding military agreements.

Addressing the continued presence of thousands of Syrians at Hmeimim, Ryabkov said Russia is in contact with Syrian authorities to resolve the matter.

“We anticipate that this issue, along with others, will be resolved in a manner that protects our national interests and addresses the humanitarian concerns involved,” he said.

Around 9,000 Syrians reportedly sought refuge at the base after clashes erupted earlier this year between the new Syrian authorities and loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad in Latakia, Tartus, and Homs.

Russia has been seeking to redefine its relationship with Damascus since Assad’s removal. A key step came in January when Russian presidential envoy Mikhail Bogdanov visited Syria for the first time since the leadership change.

Following the visit, Moscow signaled progress in “breaking the ice,” with both sides reportedly agreeing to explore a new framework for cooperation, including renegotiating Russia’s military footprint at Hmeimim and Tartus.

Damascus, for its part, has requested Russia’s support in implementing transitional justice, including lifting protection for former regime figures and repatriating allegedly embezzled funds believed to be held in Russia - claims the Kremlin denies.

Moscow has also expressed willingness to support Syria’s internal political dialogue, offer infrastructure reconstruction assistance, and potentially clear Syrian debt.

In March, President Vladimir Putin sent a letter to Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa affirming Russia’s readiness to deepen cooperation in all fields and backing Syria’s efforts to stabilize the country.

The timing of the letter was seen as significant, particularly after reports indirectly accused Moscow of enabling rogue military actions by Assad loyalists.

Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov extended an official invitation to his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, to visit Moscow, a move reportedly suggested by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.