Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) – The Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs issued a statement on Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi’s victory speech, which he gave to mark Iraq’s victory over the Islamic State terrorist group, ISIS.

Below is the text of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs' statement:

In his Saturday, November 9th, address on the occasion of liberating all the Iraqi territories and victory over ISIS in Iraq, Mr. Al-Abadi didn’t mention the Peshmerga and their decisive role in defeating ISIS, while congratulating all the Iraqi forces by name.

Unfortunately, once again, the Iraqi Prime Minister failed to act as the Prime Minister of the entire country as he disregarded the role of the Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces. The world testifies that it was the Peshmerga Forces who, before all the Iraqi forces that he named, has destroyed the myth of ISIS. If it hadn’t been for the Peshmerga, ISIS might still have been controlling half of Iraq.

What Mr. Al-Abadi has to say to the families of 1824 martyrs and more than 10,000 wounded Peshmergas, as he considers himself to be their Prime Minister as well? Those Peshmerga sacrificed their lives for the sake of defeating ISIS. How can Prime Minister Al-Abadi expect the families of the martyred and wounded Peshmergas and the people of Kurdistan to be loyal to Iraq when he fails to recognize and appreciate their sacrifices?

The Peshmerga forces hold a special place in the heart of the people of Kurdistan and enjoy the respect of the free world.

It is regrettable that, instead of paving the way towards dialogue to resolve all disputes between Erbil and Baghdad, we see the Iraqi Prime Minister speaking and acting otherwise.