Iranian Army Chief Maj. Gen. Mohammad Baqeri said border restrictions imposed by the Islamic Republic on Iraqi Kurdistan region following the KRG’s referendum on independence will be soon removed.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a national conference on passive defense on Monday, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Baqeri said Iranian Kurds have a good relationship with Iraqi Kurds and the border restrictions between Iran and the KRG will be soon lifted.
He went on to add, “If Iraq were to be partitioned, it would have led to war and bloodshed, which would have affected other countries in the region.”
On Sep. 25, 93 percent of Iraqis in KRG-controlled-held areas voted in favor of independence from Iraq, despite international calls for its cancellation.
In response, Iraq requested Iran to close its borders with the Kurdistan region. The Kurdish leadership has now offered to suspend the results of the vote and resign from the presidency of the region.
“The Kurdistan Democratic Party under (KRG President Massoud) Barzani leadership had contributed a lot to the prosperity of Iraq, but their call for independence was a mistake that could lead to a conflict,” Baqeri said.
“Thankfully, the quick response by Iraqi Army and religious leadership prevented a new crisis in Iraq.”
Source: Iranian media
