ANKARA: Turkiye demanded an explanation from Iraqi Kurdish officials after former leader Masoud Barzani arrived in a mainly Kurdish Turkish border region last weekend surrounded by heavily armed and uniformed guards.
Barzani, who was president of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government from 2005-17 and remains Iraqi Kurdistan’s most powerful figure, visited the Cizre district in southeast Turkiye’s Sirnak province for a symposium on a Kurdish poet. It was also attended by Turkish officials, including a deputy interior minister.
The dispute, which could damage efforts to improve Turkish-KRG relations, centered on video of Barzani’s security detail that Ankara said was insulting and undermined the Turkish state’s ability to protect foreign dignitaries on its soil.
Devlet Bahceli, leader of the ultra-nationalist MHP which is allied with President Tayyip Erdogan, accused Barzani of turning his visit into a “show,” adding: “It is a total disgrace for soldiers with foreign uniforms to be roaming around our nation’s soil with long-range rifles.”
In response, Barzani’s office said the remarks were “the product of a chauvinist mentality.” It said all security measures taken during Barzani’s visit were in accordance with protocols signed by Turkish and Iraqi officials.
“We thought God had guided Devlet Bahceli and given up racism and chauvinism. But it seems he’s still the same old Grey Wolf, only now he’s dressed in sheep’s clothing,” Barzani’s office added in a statement.
It was referring to the MHP’s grey-wolf party emblem and Bahceli’s recent role in a peace process with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) after a four-decade insurgency against the Turkish state.
Ankara hopes PKK disarmament will stabilize the wider region including KRG territory, where PKK militants are based.
Turkiye’s interior ministry said it had launched an investigation over “armed guard images” during Barzani’s visit and the foreign ministry said the statement by his office was “unacceptable,” provocative and disrespectful.
Ankara has demanded an explanation and steps against those involved, the foreign ministry added.
President Tayyip Erdogan said the comments by Barzani’s office were “impertinent” and unacceptable and he hoped it would rectify this “grave mistake.”
Turkiye slams ex-Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani over his visit with heavily armed guards
https://arab.news/567s2
Turkiye slams ex-Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani over his visit with heavily armed guards
- Bahceli, leader of the ultra-nationalist MHP which is allied with Erdogan, accused Barzani of turning his visit into a “show“
- Barzani’s office said the remarks were “the product of a chauvinist mentality“
Tunisian police clash with youths in Kairouan after man’s death
- Tunisia President Kais Saied shut down parliament and began ruling by decree in 2021 in what he called a move to root out rampant corruption and mismanagement, but which the opposition called a coup
TUNIS: Clashes erupted for a second night on Saturday between police and youths in the central Tunisian city of Kairouan after a man died following a police chase, according to his family, fueling authorities’ fears that protests could spread across the country. As Tunisia prepares to mark the January anniversary of the 2011 revolution, which sparked the Arab Spring uprising, tensions have risen amid protests, and a powerful UGTT union call for a nationwide strike next month. Thousands have been protesting for weeks in the southern city of Gabes, demanding the closure of a chemical plant on environmental grounds.
Witnesses said demonstrators in Kairouan threw stones, petrol bombs and flares, and blocked streets by burning tires, prompting police to disperse crowds with tear gas.
The family said the man, riding a motorcycle without a license, was chased by police, beaten, and taken to a hospital. He later fled and died on Friday from a head injury.
The government was not immediately available to comment. Relatives of the deceased said they will not remain silent and will spark major protests if those responsible are not held accountable.
In a bid to defuse tensions, Kairouan’s governor visited the family on Saturday evening and pledged to open an investigation to determine the circumstances of the death and establish accountability, witnesses said.
Tunisia President Kais Saied shut down parliament and began ruling by decree in 2021 in what he called a move to root out rampant corruption and mismanagement, but which the opposition called a coup.
Rights groups accuse Saied of using the judiciary and police to stifle criticism, something that Saied denies.
