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Why Massoud Barzani returned to Baghdad

After a long breakup, KDP leader Massoud Barzani returned to Baghdad to strengthen Kurdistan's position in the capital.
Former Iraqi Kurdish region President Masoud Barzani meets with Iraqi Shi'ite radical leader Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, Iraq November 23, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC180BA2F8F0

BAGHDAD — Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Massoud Barzani visited Baghdad Nov. 22. With that visit, he ended an entire year of accusations and threats between himself and federal authorities that followed the September 2017 referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan Region.

Shortly after his return from Baghdad, Barzani said new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was more understanding and cooperative than Haider al-Abadi was when it came to Kurdish issues and resolving them.

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