Barzani offers to help in fight against terrorism - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Iraq Pulse)

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Iraq Pulse)

Jan 22, 2014

Massoud Barzani (R), president of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, participates in a debate held by the EU Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brussels, Begium, Jan. 21, 2014. — Wladimir van Wilgenburg

BRUSSELS — President of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Massoud Barzani has said he is willing to help Baghdad fight against terrorism and warned the European parliament of the influence of extremist groups in Syria. He also suggested that a dialogue with Baghdad over oil deals will continue until a deal is reached.

Barzani spoke Jan. 21 at the Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels, just before the Geneva II conference set to take place Jan. 22 in Switzerland.

Iraqi Kurdish President Massoud Barzani (C) visits Syrian refugees at the Quru Gusik refugee camp in Arbil, about 350 km (220 miles) north of Baghdad, August 19, 2013. An estimated 29,000 Syrian refugees have entered northern Iraq since Thursday in one of the largest crossings in Syria's two-year-old conflict and the influx is continuing, the United Nations said on Monday. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAQ - Tags: SOCIETY IMMIGRATION) - RTX12R1S

Syrian Kurds welcome agreement on Geneva II

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Syria Pulse)

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Syria Pulse)

A Kurdish female fighter from Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) checks her weapon near Ras al-Ain, in the province of Hasakah, after capturing it from Islamist rebels November 6, 2013. Redur Xelil, spokesman for the armed wing of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), said Kurdish militias had seized the city of Ras al-Ain and all its surrounding villages. Syrian Kurdish fighters have captured more territory from Islamist rebels in northeastern Syria, a Kurdish militant group said on Monday,

Syrian Kurds jockey for seat at Geneva talks

Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A Kurdish security forces member stands guard outside a polling station after its closing in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdistan region, about 350 km (217 miles) north of Baghdad, September 21, 2013. Iraqi Kurds voted on Saturday for a new parliament that analysts said was poised to lead the oil-producing region further down the road to greater autonomy from Baghdad. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari (IRAQ - Tags: ELECTIONS POLITICS BUSINESS) - RTX13TNL

Iraqi Kurdistan more vulnerable to Al-Qaeda attacks

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Syria Pulse)

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Syria Pulse)

Syrian Kurds not united behind opposition delegation to Geneva talks

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Syria Pulse)

Wladimir van Wilgenburg (Syria Pulse)