"There are many differences between Afghanistan and Kurdistan and there is a big difference between the Peshmerga and the Afghan Army," Barzani said in a statement released by his office.

Saying that there is "a political and media wave” trying to create anxiety by comparing the situations in the Kurdistan Region and Afghanistan, the KDP leader argued that the historic experience of the Peshmerga and the support it enjoys from the people will enable the Region’s armed forces to stand up to any challenge, NRT reported.

"If a nation does not rely on itself and its abilities, it is always likely to be threatened and destroyed,” he said.

"The people's support has value and will affect our own will,” he added.

The US and other members of the International Coalition are in Iraq at the invitation of Iraq’s federal government in order to fight the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group, but some factions support the withdrawal of foreign troops.

Washington has agreed to wrap up its combat role and focus entirely on training, advising, and intelligence gathering. US officials have said that if they are asked by Baghdad, they will leave the country, including the Kurdistan Region.

Should the factions advocating withdrawal do well in Iraq’s October election, the possibility of ending the mission will likely go up, causing concern in Erbil about the security of the Kurdistan Region.

This worry has been compounded by memories of the poor performance of the Iraqi Security Forces in 2014 when ISIS took over large swathes of the country and the dramatic collapse of the NATO-backed Afghan Army this summer.

In his statement, Barzani struck a defiant tone.

"When the enemies of Kurdistan had the idea of hurting the people of Kurdistan, it has never been easy for them and it will certainly not be easy for them in the future,” he said.

"If someone wants to spread discouragement and fear among the Kurdish people, then it is clear that he has not yet understood the will and patience of the Kurdish people."

Reporter's code: 50101