According to KurdPress, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, warned of the continuation of drone and missile attacks against the region and called for the help of the US and other international partners to create an independent defense capability in the region, saying that the withdrawal of Patriot systems and the reduction of the US military presence could create a dangerous security vacuum.In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Barzani described the August 17 drone attack on his private office and the home of the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Security Council as a “dangerous escalation” and a direct threat to the region’s security and stability, saying that since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28, more than a thousand drone and missile attacks have been carried out against various targets in the Kurdistan Region.

Stressing that the Kurdistan Region has tried from the beginning not to enter into a regional conflict, he said, “We have not threatened the security of any of our neighbors or provoked them.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister also emphasized that Erbil is responsible for protecting its people, infrastructure, and facilities, and called on the international community and the Iraqi federal government to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, and especially the Kurdistan Region.However, the most important part of Barzani’s speech was related to the state of the region’s air defenses. He said that the Kurdistan Region has so far failed to purchase effective systems to counter drone and missile threats and has relied heavily on US support in recent years.

Barzani said that US defense systems have been able to intercept incoming missiles and drones in many cases, but due to the vastness of the protected area, it has not been possible to intercept all targets. “We are vulnerable and these attacks cannot continue,” he warned.

According to the Prime Minister of the region, the withdrawal of US air defense systems from the region without creating a suitable alternative would pose a serious security risk to the region.He called for the region to acquire air defense systems, early warning systems, anti-drone equipment and other defense capabilities.

Barzani stressed that he had raised the issue with the US government and that negotiations for support and defense equipment were ongoing. He said that Erbil hopes to be able to create capabilities with the help of its partners that, in addition to protecting the people, will also protect the energy sector, infrastructure and other vital facilities of the region.

In another part of the interview, Barzani emphasized the importance of the relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States, saying that this relationship is more important today than ever. While welcoming the statements of Tom Barak, the US ambassador to Turkey and its envoy for Iraq and Syria, he said that the Kurdistan Region considers itself an ally and partner of the US and wants to continue these relations even after the reduction of the US military presence in Iraq.Barzani said Erbil does not oppose the US decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq, but hopes that the withdrawal will not lead to a “security vacuum” in the region. He added that the region’s relations with the US should not be limited to security cooperation and should also expand to economic and political areas.

The regional prime minister also supported the Donald Trump administration’s policy of strengthening trade and regional economic integration, saying that Erbil supports a “trade instead of war” approach instead of conflict and conflict. In his view, expanding economic relations between Iraq, Turkey, Syria and the Kurdistan Region could lead to reduced tensions and increased regional stability.

Barzani stressed that the Kurdistan Region wants more American companies to be present in various sectors of the economy, from energy to agriculture, infrastructure and technology.He said that the presence of American investors is very important for the region, but at the same time, an environment must be created in which investments, company employees and their infrastructure are protected from security threats.

He considered drone and missile attacks to be one of the factors that have disrupted the region's economic development process, and said that these attacks have in some cases practically prevented the region's economic growth. According to Barzani, using the region's economic resources and capacities can help boost the economy of Iraq and the region and ultimately increase security and stability.

Regarding relations with Turkey and Syria, Barzani said that the Kurdistan Region has good relations with both countries and is in a good position to play a constructive role due to its historical relations with the people on both sides of the border.He said that Erbil has tried to support the peace process in Turkey, as well as the process of integration and the formation of a new political system in Syria, and has played a constructive and positive role in this process.

In another part of his speech, Barzani supported Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, calling him a “trusted leader and friend.” He supported al-Zaidi’s measures in fighting corruption, trying to place all groups under the rule of law, and disarming armed groups, saying that Iraq needs such measures today.

Regarding the September 30 deadline for determining the fate of the weapons of armed groups in Iraq, the regional prime minister also said that he hopes that all groups will comply with the law and the government’s decision and hand over their weapons and forces to the government. He warned that groups that do not cooperate with this process must accept responsibility for its consequences.Barzani also stressed that no one wants a military confrontation or chaos in Iraq, but the central government has a duty to protect the people, sovereignty and security of the country. He described this mission as difficult, especially if not all armed groups cooperate with the government.

Asked whether the fate of the disarmament of armed groups in Iraq depends on developments between the United States and Iran, he said that although regional developments affect Iraq, the issue of the weapons of armed groups is primarily an Iraqi issue. According to him, Iraqis must prioritize their national interests, security and stability regardless of how the conflict between the United States and Iran continues or ends.

Barzani then addressed the internal political crisis in the Kurdistan Region, calling the delay in forming a new cabinet “very regrettable.”He said that more than 20 months after the October 2024 parliamentary elections, the new regional government has not yet been formed, a situation that he said was not what the KDP and he wanted.

He said that from the beginning, he had wanted the rapid formation of a government and the participation of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan as a main partner in the new government, but political differences and the party’s wait for the results of the Iraqi elections to be known delayed the process of forming a cabinet.

Barzani said that after the elections, the KDP won the most votes in the region and even across Iraq, and it was expected that this result would help form a government, but this did not happen. He emphasized that the continuation of this situation has damaged governance in the region and even the region’s international friends and partners are calling for an end to this impasse.He also called for the reactivation of the regional parliament, saying that it should have convened and started its activities after the elections. Barzani blamed critics and groups who have obstructed the parliament’s activities for the situation, saying that he was personally “disappointed” that the impasse would continue.

Nevertheless, Barzani said that he would continue to work to form a new government and called on all political parties and sides to prioritize the national interests of the people of the Kurdistan Region over partisan and personal interests.

Finally, the Prime Minister of the region once again emphasized the importance of the relationship with the United States, saying that the Kurdistan Region wants this relationship to continue even after the reduction of the US military presence. He said that Erbil wants to expand economic and political cooperation with Washington, and that the Kurdistan Region continues to consider itself “the most reliable and trustworthy partner of the US in the region.”