Kurdish National Council Criticizes Its Exclusion from MERI Forum and Welcomes Barzani Headquarters’ Statement

ARK News.. The Kurdish National Council (KNC) stressed that invitations issued by the Middle East Research and Peace Forum (MERI) to host figures and individuals interested in the Kurdish issue in Syria should be based on the principles of inclusivity and balance. The Council welcomed Barzani Headquarters’ attention to the matter and its commitment to addressing the imbalance.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the KNC said the Kurdish issue was too important to be reduced to a single party, emphasizing that serving the Kurdish people requires respect for political pluralism.

The Council noted that ignoring a major political force with a role in representing the aspirations of the Kurdish people sends negative messages to Kurdish public opinion and does not serve unity of position or responsible dialogue.

Statement by the KNC General Secretariat

Invitations issued by the Middle East Research and Peace Forum (MERI), under the media sponsorship of Rudaw TV, to host figures, academics, and individuals interested in Kurdish affairs, particularly the Kurdish issue in Syria, should be based on the principles of inclusivity and balance. They should include all Kurdish political parties and forces, foremost among them the Kurdish National Council, without selectivity or exclusion.

Ignoring a major political force that has a presence and a role in representing the aspirations of our Kurdish people sends negative messages to Kurdish public opinion and does not serve unity of position or responsible dialogue.

If the objective is academic and scientific, invitations should be inclusive and balanced, allowing different Kurdish perspectives and approaches to be heard.

While we appreciate Barzani Headquarters’ attention to and follow-up on this matter, as well as its commitment to correcting this imbalance, we reaffirm that the Kurdish issue is too important to be reduced to a single party. Serving our people requires respect for political pluralism and ensuring everyone’s participation, free from exclusion and marginalization.

October 14, 2026,

General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria

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