Kurdish National Council: We Appreciate Nechirvan Barzani’s Support for the Kurdish Cause

ARK News.. The Kurdish National Council in Syria (KNC) said its remarks regarding the MERI Forum, held in Erbil on October 12–13, concerned organizational arrangements and the need to ensure balanced participation by the various components of the Kurdish political movement in Syria, and were in no way related to Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.

In a clarification statement issued on Friday, October 16, 2026, the Council expressed its appreciation for Nechirvan Barzani’s positions in support of the Kurdish cause and his efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among Kurdish political forces.

Full Text of the Kurdish National Council’s Statement

To clarify the position of the Kurdish National Council in Syria regarding the ongoing discussion surrounding the MERI Forum, held in Erbil on October 12–13, 2026, we stress the need to clearly distinguish between remarks concerning the forum’s organizational arrangements and invitations and the standing, positions, and national and patriotic role of President Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The Council’s remarks regarding the forum concerned the need to respect political pluralism and ensure balanced participation by the various components of the Kurdish political movement in Syria, foremost among them the Kurdish National Council. They had no connection whatsoever with President Nechirvan Barzani, and he should not be held responsible for organizational arrangements unrelated to his position and role.

The Council rejects any attempt to conflate these two matters or use its remarks to offend the President or undermine his standing. In this context, we reaffirm our appreciation for President Nechirvan Barzani, based on his national and patriotic positions and his role in supporting the Kurdish cause and the rights of the Kurdish people in Syria.

We highly value his wisdom, political acumen, and balanced diplomatic vision, as well as his ability to address complex issues with a sense of responsibility and through dialogue, placing the interests of our people and regional stability at the heart of his concerns.

We also appreciate his support for the Kurdish National Council, his commitment to strengthening communication among Kurdish political forces and bringing their positions closer together, and his belief in the importance of dialogue and understanding in resolving disputes and preserving Kurdish unity. We view his efforts to build bridges of trust among different parties as an expression of a political vision that recognizes that the Kurdish cause requires consensus, joint action, and strong relations based on mutual respect and national responsibility.

The Council also values his role and diplomatic approach in supporting political and peaceful solutions to issues at the national, regional, and international levels, as well as his efforts to contain crises, ease tensions, and strengthen stability.

Amid the challenges facing Syria and the wider region, dialogue and diplomacy have become essential to creating the conditions for fair and sustainable settlements that safeguard peoples’ rights and take their legitimate interests into account.

The Council also appreciates his contributions to consolidating this approach and expanding opportunities for understanding among different parties in ways that serve security, peace, and stability. These efforts have earned him the appreciation and respect of prominent international figures and institutions for his diplomatic work and political acumen.

While reaffirming our pride in the fraternal and national ties between the Kurdish National Council and the leadership of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, we stress our commitment to preserving and strengthening these relations, drawing on our historical bonds and national solidarity, and our belief in the importance of continued cooperation and coordination in support of the Kurdish cause and the legitimate aspirations of our people.

Finally, we call on some media outlets to exercise accuracy and responsibility and avoid interpretations that conflate organizational matters with the positions of Kurdish leaders. This would preserve mutual respect, safeguard fraternal relations, and strengthen opportunities for dialogue and understanding in the interests of our people and regional stability.

General Secretariat of the Kurdish National Council in Syria

Qamishlo, October 15, 2026

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