As the Kurdish issue undergoes significant changes amid the shifting political landscape in the Middle East and growing discussion of political settlement opportunities, ANHA asked Salar Mahmoud, a member of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), about political and security developments across the four parts of Kurdistan and the impact of regional changes on the Kurdish cause.
Mahmoud said the Middle East has not witnessed genuine stability since the Treaty of Lausanne more than a century ago, arguing that one of the main reasons for continued instability is the denial of the Kurdish people’s rights and their role in the region.
He said the current situation reflects major changes, noting that the Kurds now have Autonomous Administration in two parts of Kurdistan. He pointed to the federal system in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the fact that a Kurd serves as Iraq’s president, describing these developments as a “historic transformation.”
Mahmoud also highlighted the existence of the Autonomous Administration in Rojava, saying its fighters defeated ISIS, Kurdish women in Rojava have become symbols of freedom, and the city of Kobani has become a symbol of resistance against terrorism.
On Turkey, Mahmoud described the ongoing “Peace and Democratic Society” process as an important opportunity to secure the rights of the Kurdish people and all peoples in Turkey. He said the PUK has supported this process since the era of the late President Jalal Talabani and considers it part of its national struggle.
He also expressed the view that a greater role for Abdullah Ocalan, along with his physical freedom, would significantly contribute to the success of the peace process.
Mahmoud noted that East Kurdistan has also witnessed important developments following the protests sparked by the killing of Jina Amini, stressing that no project for stability or progress in the Middle East can succeed without the Kurds, whom he described as a key factor for regional stability and one of the region’s oldest peoples.
Speaking about relations among the different parts of Kurdistan, Mahmoud said the division of Kurdistan did not divide the Kurdish people. He said a shared national identity has become stronger among Kurds and called for using this momentum to enhance political and cultural cooperation.
He stressed that the most important priority at the current stage is forming a Kurdistani front bringing together all political parties across the four parts of Kurdistan, along with Kurdish figures abroad, to build a common national vision.
Mahmoud said PUK President Bafel Jalal Talabani proposed this initiative during the party’s anniversary on June 1, 2026, adding that “the enemies of the Kurds view them as one people, so they should be united.”
On the policies of Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq toward the Kurdish issue, Mahmoud said circumstances have changed compared with the past, stating that “today’s Syria is not Assad’s Syria, and today’s Iraq is not Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.” He said there is a more open attitude toward the Kurdish issue, although it remains insufficient.
He added that the states that divided Kurdistan had previously sought to eliminate the Kurds and committed acts of genocide and crimes against humanity, but the Kurdish people remained on their land and policies of denial ultimately failed.
Mahmoud also said that Rojava faced attempts this year to eliminate the Autonomous Administration, backed by extremist groups and several regional states, but those efforts failed because of the determination of the Kurdish people and the support they received.
Addressing current challenges, he identified political fragmentation among Kurdish forces as the main obstacle and called for creating a Kurdistani political framework for joint action.
He also emphasized the need to improve basic services in South Kurdistan and Rojava, including roads, electricity, water, education, and healthcare, while strengthening diplomatic efforts. He said international will plays a decisive role in resolving conflicts and dealing with existing political realities.
On regional conflicts, Mahmoud said the Kurds have long experience in struggle but do not regard war as a means of resolving disputes. He stressed that dialogue, agreement, and recognition of the rights of the Kurdish people and all components of Kurdistan are the best path to stability.
“The Kurds have never sought armed solutions, but they are compelled to defend their existence when faced with the threat of genocide,” he added.
On the possibility of a unified Kurdish position, Mahmoud said each part of Kurdistan has its own circumstances but requires support from the others without interference in its internal affairs.
He said the PUK supports Rojava whenever needed but does not interfere in its internal decisions, adding that Rojava is free to determine the nature of its relationship with Damascus.
Mahmoud also noted that the Kurdistan Parliament has officially recognized the cantons of Rojava and that the PUK supported the decision, stressing that the people of the region have the right to choose the form of governance they consider appropriate.
Looking ahead, Mahmoud said the success of the peace process in Turkey will be decisive for the future of the region, arguing that resolving the Kurdish issue in Turkey is the key to resolving the Kurdish issue across the Middle East.
While acknowledging the challenges facing the process, he said the PUK would continue to support it, noting that the recent meeting between Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani and the Turkish foreign minister addressed the peace process and political settlement.
Mahmoud concluded by saying that the era of genocide and denial against the Kurdish people has come to an end, and that the next phase should be based on fraternity and cooperation among Kurdish forces. He expressed confidence that the will of the Kurdish people would prevail and that the future belongs to the people of Kurdistan.
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