ERBIL — Kurdistan Region presidency expressed concern over the current escalations in Iraq with international players on the ground, saying all the involved parties must exercise maximum self-restraint and prevent any further dangerous escalations.

“The recent events in Kirkuk and Qaeim and at the US Embassy in Baghdad indicate there is a further exacerbation of the situation in Iraq, which has created a cycle of action and counteraction. Therefore, we reject all steps by other countries to settle scores on Iraqi soil and violate Iraqi sovereignty,” reads the statement dated 3rd January.

“As a result of these events, General Qasim Solaimani, the commander of the Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, Deputy Leader of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and their comrades lost their lives while both of them played a prominent role in the fight against ISIS [Islamic State] terrorists in the past few years.”

The presidency of Kurdistan Region made it clear that the conflicting sides should resort to dialogue and diplomatic means to resolve their disputes, and that other countries must not use Iraq as the battleground to settle their conflicts.

“The continuation of these complications, actions and reactions, will push Iraq and the region towards an abyss and an uncertain future; it will also lead to the resurgence and strengthening of extremist and terrorist groups, such as ISIS,” the statement continued.