President Masoud Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) publicly commended France’s contributions to stabilizing the Middle East during a meeting with French officials in Erbil on Tuesday. The statement comes as regional tensions escalate following recent conflicts involving Israel, Iran, and neighboring Arab states.
Analysts note France has maintained discreet diplomatic channels with Kurdish authorities while balancing relations with Baghdad and Ankara. “France’s nuanced approach recognizes Kurdish autonomy without undermining Iraq’s sovereignty,” said a Middle East Institute researcher speaking anonymously due to diplomatic sensitivities.
The KRG faces mounting pressure from Baghdad over oil revenue sharing and from Turkey regarding cross-border counterterrorism operations. Barzani’s praise aligns with France’s recent mediation attempts in these disputes, though Iraqi officials reportedly view some French initiatives as “overreach” according to leaked diplomatic cables.
Regional experts suggest the statement may signal Kurdish efforts to diversify international support beyond traditional U.S. patronage. With Washington increasingly focused on China competition, European powers like France are filling certain diplomatic vacuums in the region.