Baghdad: Pavel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), has declared that they are not seeking to escalate the conflict, nor do they want further instability in the region. In a statement issued by his office, Talabani emphasized their commitment to maintaining peace and security amidst recent tensions.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Talabani expressed grave concern over a ballistic missile attack launched from Iran, which targeted the region and its security forces. He described the incident as a serious and unacceptable violation of security and sovereignty. Talabani underscored that the highest priority is the safety and protection of citizens, with emergency services and defense forces fully mobilized to ensure security throughout the country.

He urged everyone to remain calm and follow directives from security services. Talabani highlighted the importance of unity, stating that an attack on any part of the region is an attack on all, and condemned the aggression as a blatant violation of international norms. He called the attack an unjustified escalation and emphasized that targeting the nation is unacceptable.

Talabani reiterated that they do not wish to escalate the conflict but clarified that their restraint should not be seen as a lack of resolve. He assured that they are coordinating with allies to ensure a decisive diplomatic and defensive response. The PUK leader called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and demanded explanations for the violations, emphasizing their focus on defense, de-escalation, and the protection of all citizens.