Turkey Condemns Barzani Headquarters’ Response to Bahçeli, Calls Statement 'Unacceptable'

Peregraf - The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday condemned a statement issued by the Office of the Spokesperson for Barzani Headquarters, calling it “unacceptable in both substance and language.”

The ministry said the comments—directed at Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)—were “disrespectful, provocative, and based on baseless allegations.”

In its announcement, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leadership has been formally requested to clarify the matter and to take immediate action against those responsible for issuing the statement. 

Barzani HQ Responds to Bahçeli 

The dispute began after MHP leader Bahçeli criticized the presence of armed security guards accompanying KDP Leader Masoud Barzani during his visit to Cizre (Cizir) on November 29 for the Fourth International Mullah al-Jaziri Symposium.

Bahçeli described the presence of Barzani’s uniformed guards carrying long-barreled weapons as “a disgrace, pure and simple,” claiming it violated Turkey’s sovereignty and protocol rules. He argued that Barzani, who no longer holds public office, entered Turkey merely as a guest and should not have been escorted by armed personnel.

Barzani Headquarters Fires Back

Earlier on Monday, the Barzani Headquarters spokesperson issued a strongly worded response, accusing Bahçeli of speaking with a “chauvinistic mentality” and failing to respect established procedures.

The statement insisted that all security arrangements for Barzani’s visit were fully coordinated through official protocols between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.

It also noted that Turkish officials visiting the Kurdistan Region are regularly accompanied by special Turkish military units, and that Barzani’s participation in the symposium was intended as a supportive gesture toward Turkey’s new peace process.

“We believed Bahçeli had moved beyond racism and chauvinism,” the statement said, adding that he remains “the same old grey wolf, now only in sheep’s skin.”

Barzani’s Visit and Support for Turkey’s Peace Process

Barzani attended the high-profile symposium organized by Şırnak University, which gathered 111 scholars from 23 Turkish universities and 16 international participants from the Kurdistan Region, Iran, Syria, and Germany. 

He described the event as “one of the happiest days” of his life and praised Mullah al-Jaziri as a “bright star that will never set,” even reciting several of the poet’s verses.

Barzani also voiced strong support for Turkey’s renewed peace initiative, thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Turkish state for “opening the door to peace,” and expressing readiness for the Kurdistan Region to support the process “with all our power.”

Growing Political Tension

The exchange of statements has added tension to an already sensitive moment, as Ankara attempts to advance its “Terror-Free Turkey” peace initiative while managing complex relations with Kurdish parties in both Turkey and the Kurdistan Region.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said it expects the KDP leadership to address the issue swiftly.