Massoud Barzani, the Iraqi Kurdish leader who oversaw a push for independence that drew the anger of Baghdad and the country's neighbors, is stepping down as president of the semi-autonomous region.
In a letter to the regional parliament released by his office, Barzani said he would leave the post when his term ends Nov. 1. He asked the legislature to "resolve the matter of the duties and powers of the president" to ensure "there is no legal vacuum." A senior adviser, Hemin Hawrami, told The Associated Press that Barzani would lead the High Political Council of top Kurdish leaders, and could remain in office until a successor is elected.
Since Kurds voted overwhelmingly in favor of an independent homeland Sept. 25, authorities in Baghdad have moved to isolate the region economically. They were helped by Turkey and Iran, who feared that the secessionist push could encourage their own separatist Kurdish minorities.
Iraq's military forces seized territory that had been held by the Kurds since 2014 _ including the strategically crucial oil hub of Kirkuk _ but which are claimed by the central government. The advance was aided by an apparent split in Kurdish ranks, with peshmerga fighters controlled by a rival faction handing over their positions to federal troops.
Barzani was elected president of Iraq's Kurdish region in June 2005, and was re-elected four years later. He sparked controversy by staying on after his mandate expired in 2015. Criticism mounted after he organized the vote on independence, with opponents saying it was ill-timed and amounted to little more than a power play.
By removing himself from the presidency, Barzani might open up opportunity for politicians prepared to take a more pragmatic approach in negotiations with Iraqi officials. Those include Nechirvan Barzani, his nephew and current prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Bafel Talabani of the rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Party.
It's also a boost for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, whose leadership since the Kurdish crisis escalated has burnished his reputation as a decisive and resolute leader ahead of elections next year.
