THE Kurdistan Regional Government was forced to distance itself from a meeting held in Erbil on Friday which discussed normalisation of relations with Israel.

Around 300 tribal leaders attended the discussion, hosted by the New York-based Center for Peace Communications, aimed at encouraging the KRG to sign up to the US-led Abraham Accords.

It established diplomatic ties between Israel and a number of Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates.

But Iraqi President Barham Saleh criticised Friday’s meeting, affirming “Iraq’s formal position and support for the Palestinian people” and rejection of normalisation of ties with Israel.

Influential Shi’te cleric Muqtada al-Sadr also warned that unless the KRG distanced itself from the conference, his supporters would be forced to act.

KRG spokesman Jotiar Adil said that the conference had been held without the knowledge of the administration and that the organisers would be held accountable.

“The views of the conference do not reflect the views and policies of the KRG,” he said.

The meeting came on the fourth anniversary of the 2017 Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum, which was opposed by Baghdad, leading to increased tensions with the KRG and the federal government.

The only country to recognise the move was Israel, which has longstanding links to the Barzani family, who dominate the regional government.