South Kurdistan (Iraq) President Massud Barzani said in an interniew that his top priority right now is the fight against the Islamic State (IS), but not a referendum on independence that was announced in July. According to Barzani, "the idea of a referendum [...] will never be cancelled," but now it is high time to concentrate on fighting "a terrorist organisation that possesses the capabilities of a state."

South Kurdistan President further said Kirkuk "will be included in the referendum" of self-determination when it is eventually held.

On the other side, Barzani disclosed that his government has sent humanitarian assitance to West Kurdish (Syria) town of Kobanê, which is currently besieged by IS fighters. But the Kurdish leader acknowledged that Turkey will allow no "military force" to cross its territory in order to reach Kobanê and help Kurdish fighters there.