Turkish Incursion Not for Liberating Mosul, But for Deepening Sectarian Conflicts & Further Damaging Turkish-Kurdish Peace Process

Outside Turkish Embassy in Baghdad

Outside Turkish Embassy in Baghdad

Open Letter:

Mr. Martin Schulz, President, European Parliament

Honorable President Schulz:

In retrospect, since the early 1990s, Turkey has, occasionally, tried to cross the Turkish-Iraqi border, and enter the (KR) Kurdistan Region’s territory. First, they were against the newly established Kurdish administration in Kurdistan-Iraq, and now they are using the euphemism of liberating Mosul from Da’esh. However, the facts on the ground speak louder than what the Turkish authorities is saying. At the inception of the fight against the Da’esh terrorist organization in Iraq, Turkey’s ambition for controlling the KRG and its administration increased. Turkey’s war planes have violated every international law by bombing our regions in Kurdistan-Iraq more frequently than ever before. They have killed countless innocent people including women and children, displacing others, and destroying Kurdish villages.

The recent Turkish air aggression caused 11 deaths, killed a large number of livestock, and damaged agricultural goods of villagers. According to international observers, about 2000 Turkish troops supported by heavy weapons have entered the KRG territory; this time, under the pretext of helping the Iraqi forces in liberating Mosul. Nonetheless, immediately after the Turkish incursion took place, the Iraqi central government including
Prime Minister Haidar Abadi and President Fouad Masoum have repeatedly called for Turkish withdrawal from Kurdistan-Iraq.

We believe the Turkish incursion to the region is not for liberating Mosul, but rather, it is for deepening the sectarian conflicts between Sunnis and Shiites of Iraq, and further deteriorating the Turkish-Kurdish peace process, which had given hope of brotherhood to the peoples in the region; this is besides the economic interests they may gain from Mosul plain.

Moreover, it seems that the Turkish mission is to abort the gains achieved by the Kurds in Syria. Turkey has chosen this time for its incursion into Iraq, especially now, when the Iraqi government is in its worst economic, military and political shape.

The Turkish incursion into our homeland took place exactly at a time when our daughters and sons have been so bravely, on behalf of the international community, fighting the Da’esh terrorist organization to maintain peace and coexistence in Kurdistan. The world community has been witnessing the valor of the Kurdish Peshmerga, PKK and YPG Guerrilla forces as the only formidable forces that have been able to hold back the dark forces of Da’esh. Now, after three years or so of the bloody and devastating war with Da’esh, under the international pressure, Turkey has reluctantly joined the coalition against Da’esh.

Nevertheless, instead of fighting the Da’esh forces, Turkish air power has been bombing the Qandil Mountain. It seems as if the Turkish purpose for joining the coalition is to use Da’esh as a ploy in order to bomb the Kurdish forces that are truly fighting terrorism.

In conclusion, we, the signatories of this letter, are concerned civilians including academic, civil society activists, physicians, engineers, businessmen, lawyers and lay people, who want peace and prosperity for the region and the world. But, we also believe what Turkey does in the region by helping Da’esh and violating the international norms will continue to contribute to the region’s instability. Therefore, we implore that the EU Parliament take necessary steps to correct the Turkish wrongs by making sure that Turkish forces leave Kurdistan-Iraq expeditiously. We further ask that the EU encourages the Turks to go back to the negotiating table to find a peaceful political solution to the Turkish-Kurdish conflict before more innocent lives are lost.

Sincerely yours,

  • Dr Kirmanj Gundi – Professor at Tennessee State University, USA
  • Dr Sarwar Abdulrahman – Associate Professor at Sulaimani University, KR-Iraq
  • Dr Mohammed Shareef – Lecturer at the University of Exeter, UK
  • Dr Sherko Kirmanj – Lecturer at the University of Utara Malaysia, Australia
  • Dr Aram Rafat – Lecturer at the University Utara Malaysia, Australia
  • Dr Seevan Saed – Lecturer at the University of Exeter, UK
  • Dr Berivan Dosky – Community Figure, Spain
  • Rebwar Rashid- KNK Co-president, Belguim
  • Kamal Rauf – Chief of Editors of Sharpress, KR-Iraq
  • Vian Faraj – Doctorate Candidate, Spain
  • Kawa Besarani – Civil and Political Activist, UK
  • Tara Hussein – Politician, KR-Iraq
  • Niaz Saed – Political Observer, KR-Iraq
  • Kamal Chomani – Journalist, KR-Iraq
  • Najiba Qaradaghi – Journalist and Women Activist, Belguim
  • Balen Salih – Journalist , USA
  • Kazhal Nuri – Women Activist, KR-Iraq
One Response to Turkish Incursion Not for Liberating Mosul, But for Deepening Sectarian Conflicts & Further Damaging Turkish-Kurdish Peace Process
  1. Ari
    December 11, 2015 | 20:05

    For the last 4 decades, Kurds in North have been struggling to achieve freedom. Their voice must have certainly been heeded by now by UN, EU, NATO, US, Russia.

    As far presence of Turkish military and intelligence base is concerned, it dates back to 90s. It’s not something unheard or unspoken about. However, recent blatant confession by Anakara has dissimilar implications for the region which is to counterbalance Iranian deepening influence.

    Instead of turning South into a proxy battle field, neighboring states need to address their decade-long Kurdish minority dilemma. Kurdish leadership should only cooperate in case of conflict resolutions. No more war for Kurdistan

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