August 10, 2014
The defeat of Kurdish forces at the hand of a
terrorist group sent a shockwave through Kurdistan.
It caused the exodus of tens of thousands of
Kurdistanis, many deaths, countless rapes and
pillages. This cannot be considered as an ordinary
defeat or a tactical withdrawal. It has far reaching
implications for the Kurds and their image in
Kurdistan and beyond.
First, the fact that the Peshmargas evacuated their
positions in Shangal, Zumar and other Ezidi
populated areas and exposed the defenceless Ezidi
population to an onslaught by the Islamic State is
unforgivable. The Islamic State is a terrorist group
that knows no boundary in savagery and is willing to
go as low as a human being can go to satisfy their
savage God whose demand for worship is only terror
and blood of innocent people. How a defence force of
a country can leave their population at the mercy of
such savages?
Yes, Kurdistan shares more than 1000 Kilometres with
the Islamic State and given the long borders, the
Kurdish forces are stretched but the same applies to
the Islamic State forces. Don’t the Kurds claim to
have a force of 200,000 Peshmargas to defend
Kurdistan? What happened to those Peshmargas who
could hold up and defeat a huge Iraqi army with
their basic weapons?
Whatever the Ezedis might be feeling towards Kurdish
nationalism and their Kurdish identity is not
relevant at this point. They are Kurdistanis and
they must be defended. Leaving the Ezidis at the
mercy of a terrorist group is not only a reckless
act but crime.
Second, Christians within the border of Kurdistan
must be protected like any other Kurdish citizen. In
fact, Christians and other minorities should be
given priority when it comes to the protection of
their lives and properties. They are more vulnerable
to terrorists as a minority and as non-Musims. The
Kurdistan Regional Government has a duty of care
towards them and they must have been protected.
Third, the defeat of Kurdish forces at the hand of a
terrorist group undermines the very notion of
Kurdistan independence. The Kurds in South Kurdistan
are preparing to declare statehood and there is an
increasing rhetoric that the Kurds deserve to form
their own nation state. If the Kurds declare an
independent state how can they defend their
boundaries and sovereignty against strong
neighbouring states when they cannot defend
themselves against a terrorist group?
Fourth, Kurdish freedom movement has always prided
itself in having a force, the Peshmarga, who are
willing to die for the defence and freedom of
Kurdistan. Peshmargas have established a reputation
for being brave and fearless fighters. This name has
gained sanctity amongst thewww.Ekurd.net
Kurds. Kurdish withdrawal in the face of the
Islamic State has undermined this image. Or, are we
talking about different kinds of Peshmargas, and
should we be distinguishing between the traditional
Peshmargas who were willing to give their life for
freedom of Kurdistan for no material gains and those
whose main motives for serving in the Kurdish armed
forces are financial gains? If this is the case, the
Kurdistan Regional Government should no longer call
its armed forces the Peshmarga. The behaviour of
Kurdish forces since last week does not befit a
Peshmarga force.
Fifth, despite all Kurdish bravados, they are now
considered a weak force that are unable to defend
themselves and are in need of foreign protection.
The Iraqi armed forces became the subject of
ridicule across the world for abandoning their
positions in the face of a terrorist group. Now the
Kurdish forces acted like their Iraqi counterparts.
This was neither a surprise attack on the Kurds nor
one that could not be anticipated.
The Kurdistan Regional Government should accept
responsibility for this calamity and urgently
initiate an investigation into this matter and find
out what went wrong. Those Kurdish armed forces and
leaders who failed in their duties should be hold
accountable. Failure to do so will expose Kurdistan
to a greater risk.
Dr Hussein Tahiri is a commentator on Middle
Eastern affairs, and his contributions in this
sphere are regularly published in Australian and
international media. He is currently an adjunct
Associate Professor at the Centre for Cultural
Diversity and Wellbeing at Victoria University,
Australia.
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