WestPapuaNews – London 17th July 2024
Turkish occupation escalates long-term war with regional and global implications.
The recent escalation of Turkey military presence in Iraqi Kurdistan under the pretext of fighting PKK guerillas is a blatant violation of the Iraqi sovereignty and treat to the regional stability. Turkey deployment of tanks, soldiers, and checkpoints deep inside Iraqi Kurdish territory is a clear attempt to occupy Iraqi Kurdistan. This will lead to an escalation of the long-term war with regional and global implications.
The aggressive action of the Turkish military, including setting up checkpoints, interrogated road users, and emptying villages, demonstrates a de facto occupation of the region that undermines the sovereignty of Iraq and the Kurdish people. The reported deployment of hundreds of tanks and amoured vehicles – along with the establishment of military bases – raises serious concerns about Turkey’s intention in the region.
The Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadi) in Iraq and Kurdistan communities Union (KCK) have both raised alarms about Turkey’s military presence in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Freedom Movement called for vigilant and unity against the Turkish occupation, critising the deployment of tanks and troops in Duhok province as a violation of international law and Iraqi sovereignty. Similarly, the Kurdish communities’ unions express concern over the lack of response Baghdad and Erbil to the Turkish occupation, warning that it poses a serious threat to the communities in the region and could lead to permanent annexation.
Regional Instability and Mass Displacement
In 2011, the Arab Spring spread to Iraq and Syria and reshaped the region. Turkey seized the opportunity to assert its influence, aiming to restore the border of Misak-1 Milli and revive neo-Ottomanism. This included forming alliances with jihadist groups, which led to violent attacks and massacres against Kurds. In 2014, Turkey’s support for ISIS’s failed invasion of Kobani (Rojava-Kurdistan) was met with strong recistence. However, through diplomatic manoeuvre, Turkey occupied Kurdish cities in Syria, Afrîn in 2018, followed by Serekaniye and Gire Spi in 2019.
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli (Erdoğan coalition partner), known for his ultranationalist ideology, pushed for the annexation of Kirkuk and Mosul, which he publicly promoted as Turkish provinces. Turkey is stocking tensions between the people of the region and arming Turkman fractions. The Misak-1 Milli strategy not only threatens the Kurds but also risks wider ramifications, including the occupation of Iraq and Syria, regional instability, and mass displacement. The ongoing actions in Kurdistan have global implications due to the historical geopolitical significance of the region
We condemn Turkey’s intensified occupation of Iraqi Kurdistan and call for immediate actions against it. There is an urgent need to end Turkish militerism by encouraging Turkey to free Abdullah Öcalan and enter into negotiation with him. A dialogue process similar to the one between the PKK and the Erdoğan government in 2013-2015 could bring stability to Turkey – and the whole region – by resolving the Kurdish question. Urgent action is needed from the Iraqi government, the UK, the US, the UN, and the council of Europe to prevent further violence
Kurdish People’s Democratic Assembly of Britain 🇬🇧
