Demonistaration in Erbil, Kurdistan Region's capital was underway today condemning the Turkish air raids on Qandil mountains and PKK (Kurdistan workers Party) bases in Kurdistan. The Banners were calling for justice for the innocent seven civilians killed by the Turkish Air strike. They were calling on Turkey to stop its aggression and its disregards to Kurdistan Region's territorial integrity.
The anger at the Turkish government reached its peak when fighter jets attacked a car killing its entire occupants including a three-year-old child. The unsuspecting Family were from Qalt-Diza area and were visiting relatives. The protest were organised by activist and civil society, condemning the killing. In Sulaimaniyah, tempers flared in yesterdays protest and Turkish flags were burned.
The simmering rage in Kurdistan has been growing at the constant shelling by Iran and aerial bombardment by Turkey . Although there is unanimous condemnation of the aggressions by Iran and Turkey, some are angry with the PKK and PJAK( Party of Free Life of Kurdistan) for not helping in calming the situation down.
Turkey has been using inflammatory language and the Turkish PM, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said that "our patience has finally run out... and those who do not distance themselves from terrorism will pay the price". Erdogan's rhetoric sounds like George Bush's "either with us or against us" remarks, and it is common knowledge how that went down. The PM is making threats and it appears to be pointing the finger at Kurdistan Region and BDP (Peace and Democracy Party). Although his comments may sound good for the local consumption, such language will only inflame the situation and will cost more lives.
Meanwhile, Kurdistan Region president, Massu'd Barzani, has been under pressure to condemn the aggression and finally issued a statement today. In contrast to Erdogan's threatening language, Barzani called for calm and urged all sides to refrain from further violence. He said in his statement, "These attacks have inflicted great suffering on our people in the border areas, leaving some dead and injured. They have intensified in recent days to the point that we can no longer remain silent and watch our innocent, vulnerable civilians pay the price of this fight."
The President was also referring to the constant shelling from Iran, which has forced Kurdish residence in the borders areas to flee and become homeless. He also gave a hint that If PKK and PJAK wanting to continue their struggle, the way they want and not consider Kurdistan Region's security they are not welcomed in Kurdistan Region, saying, "if the opposing factions have chosen and insist on the option of fighting, we ask all sides to do their fighting elsewhere and spare the Kurdistan Region".
Kurdish politicians have a very difficult balancing act to perform, on one hand Kurdish public are seething with anger at the Kurdish Government for not been more vocal and have a robust responses for both Iran and Turkey. On the other hand, politicians in Kurdistan know, if they go too far, they risk damaging their relations with both neighbouring countries-vital to the future of the Region, economically and politically- which they have been working on to normalise for last two decades.
Many Kurdish activists are blaming KRG for not responding to Turkey and Iran, but the fact remains that Kurdistan Region is not yet the political force it aspires to be in the region. Apart from diplomacy, it cannot use any other means to defend itself from Iranian and Turkish aggression. It has also become clear that the US supports the Turkish air raids and this leaves KRG in a isolated position with limited options. Moreover, Kurdistan Region has been trying to involve Iraqi government, but to no avail. While KRG is trying but finding it difficult to convince allies supporting it in its quest to defend Kurdistan Region's borders, parties involved must realise the gravity of the situation and do their utmost to prevent future attacks.
All Kurds have a dream, which is seeing the greater Kurdistan one day, and get rid of the oppressive regimes in the region. PKK and PJAK know full well that the majority of the Kurdish public are sympathetic to their cause and respect their struggle. However, disregarding the bigger picture and giving countries like Turkey and Iran an excuse to kill Kurdish citizens and debase the only sovereign Kurdish entity (KRG) will not go down very well with the Kurdish Public.