Dr. Hussein Tahiri — Special to Ekurd.net  

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.