The Barzani family was accused of betraying Kurdish interests by cooperating with the Turkish government in a statement issued by Kongra Gel* on Monday. This accusation comes amid intensified Turkish military operations in the Duhok province and other parts of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), which have resulted in significant displacement and destruction.
Displacement and destruction
Recent Turkish military operations in the Duhok province of the KRI have displaced 184 families and forced them to abandon approximately 205 acres of farmland. The Turkish state has established nine new military bases in the region, with extensive bombing campaigns destroying homes, schools and infrastructure. This includes the demolition of 19 houses, two schools, a flour mill, a church and two water projects. Additionally, Turkish forces have razed several villages, including Mize, Kafnameze, Girgash, Spindare, Demka, Dergeka, Musabegi, Sheelaza, Bashile and Miska, leading to the displacement of residents and the devastation of local agriculture.
Accusations against the Barzani family
Kongra Gel has accused the Barzani family of enabling these Turkish operations. They claim that the Barzani family, particularly the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), has collaborated with Turkey, facilitating its military objectives in exchange for political and economic gains. This cooperation has been described as a betrayal of the Kurdish people, undermining their struggle for freedom and democracy.
Legal and sovereignty issues highlighted
Local officials in Koya, Erbil (Hewlêr), have condemned Turkish military actions as violations of Iraq’s sovereignty and international law. They call for a strong response from both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). These officials emphasise that Turkey’s actions are not only illegal but also detrimental to the stability and sovereignty of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Appeal to NATO
Meanwhile, Kurdish civil society organisations in the KRI have appealed to NATO, urging the alliance to address Turkish military violations. They argue that Turkey’s operations contravene international human rights laws and the Geneva Conventions, causing extensive harm to civilians and the environment. These organisations highlight the systematic destruction of homes, forests and farmlands, as well as the forced displacement of thousands of civilians.
Kongra Gel has called for unity among Kurdish political groups, civil organisations and the general population to resist what they see as the Barzani family’s betrayal and Turkish aggression. They urge all sectors of Kurdish society to take a firm stand against the cooperation with Turkey and to raise their voices and efforts against these actions. The statement emphasises that silence in the face of this betrayal has allowed it to escalate to unprecedented levels, posing a significant threat to the entire Kurdish region.
KONGRA-GEL serves as the legislative assembly within the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), aiming to unify Kurdish political movements and advocate for Kurdish rights and autonomy across Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran.
