As the Turkish state’s military operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerilla fighters who are based in the Medya Defence Zones of the Qandil mountain range within Iraqi Kurdistan territory continues, Iraqi parliamentarians criticised Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) position regarding the clashes between the Kurdish fighters and the Turkish Armed Forces.
Bilêse Cebar Ferman from the Iraqi Parliament states that Kurds should unite against the threats of Turkey but that the KDP is acting in the opposite way. She defines Turkey’s operations in the Qandil Mountains as an occupation of Iraq.
“We need to defend our territories, we need to stand against a birakujî (fratricide in Kurdish)” she says.
Ferman also added that ordinary citizens should put pressure on political parties to perform their duties and make a stand against the operations in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Another parliamentarian from Iraq, Kawa Mıhemed thinks that the KDP is risking the future of Iraqi Kurdistan
“They are remaining silent against the occupation of our lands, this is not patriotism,” he says.
Kawa Mıhemed also stated that Kurdish deputies in Baghdad will take action regarding the operations.
Meanwhile, journalists who work in Erbil the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan claimed that the KDP officials are putting pressure on people to remain silent regarding the attacks of Turkey.
Journalist Aştî Şehbazî stated that according to their observations, and news coming from locals in the region, the KDP is forcing people to not make a stand against the operations.
“There is pressure on the people.” he said.
Journalist Aso Mela also stated that Turkey has got permission from Iraq to conduct the operations.
“Turkey had a deal with Iraq and has also spoken with Kurdish politicians in the region and these politicians accepted the occupation of our lands.” he said.