The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) has issued a press release expressing grave concern over the possibility of a Turkish military offensive in the Makhmour (Mexmûr) and Sinjar (Shengal) regions of Iraq. The statement comes amidst rising tensions following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent electoral setback, with KNK alleging that Erdoğan is considering military action as a retaliatory measure against Kurdish-majority areas.
In the press release, KNK points to Erdoğan’s electoral defeat in Kurdish regions of Turkey as a catalyst for potential aggression, claiming that the Kurds’ refusal to submit to the president’s authoritarian rule has fuelled his desire for revenge. The KNK also accuses the Iraqi government of succumbing to Turkish pressure, citing increased military activity in the Makhmour and Sinjar regions as evidence of Baghdad’s compliance with Ankara’s demands.
Furthermore, KNK emphasises the strategic importance of Makhmour and Sinjar in President Erdoğan’s expansionist agenda, suggesting that he aims to secure control over these areas to facilitate the implementation of ambitious trade routes, such as the ‘Turkey-Iraq Development Project’. The statement warns against Turkish attempts to occupy these regions, stressing the need to safeguard Kurdish autonomy and prevent further destabilisation of Iraq.
In a call to action, KNK urges the Iraqi parliament and government to resist Turkish demands and protect Iraqi sovereignty. Additionally, KNK calls on the Kurdish and Yazidi communities of Makhmour and Sinjar to unite against potential Turkish aggression and mobilise international support to counter Ankara’s expansionist ambitions.
The press release concludes with a plea to international organisations, including NATO, the UN, and the EU, to intervene and compel Erdoğan to comply with international law, thereby averting the threat of conflict and ensuring the safety and security of Kurdish populations in Iraq.
This comprehensive statement from KNK underscores the urgency of addressing the escalating tensions in Makhmour and Sinjar and emphasises the need for concerted international efforts to prevent further aggression and protect the rights and autonomy of Kurdish communities in the region.
