Adam
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Ever since 2005, autonomous Kurdish authorities have controlled much of the transport infrastructure in parts of northern Iraq. This includes the Erbil International Airport which was renovated by Turkey in 2010.
The Kurdish authorities have exercised control in granting visas to travellers as well as acting as a large transport hub for much of Iraq. The runway at Erbil International Airport is among the largest in the world.
However, due to Turkey and Iran closing the airspace over the region in an effective no-fly zone, one which is supported by Baghdad, traffic has ground to a halt.
Today, the Iraqi government handed an ultimatum to the secessionist leaders in Erbil demanding that they transfer all airports and transport hubs back to the central government in Baghdad.
Thus far, the referendum in which Kurds voted to secede from Iraq has had the effect of making the region far less autonomous.
Iraq is currently conducting military drills with the Turkish Army just north of the Iraqi border. Meanwhile, President Erdogan of Turkey has issued stern warnings to the secessionists to roll back their planned drive for ‘independence’. Erdogan has also slammed Israel for being the only country in the world to come out in favour of Kurdish separatism, telling Kurds, “Israeli flags won’t save you”, from the planned Turkish embargo against the region.
Far from creating a Kurdish state, the referendum has already ended many of the autonomous privileges granted to Kurdish regions by Baghdad.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
What chance do the Kurds stand when Irak, Turkey, Syria and Iran can shut them off from the whole world on land and by air?
Anyone who thinks they can stand up to or defeat all of the major local powers must be mad….
But there are plenty of madmen in Washington and Tel Aviv I suppose….
Stalemate. Short of wanten Extermination and powers that would oppose Iraq, Syria and Iran, not to mention a global sin for writting kurds out of history, the Kurds aren’t going anywhere.
Barzani-led Kurds in Irbil are now aligned with the Saudis, US, Israel and ISIS. They were in Turkey’s sphere but no longer.
Yes. But now they no longer have a partner who is a neighbour. Losing Turkey was a huge miscalculation on their part. US cannot help them in their current predicament. They warned them against holding the referendum as they could see the futility of their situation if a “yes” vote was achieved.
They should have also realized that the US could not support their referendum after getting the entire western world to sanction the Russians for the referendum in Crimea.
Of course the Kurds aren’t going anywhere.That’s the point. They cannot operate as an independent entity without the permission of those on their borders. Those neighbours will NEVER afford such permission.
The Kurds only option is to HOPE that Iraq will eake them back and allow them the same autonomy as they previously enjoyed. The odds are against that.Iraq will no longer be directing taxation revenue their way and the privileges that kurds enjoyed over their borders are likely to be curtailed.
So do the Palestinians in Gaza..!
https://youtu.be/ESZN_YDE-TU
So Israel’s plan to divide the region further is not working. Are their tactics of deception and lies no longer working? No longer use fraudulent propaganda to further their cause and increased control? Perhaps they can focus on helping the Palestinians with their wish towards statehood and independence instead of “helping” the Kurds in Iraq.