Posted on 10/18/2017 5:45:56 AM PDT by Texas Fossil
KIRKUK, Iraq (AP) — The Latest on Iraq, where federal forces have moved into the disputed northern city of Kirkuk as Kurdish forces have pulled out (all times local):
3 p.m.
The U.S.-led coalition battling the Islamic State group says it believes the exchange of fire between Iraqi and Kurdish forces in and around Kirkuk was a “misunderstanding.”
A coalition statement says it is monitoring federal and Kurdish military vehicles and believes they are “coordinated movements, not attacks.”
It said it was aware of reports of a “limited exchange of fire during predawn hours of darkness,” but “we believe the engagement this morning was a misunderstanding and not deliberate as two elements attempted to link up under limited visibility conditions.”
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Coalition on Kirkuk: It was supposed to be a coordinated movement
http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/1710201710
And here:
Iraqi forces take Kirkuk, lower Kurdistan flag
http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/151020177
Coalition Statement on Military Movements Near Kirkuk
The troubling part? It appears that this crisis is a product of over zealous Iranian PMF [Popular Mobilization Forces] attacking Kurdish Peshmerga. There are reports that at least 10 Peshmerga were were beheaded by these forces. And looting and burning of Kurd homes.
The US backed Coalition is denying part of that. It is unclear at this point the exact reality of the current situation.
The discussion on the Rudaw links show the difference of perspective.
I have NO DOUBT that the Iranian Quds commander in charge of the PMF is causing trouble for US allies. It is his stated mission in being in Iraq. (not that truth is a characteristic of Iran)
The problem with the Kurds is they are easily manipulated by whatever group promising them land and they lack consistency in their alliances.
One day they are with Turkey against Christians, another day with Soviets against Turkey. Then they are with Iran against Iraq and then with Iraq against Iran. Next day they are with US and Turkey against Syria and a day later against Iraq and Turkey again.
Between them and Iraq US would choose Iraq of course and nobody else trust them too.
We should expect Assad to deal with them in a near future.
Supposed Kurdistan is mostly Southeast Turkey, Western Iran, a chunk of Iraq and really tiny pieces of Armenia and Syria. Over last decades they’ve seen Iraq as the weakest of the above to push for territory and now they also see Syria as such. They currently hold more ground in Syria than belongs to supposed Syrian portion of Kurdistan and Arabs aren’t happy for sure.
Let the Iraqis work this out. The neocon interventionists tend to blame Iran first and ignore the Suni/Turkish side of the trouble. Consider this — the Iraqis have just driven-off ISIS. Do we want to reward them by dismembering their country? What better way to push them into the Iranian camp and make another enemy in that region?
Where do you get you information about Iraq and Syria?
I totally disagree with everything you stated.
I’m not particularly close to Kurds in Iraq, but all our soldiers hold them in high respect.
I know about Turks and all their atrocities through the ages. And in particular the nonsense pulled by Erdogan the Islamist dictator of Turkey.
Syrian Kurds and Assad have a long history of coexisting. That does not make Assad a good leader or one that can be trusted. He is allied with Iran. A great evil presence in the Middle East and the world.
I have very close, trusted friends in Syria. I am not uninformed about what has gone on there and who are reliable. Again, our military has nothing but good things to say about Syrian Kurd fighters and how they treat their neighbors.
We are worlds apart on this.
It is more political than militarily. Of course Kurds are capable fighters. Do you think Kurds does not want parts of Syria and Iraq for themselves? Their ambitions towards Turkey are well-known as well. By the way I am not against Kurdistan at all just saying there are people who are against.
Baghad is controlled by Shia now that Sunni's were removed from all government during the de Baath-ification of Iraq after Saddam fell and was killed.
So, what you see now is a Shia power grab in Iraq. In Baghdad they are already in Shia (Iranian) arms.
I have no more use for NeoCons than you do. They are however irrelevant.
The conflict in Iraq is by the Quds commanding General and overseer of the Iranian PMF forces in Iraq.
They would like a better option than Assad as a leader (ruler), but also know the reality of ambitions of Iran and Turkey.
Assad is allied with Iran. An odd relationship. Alowites are considered heretics by the Iranian Islamists.
The only thing that can make Turkey cooperate with Iran? Kurds. Erdogan is convinced it is his right to kill Kurds and to reinstate the Ottoman Empire under his control. Neo-Ottoman insanity.
The problem in the region? Ambitions of Iran and Turkey.
Turks are not Arabs, nor are Kurds.
Kurds have lived in the region around the mountains in this convergence of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey for 1,000 years. Turks have not.
This is not about politics for the Kurds. It is for Erdogan.
Of course you are right but Kurds had problems with Turkey before Erdogan. And they helped Turks to cleanse Armenians before that.
The conflict in Iraq is by the Quds commanding General and overseer of the Iranian PMF forces in Iraq.
*********
Sure there were some Iranian forces operating inside Iraq, but you jump to the conclusion that the re-grouped, re-equipped Iraqi army and local militias did nothing. Also, Iraq now has a fighting air force and attack helicopters. Why should we make enemies of Iraqis who were our friends when Bush was President? They are now merely re-occupying territory that they held before the ISIS invasion.
you said: “And they helped Turks to cleanse Armenians before that.”
Some did. Other’s didn’t. Turkey has never admitted to the Armenian Genocide (or any of their other “Massacres”. (Jewish, Greek, Alevi, Ezidi, etc) Many of the Syrian Kurds, Alevi and Assyrian Christians are in Syria today because of displacement from Turk Genocides.
Kurds long ago made Peace with Armenians and admitted their degree of involvement. They have been on the receiving end themselves.
These are indisputable facts.
Saddam gassed Kurds. He displaced Kurds and relocated other groups in Kirkuk. Kirkuk has always been a Kurdish majority city.
This is not about local self determination.
I do not exaggerate the impact of Shia control of Baghdad.
Now Peshmerga is mixed Shia and Sunni. (minor other groups)
There is a large element of Christians and Ezidi in the Nineveh Plains region. Also in the Shingal region.
Those minorities in Iraq are more threatened than the similar ones in Syria.
I never said to turn our backs on Iraq. The resolution of this must come from within Iraq. But actions by Shia Iranian Militias are NOT THE SOLUTION.
There is a large element of Christians and Ezidi in the Nineveh Plains region. Also in the Shingal region.
Those minorities in Iraq are more threatened than the similar ones in Syria.
************
I see no reason to prefer the Iraqi Kurds over Iraqi Shiites, who have been the victims of terrorism from the Sunni side ever since Saddam was deposed. You may not actually hold this preference, but that’s how it’s going to look to the Iraqis who supported us under Bush.
The difference between a Sunni and Shia Islamist Terrorist is not significant.
Both are evil.
Totalitarianism in all forms is EVIL. Progressive Socialist Marxist Fascist Communits Dictator Islamist Bureaucrap. All Evil.
This is not at all how the post-Saddam Iraq government is structured...fake news.
There is already an agreement between the Iraqi government and the Kurdish regional government to return to the pre-war boundaries of the Kurdish autonomous region. This is a big nothing burger. You are clearly pushing a neocon agenda here, hoping to instigate some kind of larger war that will not be in America’s interests.
BTW, everyone needs to understand that if the US sides with the Kurds against the Iraqi government over this attempted land grab, the Iraqis will kick US forces out and get the Russians to give them military support. Then we lose all leverage over Iraq, probably for a very long time. That would really boost Iran’s power in the region to a whole new level.
Actually, there is a very important difference between Shia Islamist groups like Hizbollah vs. Sunni Islamist organizations like Al Quaeda and ISIS. As a rule, the Shia militias are a regional issue. They want power in the Middle East, and usually don't have western targets in their crosshairs (to my knowledge, Hizbollah has never been responsible for acts of terrorism on European or American soil).
In contrast, Sunni Islamists seek global power, they organize terror attacks against western targets and set up mosques throughout the west to preach radical Islam.
This is the reason why I never understood why US foreign policy has consistently sided with Sunnis against Shias. The 9/11 attackers weren't Shia, they were Sunni. They weren't Iranian, they were Saudi. The same is true for pretty much all terror attacks on western soil.
Terrorists are Terrorists. No matter where they commit it. Hezbollah do attack foreign countries.
And I remember Kobar Towers and the Embassy in Lebanon. Not US Soil, but Embassy is considered US soil.
There are reported cases of Rape and pillage by the “Iranian Military” forces (PMF) attacking Kirkuk. And of 10 Peshmerga being beheaded. Are those not a Terrorist Acts?
It is done. Baghdad is in Shia hands. It is clear by their actions. PMF is totally intent on opposing US presence there.
Pro-Khamenei Iraqi PMF Militia Threatens United States
https://raddingtonreport.com/pro-khamenei-iraqi-pmf-militia-threatens-united-states/
There is no longer any illusion. And the PMF continues to expand their push, past any type of agreement. You will soon see what the intent really is.
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