Iraqi Kurds caught between rebels, Iran and Turkey
focus |
ARBIL — Iraq’s Kurds are caught between ethnic ties to Kurdish rebels based in the autonomous Kurdistan region, and heavy pressure by Iran and Turkey, which aim to eradicate the rebels’ bases.
Iran launched major attacks against rebels of the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) in July, targeting their rear-bases in Iraqi Kurdistan along the Iran-Iraq border, and shelling the area for weeks.
And in mid-August, Turkey began its own campaign of shelling and air raids against bases of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Kurdistan, which has ties with the PJAK.
“We are in a difficult situation because there are two countries (Iran and Turkey) telling us to control our borders so there will be no problems,” Massud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan region in north Iraq, said on Tuesday during a meeting in Arbil with Kurdistan representatives based abroad..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110910com3.html
0 comments
Post a Comment