Tuesday, 13/02/2024, 1:51
Erfan Ali
As we mark another month, it's been 21 years since the United States and its allies invaded Iraq with the aim of establishing democracy and freeing the nation from dictatorship. However, over two decades later, Iraq and Kurdistan have not achieved democracy; instead, they are controlled by three unchecked, undemocratic militia powers.
Understanding the post-Saddam Iraq scenario doesn't necessitate extensive research; rather, it requires a glance at the dire state of human rights, freedoms, and basic services. Both Iraq and Kurdistan are in a state of collapse and failure.
What's intriguing is that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) should ideally ensure security and stability for their people, given their roles as security and intelligence forces. However, the reality is quite the opposite.
Recent attacks by the U.S. on the PMF in various parts of Iraq, Iranian bombardment of Erbil, and Turkish airstrikes on the Kurdistan region share a common root: the failure of the governing parties, each responsible for a portion of Iraq.
The PMF's regional policies, favoring certain countries, have provided the U.S. with a pretext to attack Iraqis, resulting in civilian casualties and prolonging American presence. Similarly, the KDP's coordination with Turkey has led to cross-border attacks within Kurdistan, while the PUK's political imbalances have invited Turkish aggression in green zone areas, including the closure of Sulaymaniyah airport.
This situation has bred frustration among Kurds and Iraqis alike, leading some to erroneously yearn for the return of the previous regime. However, the root cause lies in the failure of democracy and the dominance of militia groups.
Until Iraq and Kurdistan's supreme powers relinquish control over weapons and prioritize state authority over factional interests, the situation is unlikely to improve.
