Kurdishaspect.com - By Baqi Barzani
In the years of 2004-5-6, there was an actual civil war in full swing in Iraq. The American administration continued to contradict the reports and misrepresented the picture in its entirety in a different way through restricted mass media.
What exactly let to this civil war and how exactly was it contained; no one is able to analyze it. Independent newspapers and journalists were banned to launch an investigative report. What is acknowledged is it was a tangible civil sectarian war.
The US officials kept on overlooking the well-ahead premonitions and advices from seasoned political and military Iraqi experts. By the time, it was actually realized, it was too late to encumber it. Despite the fact it cost many deplorable human casualties and infrastructure demolitions; Iraq could miraculously endure and convalesce from it.
With the 7th anniversary of invasion drawing nearer; a more perilous and all-inclusive war is very likely to crop up and i.e. an ethnic war between the much secular Kurds and radical Arabs. Reason being: Inaction and inattention to the implementation of article 140 of the permanent Iraqi constitution, a protracted unresolved wrangle which is fueling more and more Arab-Kurdish tension.
Why has the implementation been deferred so far? There are many possible factors. 1) Foreign nations meddling. 2) The United States assuming that by postponing the referendum, the rising ethnic and sectarian friction can be ceased. 3) Nationalist and radical Arabs and marginal Turkmen community in Kirkuk opposing it, deeming that with the majority of the votes, Kirkuk will unconditionally be incorporated into KRG and their rights and recognition might be breached by the majority Kurds.
In response to the outlined above-mentioned concerns:
1) Firstly, Kirkuk is an Iraqi internal issue between majority Kurds and trivial forcefully settled Arabs and Turkmen. Hence, any interference by Turkey, Iran, and Syria is unjustifiable and illogical.
2) Secondly, the United States might have been adept to put Kirkuk on hold and bring provisional level of tranquility in the region, but Iraq will witness a permanent peace and stability in the region only after its status is finalized. The prevailing transitory status quo can reverse and deteriorate in any split second; particularly with the time of drawdown nearing.
3) Thirdly, while the Arabs and Turkmen may resent and resist Kurdish rights, the many displaced Kurdish residents still living in bewilderment with their lives in the balance do not seem very contented, either.
As a final point, the only present and future crisis imperiling to destabilize the economic, political and security situation of Iraq is the issue of Kirkuk. Hopefully, the United States will seek a long-lasting solution to address the issue before a new high-priced, irrevocable ethnic war kicks off, undoing every previous sacrifices.
