By Vestnik Kavkaza
Armed units of the Sunni extremist group of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) have taken under control several regions in Syria and Iraq; according to experts, the threat of dividing the country into enclaves is becoming real.
In June ISIS, which previously fought in Syria, headed an attack on the northern and western districts of Iraq. Observers claim that Sunnis of Iraq, militaries from the former army of Saddam Hussein and small terrorist groups joined it. On June 29th the group declared the establishment of the Islamic caliphate on the controlled territories of Syria and Iraq. Experts fear that instability in the Middle East could spread to the Caucasus. Some think that Kurds living in Iraq are a promising force for organization of takeovers in the South Caucasus.
However, at the moment the Kurds have a lot of their own problems – the president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Masud Barzani, called for holding a referendum on withdrawal from Iraq. Barzani explains his initiative by the fact that Iraq is actually divided into parts already.
According to the representative of Iraqi Kurdistan in Russia, Aso Djangi Talabani, it was predictable that ISIS has already captured a great part of the country. The authorities in Baghdad were well-informed about the coming offensive, but failed to respond in a proper way. This offensive was well-organized and well-planned. This operation was supported by several states.
According to Talabani, “terrorist fighters in Iraq came from various countries of North Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus. They are supported by foreign states. They were trying to besiege Baghdad, to control Kurdistan. They are now trying to reach the Iranian border. Iran is deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in Iraq. The terrorists are trying to occupy the Shiite territories. The Shiite holy places are situated on Iraqi territory. The terrorists are going to destroy these holy places. They have already announced that. That is why Iran is so concerned about these developments and has said that it would support Iraq.”
Meanwhile, according to Euronews, the US administration doesn’t support the initiative by the Kurds to hold a referendum on separation from Iraq. According to Washington, Iraq should remain united to resist the threat of the radicals from ISIS. Kurdistan has a strong and reliable army which has proved that even women are ready to fight in it.
