By Vestnik Kavkaza
The Islamic State group, which previously called itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, has captured St. Benham Monastery in the north of Iraq and expelled all monks from there. Earlier, the Islamic State demanded that all non-Muslim residents living in the controlled territory should pay a $250 fee or leave their houses, otherwise they will be killed.
Other minorities of Iraq are suffering a the hands of the terrorists as well, including the Kurds who are going to separate from Iraq. It is a kind of project of Independent Kurdistan.
However, Rajab Safarov, Director of the Center for Contemporary Iranian Studies, thinks that “Independent Kurdistan is a Western project which could explode the region. The USA, Israel, Turkey and European countries are interested in the project. Independent Kurdistan is a state which can lead to irreversible processes in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey.”
Safarov doesn’t understand Ankara’s position: “It seems Turkey has been fighting against any different view on the Kurdish issue on its territory and actively fighting against elements of influence in other countries, especially in Iraq. President Barzani of Iraqi Kurdistan visited Ankara, and they agreed to boost oil exports from Iraqi Kurdistan from 120 thousand to 400 thousand barrels. It is almost half of Iran's oil exports, the fourth-largest oil exporter in the world. What does this mean for Turkey? It means a unique opportunity for diversification of energy flows, reduction of direct dependence on Iran and Russia, and a chance to influence decisions made by the West in the interests of Turkey. Turkey is an economic and political opponent of Iran.”
According to Safarov, “Iran is strictly against establishing a separate state, as it destroys the integrity of Iraq. Iran, as well as Russia, agrees with the widest autonomy within the Iraqi state, as such a precedent appears, irreversible process will begin. Moreover, obviously, establishing an independent Kurdish state is connected with several problems which have to be solved by the international community. We are at the edge of new chaos in the world. And, unfortunately, the chaos is connected with the establishing of Independent Kurdistan.”
