'Barzani will not be able to hold on in Erbil'

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), established with the assistance of the United States and Israel in 2005, occupied thousands of kilometers of Iraqi lands belonging to Turkmens and Arabs under the pretext of fighting the Daesh terrorist organization since 2014. Tensions flared after KRG President Masoud Barzani’s government held an illegitimate independence referendum on Sept. 25, including the lands of Kirkuk.

Aydın Beyatlı, chairman of the Turkmeneli Association Federation said that this attempt, in spite of the international community’s warnings, for a pirate map planned to be established by including lands from four countries caused an unrest in the region.

Stating that the Peshmerga forces’ alliance with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist organization might lead to great conflicts and that the U.S. and Israel might provoke major wars in the region, Beyatlı reported that over 200,000 civilians fled Kirkuk due to this threat. He added that Turkey should launch an operation in Kirkuk as 900,000 civilians are in danger against increasing uncertainty in the region, and 350,000 Turkmens regard Turkey as their only shelter and a source of hope.

Beyatlı said that Turkmens living in Kirkuk are fearing a major looting and genocide graver than the Turkmen massacre in 1956 in Kirkuk, adding that the city center is still held by Peshmerga forces and PKK terrorists.

“The operations launched late on Sunday liberated Dibis, Bashir, Kifra, Keywan, Yankjah and Yayci from Peshmerga forces. Tuz Khormato and Taza Khurmatu are also held by the Iraqi army. However, Kirkuk is currently a ticking bomb, as Barzani’s Peshmerga forces and the PKK prepare for a great massacre.

“People cannot leave their homes as they fear a massacre. We are waiting for Turkey’s helping hand since we have no other place to go. Turkey, which we largely rely on, should not leave us here to our fate.”

Addressing the PKK presence in Kirkuk Beyatlı said, “Peshmerga forces were gradually deployed to Kirkuk after the referendum period started. The Sahat al-Ummal region was completely allocated to the PKK. The terrorist organization established headquarters in the region and took to the streets as of Oct. 15. The terrorists brandishing PKK ringleader Öcalan posters and the terrorist organization’s flags caused panic and fear among civilians by randomly opening fire.

“The PKK and Peshmerga forces are now spread across Kirkuk and have prepared mutual positions called a ‘resistance line.’ Barzani replaced withdrawing Peshmerga forces with PKK terrorists. Reinforcement units from Erbil continue joining the 12,000 Peshmerga forces and PKK terrorists,” he added.

“Peshmerga forces substantially dissolved and withdrew from dozens of towns in a few hours following the operation launched late on Sunday. This defeat will continue and Barzani, following Kirkuk, will not be able to hold on in Erbil,” Beyatlı concluded.