In the spring of 2003, when an American-led coalition headed into Iraq to topple the Saddam Hussein regime, the U.S. found an unlikely ally in the northern regions of Iraq. Kurds, who in neighboring parts of Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq have long fought for their independent state, allied themselves with coalition troops in an effort to rid themselves of the regime that had used chemical weapons against their population — a process generally attributed to the late ’80s Anfal Campaign that left hundreds of thousands dead.
The Kurdish Peshmerga, or armed forces generally related to fighting for Kurdish independence, proved to be a valuable asset during combat operations and helped stabilize northern Iraq in the post-Saddam era.
The impact Kurds would have on Iraq once the fighting ended was even more significant. Kurdistan quickly became known as the most prosperous region of a country which otherwise seemed destined for chaos. Economically stronger than the rest of Iraq, safer than the capital of Baghdad and welcoming of the American presence of the country, Iraqi Kurdistan was growing into a significant ally — until Turkey decided to bomb it.
Pushing American (and all peaceful interests) aside, Turkey, a so-called American ally, launched both ground and air offensives into Iraqi Kurdistan to rid themselves of a problem known as the PKK — or Kurdistan Workers Party — a terrorist group who has fought for Kurdish independence in regions of Turkey that border Iraqi Kurdistan.
Here the United States finds itself in a very delicate situation with two parties that have strong merit to be fighting for causes that touch very close to the hearts of their people. In a situation like this, it would be wisest for the Bush administration to follow the moral path and stand up for our friends in Kurdistan who deserve both an independent and peaceful state for their contributions to a largely unpopular American invasion of Iraq and their subsequent impact in stabilizing northern Iraq.
Because of these events — the attacks into Kurdistan, the Turkish people’s election of a more radical and religious government and Turkey’s movement toward becoming an Islamist, militaristic nation — the powers that be in Kurdistan are open to positive relations with America free of such radicalism.
It is at this juncture that the United States must choose between two allies: A friend who has fought beside it and seems ready to be by its side for the long haul, or a nation who is becoming increasingly selfish. The choice should be obvious; America has a real ally in Iraqi Kurdistan and poultry in Turkey.