Attacks launched by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28 are continuing under a temporary ceasefire. The conflict has had deep economic, political and military repercussions across a wide geography in the Middle East, particularly in Gulf countries.

 

Among the most affected areas are Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. During this period, the Kurdistan Region was targeted by a total of 703 missiles and drones. Seventeen people were killed and 93 others injured in the attacks.

 

Kamuran Berwarî, deputy head of the Politics and Democratic Thought Academy in the Kurdistan Region, assessed why Kurds are being drawn into the conflict and its impact on Iraq and the region.

 

Berwarî described the war between the US-Israel alliance and Iran as a strategic conflict with economic, religious, military, psychological and political objectives. He said the war reflects the demands of global capital and that preparations for such attacks had been under way for many years, dating back to the 1979 regime change in Iran.

 

“The lack of stability and democracy in Iran paved the way for these attacks. The aim is to force Iran, which holds a strategic position, into submission. Iran, however, seeks to emerge from this war without surrendering and to grow stronger,” he said.

 

‘KURDS PURSUED A PRUDENT POLICY’

 

Berwarî said the attacks have deeply affected peoples across the region, noting that Kurds in Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan, Iran) have been among the most impacted, while Kurds across a vast geography have also been affected.

 

“Kurdistan stretches across a wide area from southern Russia to Azerbaijan, eastern Turkey and Afghanistan,” he said, adding that Kurds across this geography have been pressured to take sides in the war.

 

“However, Kurds pursued a prudent policy. They did not become part of this war planned by global capital. Despite this, Southern Kurdistan became a target of the attacks. Some sought to draw Kurds into the centre of the war, but this did not succeed. Had Kurds been drawn into the conflict, their gains would have been put at risk,” he said.

 

‘KURDS HAVE LEARNED FROM HISTORY’

 

“Whichever side Kurds had taken in this war, they would have been the losing side,” Berwarî said, adding that Kurds have drawn lessons from history. He stressed that Kurds today are not the same as they were a century ago and should not take sides in the conflict.

 

“However, Kurds must be prepared for every scenario. The doors of politics, dialogue and diplomacy must be fully opened. Kurds should remain in dialogue with all sides in pursuit of their interests and act accordingly,” he said.

 

‘THE CONSPIRACY CONTINUES’

 

Berwarî said Kurds in Rojhilat have responded to what he described as plots against them by forming a political alliance, adding that such unity should extend to all areas, including potentially a military alliance.

 

“Kurds must not forget what happened in Rojava. The international conspiracy launched in 1999 against Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) continues. It is being pursued through different scenarios to eliminate the Kurdish freedom movement. Kurds across all four parts of Kurdistan must remain vigilant against these plots,” he said.

 

‘A CRITICAL THRESHOLD FOR SOUTHERN KURDISTAN’

 

Berwarî warned that global powers could intervene in Iraq to curb Iran’s influence in the Middle East, with repercussions for the Kurdistan Region.

 

“A critical threshold is approaching for southern Kurdistan. The political stance adopted by the Kurdistan Region’s authorities is not national, democratic or peace-oriented, nor does it prioritise Kurdish interests. While unity is urgently needed in southern Kurdistan, a government has still not been formed. The public expects a national army, yet political parties insist on maintaining control over armed forces. The army and political parties must be separated,” he said.

 

Berwarî also criticised the media landscape in the region, saying none of the outlets are impartial and that this undermines freedom and democracy. Berwarî concluded: “This policy benefits no one and must be abandoned. With signs that attacks may intensify in the coming days, politicians in southern Kurdistan must act accordingly. If unity is achieved, the people will stand firmly against attacks. Just as people took to the streets for Rojava, they would do the same for southern Kurdistan.”

 

MA / Emrullah Acar