Kurds: Who are they?

Kurds are the 4^th largest ethnic group in the region without an autonomous state.

Kurdistan is yet  a dream of millions of people

Kurds are one of the oldest ethnic groups found in today’s world. Historically, they are an Iranian group in the Middle East. The Kurds are the only ethnic group which lacks an autonomous state. The fourth largest ethnic group in Middle East holds population up to 25 million people. They live in the connected border areas of Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria.

The Kurds have a distinct identity. They have their own culture, traditions and norms and they are united by race. Similarly, they have their own language but for the reason of cross border split after the Ottoman Empire, majority of their population due to territorial reasons now can speak Arabic, Turkish and other languages. Additionally, they also adhere to number of religion but their majority follows Sunni sect of Islam.

After the beginning of 20th century, great numbers of population raised voice for a self-governing state for their own nation- Generally attribute that as Kurdistan. After the Success of allies and defeat of Turkish Ottoman Empire in world war one, the victorious allies made arrangements in the 1920s Treaty of Sevres for a sovereign Kurdish state. Whereas, three years later in 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, set up the borders of modern Turkey, with no plan for a Kurdish state. Eventually, this left the ethnic groups with a status of outnumbered people in their respective divided countries.

From the end of WW1 to the Gulf war of 1990, the Kurds fought number of times for their autonomous state. Accordingly, the threats were put down by respective countries and Kurds had to face abolition at several occasions.

Kurds in Iraq

 Kurdish community got fruits when after years of political and military contests. Eventually, in 2005 Kurds secured a constitutional recognition for their autonomous region in north of the Iraq.  

Earlier to 2005, Kurds inaugurated successful missions against the British and Baghdad government. Meanwhile, Iraqi government forcibly expelled the Kurdish majority of the region through a plan named later as “Arabisation,” for the reason that these areas were repopulated with the Arab communities of Central and Southern Iraq.

Al though this was a plan of Iraqi government but proved favorable for Kurdish society as they reached at the town of Khanqin, close to the Iranian, Syrian and Turkish border. Similarly, the areas of other three states were decidedly populated by Kurdish tribes. Frequently, this became a Kurdish union. Likewise, Saddam Hussein in 1990 did the same thing to remaining Kurds in the areas forcibly burning 4000 villages and killing many.

Iraqi Kurds hold a key position and require their neighbors to support them in terms of economy as they export oil. Eventually, they need the markets to access.

Kurds in Turkey

Turkey holds a key position for Kurds as about 20% population of the country belongs to this s. community. Turkey set up restriction on Kurds in every aspect as they were not able to involve in any social or political activity. Equally, the Kurdish language was outlawed until 1991.

Kurdish areas of Turkey have a grip our rich resources and opportunities. Likewise, Turkish government is accused of forcefully withholding the resources of particular area. Ankara at number of occasions has shut down any effort that was organized to strengthen the Kurdish people politically. However, the party named Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) called for an independent Kurdish state inside Turkey in 1978. Eventually, armed struggle was launched against the government and in response thousands of people were murdered while hundreds of them were misplaced. Clashes continued until 2012, when government and PKK began talks to settle down and ceasefire. But, after a while, combat was started again. Since, then thousands of people have been killed and Kurdish population is yet to have a sovereign state.

In Syrian Case

The PYD party is the most sticking out figure which represents Kurds in Syria. Additionally, it holds an armed group SDF, which occasionally has supported government and Syrian rebels for its own interests. During the Syrian crisis, the party or armed group whatever, has handled to lusted out mini-states in different cities of the country similarly, Aleppo, Raqqa and Hassakah.

The US is backing the SDF against ISIL to recapture the cities that are holed by ISIL forces.

Iran’s Reaction towards the Community

Iran has long strategic relations with Kurds living inside the country and outside specifically Iraqi Kurds. Iran backed the Syrian Kurds against ISIL. Earlier, in the era of Shah, Iran supported the Kurds in Iraq. Iran provided assistance the Kurdish insurgency against the government.

But this is not the whole story inside of the country. In fact, Kurds in Iran started rebellion movements in 1960. This gave hope to the dying movement during the Iran-Iraq war but was unable to throw a landmark.

Meanwhile, Iran continued to deploy its forces near the border areas. In recent years it clashes between the forces and Kurds have been witnessed resulted into heavy casualties. Iran also wanted the referendum in Iraq to fail for the reason that it felt that the Israel was supporting the referendum in order to put its steps at the doors of Iran. Likewise, the assistance could be given to the Iranian Kurds. Henceforth, Iran does not perceive to be an admirer of Kurdish unions.