On April 17, Turkey launched a new operation in Zap, Avaşîn and Metîna within the borders of the Federated Kurdistan Region with the cooperation of the KDP, both from the air and from the ground. There are harsh reactions from all people from all backgrounds towards the KDP's involvement in the war. Institutions, organizations, unions, all political parties, academics, artists and ex-peshmerga in the Federated Kurdistan Region, protested the attack. Sadr Movement Leader Muqtada Es Sadr, one of the parties that received the highest votes in the Iraqi elections, announced that they will not remain silent against Turkey's attacks. Another reaction came from Kurdistan Patriotic Union (PUK) MP Zikrî Zebarî.

 

Speaking to the Mesopotamia Agency (MA), Zebarî said that Turkey launched an invasion attack on the Federated Kurdistan Region using the PKK as an excuse.

 

'THIS ATTACK IS OCCUPATION ATTEMPT'

 

Condemning the attack, Zebarî pointed out that 5 different regions have been bombed with warplanes, drones (SİHA), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and helicopters for 3 days and said, “The Kurdistan Regional Government and the MPs must stand up against it. This far-reaching attack on Bashur Kurdistan is an attack on the status of Kurdistan. They want to take Bashur Kurdistan under their control and use it against other parts of Kurdistan.”

 

Zebarî stated that KDP's cooperation with Turkey is unacceptable, and said:  “The KDP is the largest Kurdish party in Bashur. It says it has been the spokesperson for the Kurds for many years. If their aid to Turkey continues, they will go down in history as a disgrace. It is unacceptable for any Kurdish political party to support someone who is hostile to the Kurds. The KDP needs to realize this and cut its support to Turkey." 

 

THE STATUS OF THE KURDS WANTS TO BE DESTROYED

 

Reminding that the Federated Kurdistan Region has an autonomous structure affiliated to the Iraqi state, Zebarî said, “Bashur Kurdistan is a semi-independent country with certain borders according to international laws. Turkey has been continuing its attacks for many years violating the laws and regulations. More than 50 villages were evacuated due to Turkish attacks. Turkey wants to destroy the Kurds and their status by taking Bashur under its control economically and militarily. The regional government needs to take a stand against it. The Iraqi government should also stand up to these attacks by Turkey." 

 

'KURDISH PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE TO THE STREETS'

 

Underlining that the people living in the Federated Kurdistan Region should protest these attacks, Zeberî continued as follows: “The people should condemn these attacks. The Kurdish people should raise their voices in front of the European Parliament. In 4 parts of Kurdistan, our people must take to the streets against these attacks. This attack is an attack on the identity of the Kurdish people. If they reach their goal in Bashur, Rojava will be next. This attack is not against the PKK, but against the Kurdish identity.”