Mar 04, 2016

Iraqi Turkmen: Suffering Continues in Syria and Iraq


Increasing insecurity in Turkmen areas in Syria and Iraq is leading to further immigration of its people, expressed Mr Ersad Salihi, President of Iraqi Turkmen Front and Kirkuk Member of Parliament. Cities such as Mosul and Tal Afar – currently controlled by Daesh – are of symbolic importance to the Turkmen people and the places where many of them lived until the arrival of the terrorist group. Ms Salihi said that Turkmen are ready to carry out military operations to rescue their territories.

 

Photo courtesy of Anadolu Agency. 

Below is an article published by Anadolu Agency:

 

Turkmen continue to suffer the most due to lack of security and clashes in Syria and Iraq, Ersad Salihi, president of Iraqi Turkmen Front and Kirkuk parliamentarian, said Monday.

"The planned attacks on Turkmen people in Syria’s Aleppo province, Jarabulus and Bayirbucak districts have been obvious. These regions must be declared as secured areas. If such a decision is taken, Turkmen wouldn't be forced to flee their hometowns," Salihi told Anadolu Agency.

"There are very big [geopolitical] games [being played] in Turkmen areas in Syria and Iraq," he said, adding people continue to face security problems in Syria’s Aleppo, Jarabulus and Bayirbucak areas along with Iraq’s Mosul, Tal Afar, Tuz Khormato and Kirkuk areas.

"Turkmen people have been forced to migrate," he added.

Salihi said a number of Turkmen people had fled their homes after Tel Afar was captured by the DAESH terrorist group.

"Mosul is an important city for Iraqi Turkmen and also Tal Afar, where mostly Turkmen people live. The operation in these cities must be carried out by Turkmen people," he said.

"It’s not important for us under which name we will be included in these operations. Turkmen people are ready militarily. We have also requested for an official approval from the government for our military force," he said.

"Arab people, Kurdish people and Turkmen people should be included in these administrative institutions," he added.