UK MPs criticize Iraqi troops, Iranian-backed militias ‘use of force’ against Kurds

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Three Members of the United Kingdom Parliament on Tuesday criticized Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militia for attacking the Kurds in Kirkuk and other disputed territories.

In a written motion to the Parliament, MPs Jack Lopresti (Conservative), Mary Glindon (Labour), and Robert Halfon (Conservative) expressed their “regret” at Baghdad’s “use of force” against the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

“This House regrets Iraqi Prime Minister [Haider al-Abadi’s] decision…to use force as a first resort to take Kirkuk and other disputed territories from the [KRG],” a transcript of Tuesday’s written motion read.

The MPs accused the Iraqi PM of collaborating with the “Iranian regime [and] its revolutionary guards and brutally-sectarian Shia militia” to regain administrative authority over the disputed areas between Erbil and Baghdad.

The British politicians highlighted Abadi’s “serial and flagrant” violations of the Iraqi Constitution which “bolstered Kurds resoundingly backing eventual and negotiated independence.”

One of the violations of the Iraqi Constitution involves the status of the multi-ethnic, oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

According to Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, a referendum was to be held in the city by 2007. However, the only vote held was the Kurdistan Region's Sep. 25 referendum.

Last week, Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Shia militias swiftly took over Kirkuk, the city which Peshmerga forces had defended after the Iraqi army collapsed and fled following an advance by the Islamic State (IS) in mid-2014.

“Baghdad’s actions illustrate the case for [Kurdish] independence, and Kurds should not be subordinated in express violation of the Iraqi Constitution,” the statement continued.

The MPs also urged “the UK and its international partners to recognize that Iranian involvement in Iraq and a weaker KRG contradict Western interests and the prospects [for] peace in the Middle East.”

Such motions are tabled every working day and allow one or more MPs to express an opinion on the record, to promote a view, win support from others MPs, influence government, and inform public opinion.

Tuesday's motion was a cross-party, and on Thursday, four others signed up. Another senior Conservative plus one each from three other parties. These are the DUP, Plaid Cymru, and the SNP which means the motion is backed by members of five parties in the House of Commons.

Editing by Sam A.