VIDEO: Kurds protest Shia militias' directing US weapons at Kurdistan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Protestors gathered before the US Consulate General in Erbil on Friday, expressing their rage at the irony of Iraq and Iranian-backed Shia militias attacking Kurds, an ally of the US, with the American-supplied weapons. 

The people of the Kurdistan Region, including those from the city of Kirkuk who have lost their homes after the Sunday attack, were outraged at America's inaction before the Shia militia's looting and burning Kurdish houses.

“You were calling us the most loyal ally in the Middle East, and now you allow the Iranian-backed militia and Iraqi forces to use your heavy weapons and military equipment against us?” a protester shouted in front of the US Consulate in Erbil.

Different signs were raised during the protest, mostly related to the US’s lack of response regarding the use of their weapons against the people of the Kurdistan Region.

“PMF [Hashd Al-Sha'abi] and Iraqi forces are using US Humvees and Abrams tanks against your Kurdish ally!” another one shouted at the top of his voice.

The General Command of Peshmerga Forces and the Kurdistan Regional Security Council (KRSC) have both confirmed the use of the US-supplied weaponry against the Peshmerga forces in their recent statements.

“So many Kurdish Peshmerga lost their lives fighting Islamic State (IS) outside of Kurdistan borders. Is that how you pay us back?” said another emotional protester.

A diverse ethnic and religious group gathered today, including Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, and Christians, but mostly the displaced people of Kirkuk who fled following the attack of the Shia militia and Iraqi forces.

Moreover, Kurds in Germany also gathered on Friday in front of the US Consulate in Dusseldorf, asking the US to protect the people of the Kurdistan Region from the attacks of the Iraqi forces and the Shia militia.

Editing by Ava Homa