Swedish MP urges government to support Peshmerga, Kurdistan independence
An independent Kurdistan would be a good friend of Europe in general and Sweden in particular, politically and economically, Swedish politician and Member of Parliament Fredrik Malm said on Thursday.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – An independent Kurdistan would be a good friend of Europe in general and Sweden in particular, politically and economically, Swedish politician and Member of Parliament Fredrik Malm said on Thursday.
The Liberal People’s Party in its last Congress decided to support Kurdistan's referendum for independence.
"If people vote for independence, the party will support the move," Malm said in an interview with Kurdistan24
President of Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani in the past few years has pushed forward the long-awaiting dream of Kurdish self-determination and has called for the holding of the referendum in 2017.
“I support Kurdistan independence one hundred percent, and I would respect the Kurdish decision in this regard,” Malm said. “We believe that the Swedish government should also support the people Kurdistan's decision and recognize Kurdistan as an independent state.”
The Swedish politician stated that Greater Kurdistan, which includes the Kurdish regions in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria, has been divided 100 years ago, stating that Kurds have been oppressed and betrayed many times in the past.
He mentioned that the Kurdistan Region was linked to Iraq in the past but is nevertheless a separate entity.
“If we want to see a future in the Middle East with democracy, Kurds should have an independent country,” he added.
Malm also highlighted the effective role of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in defeating the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.
“Kurds have paid the ultimate price, sacrificing thousands in the fight against IS. Therefore, the entire world is indebted to the Kurds, and we should support them. It is not only the Kurds' fight but the whole world's battle against terrorism.”
He mentioned that IS-inspired attacks in Manchester and Stockholm are two examples that show the international community that those who fight terrorism should not be neglected.
The Swedish parliamentary member urged the Swedish government to support the Peshmerga and the Kurdistan Region.
“The Swedish government has often sent military trainers to the Kurdistan Region, but I believe it is not enough. The government should also arm the Peshmerga against the barbaric group which committed horrific crimes against Ezidi women,” Malm concluded.
Following the emergence of the jihadist group in northern Iraq in June 2014, the Iraqi army failed to defend its people and abandoned entire areas, and leaving provinces and heavy weapons in the hands of IS.
Peshmerga forces stopped the advance of IS and pushed the group back from the Kurdistan Region border.
"Peshmerga destroyed the myth of IS," Kurdish top officials have repeatedly stated before.
Editing by G.H. Renaud