KRG Interior Minister addresses IDPs, terrorism, regional security
"Thousands of displaced people, particularly from Sinjar, remain in our region. The Iraqi government has not shown serious commitment to fulfilling its obligations toward these displaced people," he underlined.
Nov. 23, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Reber Ahmed addressed multiple critical issues during Saturday's MEPS forum panel in Duhok, highlighting concerns about Iraq's displaced persons, terrorism, and the use of Iraqi territory by armed groups.
Regarding the displaced persons crisis, Ahmed stated, "Thousands of displaced people, particularly from Sinjar, remain in our region. The Iraqi government has not shown serious commitment to fulfilling its obligations toward these displaced people." He emphasized that "Yazidis and Christians cannot return to their areas, and these issues must be resolved through agreement."
Addressing terrorism, Ahmed emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach: "Terrorism is a consequence, not a coincidence. We must address terrorism at its roots. We're constantly analyzing terrorists' intentions." He linked security challenges to Iraq's historical context, noting, "Before 2003, there was a dictatorial regime that had problems with Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis, despite being Sunni themselves. Iraq has never been a source of regional security and has failed to focus on state-building."
The Interior Minister offered a stark assessment of Iraq's nation-building efforts: "We must be honest with ourselves. After 100 years, Iraq is still in the reconstruction phase. The project of building Iraq has failed, with empty foundations. Policies of Arabization, Anfal, and genocide occurred, which is why we all hope to see change and correct our path. Some parties following the previous regime's policies led to the emergence of ISIS."
Ahmed also took a firm stance against armed groups operating in Iraq: "We reject the use of Iraqi territory by armed groups, particularly those working against Iraq's interests."
The Kurdistan Region continues to host a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from various parts of Iraq, particularly following the ISIS crisis. The region's security challenges are complicated by historical grievances, ongoing reconstruction efforts, and the presence of various armed groups. The Interior Minister's comments reflect the Kurdistan Regional Government's ongoing concerns about these issues and its commitment to maintaining regional stability while addressing the needs of displaced communities.