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America has ‘moral responsibility’ to intervene in Iraq, says Iraqi Kurdish foreign minister
By Mick Krever and Ken Olshansky, CNN
The foreign minister of Iraqi Kurdistan on Wednesday issued a desperate plea for American and Western intervention to halt the advance of ISIS extremists.
“We are left alone in the front to fight the terrorists of ISIS,” Falah Mustafa Bakir told CNN’s Fred Pleitgen, in for Christiane Amanpour.
“I believe the United States has a moral responsibility to support us, because this is a fight against terrorism, and we have proven to be pro-democracy, pro-West, and pro-secularism.”
While much of the world's attention has recently been focused on Gaza, ISIS has been sweeping across northern Iraq.
Over the weekend, ISIS forces captured a string of towns controlled by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, who, after the near-collapse of the Iraqi army in June, have been seen as the only force capable of confronting ISIS.
Bakir said that Kurdish forces have started to reverse the defensive tack they were forced to take over the weekend.
“This is something way beyond the capacity of the Iraqi air forces. We need the United States and NATO to interfere because we are fighting on behalf of all those who are against terrorism.”
“The U.S. troops have left; the six Iraqi divisions have disappeared. Now it’s only the Peshmerga forces facing these terrorist groups, who have captured all these advanced and sophisticated weaponry from the Iraqi army.”
“And the irony is that we are using outdated, Russian weapons, and the terrorists are using sophisticated and advanced American weapons against us.”
Among the towns captured was Sinjar, home to many Yazidi, a small religious sect whose members are particular targets for the Sunni extremists of ISIS.
Thousands fled with barely any supplies, many into nearby mountains where they're stranded and surrounded by the extremists. They face starvation and dehydration.
While the United States has said it is “actively monitoring the situation” and is providing assistance to the Peshmerga, there seems to be no appetite for a more substantive American intervention in Iraq.
“We have listened to [people] supporting our experience, supporting us. This is now time for action.”
“We have made some progress and we will continue. We are determined in order to take all the areas that have been taken by ISIS back. But we need support, and that support would be in way of airstrikes but also weapons and ammunition.”
“This is a terrorist organization that has declared the war on all those who are against them. So therefore it’s not only the responsibility of Kurdistan. If we are not able to stop them here, they would continue and pose a threat to other countries as well.”
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WHAT??? MISSION was ACCOMPLISHED, and we were greeted as liberators. Just ask Dick and Bush.
Heartless idiot.
Against what our warrior prince called the Junior Varsity?
The mission was accomplished, essentially, but a stay behind force was necessary, as advised by the military. Removal of ALL troops was probably a mistake. Its frightening to witness the most powerful man in the world incapable of admitting his own mistake. But we really shouldn't provoke ISIS to target the US either; he should have supported the FSA more when he had a chance to eliminate ISIS influence. Another mistake, probably, and he's still won't admit to ANY of them, even as the world comes apart.
Give us a time that we should've stayed, ten years, twenty years maybe thirty years, these people live these people by the Prophet Muhammad law, the bombs and missiles we use cost millions of dollars, this not wwII are you if favor of the draft? you seem to like spending billions of tax dollars and losing lives on people that hate us.
Bush promised in writing that all troops would leave. Obama inherited that decision and either had to go back on bushes word or fulfill it. Stop listening to fox news. I t makes you sound not to bright. And stop with the idea that one man is the problem. That's what the rebel rousers want us all to do. Keep the fight going between dems and repubs and then we never figure out that the government has become too corrupt to function effectively. Didn't you notice that?? I want to send all the people who don't get this to political boot camp so we can all move on and get to some real solutions.
Its horrifying to see what Bush senor predicted come true. He said that he did not invade Iraq because it would destabilize the region. The younger Bush was so hot to go to Bagdad and remove Saddam Hussein despite his father's warning. Now the whole region is destabilized by the power vacuum left in Iraq. At least under Saddam there was less violence than there is now. George Bush was a great man and thought things through. That's what's called for now. I hate what is happening there, but will intervening cause some Sunni's to stand by Isis instead of joining with the Shia to fight extremists. I pray to God for peace and for safety for Christian and Muslim alike. The Sunni's seem willing to sit back and the ISIS roll despite the horror. And the shia have disappeared.
Hi dan (with a little d) So Bush signed it so that's that? Why do you think he reluctantly singed it (he said many times he didn't want a deadline)? To make a threat regarding SOAFA (get it?) and yes because there was an election and it's what Americans wanted. So that's it? The threat doesn't work so Obama just gives in to Maliki's authority to reject SOFA, to his "authority" to waste U.S. gains and to allow U.S. equipment to fall into use of terrorists to kill Kurds? What authority did Maliki have to do that? Do you think he has justified is authority? Does he have authority now? Obama was and is un potent (I can't spell it properly or it's filtered).
The world u deserve this ,all of u are gulity,when u take sides against those fighting terror,terror groups suceed and grow.YOU are more worried about the terrorist than those fighting this evil,against ISRAEL and against USA maybe ISIS killing all the christians an yezdis in Iraq, maybe liberal run news companies wiill wake up,qatar and uae support these ISLAMIC FASCISTS WITH ORDERS FROM MECCA.
I believe it is time for them to finally stand up and take care of this themselves- IF that is what they truly want. Which it appears they do not. They have absolutely no problem with these fanatic's out killing and committing heinous acts of terrorism in the name of their religion- until it comes to their area. Than it is everyone else's responsibility to stop them- not theirs. Time for them to step up to the plate and make the ultimate sacrifice instead of asking everyone else to do it for them.
Does the US have any morals? Have they ever paid any compensation for their murderous ways all the way down fro Vietnam to now?It is a shameless country with shameless people.
How are we "morally" responsible? They are their own country folks and people of Their religion- and they have shown that they have no issue with them raping, killing and torturing in the name of their "god"- so please explain to us about morality when they sit back and let these atrocities happen in their name? Disgusting .
This is one group of terrorists fighting another. The US has no "moral responsibility" at all.
Do you know anything about the Kurds? Ask an Iraqi veteran if the Kurds are terrorists. I assure you they will answer that they are exactly the opposite of terrorists.
Do you just say whatever you think sounds good? Because you sure don't say anything about truth.
No U.S. soldier has ever been killed in Kurdish controlled territory.
The Kurds are planning a memorial to U.S. military men and women killed in Iraq. The first of its kind on foreign soil since the Normandy memorial.
Kurds have inhabited the lands they currently inhabit for thousands of years.
The Kurds are the largest nation (40 million) without a state.
Kurds are distinctly different from Arabs, Turks and Persians.
The Kurds were told by Western countries they would have their own country after WWI. Instead, they were separated into regions in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
Kurds have been routinely persecuted by the governments of Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
The Kurds practice democracy.
The Kurds are currently protecting the minority refugees of Iraq and Syria in Northern Iraq which is under Kurdish control. These minorities include: Christians, Shabaks, Turkmen and Yazidis.
The Peshmerga (Kurdish army) are fierce fighters and have inflicted heavy casualties against ISIS.
Please write or call your political representatives and voice support for the Kurds. Thank you
And we believe what you are writing!!!
Are they reliable?
And yes the Kurds are the most civilized people bla bla bla, Silas you are a clown, the Kurds killed millions of Christians in WW1 era, yes they changed in the last decades only because the saw atrocities committed onto them by their Islamic neighbors, anyway in my opinion they stay uncivilized as long as they are accepting Islam, if they want to come to the civilized side the must denounce Islam and apologies for their atrocities committed on the Christians
The US has indeed a moral responsibility to support the Kurdish military forces. If it was not the Kurdish support during the Iraq war the US casualties would have been much more than what it was, maybe the US could not even take Iraq if it was not Kurdish forces supports. The US needs to keep its allies around the world. Unfortunately the Obama administration has employed an ignorance policy towards the Kurds.
We are watching the worst genocide since Rwanda unfold and again do nothing. Monstrous ISIS beheads children, crucifies others. Madness. Madness. Madness.
For humanitarian reasons, the US & UN should wake up to deal with this IS/ISIS menace militarily once and for all before it is too late. It's scary to note how much the IS/ISIS have accomplished with speed right under the noses of the international community. We need to protect the Kurds, Christian and all others being killed by the IS/ISIS for simply not converting to Islam
USA, NATO, UN Security Council, Where are you???
Absolutely you all have a moral duty to send massive military support to the Peshmerga and humanitarian aid to the Yazidi and Christian victims of this massacre/genocide.
Christian and Yazidi minorities are genocided/butchered/raped and the world stands idly by. Shame on the world if they are left alone, but the Peshmerga are brave and will fight these Islamic State brutes to the last man. God bless the Peshmerga, Christian, and Yazidi as they face this horrible EVIL so called "Islamic" State.
Great. Good luck. I look forward to seeing on CNN that you were successful. feel free to use all that hardware and training we provided. We look forward to your gracious repayment for our services provided.
I am no fan of the Iraq war and I supported the pull out but this is wrong we are not supporting the Kurds in this fight. I hope we will be proven wrong in the coming days. We should at the very least conduct airstrikes on captured American military equipment.
Mr.president of the unitedstate , i'm far from himalay nepal. Gurkha we fought 1st world war,2nd world war,folkland,kosovo,iraq,afgnistan with british.kargil with india give us to chance with your side to protect them who beging your help. We have 10million young gurkha who is working now in construction,agreeculture,manufacture in the golf country.this is not suiteble job for gurkha. We are already side by british let us be your side... isis will drive away.
Kurdistan is safe and secure. And be sure Peshmarga will defeat terrorists.
We as Kurdish people believe in our Peshmarga. They are strong enough to protect their people, dignity and land. God Bless Peshmarga.Yezedi people are in dire need for help on the Shingal mountain. Time is now for action for those countries that they talk about humanity.
I think the world should remind this quote of Albert Einstein;
"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything."
No where is secure in Iraq
I am talking about Kurdistan, not Iraq.
Wow, that actually appears to be a REAL Einstein quote, unlike many of the ones floating around the internet.
If I am not mistaken the Iraq "government" bluntly told us to get out of their country! They didn't want us there and never did want us there. Further, the king rat president Maliki had his own visions of grandeur that he was the main man of the middle east and controlled all the money....oil. Now they see what a fool he is and they want us to clean his rear for him. I say hell no! Not one son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother of our country should give one drop of blood for Iraq let alone a life.
Time for Iraq to demonstrate they have the will to be a country. So far its not looking like they do.
Oh so we left on the authority of the Shia to dicatate terms to us after WE established their safety. What authority do they have now? Hmmm? That was some Shiite excuse.
The equipment that Obama left in Iraq is being used as a weapon against the only people who really, as a group desered to be freed from Saddam, and the only people who were really on our side, and Obama will sit and do nothing. Don't even start about status of forces. Who had authority to reject U.S. terms? Shia? What authority do they have now? As if anyone couldn't see this coming from the pullout.
The equipment OBAMA left in Iraq? Are you completely stupid? You weren't aware that we were equipping and training a new Iraqi army as far back as oh when Bush was in office? Then you say who couldn't see this coming? Who couldn't see this coming when we decided to destabilize the middle east by taking out Sadam, were you really that dull witted even then?
"left": Please learn the difference between the words "left" and "put". Bush put it there, Obama left it there.
Dan, please put down the joystick, turn off foxnews and pick up a book and read to get at least SOME education under your belt.
Israel supports the Kurds and are their biggest oil buyer. Send in the IDF -this nonsense will be over quickly if Israel joins the Kurds.
BS– We have NO OBLIGATION to anyone other than American citiizens. If this is an issue, then they need to learn how to deal with it within their own country.
It's called survival of the fittest.
How is being a moron working out for ya?
This is the begining of the Islamic Civil war. This fight is for the direction Islam as a religion will take in the future. If you don't like it either quiet being a muslim or fight for your beliefs.
The division between Sunni's and Shiite's has been building for at least a century. The cost will be countless innocent lives but to do nothing degrads every single one of your beliefs.
This can't be stopped, It has to fight it self out. the USA like every other non muslim nation should do nothing but provide aid to the non-combatants.
Beginning? Dude its been going on for centuries. Part of the reason the Islamic states are the hole of the world is their inability to stop fighting among themselves.
We have a duty to help eh? So if we go in and wipe out ISIS for the world, what do we get in return? Oh, I know, grief about us being world police. Let the region burn, and if it gets too bad, bomb them all into oblivion.
Do we have an obligation? No, we don't. Does it make sense to put some boots on the ground? It likely does. The last thing the world needs is a strong radical nation formed from Iraq, Syria and who knows what other countries. Of course we should only get involved if the Saudi's, Jordan, Egypt and other Muslim countries have their own soldiers fighting as well.
Duty? Obama? Don't make me laugh.
We are the ones that supplied isis with weapons!! We need to help them NOW or are complicit in genocide. These are what REAL war crimes look like. Where are you UN?
UN??? Really? The UN wont do anything more that issue words. The only reason the UN is involved in Iraq at all is because of the US. The UN never does anything but words unless there is a member nation willing to take the lead. We did our part. Time for Iraq to stand on its own and determine if it really has the will to be a country.
These guys give terrorists a bad name ... that's why we don't help.
If the U.S. were to attack ISIS, then ISIS would be supported by the Islamic world.
Ok, it is ridiculous that simpletons are out in force saying we have no responsibility in this. First, the Kurds were not the ones calling for the US to leave Iraq. It was Al Maliki and others within Iraq. The Kurds have been good allies for us, unlike Al Maliki. Second, I am as concerned as anybody about getting entalged in Iraq again. But, can you really turn a blind eye to genocide? Really? You're not a proper human being then. We may need to avoid putting boots on the ground, but certainly we could do what we did for Libyan rebel groups, some of which were radicals by the way, unlike Kurds who are moderate and pro-democracy. Third, American provided advanced weapons are being used against the Kurds. How is this not our responsibility again? Like it or not, we helped create this situation. Finally, as usual, simpletons want to make it so simple. So black and whute. And that's why you are fools, because the complexity of a situation like this is beyond you.
So because the Iraq government wants us out but the Kurds dont we still have a responsibility? With that logic we will never leave because someone will always want us to spend our money and blood and not their own. Its time for them to apply all that military training and free weaponry we gave them. Yet entire divisions desert. If they wont fight for their country why should we?
The US has fulfilled its duty. We spent years there spending money and blood preparing them to be a sovereign nation once again. Now they have entire divisions desert. They are not willing to fight for their own country. Their military are cowards. At some point kids need to stand on their own.
Since the CIA overthrew the AMerican govt in Nov 1963, our national foreign policy has been to meet war and terror, with war and terror. That philosophy tends to leave a lot of dead people in its wake. Perhaps JFK had the right approach after all, appeasement, trust, negotiation, talking; not escalating and finger-pointing. After he took the world to the brink of nuclear war, his epiphany was that nations can live and work together, and settle their differences amicably. All America has done since 1945, is stir up the world. Perhaps a new approach IS warranted.
The US does not have a duty to do anything in Iraq. If their government is incapable of maintaining law and order then it is no longer a legitimate government. Let the people there decide, by one means or another, what kind of country they want to have. We should not have gone there in the first place.
Here's a pipe dream. What's needed for this crisis is a Middle Eastern NATO. Gather all the Middle Eastern nations into a coalition and turn them loose on ISIS. Second solution because of the resounding "hell no" how about a Bosnian/Croatian type campaign with strictly airpower targeting ISIS? Third option.....let the world stick its head in the sand as was the case with Rwanda?
The US never completed its mission in Iraq. Obama pulled our troops out long before they were able to help build an Iraqi army powerful enough, and confident enough to protect their own country. Time to go back in and kick some butt and finish the job.
Help these people.
Kurdishes aren't terrorist.We are human like you.Terrorists are killing the children in Iraq.Children are without water in Sinjar mountain.Firstly Saddam and now ISIS.CHILDREN ARE DYING IN NORTH IRAQ.WHERE IS UNİTED NATIONS?WHERE IS EUROPE?WHERE IS US? Why are you waiting for help? WHY? INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE DYİNG! WHERE IS HUMANITY?
Where are the Iraqis?
Nort Iraq people are fighting in their region but they need aid and powerful weapons
We are all wondering the same. Only the Kurds have come out fighting. The rest of Iraqis are awaiting ISIS to enter Baghdad and Irbil where they will fight them.
The UK and USA need to send a clear message to the world that we are there to help our allies in the region. We should be giving the kurds all the help they need.
Help them, we should have been all along, instead of propping up corrupt governments.
True but sometimes, there is no way of knowing which govt will become corrupt so the best Foreign Policy is not to prop up any govt, whatsoever, because these are sovereign Independent states. That way, we avoid.prevent any attacks/hostilities against us. However, the we should intervene in cases of genocide, ethnic cleansing and to support true allies, whose values are aligned to ours and consistent with that of the West (Freedom, Democracy and respect for Human Rights).
The US broke it, now the US has to fix it.
We did break it and we surely do still own a good part of it. The time for moral indignation was in '03 when the USA - if we as a nation had had any clarity of vision and moral fiber - would have thrown the entire bush admin into prison for treason. But we didn't. Now we are still responsible whether you or I or anyone else wishes it to be so.
ISIS is completely out of control. Shockingly cruel and barbarous. Their string of military victories must be checked and checked hard. I say this as a peace loving person who is generally against military intervention.
I will be unspeakably ashamed of my country if we do not stand up and do what is right.
Not boots on the ground. Those who are tired of watching American blood flow - when there are others closer to the fight, with more in the game who do nothing - are right. Let the other more moderate arab states send troops in to take fire and hold a line. BUT we should be attacking ISIS from the air, and we should hit them hard. ISIS has shown themselves to be the enemy of humanity itself and ought to be treated to precisely that which they are asking for.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/p296x100/10552429_339253746225299_6157062756204611243_n.jpg Help them ! Kurdishes were ally of the USA in Iraq war.Help women and children for humanity!
Yes, we need the great Satan, America, to come and save us. Again and again and again and again......
Stop them now , else once they consolidate , every zealot worth his salt will flock to them and every terrorist cause in the name of religion will be supported the world over. They are not after a state , they have a far flung loose ideology about turning the whole world to medieval Islam. One day soon they will arrive on Western soil so STOP THEM NOW!!!
Those states secretly supporting ISIS will soon be ever so sorry.
Of course he is talking sense.
If U.S. cannot sleep with people like Assad around, then they it has reason to be alarmed by this new breed of Arab revolutionaries. They don't like Assad either and the reason appears to be that people like Assad are not doing enough for their cause, whatever that is.
But the real danger of this Kurd government is if they cannot compete with ISIS in getting the support of the Kurdistan people. Same with Iraq in relation with the Iraqi people.
What is really happening in the ground? News from Libya, and now Iraqi Kurdistan, are intriguing.
I think the new breed of Arab revolutionaries have put Syria, Iraq, Iran at center and KSA and others at the right, in the Arab world.
Thank you USA thank you public opinion of America for your helps and best wishes for North Iraq people
The U.S. should provide all forms of material assistance to the Kurds that they require. They will not disappoint.
I concur and many will agree with your comments. Actions speaks louder than words and the Kurds have acted as expected to safeguard their Country and people against a brutal and common enemy.
Yes, the US and allies have an obligation in Iraq because:
1 – they helped creating a situation of inbalance, with room for extremist forces
2 – they created a situation of dependability upon its political and military security
3 – they delivered weapons that are now used by those extremist forces to commit crimes against humanity
You are right!
It is right that we support the Kurds and a unified Iraqi govt to fight off the incursions by ISIS/ISIL. The Kurds deserve Western assistance as they have requested because they alone have fought off ISIS, shown great courage and bravery, standing against them and they are being relied upon to stop the genocide of the Yazidis and other minorities, including Christians whilst the two other major Sects/tribes are busy fighting each other.