Iraq Sunni-Shia Kurd Conflict

Iraq-iran-Kurd Conflict

The Kurdish uprisings since late 1960s and the war with Iran during the 80s decade have significantly destabilized the political structure of Iraq. And the recent U.S.-led military aggression in the country has not helped the situation at all. The people are in Iraq are desperately looking for restoration of normalcy. And for this reason it is important to study the situations and propose a peace plan that would stabilize the government and brings decades of conflict to an amicable end.

To begin, it is extremely important for Iraq to understand that its internal uprisings are just as damaging as external aggression, if not more. Internal conflicts have caused immense damage to Northern Iraq where Kurds have been fighting for self-determination and representation since 1960s. Over the years, through active and passive activities, Kurds have managed to carve an identity and denying this would be useless as Peter W. Galbraith, a former U.S. ambassador, points out:

"In the past 11 years, the Iraqi identity has largely disappeared from the north of Iraq. Kurdish television, media and universities have replaced earlier Iraqi counterparts. In schools, Arabic has been demoted from the language of instruction to a foreign language (one considered by young people far less useful than English). Kurds take pride in what they have accomplished on their own ... In a post-Hussein Iraq, the Kurds will insist on maintaining the independence they now enjoy. Barzani and Talabani have proposed that a future Iraq be a federal state with Kurdish and Arab entities. In the coming months, they will be moving unilaterally to create a legal structure for a self-governing Kurdistan that will have its own assembly, president, tax and spending powers and police. Believing that written promises in an Iraqi constitution provide scant protection, the Kurdish leaders insist on retaining a Kurdistan self-defense force."(1)

apart from recognizing the position of Kurds on the issue, Iraqis also need to focus on the religious tension in the country. The country is divided into Shia and Sunni where a Sunni minority has always ruled. Whoever rules the country now, it is important for regional prosperity that Shia and Sunnis work in harmony in this country. Iran needs to understand that fighting with Iraq on the basis on its large Shia majority is of no use since Iraqi Shias are vehemently opposed to the idea of joining forces with Shias in Iran.

The following steps must be considered for lasting peace in the region:

1. Iraq must recognize Kurdish right to self-determination. They should be allowed to have sufficient representation in a federal system of government. Northern Iraq should have a more autonomous local government and Kurds must be allowed to work with the federal government. They should also be allowed fair participation in matters of national interest.