Iraqi Kurdish leader vows to defend Kurds in Syria

[dipsydoodle]

Source: Guardian

Associated Press= BEIRUT (AP) — The president of Iraqi Kurdistan vowed Saturday to defend the large Kurdish population across the border in neighboring Syria from al-Qaida-linked fighters.

The comments from Massoud Barzani follow weeks of clashes in predominantly Kurdish parts of northeastern Syrian near the Iraqi border between Kurdish militias and Islamic extremist rebel factions that have killed dozens on both sides. The fighting in the oil-rich region has emerged as yet another layer in Syria's increasingly complex and bloody civil war.

In a statement posted on the Kurdistan Regional Government's official website, Barzani called for a delegation to visit Kurdish areas in Syria to verify the reports of fighting. If confirmed, then Iraqi Kurdistan "will make use of all its capabilities to defend the Kurdish women, children and citizens in western Kurdistan," he said.

Barzani offered no other details about how he would protect Syria's Kurds. Iraqi Kurdistan boasts a powerful militia known the peshmerga, which includes experienced and equipped fighters hardened by years of guerrilla warfare.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/10924336

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. There are reports that 450 Kurds were massacred this week...

...but oddly enough, they seem to be coming only from pro-regime media, like RT and Press TV. Then they get repeated on dozens of propaganda-ish blogs.

Did it happen? Who know? But the Iraqi Kurds seem a bit upset.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Maybe those are only two with reporters in that area.

[John2]

4. Some people are showing

photographs and videos. The Russian Ambassador apparently thought it was true because he complained at the U.N. There were some Syrian state media, claiming they couldn't confirm it though. It could be propagnda or rumor. The Kurds and Terrorists are going at it though. They definitely don't like each other. They don't get along with Erodgen either.

[MarkLaw]

5. Reports were made by the relatives of dead kurbs,submitted with photos and video evidence.

Which is more reliable a qatari spokesman for the rebels who has never been in Syria, or kurd relatives providing video evidence? After seeing the rebels cannibilize, kill children, threaten to institute sharia law in what was once a secular state and then videotape rebel chemical weapons usage after threatening to kill all the"infidels" with chemical weapons, i believe the rebels are capable of anything. Assad may need to go, but the qatari and saudi rebels cannot be allowed to force secular freedom loving Syrians to live under a sharia legal system.

[Turborama]

6. When was Syria secular? n/t

[MarkLaw]

8. The government respects the right of the people to patronize whichever faith the choose.

Religious parties do not exist in Syria, unless of course you see the Free Syrian Army as a political party in eventuality.


Democratic legislators are going to soon find their vote split with a No War party. It seems war only bothers us if a Republican starts it.

[John2]

3. That is

not the only thing the other side claims. They claimed the Alawites evacuated, so the Syrian Army could lure the rebels in one area like Al Quesair. The Top General just did an inspection and claims most of the Syrian Army is Sunni. They claimed they lured them in those villages like rats. I said earlier this week, that is what i suspected the Syrian commanders were doing. Now the rebels are complaining about being massacred by all that fire power. They are between a rock and a hard place. The only way out is back to Turkey, if they can get through the Kurds.

[riderinthestorm]

7. The region is splitting apart along ancient religious and tribal lines

I just hope the US stays the hell out. There is NO winning here.