Ten more tribal leaders in Iraq speak out against Turkish invasion

Ten more tribal leaders expressed their rejection of the invasion attacks and military presence of the Turkish state in South Kurdistan and Iraq.

Since mid-July, dozens of influential tribes and tribal leaders in Iraq have expressed their objection to Turkish occupation of southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) and announced their support for the resistance of the PKK. 

On 16 July, 15 tribal leaders and on 18 July, 39 tribal leaders made a joint statement against the Turkish occupation campaign in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

According to RojNews, 10 more tribal leaders expressed their support for the joint statement issued by Iraqi tribal leaders on 18 July, which states the following:

“Turkey's systematic attacks on people and nature in the Kurdistan Region continue. Villages and cities are being evacuated, burnt down and people's safety of lives is being jeopardised. The local population is forced to leave their homes and the region is being turned into a military zone.

We know that Turkey is currently receiving support from ISIS against the PKK, which has long been fighting ISIS. Turkey’s main purpose is to occupy parts of Iraq and especially Kurdish areas. These criminal attacks reach the level of war crimes and affect human nature. These criminal offences, developed in partnership with the KDP, are taking place in front of the eyes of the Baghdad government, the international community, the US and the Coalition forces.”

The statement concluded with the following call: “As honourable Iraqi tribes and leaders, we reject these systematic attacks and call on the international community, the Baghdad government and the Iraqi parliament to uphold their humanitarian, moral and legal responsibility in the face of these inhumane crimes and to stop the attacks.”

The tribal leaders endorsing the joint statement are as follows:

Leader of the Bu Eli Tribe, Şêx Sebar Badiwi

Leader of the Bu Ziyab Tribe, Şêx Hemid Türki Zin

Leader of the Bu Ferec Tribe, Şêx Ahmet Turk

Leader of the Bu Tribe, Şêx Gazi Feysel Kaud

Leader of the Muhammedi Tribe, Şêx Hikmet Semir Şela

Leader of the Bu Halife Tribe, Şêx Hemed Abdulkerim Xerbit

Leader of the Bu Mari Tribe, Şêx Mazi Raml

Leader of the İsa İçin Tribe, Şêx Seddad Kamil Dehl

Leader of the Hazim Tribe, Şêx Ahmet Ferhan

Leader of the Ebu Esaf Tribe, Şêx Raad Abdulcabar Süleyman