Reaction from Iraq's First Lady to Trump's 'Kurd' remarks: They are not hired guns
Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed, wife of the Iraqi President and a Kurdish politician, addressed all parties in the ongoing tension with Iran in an open letter published on Thursday, stating that Kurds should not be involved in the conflicts.
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Ahmed published an open letter to the parties in the midst of the ongoing war with Iran, calling for Kurds not to be drawn into the conflict. Ahmed stated, "Kurds are not hired guns."
In her letter, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed emphasized that Kurds are frequently used as tools in the power struggles of major powers, stating, "Too often, Kurds are only remembered when their strength or sacrifices are needed."
Ahmed's statement came following reports that the CIA was encouraging anti-Iranian separatist Kurdish groups in Iraq to take action against Iran.
On the other hand, Iran announced on Wednesday that it had carried out attacks on targets it described as "separatist terrorist groups" in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq.
"KURDS WERE LEFT ALONE"
In her letter, Ahmed recalled that Kurds had been supported by major powers in the past in a similar manner and then left alone.
She noted that in 1991, the US encouraged Iraqi Kurds to rise up against the Saddam Hussein regime, but then left the Kurds alone when priorities changed.
Ahmed also recalled that the US ended its years-long cooperation with the terrorist organization YPG/SDF in Syria in January. She stated that following this decision, the Syrian government seized some areas under YPG/SDF control.
Ahmed concluded her letter with the words, "Therefore, I call on all parties to the conflict: Leave the Kurds alone. We are not hired guns."
The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq also announced in a statement on the same day that they were not part of any attempt to expand the war in the region.
The statement noted that allegations that the KRG was acting together with the CIA in a possible operation plan against Iran were "completely baseless."
WHAT DID TRUMP SAY?
US President Donald Trump made notable remarks in an interview with Reuters regarding the possibility of Kurds in Iran starting an uprising.
When asked whether he would support an uprising attempt by separatist Kurdish groups in Iran, Trump replied, "If they want to do that, that would be great. I would fully support it."