October Betrayal Explained
October Betrayal (خیانەتی شازدەی ئۆکتۆبەر|translit=Xiyaneta Şazdey Oktober|)[1] [2] (Arabic: خيانة 16 أكتوبر)[3] Is the view that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, under Bafel Talabani and Lahur Jangi sold Kirkuk and the Disputed Areas for a sum of money instead of defending it,[4] [5] while some other outlets claim that they just retreated, which is unlikely.[6]
Retreat
The retreat started on the 12th of October, and lasted until the 16th, when the PMF took over. 02:00 15/10/2017 was to be the offensive date.[7]
Involvement
According to an independent report, Iran and the UK may have been involved in this agreement between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Iraqi Government because of its oil.[8]
Reactions
Kurdistan Region
- Masrour Barzani: We will never forget the wound of betrayal of the sellers of the land, but more painful than treachery is that the traitors are not punished by the people.[9]
- Massoud Barzani: October 16th is a black day in our people's history that won't be forgotten. It has to become a lesson to each and every single individual of Kurdistan's people.[10]
- Nechirvan Barzani: Those who are behind it have committed a great and historic treason against Kurdistan that we will never forget. Neither us nor the people of Kirkuk. [11]
- Bafel Talabani: Boycotting elections and holding the referendum was a betrayal, not the withdrawal of Kurdish forces from Kirkuk. He put the blame for the loss of the disputed province on the people who held an unfounded referendum.[12]
International Community
- Benjamin Netanyahu began lobbying world powers to prevent further setbacks to Iraqi Kurds as they lose ground to Baghdad's army. Israel is the only major power that has endorsed statehood for the Kurdish people.[13]
Notes and References
- https://www.kurdistan24.net/ckb/story/211552-%DA%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%B5-%D8%A8%DB%95%D8%B3%DB%95%D8%B1-%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%95%D8%AA%DB%8C-16%DB%8C-%D8%A6%DB%86%DA%A9%D8%AA%DB%86%D8%A8%DB%95%D8%B1-%D8%AA%DB%8E%D8%AF%DB%95%D9%BE%DB%95%DA%95%DB%8E%D8%AA
- https://www.arknews.net/ku/node/31753
- https://www.iqiraq.news/reports/1157--.html
- https://darkamazi.net/arabic/archives/1037421
- https://time.com/4984979/kurds-kirkuk-iraq-peshmerga/
- https://www.voanews.com/a/the-fight-for-kurdish-independence-maybe-over/4073465.html
- https://kirkuknow.com/en/news/60434
- https://www.aljazeera.net/blogs/2018/10/13/%D9%A1%D9%A6-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85-%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF
- https://www.arknews.net/en/node/23948
- https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/161020181
- News: After all but defeating the jihadists, Iraq’s army turns on the Kurds . 2024-08-20 . The Economist . 0013-0613.
- https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/080520181
- Web site: Williams . Dan . Netanyahu lobbies world powers to stem Iraqi Kurd setbacks . live.
