Top Kurdish commander Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa says that the security threat against the Kurdistan Region will diminish only when the militants are ousted from Mosul.
Sheikh Jaafar, a former minister of defense, told Rudaw that Peshmerga forces will take part in the Mosul offensive if deemed necessary, and if they are provided with the weapons to fight.
This interview was conducted following his visit to the European Union (EU) Parliament in Brussels last month, and before Thursday’s Peshmerga offensive on Shingal.
Rudaw: How did you pick members of the delegation that visited the EU parliament?
Sheikh Jaafar: The EU had officially invited us through the KRG representative in Brussels. Many of those who came were Peshmerga commanders who had been in the forefront of the war against ISIS since the beginning. They wanted to listen to the Peshmerga commanders directly in regard to the challenges that ISIS has brought to the region. Some of the members of the EU parliament had already been to the Kurdistan Region and seen the bravery of our Peshmerga and conveyed it to the EU parliament.
Which part of your visit was the most important one?
We had the opportunity to meet several committees. We met two Hungarian officials, one who was a member of the EU parliament and the other one was a member of NATO. Meeting them was really important. We asked them to create relations between NATO and us in order to arm the Peshmerga forces and help train them. We also had meetings with the EU security and political office as well as with the EU foreign policy office.
What did they say and promise after seeing you?
Indeed, the Peshmerga has a good reputation internationally and we received standing ovations.
Did you ask for arms for the Peshmerga?
We asked them to deliver arms to us through the EU member states. We asked basically for everything, arms and ammunitions but also clothes and other necessary things the Peshmerga could need in the fight – anti-chemical devices, mine deactivators and heavy weapons too. They promised to convey the message to their countries.
Some reports said you had told them that you would even be satisfied with their old weapons, is that true?
Their old weapons are not like those that you see in the hands of our Peshmerga troops. Their old weapons are those that are in their stores and are often very advanced and up-to-date. We would be more than happy to have these weapons.
Last week ISIS broke through into Dobz township. Who do you think is to blame?
I don’t think ISIS succeeded to break through the lines. What happened was that they used their hidden cells like in many other places. Some of the Arab refugees who came with the wave of displaced people to Kurdistan have been ISIS members and are collaborating with them. Because of the refugee crisis they have managed to settle in Kurdistan. What happened in Dobz was anticipated and we should expect more such attacks elsewhere, too, if the security forces who bear responsibility inside the cities are not well aware of the risks. In most disputed territories that are now under Kurdish control I can say that there are families who collaborate with ISIS on a regular basis.
You are the man responsible for Kirkuk operations; do you think ISIS is still a threat to Kirkuk?
As long as ISIS exists it is a threat not only to Kirkuk but all Kurdistan and the whole region. ISIS is a threat wherever it is. They usually shell our positions and maybe now more than before.
When will Mosul be retaken?
Liberating Mosul is for the Iraqi government and the international coalition to decide, but indeed the Peshmerga will cooperate with them if they need us and give us the arms needed.
As a military expert, how long do you think the ISIS war will continue?
I think it will be a heavy and protracted war. But as for us, if Mosul is liberated there will be no immediate threats against the Kurdistan region. But there is a threat now.
Americans used to say it will take a few years. Is that true?
No doubt, the US has better intelligence than us. ISIS is rooted now everywhere in the region and is engaged in an extensive war.
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