New Tensions over Trench Between Kurdistan and Rojava
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A 26-kilometer trench dug by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), separating the Kurdish areas of Iraq and Syria, has stirred new tensions and accusations between political parties on both sides of the border.
The Democratic Union Party (PYD), that rules Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), says that the trench is a project to isolate the Kurdish areas of Syria. It blames the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) for the idea.
But Kurdish authorities say the trench is a preventative measure against Islamist and insurgent groups that have flourished in the area since the start of the Syrian war three years ago.
“Because a terrorist group has emerged in the area, we have devised a plan similar to ones in Erbil and Kirkuk, to dig this trench on Rojava border," deputy Peshmarga minister, Anwar Haji Osman, told Rudaw.
He referred to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), whose fighters are active across the border and have recently crossed into Iraq to wreak havoc in the Sunni provinces of Anbar and Nineveh.
Osman described the border areas as complicated, due to previous tensions between Kurdish forces and the Iraqi army. “It is a complicated and sensitive border. It was taken over by Peshmarga forces last year. During the crisis between the Iraqi army and Peshmarga forces, we moved and deployed our forces there."
In a statement the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is considered the main backer of the PYD, accused the KDP of engineering the plan and condemned the project.
“The trench-digging was quite an unexpected development for the Kurdish public opinion. Just like everybody else, we were astonished by this,” read the PKK statement.
Osman said the KRG is committed to finishing the trench as soon as possible, despite opposition by some groups, including the PYD. He said reports identifying the trench as a KDP decision were "unfounded." “It’s the KRG's decision and the policy of the ministry of Peshmerga."
Meanwhile, the chief of staff of the Ministry of Peshmerga, Jabbar Yawar, said that his ministry was unaware of the trench being dug on the border with Rojava.
The border area was previously under control of the joint security committee between the KRG and Iraq. According to the Peshmarga official, the inability of the Iraqi army to protect the border triggered his ministry to act and deploy Peshmarga forces in the area.
Asked about the main aim of the trench, he said, "It is to protect the border and provide security."
Osman claimed that many people have been arrested on the border, trying to smuggle arms. "Previously, we have not been able to protect the border as required. Until now, nearly 1,000 people have been arrested with light and heavy weapons.”
The Peshmarga official said the weapons were of Iranian and Russian origin.
Senior border officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said that some of those arrested were members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). "We have arrested people who trafficked weapons and turned out to be ISIS members after interrogation."
PYD supporters staged demonstrations on the Rojava side of the border against the trench. In the meantime, in sympathy with Rojava, some people in Sulaimani held a demonstration condemning the trench and called it “un-Kurdish.”