A few weeks ago, Rebaz Suleiman Sallih was killed. Rebaz was a shepherd who lived near the border where Iraqi Kurdistan meets Iran. He and his brother Bewar had gone to bring in their flock, which was grazing on a plateau next to the border. Iranian soldiers opened fire on them. Bewar escaped, but Rebaz was not so lucky.
Since February this year, when the US and Israel embarked upon an unprovoked war of attempted regime change in Iran, the people of the region have been caught in the crossfire. Civilians beneath the missiles’ flight paths have been forced to take cover. Earlier in the year, our teams in Palestine and Iraqi Kurdistan had to take temporary precautionary measures to keep safe under wailing air-raid sirens.
The people of Iraqi Kurdistan have been caught in the shadow of the war. In June, we reported on the impact of the war on everyday life: from rising economic instability to the psychological trauma brought on by the threat of military strikes.
In October, CPT Iraqi Kurdistan will host a delegation to the region. It’s a chance to meet civil rights activists organizing to challenge injustice in the face of powerful, hostile neighbors. The delegation will meet families who resist under the threat of sophisticated drones, rebuilding homes and replanting farmland while facing bombardment and encroaching Turkish military occupation.
Over the years, we at CPT have heard many testimonies about the power of the delegations. Through them, those fighting for peace against overwhelming forces feel less alone. Often, delegates undergo a pivotal change in perspective. “What has been indelibly etched in my memory” said a delegate last year, “is the humanity shown by the Kurdish people who have been displaced by war, the generosity of those who have lost all their material possessions, but know that dignity lies in their resistance. Their struggle for freedom and peace has given new meaning to my life.”
There are still a few open spots for October’s delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan. If you’re interested, you can visit our website to learn more. Applications are open until 8 September. Come and learn about CPT Iraqi Kurdistan’s efforts to transform the region through nonviolent resistance.
