By | Dr. Nazaket Hussen
The continued attacks on the Kurdistan Region are unjustified and deeply troubling. Even before the current tensions surrounding the Iran Israel conflict, the region had been subjected to repeated strikes targeting energy infrastructure and, at times, civilian areas without clear reason or justification.
Since the escalation of this conflict, the Kurdistan Region has found itself caught in an increasingly unfair situation. Despite not being a party to the war, it has faced persistent drone and missile attacks. These actions have unfolded in full view of the international community, raising serious concerns about accountability and regional stability.
For years, the Kurdistan Region has pursued a policy of balance and restraint. Its leadership has made consistent diplomatic efforts to avoid entanglement in broader conflicts. The Kurds, both within the region and beyond, have shown no intention of entering this war. Yet these efforts have not been enough to prevent ongoing attacks that continue day and night.
The consequences are severe. Beyond the immediate physical destruction, these strikes have created widespread fear among civilians, disrupted economic activity, and damaged livelihoods. Markets have suffered, incomes have declined, and lives have been lost, including members of the Peshmerga forces. Such losses deepen the sense of injustice felt across the region.
These attacks are not only acts of aggression; they are also obstacles to progress. Over the past decade, the Kurdistan Region has worked to build stability, foster development, and position itself as a safe haven. It has welcomed millions of displaced people from other parts of Iraq and neighboring Syria, offering security in an otherwise volatile region.
What is urgently needed now is a serious conversation about protection and prevention. The Kurds should not be forced into a conflict they have actively sought to avoid. Continued attacks risk destabilizing one of the few relatively secure areas in the Middle East, undermining peace efforts and prolonging regional instability.
If left unchecked, these actions will not only harm the Kurdistan Region but also deepen broader conflicts. A region that has demonstrated resilience, coexistence, and progress should be supported, not targeted.