It's On! Iraq civil war kicked off

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Posted: 9/25/2017 12:52:26 AM EDT

People queue to cast their votes on Kurdistan independence referendum https://t.co/aVWGAx5DcL
Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) September 25, 2017

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:07:46 AM EDT

[#1]

Is there a different line for men and women (if so, why?), or just women waiting for their men to vote because they couldn't?

They can vote all they want, still won't mean they are their own country.

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:15:26 AM EDT

[#2]

Updates at 11pm!!

But seriously, I'm in Erbil for this historic occasion. Its going to be interesting.

Attached File

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:15:48 AM EDT

[#3]

I respect, and my heart goes with the vote.

The problem is, the vote is meaningless except as a demonstration.

The U.N. wont recognize it, the world wont recognize it, my own country wont even cover the result in the newspapers except as an annecdote on the back pages.

Backing the good folks in bad places, is not what we do anymore.

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:17:09 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Is there a different line for men and women (if so, why?), or just women waiting for their men to vote because they couldn't?

They can vote all they want, still won't mean they are their own country.

View Quote

Waiting to see how it all plays out

Iran closes its airspace to Kurdistan. Iraq makes threats. Turkey has sent tanks. But the independence vote is on https://t.co/mocTR9OaMj
Liz Sly (@LizSly) September 24, 2017

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:23:41 AM EDT

[#5]

My guess is just like when Israel declared independence and all their neighbors attacked the same thing will happen here. Turkey and Iran are VERY opposed to the idea of Kurdistan.

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:24:44 AM EDT

[#6]

Of all the choices in the Mid-East/Iraq/Syria/Turkey

Independent Kurdistan seems the least shitty, even if they are Commies/Socialist.

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:24:59 AM EDT

[#7]

I'm all for it

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:26:10 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
I respect, and my heart goes with the vote.

The problem is, the vote is meaningless except as a demonstration.

The U.N. wont recognize it, the world wont recognize it, my own country wont even cover the result in the newspapers except as an annecdote on the back pages.

Backing the good folks in bad places, is not what we do anymore.

View Quote

And why should we? Aren't you tired of reading and hearing about good American men and women dying in some unknown, godforsaken hellhole? Can we afford to do anything besides try to right our sinking ship? The US needs to remain untangled from foreign affairs unless it directly relates to our national security. I think enough Americans died trying to turn Iraq into a democracy. Let the middle east have the dictators it deserves.

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:26:30 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Updates at 11pm!!

But seriously, I'm in Erbil for this historic occasion. Its going to be interesting.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/143475/IMG_1132-316591.JPG

View Quote

Anything unusual happening? Problems voting in Kirkuk? Appears only Israel endorses the vote. In addition to the other countries against the vote, Russia also disapproves. Are the people there worried about that?

The #US say they are against #KurdistanReferendum but they continue to provide assistance to Erbil for its organisation. Usual duplicity.
— Enrico Ivanov ? (@Russ_Warrior) September 24, 2017

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:27:52 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Of all the choices in the Mid-East/Iraq/Syria/Turkey

Independent Kurdistan seems the least shitty, even if they are Commies/Socialist.

View Quote

Syrian YPG and PKK are socialist. I don't think Erbil Iraq Kurds endorse socialism to my understanding

Posted: 9/25/2017 1:30:36 AM EDT

[#11]

I know the state trolls that camp the Russian propaganda channel "South Front" on YouTube haven't been very happy with the Kurds and the SDF lately, they're definitely not going to be happy with the vote

Posted: 9/25/2017 6:54:25 AM EDT

[#12]

BREAKING: Turkish army at Iraqi border and ready to take 'necessary steps' - #Erdogan https://t.co/XSY6pxSno1 #referendum #Kurds pic.twitter.com/jESaz45LRy
— RT (@RT_com) September 25, 2017

BREAKING: Erdogan says that Turkey will not allow a terrorist state to exist at its borders
The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) September 25, 2017

Posted: 9/25/2017 7:29:16 AM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:

BREAKING: Turkish army at Iraqi border and ready to take 'necessary steps' - #Erdogan https://t.co/XSY6pxSno1 #referendum #Kurds pic.twitter.com/jESaz45LRy
— RT (@RT_com) September 25, 2017

BREAKING: Erdogan says that Turkey will not allow a terrorist state to exist at its borders
The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) September 25, 2017

View Quote

Hold on a sec....

Did Turkey relocate? Because I could have sworn both Syria and Iran border Turkey or did at some point.

Posted: 9/25/2017 7:43:55 AM EDT

[#14]

The only bastards worth their salt over there were the Kurds.
They're still muzzies, so eh, but when I was over there the Kurds were the only ones that didn't drop their rifles and flee from gunfire. ICDC/IA we're worthless.
But still muzzies so go get bent.

Posted: 9/25/2017 7:49:37 AM EDT

[#15]

God speed Kurdistan. You deserve it.

Posted: 9/25/2017 7:53:29 AM EDT

[#16]

Good! I support Kurdish independence

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:02:25 AM EDT

[#17]

Explosions of peace in 4... 3... 2... 1...

I do hope they get it.

V

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:04:47 AM EDT

[#18]

There are few if any people on this earth more deserving at this chance at Independence.

I wish the Kurds all the best, and truly hope to see a free, safe. and independent Kurdistan in my lifetime.

I can't wait to see what arms sales are lined up for them. Hope to see some Gripens flying their colors.

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:20:36 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Good! I support Kurdish independence

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Posted: 9/25/2017 8:28:48 AM EDT

[#20]

Lets see:

Iran hates them. Erdogan's Turkey hates them, ISIS hates them.

Sounds like some good qualifications to me.

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:36:13 AM EDT

[#21]

Good for them, they earned that shit.

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:40:02 AM EDT

[#22]

Can we sell them F35s and an aircraft carrier once they become a state?

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:40:14 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Hold on a sec....

Did Turkey relocate? Because I could have sworn both Syria and Iran border Turkey or did at some point.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

BREAKING: Turkish army at Iraqi border and ready to take 'necessary steps' - #Erdogan https://t.co/XSY6pxSno1 #referendum #Kurds pic.twitter.com/jESaz45LRy
— RT (@RT_com) September 25, 2017

BREAKING: Erdogan says that Turkey will not allow a terrorist state to exist at its borders
The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) September 25, 2017

Hold on a sec....

Did Turkey relocate? Because I could have sworn both Syria and Iran border Turkey or did at some point.

They are going to have to carve out some of Iraq and Syria

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:40:25 AM EDT

[#24]

I'm glad, but I see this ending badly.

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:43:00 AM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm glad, but I see this ending badly.

View Quote

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:48:08 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
Updates at 11pm!!

But seriously, I'm in Erbil for this historic occasion. Its going to be interesting.

https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/143475/IMG_1132-316591.JPG

View Quote

Good luck

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:48:58 AM EDT

[#27]

I wish we could destroy Iran then unite all the Kurdish minority groups in Iraq, Azerbaijan, etc. and give them the land. Giving the Kurds access to the sea and some oil would go a long way towards stabilizing the ME.

Pipe dream.

Posted: 9/25/2017 8:56:40 AM EDT

[#28]

If we had told Turkey to go fuck itself and let this happen a decade ago... no ISIS.

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:01:47 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
Can we sell them F35s and an aircraft carrier once they become a state?

View Quote

Do you even geography?

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:07:01 AM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
Can we sell them F35s and an aircraft carrier once they become a state?

View Quote

Why would we do that? They do not like us we are just a means to an end. Very few if any of the middle eastern countries actually like us we are only allies with some of them because of money and nothing else. If you actually think Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, etc etc like us you are being naive. We should never give any of those countries weapons period.

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:08:08 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

BREAKING: Turkish army at Iraqi border and ready to take 'necessary steps' - #Erdogan https://t.co/XSY6pxSno1 #referendum #Kurds pic.twitter.com/jESaz45LRy
— RT (@RT_com) September 25, 2017

BREAKING: Erdogan says that Turkey will not allow a terrorist state to exist at its borders
The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) September 25, 2017

View Quote

Yet they share a border with Iran?

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:10:20 AM EDT

[#32]

I wish them luck in their endeavor. They're facing an array of the worlds biggest shit heads.

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:10:30 AM EDT

[#33]

come on do it split turkey and half God damn it!

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:14:10 AM EDT

[#34]

No love for Turkey. Let the Kurds go, just like we should let the liberal bastions of SF Bay Area and Los Angeles go too.

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:15:56 AM EDT

[#35]

When I was over there (Kirkuk), I loved the Kurds. They were the most cool as shit down to earth people that embraced the American ideals of freedom and tribal/state sovereignty, and hated Sadam with a passion, who was like a King George to them of the most vile level.

Many fucks be upon the Iraqis. Worthless.

I hope they become their own nation and an ally of ours. They worked and bled for it.

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:21:17 AM EDT

[#36]

Good for them, however this vote will do as much good as Puerto Rico voting for statehood.

Posted: 9/25/2017 9:32:36 AM EDT

[#37]

Thank God that idiot Flynn was shown the door. I have no idea what Tillerson and Mattis are telling Trump but it is certainly better advice than Erdogan's shill.

Iran doesn't want an independent Kurdistan because Barzani is actually an Iranian Kurd and this would fuel Iranian Kurdistan breaking away. Erdogan was OK with the KRG so long as it was opposed to the PKK and subordinate to him,for example allowing Turkish tanks to roll in. Turkey's plan was divide and conquer but that's not going so well. The Iraqis and KRG were squaring off over Kirkuk before IS flared up so this was merely delayed.

The US will not arm the Kurds against its

ally

and will try to seek a political solution. The one thing that may stop a war is Iran and Turkey not wanting to directly face each other. This is already a problem in Syria but Russia is the power broker there,a position it doesn't have in Kurdistan.
If the Iraqi government sends the PMUs to fight the Peshmerga then there may be a modicum of US back channel support but other than that,the Kurds are a bit fucked. Israel is their only friend but can't really do much. I suppose they could hurry up and airlift in a bunch of ATGMs and the like on the sly but once it went hot would be very difficult to do much.

Meanwhile in Syria,Turkey is moving troops in to occupy Idlib so that the Rojava Kurds can't carry out their plan of having access to the sea. Something funny not funny a few days ago was English language Turkish press showing the abilities of the S400s they are getting from Russia. Try to ignore all the US planes no longer in service and uh,yeah,the apparent important part is being able to shoot down American planes. Again,just happy Flynn is gone.

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:32:01 PM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:
Syrian YPG and PKK are socialist. I don't think Erbil Iraq Kurds endorse socialism to my understanding

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Of all the choices in the Mid-East/Iraq/Syria/Turkey

Independent Kurdistan seems the least shitty, even if they are Commies/Socialist.

Syrian YPG and PKK are socialist. I don't think Erbil Iraq Kurds endorse socialism to my understanding

Last I checked all major Kurdish political parties and movements are Leftist to some degree or another.

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:43:03 PM EDT

[#39]

Thank God the swamp has been so good at foreign policy and has kept this from happening for decades.

Even if some of the big militias are commies, the Kurds are a strong, freedom-minded people used to getting screwed and willing to endure decades of fighting to secure the inherent right of all peoples: political independence. Even if the vote today is symbolic, God help them and if anybody tries to fuck with them about this, I sincerely hope that this country ends up on the right side.

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:45:49 PM EDT

[#40]

How long before Turkey starts the bombing?

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:46:16 PM EDT

[#41]

Someone explain to me why I need to care either way.

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:49:04 PM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:
Someone explain to me why I need to care either way.

View Quote

Because Kurds like killing Turks, Syrians, AND Iranians. And they aren't bad at it, either.

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:53:55 PM EDT

[#43]

Good luck, but they're landlocked and surrounded by countries hostile to their independence and I don't see this ending well.

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:55:10 PM EDT

[#44]

Final tally being counted now

.@masrour_barzani congratulates the Kurdistan's electoral commission, security services for today's "successful and peaceful," vote. pic.twitter.com/vo77WPrHSv
Kurdistan24 English (@K24English) September 25, 2017

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:56:20 PM EDT

[#45]

None of America's business.

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:57:21 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Good luck, but they're landlocked and surrounded by countries hostile to their independence and I don't see this ending well.

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Turkey says will shut down their oil pipeline and Iraqi government says they're not letting the oil fields near Kirkuk go. 2 Peshmerga were killed today by "unknown forces"

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:58:56 PM EDT

[#47]

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Quoted:
None of America's business.

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White House response

On Turkey/Iran reaction to #KurdistanReferendum, White House Press Sec. said US wants "unified #Iraq to annihilate #ISIS, push back Iran." pic.twitter.com/eS7FBO33gm
Kurdistan24 English (@K24English) September 25, 2017

Posted: 9/25/2017 2:59:01 PM EDT

[#48]

Quote History

Quoted:
Someone explain to me why I need to care either way.

View Quote

You shouldn't. Not until they break away and attack Turkey and Turkey responds by envoking Article 5 of the NATO Alliance. Then we're at war in the Middle East again.