The largest ethnic cleansing in 60+ years in taking place today in Iraq

I Heart Internet

Islamic terrorists are rampaging through northern Iraq expelling, under threat of death, Christians who have been living there for nearly 2,000 years and Yazidis who have been there for perhaps 4,000 years!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28686998

A majority of Nineveh inhabitants left their homes overnight, according to Fraternite en Irak, an international
Christian organisation based in Paris.

As many as 100,000 people are believed to be fleeing toward the autonomous Kurdistan Region.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/almost-200-000-flee-iraqi-town-captured-by-islamic-state-1.1890132

The militants’ capture of the town of Sinjar, ancestral home of the Yazidi ethnic minority, prompted tens of thousands of people to flee to surrounding mountains, where they are at risk of starvation.

What can/should Ireland do about it?

Awkward Badger

I Heart Internet wrote: »

What can/should Ireland do about it?

I doubt there is much we can do tbh other than support any UN attempt to hold ISIS accountable for their crimes or potential UN involvement in protecting innocent people.

h2005

The average Iraqi must be delighted that the US freed them from tyranny.

Bio Mech

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Christians who have been living there for nearly 2,000 years and Yazidis who have been there for perhaps 4,000 years!

Wow that is old. I thought the oldest person in the world was 120 years or so. Shows what I know.

Bog Standard User

lol i wonder how butthurt those islamists would be if the rest of the christian world expelled muslims from their countries??

Harry Palmr

ISIS, Boko Haram, Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Ansar al-Sharia and a dozen more of these groups out there. Give them an inch....you'd nearly yearn for the good old, bad old days of military dictatorships.

Sure they'd kill loads and repress millions but they kept the religious nutters at bay.

Mr.McLovin

I hope Blair and Bush cant sleep at night

Xios

h2005 wrote: »

The average Iraqi must be delighted that the US freed them from tyranny.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

In simple terms, The U.S. left Iraq in state that made the nation instable, however the region has been unstable since the foundation of Iran, Syria and Iraq. The region was kept stable under brutal tyranny, but now that the dictators time is up, the region is decending into chaos.

Hopefully it'll find a balance, when the Kurds get their own nation and borders get redefined. But until then it'll be a massive massive clusterfook.

On top of this, the large international powers keep meddling in Middle East affairs to force this sort of chaos on the region to increase revenue from oil and weapons. Namely, EU, U.S. and Russia. /conspiracy

solomafioso

Ah sure remember The Crusades?

Glock Lesnar

I am Irish and therefore the only thing I care about is the Palestinians

fedor.2.

Do the militants export any fruit and veg, by any chance?

porsche959

h2005 wrote: »

The average Iraqi must be delighted that the US freed them from tyranny.

Blair/Bush war was obviously a disaster, but we're in 2014 not 2003.

h2005

porsche959 wrote: »

Blair/Bush war was obviously a disaster, but we're in 2014 not 2003.

You're right there's obviously no correlation.

iDave

What can be done?
Any military intervention would be seen as US imperialism and probably claim even more lives.
Good to see Islam being its peaceful self once again though

porsche959

h2005 wrote: »

You're right there's obviously no correlation.

Is correlation very probably, what precisely this does for those being massacred by ISIS I am not sure.

But hey, this is boards.ie, the Irish are a nation of competitive what abouters, so fair enough.

Red Pepper

Harry Palmr wrote: »

ISIS, Boko Haram, Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Ansar al-Sharia and a dozen more of these groups out there. Give them an inch....you'd nearly yearn for the good old, bad old days of military dictatorships.

Sure they'd kill loads and repress millions but they kept the religious nutters at bay.

:rolleyes: Maybe just maybe there is a happy medium?

porsche959

iDave wrote: »

Good to see Islam being its peaceful self once again though

Try criticising Islam in the Israel-Palestine thread, they'll say you're a colonalist fanatic, in Mossad, etc.

Glock Lesnar

Red Pepper wrote: »

:rolleyes: Maybe just maybe there is a happy medium?

There is, but right now it's only possible in your head.

Maybe if Smyth's stop supplying the ISIS action figure line we might see some peace

iDave

porsche959 wrote: »

Try criticising Islam in the Israel-Palestine thread, they'll say you're a colonalist fanatic, in Mossad, etc.

For my sanity I'll avoid that abortion of a thread.

porsche959

Glock Lesnar wrote: »

Maybe if Smyth's stop supplying the ISIS action figure line we might see some peace

If Israel stopped "genociding" the Palestinians, peace would miraculously break out all across the Middle East.

Kumbaya!

suicide_circus

Medieval backward coonts

jimgoose

porsche959 wrote: »

If Israel stopped "genociding" the Palestinians, peace would miraculously break out all across the Middle East.

Kumbaya!

We really need to start redirecting some of that healthy, productive xenophobia in the direction of these here ISIS blokey-chaps. That would help.

wes

So you post the folllowing:

porsche959 wrote: »

But hey, this is boards.ie, the Irish are a nation of competitive what abouters, so fair enough.

And then do exactly that with your criticism others on the basis of what there saying on another topic......

porsche959 wrote: »

If Israel stopped "genociding" the Palestinians, peace would miraculously break out all across the Middle East.

Kumbaya!

Its profoundly sad that you have chosen to use this thread as a way to have a go at people about stuff that there posting on another thread, as opposed to you know discussing the actual topic. Disgusting thing to do imho. You seem more concerned in having a go at other posters, and supporting another group of violent murders instead. Hypocrisy at its worst imho.

As for ISIS, the best thing to do is support the Kurdish Peshmerga, so they can defeat ISIS, and then provide Humanitarian assistance via the Kurdish region. This may cause some issues with Turkey, but ultimately eliminating ISIS is in there own best interest as well, as they will attack Turkey and anyone else, when they get the chance. Humanitarian aid needs to be provide to Yazidi people, otherwise there will be a humanitarian disaster.

Smiles35

porsche959 wrote: »

If Israel stopped "genociding" the Palestinians, peace would miraculously break out all across the Middle East.

Kumbaya!

Judaism has had a huge affect on our culture up here princess. So, so, so sorry we cant get yous off our minds. Hey, we'll try and be born near a dry area with paper next time?

porsche959

wes wrote: »

Its profoundly sad that you have chosen to use this thread as a way to have a go at people about stuff that there posting on another thread, as opposed to you know discussing the actual topic. Disgusting thing to do imho. You seem more concerned in having a go at other posters, and supporting another group of violent murders instead.

This is After Hours, mate. Why the **** are these kinds of threads even allowed on here, including this one. There is a politics section on this board, no?

But the other thread is being hi-jacked by fanatics, professional ranters and internet bullies. Which is why many stay clear of it, understandably.

wes wrote: »

do is support the Kurdish Peshmerga, so they can defeat ISIS, and then provide Humanitarian assistance via the Kurdish region. This may cause some issues with Turkey, but ultimately eliminating ISIS is in there own best interest as well, as they will attack Turkey and anyone else, when they get the chance.

Agree here.

Skylinehead

60 years? Rwanda not come to mind? Cambodia?

mad muffin

I've seen some of the videos on YouTube and photos of what they are doing to Christians and moderate Muslims, anyone who defies them or stands up to them is beheaded in the most horrific way. They even beheaded a little Christian girl.

Then they display the heads in the town square and crucify the dead bodies. Just the most horrific middle age kind of stuff.

If they have one redeeming feature. Is that they've outlawed smoking.

JC01

I Heart Internet wrote: »

What can/should Ireland do about it?

Absolutly frig all, maybe have a protest or two but then again most of those types are busy protesting against Israel at the minute.

What "should" we do is a whole different question, in a simpleidealistic world NATO would rapidly pass a motion to have fully mobilised peacekeepers on the ground within days. In reality the West has done so much damage to that area at this stage I dont see what can really be done that wont just make ths situation worse. In any case we all know all that'll happen is plenty of people/organisations "Calling" for this that and the other and toss all being done bar innocents dying whilst running for their lives.

I Heart Internet

porsche959 wrote: »

This is After Hours, mate. Why the **** are these kinds of threads even allowed on here, including this one. There is a politics section on this board, no?

I didn't think it was suitable for the politics thread. It is a humanitarian disaster.

France has offered all displaced Christians in Iraq asylum - that is not an ideal solution as it effectively acknowledges the end of two millennia of Christian culture in northern Iraq. It also forgets about the Yazadi people, who are also in grave peril.

Herb Powell

Absolute madness what's going on there. Anyone know exactly how big a group ISIS is? They seem to be making quite an impact. The sooner these militant groups stop getting outside funding, the better. It makes me really sad reading about it, because I know all of these Middle Eastern places could have been, and would be wonderful if it wasn't for geopolitical dick-swinging. The poor people living there :mad:

Not sure exactly what Ireland can do, but this thread seems to be a not-so-subtle dig at people supporting Palestine, so I doubt that even justifies a proper response. Grow the fucck up.

Grayson

porsche959 wrote: »

Try criticising Islam in the Israel-Palestine thread, they'll say you're a colonalist fanatic, in Mossad, etc.

You should try taking the displacement of tens of thousands of people and using it to score cheap points on a discussion forum.

wait, you did that. you win.

Herb Powell

Skylinehead wrote: »

60 years? Rwanda not come to mind? Cambodia?

Even the Balkans.

I Heart Internet

Herb Powell wrote: »

Not sure exactly what Ireland can do, but this thread seems to be a not-so-subtle dig at people supporting Palestine, so I doubt that even justifies a proper response. Grow the fucck up.

The situation in Gaza has been mentioned alright.

It's NOT an either/or situation - not from my perspective anyway.

The tragedy in both regions stand on their own awful merits.

wes

wes wrote: »

As for ISIS, the best thing to do is support the Kurdish Peshmerga, so they can defeat ISIS, and then provide Humanitarian assistance via the Kurdish region. This may cause some issues with Turkey, but ultimately eliminating ISIS is in there own best interest as well, as they will attack Turkey and anyone else, when they get the chance. Humanitarian aid needs to be provide to Yazidi people, otherwise there will be a humanitarian disaster.

Great game going on with Turkey at the moment. They looked to be getting close to Europe for a while, but they've also had plenty of money in from the Yanks for the last while. How much money would be enough for them to hold their nose and allow a strengthening of "Kurdistan"?

kumate_champ07

Skylinehead wrote: »

60 years? Rwanda not come to mind? Cambodia?

Bosnia too, alot of refugees came to Ireland and lived in special complexes

comongethappy

wes wrote: »

As for ISIS, the best thing to do is support the Kurdish Peshmerga, so they can defeat ISIS, and then provide Humanitarian assistance via the Kurdish region. .

Thus far the Kurds are doing OK...

The real calamity has been on the part of the Iraqi state & army.

Despite vastly outnumbering ISIS they have fled time & time again.

Wibbs

Red Pepper wrote: »

:rolleyes: Maybe just maybe there is a happy medium?

You'd think. However the cultural baggage is deep. Islam isn't just a faith it's also a way of life that instructs the faithful in everything from washing to eating to how to treat your slaves and what is Islamic politics. The latter basically boils down to a caliphate ruled by one from the top down and ruled with an iron fist. The return to the perfect caliphate of the Islamic highpoint of yesteryear is a biggie in many of the more extreme minds. Of course the joke is when Islam was the big deal back in the day they weren't nearly as extreme in religion as these eejits think(and were far less extreme than christians of the time) Western democracy has little history in the region and when one comes in they tend to vote for the strongman and the religious anyway.

wes wrote: »

As for ISIS, the best thing to do is support the Kurdish Peshmerga, so they can defeat ISIS, and then provide Humanitarian assistance via the Kurdish region. This may cause some issues with Turkey, but ultimately eliminating ISIS is in there own best interest as well, as they will attack Turkey and anyone else, when they get the chance. Humanitarian aid needs to be provide to Yazidi people, otherwise there will be a humanitarian disaster.

Seems about the only sensible way to go alright. One would hope it might take, but I don't know.

Skylinehead wrote: »

60 years? Rwanda not come to mind? Cambodia?

Sure but it makes for better headlines.

I Heart Internet

Herb Powell wrote: »

Even the Balkans.

Well it's a rapidly unfolding situation. Cities and towns are falling as we speak.

There are approx. 700,000 Yazadis and 300,000 Christians in Iraq (that figure down from 1.5 million in the last 15 years btw).

I'd prefer an overreaction now (not much chance of that I guess) than waiting for 1,000,000 to be in absolute mortal peril.

mad muffin

Deleted User wrote: »

Great game going on with Turkey at the moment. They looked to be getting close to Europe for a while, but they've also had plenty of money in from the Yanks for the last while. How much money would be enough for them to hold their nose and allow a strengthening of "Kurdistan"?

Turkey would never allow it. They don't even acknowledge there is such a thing as Kurds. As far as they are concerned, they're Turkish.

riffmongous

Has there been any mention of this conflict at the UN level?

While the US actions certainly contributed to this mess a lot of the blame must lie with the current democratic president of Iraq who is responsible for inflaming the sectarian aspect of the conflict.

If Iraq is to survive at all it will be with Iranian help I think, which wont sit too well with the Gulf States.

Herb Powell

I Heart Internet wrote: »

Well it's a rapidly unfolding situation. Cities and towns are falling as we speak.

There are approx. 700,000 Yazadis and 300,000 Christians in Iraq (that figure down from 1.5 million in the last 15 years btw).

I'd prefer an overreaction now (not much chance of that I guess) than waiting for 1,000,000 to be in absolute mortal peril.

Absolutely, the sooner it can be ended the better.

Their PR stuff is absolutely nightmarish. Going around gunning people down.

I Heart Internet

riffmongous wrote: »

Has there been any mention of this conflict at the UN level?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0807/635631-islamic-state/

France wants a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss.

France seems to be the most vocal advocate for the persecuted in Northern Iraq so far - I guess due to long links in the region.

wes

Deleted User wrote: »

How much money would be enough for them to hold their nose and allow a strengthening of "Kurdistan"?

Its a case of rational self interest. If ISIS take over Iraqi Kurdistan, they will be wishing for the return of the PKK.

Surely, the Turkish government will have to accept a Kurdish state in Iraqi Kurdistan sooner or later, and I am sure both can come to a compromise, if the Turkish government can suppress there sometime lunatic nationalism.

Compromise right now is in the best interests of both the Kurds and Turks. It may be a hard sell, but its the only sensible one imho.

wes

comongethappy wrote: »

Thus far the Kurds are doing OK...

The real calamity has been on the part of the Iraqi state & army.

Despite vastly outnumbering ISIS they have fled time & time again.

Hence, why I suggest helping the peshmerga, due to them being largely competent, and also there in far better position to help the Yazidi's who are in real danger of genocide at the hands of ISIS.

REXER

Lets organize a boycott of ISIS products..........

Oh wait, ....all they produce is Martyrs......

comongethappy

REXER wrote: »

Lets organize a boycott of ISIS products..........

Oh wait, ....all they produce is Martyrs......

And grainy propaganda videos.

I'll take my propaganda in HD from now on.

Karl Stein

I Heart Internet wrote: »

I'd prefer an overreaction now...

What's stopping you from joining the Kurdish fighters?

I Heart Internet

Karl Stein wrote: »

What's stopping you from joining the Kurdish fighters?

Fear and laziness.

And lack of any useful skills.

bumper234

porsche959 wrote: »

Try criticising Islam in the Israel-Palestine thread, they'll say you're a colonalist fanatic, in Mossad, etc.

Criticising a whole religion because of a few fanatics :rolleyes:

Iwasfrozen

wes wrote: »

Its a case of rational self interest. If ISIS take over Iraqi Kurdistan, they will be wishing for the return of the PKK.

Surely, the Turkish government will have to accept a Kurdish state in Iraqi Kurdistan sooner or later, and I am sure both can come to a compromise, if the Turkish government can suppress there sometime lunatic nationalism.

Compromise right now is in the best interests of both the Kurds and Turks. It may be a hard sell, but its the only sensible one imho.

But compromise with the Kurds isn't in Turkey's best interests.

The existence of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq would only strengthen the Kurdish irredentist movements inside eastern Turkey.

On the other hand an ISIS dominated northern Iraq attacking Turkey would unite the Kurds and Turks against a common enemy.

I Heart Internet

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-takes-iraqs-largest-christian-town-of-qaraqosh-9653789.html

In an offensive that has seen Isis strengthen their foothold near the Kurdish
region, residents of Qaraqosh, Iraq's biggest Christian town, are now threatened with the demands the Sunni militants have made in other captured areas - leave, convert to Islam or face death.