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Anti-Iran Kurdish Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Want to Establish Independent State

A woman walks on the street, between banners supporting the referendum for independence of Kurdistan in Erbil, Iraq September 24, 2017. (Reuters)
A woman walks on the street, between banners supporting the referendum for independence of Kurdistan in Erbil, Iraq September 24, 2017. (Reuters)
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Anti-Iran Kurdish Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Want to Establish Independent State

A woman walks on the street, between banners supporting the referendum for independence of Kurdistan in Erbil, Iraq September 24, 2017. (Reuters)
A woman walks on the street, between banners supporting the referendum for independence of Kurdistan in Erbil, Iraq September 24, 2017. (Reuters)

Vice President of the anti-Iran Kurdistan Freedom Party and commander of the military wing of the party, Hussein Yazdan Bina declared that the fate of any future Kurdish state will be decided by the people through ballot boxes.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that his party is seeking to follow in the footsteps of Qazi Muhammad, the Kurdish separatist leader who founded the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and headed the short-lived Republic of Mahabad 73 years ago.

The Kurdistan Freedom Party had, along with the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, waged four years of war against the ISIS terrorist group in Iraq in defense of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The party is led by the Muhammad’s oldest son, Ali. It controls the Kurdistan capital Erbil and has tightened its grip over the city after the redeployment of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The Kurdish authorities in the autonomous have rejected repeated pressure from Tehran to expel the Freedom Party from the region.

Yazdan Bina spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat from Kirkuk city, saying that “Iran has failed in its pressure.”

“The balance of power has changed, as have political equations in the region,” he explained. “It is no longer in a position to dictate demands or exert pressure on the Kurdistan region.”

“The Iranian regime has become exhausted in its search for an exit to its crisis,” he added.

“Iran is unlike any other country in the world. It is a Persian empire that has been built at the expense of other peoples, such as Kurds, Arabs, Balochs and other minorities.”

“The Persians have been hostile to these communities, which are now beginning to reject their rule and are waiting for the right moment to liberate themselves from them,” Yazdan Bina said.

Moreover, he declared that the “empire” has become a major threat to regional and international peace and security.

“Tehran is expanding its hegemony in the region,” he warned. “Should Washington continue its pressure on Tehran and should it bolster its cooperation with the oppressed people, then they can rise up in the near future and liberate themselves.”

“The international community will also be rid of a regime that is the world’s greatest sponsor of terrorism,” he stressed.

Addressing US sanctions against Iran, Yazdan Bina said that they are tailored to ensure Washington’s interests in the region.

“American and western interests coincide with those of the Kurdish people in regards to combating global terrorism, cementing democracy in the region and weakening the Tehran regime,” he went on to say.

He noted that the American administration's declaration that it does not seek regime change in Iran has not really helped Tehran maintain its stability. He instead predicted that the regime will collapse “soon.”

“The regime’s reckless disregard of the sovereignty of regional countries and its arrogance may lead to a wide-scale war in the area. This may ultimately lead the US or even Israel to resort to military force because Iran is a great threat to Israel,” Yazdan Bina warned.

Asked if the Freedom Party would take part in any American military strike against Iran, he replied that the regime left the Kurds with no choice but to take up arms to fight for their legitimate rights.

Iran is the Kurds and democracy’s greatest enemy, he declared.

The party will support any political, military or economic effort aimed at overthrowing the regime, he vowed.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.