The other major problem concerning minorities is that they often reside in border areas among large denominations in the country, which puts them at all times at the forefront of bloody wars in the conflicts between powerful parties. The three major denominations in the country have often clashed over these areas, most notably the Ninevah plains, as Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are disputing this area, and Sunni groups are demanding the establishment of a region or state that is independent from Baghdad.
The large religious and nationalist diversity makes the situation even more complicated in those areas, which results in many minorities not affiliated with any major community to be protected, while at times they are abused by the other parties. One of the most prominent examples is the Shabak people, who are affiliated with the Shiite community, yet close to the Kurdish culture. Eventually, they are, however, deprived of any protection from both parties.
All this makes the solution difficult for minorities, as they are torn between two choices: remaining in this situation, which implies their quick annihilation, or being annexed to Iraqi Kurdistan, which, in both cases, means remaining at the forefront of the conflict, as the other two denominations will not accept that.
This tragic situation may reraise an old suggestion regarding the need for international parties to establish a protected area, especially for minorities in the areas they live in, so as to keep them away from the devastating effects of the current wars against them that might lead to their complete extinction in Iraq in the near future.
(Gun image via Shutterstock)
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