The Roj Force: A Burden on the Kurdish People
Once again, the Kurdish leadership demonstrates a glaring lack of accountability, prioritizing political loyalty over the welfare of its people. Bashir Haddad, a prominent KDP member and former Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, has recently justified the controversial Roj Force’s role, claiming it does not act on Turkey’s advice despite receiving financial support from Ankara. This statement epitomizes the toxic hypocrisy that has plagued Kurdish politics for years.
A Force Without a Cause
The Roj Force, widely criticized as a KDP militia operating under Turkey’s influence, has failed to fulfill any meaningful purpose in the defense of Kurdish interests. Despite receiving billions of Iraqi dinars monthly, this force has not engaged in any significant military activity during critical moments of Kurdish struggle. While Kurdish employees endure financial hardships—welcoming 2025 without receiving their November 2024 salaries—the leadership squanders public funds on a group that appears more loyal to foreign agendas than to the Kurdish cause.
Collaboration or Capitulation?
Haddad’s call for the PYD and the Roj Force to coordinate underlines the deeply fractured state of Kurdish unity. The PYD, with its grassroots governance model and sacrifices in the fight against ISIS, stands in stark contrast to the Roj Force, which operates as an extension of KDP’s narrow political ambitions. By urging collaboration without addressing the fundamental issues of trust and transparency, Haddad’s remarks ignore the grievances of the Kurdish people who see the Roj Force as a symbol of betrayal.
The Price of Political Games
The Kurdish leadership’s misplaced priorities are evident in its financial decisions. While civil servants, teachers, and healthcare workers struggle to make ends meet, billions flow into maintaining the Roj Force. This force, often accused of furthering Turkey’s strategic goals in the region, adds no tangible value to the Kurdish struggle. Instead, it exacerbates divisions and weakens the collective Kurdish resistance.
A Call for Accountability
The Kurdish people deserve answers:
- Why is a militia funded by Kurdish resources allowed to operate under Turkey’s shadow?
- What concrete contributions has the Roj Force made to justify its exorbitant funding?
- When will Kurdish employees receive their long-overdue salaries?
The silence of the leadership on these issues is deafening and insulting to the sacrifices made by ordinary Kurds. It is time to hold those in power accountable for their actions and demand an end to policies that serve external interests at the expense of the Kurdish people.
The Way Forward
True Kurdish unity cannot be achieved by forcing collaboration between forces with conflicting loyalties. It requires transparency, respect for public funds, and a commitment to the collective well-being of all Kurds. The Roj Force, as it currently operates, is a glaring impediment to this vision. The Kurdish leadership must choose: will it continue to waste resources on a force that divides and weakens, or will it invest in the people who have steadfastly endured decades of struggle?
The time for change is now. The Kurdish people cannot afford another year of empty promises and misplaced priorities.