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Lessons from Iraq: Preventing conflict after Kirkuk

By
Ami Carpenter
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Op-ed: Ami Carpenter, PhD, is an associate professor at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego, and teaches courses in conflict resolution, conflict analysis, and negotiation.

Since January 2017, I have traveled twice to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to learn about how the region has coped so successfully with the refugee and IDP crisis. I’ve met with ministry officials, University leaders, United Nations aid workers; visited refugee camps, and held many conversations over sweet tea about the region’s post-ISIS future. With uncertainty following the Iraqi Army and Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMFs) reclaimed sovereignty over Kirkuk in recent days, I’ve reflected on the region’s local and regional peace infrastructure and wondered what contribution towards political dialogue between Baghdad and Irbil it might make.

What Hope for Negotiation? Plenty.

Sectarian tension in Iraq is very real, but so is the history of mediation and complex negotiations that have saved lives and reinstated governance in ISIS-cleared areas. Following the June 2014 massacre of Iraqi cadets at the Camp Speicher military base near Tikrit, local NGOs convened a dialogue between Sunni and Shia tribes in 2015 to prevent a violent escalation of tensions and revenge killings. The negotiations were led by two local NGOs: SANAD for Peacebuilding and the Network of Iraqi Facilitators (and supported by U.S. Institute of Peace). This dialogue is impressive because it was designed in line with one of the best practices in peacebuilding: vertical and horizontal integration. It provided linkages vertically by including the National Reconciliation Committee as well as the office of Iraq’s National Security Advisor, and horizontally across the lines of conflict by bringing over 30 tribes together.

It led to a formal inter-tribal agreement, and established a mechanism for vetting residents wishing to return to their homes in Tikrit to ensure those implicated in the massacre were excluded. After the agreement, about 400 families returned to Tikrit initially, and thousands more followed under the same mechanism. Today, almost all residents now have come back. Such a model could work in Kirkuk, to help resettle the Kurdish families that fled ahead of the Iraqi Army.

Despite the very public tension between Baghdad and Irbil, complex, negotiated agreements between these two centers of power have resulted in a variety of critical efforts. The military agreement among Erbil, Baghdad, and the US-led Coalition resulted in Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR). The UN’s complex humanitarian aid operation was made possible by close cooperation between Baghdad’s Joint Coordination and Monitoring Centre (JCMC) and the Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCC) in Irbil. And although imperfect, Hoshem Mohammad, Director of the JCC, believes that both the military and humanitarian cooperation “can be used as a foundation for ensuring cooperation and working together. And the international community can support this.”

The history of dialogue and cooperation is important to highlight, because it reminds us all that a political process is feasible and – especially after the wrenching intensity of the war against ISIS – desirable. What is required now is a political process for doing so, including one that invites women to the negotiating table (peace agreements are more comprehensive and durable when women are involved). The US must stay in Iraq to assist a political process for the disputed territories, including perhaps a special status for Kirkuk.

Cover Photo: Steve Cline USAF

People Choosing Peace: Stephen (USA)

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admin
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At the age of 23, Stephen Schirra founded his own nonprofit organization Around the Worlds, Around the World – with a mission of bettering the lives of underprivileged youth all over the world through the game of soccer. He runs free-of-charge workshops at orphanages, schools, churches, feeding programs, refugee homes, and earthquake relief centers in 21 countries.

Stephen believes the game of soccer has always had the power to transcend boundaries in race, gender, religion, and even socio-economic status.

“In essence, that’s what makes it the perfect platform to affect change where change is needed,” he said.

“Soccer can be seen as an escape for children who have endured such struggle at such a young age, and for some, it can even represent an opportunity to break away from the perils of poverty. When connecting these kids to the sport, it is never truly known what the final outcome may be, but we can only hope that their lives have been changed just as much as ours have.”

Stephen often works in dangerous neighborhoods all over the world, running programs in gang-controlled areas of San Salvador, El Salvador, and the mountains of Medellin, Colombia, as well as in the earthquake-devastated regions of Guayaquil, Ecuador. After working at an orphanage in the Dominican Republic, Stephen was inspired to start the Gabriel Yeris Scholarship Fund – an ode to a clinic participant who emerged from an Around the Worlds program motivated enough to earn a scholarship at a prestigious new school. The new scholarship fund has been designed to recognize one graduating high school senior using sports to make a difference in the community and beyond.

His organization also runs domestic clinics for underprivileged children coming from youth shelters and refugee foundations.

“Although much of our work is done internationally, I’ve seen poverty in our own communities here in the US, even as close as our own backyards,” Stephen said.

“Often, these issues go unnoticed, especially when placing a heavy focus on underdeveloped communities abroad. However, I never wanted to forget about the multitude of need that exists here in our own country.”

Farmers Unite Across Israel/Palestine Borders

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admin
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Nearly 90 villages in Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan are proving that the divided regions can work together – in the olive oil trade. The Near East Foundation’s project Olive Oil Without Borders, funded by USAID, works with Palestinian and Israeli farmers, strengthening economic cooperation, and building peace.

Israel/Palestine Farmers Unite

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admin
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Can Israel and Palestine work together? One group is proving it’s possible.

The Near East Foundation’s project Olive Oil Without Borders works with farmers from Palestine and Israel to improve farming techniques and oil production.

“This project, funded by USAID, aims to promote reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis by strengthening the economic co-operation between the Palestinian farmers and the Israeli farmer, the Palestinian olive traders and the Israeli olive traders, together,” said Salah Abu-Eisheh, Near East Foundation Country Director, Palestine.

Nearly 90 villages in Israel, the West Bank, and now Jordan are involved, including over 2,000 olive producers, 25 mill owners, and 50 ancillary businesses.

“I wanted to get to know [the Israeli farmers] more, because they had expertise to share, that could really benefit me and my work,” said Somaya Sawalmeh, a Palestinian Farmer.

“Israel and Palestine is the same market, so we are talking about trade – for example from Israel they are buying olive oil from Palestine, from the West Bank, and from the West Bank they are buying olive oil from Israel, so for trade, for marketing, it’s very important,” said Dr Fathi Abdelhadi, OOWB consultant.

The project even established a cross-border trade agreement that still stands, despite the conflict.

“We found, with our donors, different ways to overcome those obstacles and find solutions, to the level that we were able to reach hundreds – now I can say thousands – of farmers across the borders,” said Mr Abu-Eisheh.

“The people from both sides, they are meeting, they talk – one to the other – so for the peace I think this is one important reason to meet, more and more,” said Dr Fathi Abdelhadi.

For more information in the Near East Foundation’s work, visit here. Cover Photo and footage courtesy of Near East Foundation.

People Choosing Peace: Ambar (Iraq)

By
Peace News Staff
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My name is Ambar. The war stole my father from us and forced me to leave school when I was in fifth grade to start working to make a living for my family. I work in the garbage industry; my job is to collect the garbage and put it in the cart, then I throw it away.

Most of my work is in the Shorja area and many shop owners know me and give their garbage only to me, because they know my work is clean and impressive. Sometimes I find very interesting things in the garbage. One time I found a wallet with 18 dollar in it. Sometimes I find broken toys or clothes. I earn 4 dollars a day.

I hope I grow up and make enough money to buy a garbage car to work with. I could never leave my job because I spent my whole life in the garbage business, since I was a little kid. If I earn a lot more money? I shall buy two garbage cars.

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