Looking into the Eyes of ISIS and Not Backing Down
A Sioux Falls man who still has family in the Middle East continues to share the true stories of the Kurds who are fighting against the Islamic State.
Qadir Aware immigrated to the United States many years ago, but visited his home country last year in May. He saw first-hand some of fighting that is taking place. “I went to the front line in the war with the Islamic State about a football field away. I’ve seen everything with my own eyes what’s going on.”
Since he does have strong family ties, Aware keeps in close contact. “I communicate with my family on a daily basis. Right now it is really tough because the Kurdish people and the Freedom Fighters (Peshmerga) are able to control ISIS, but we are not getting any support.”
To be specific, Aware feels the United States is in some ways are a road block to holding back the Islamic State. “Many European countries want to help the Kurdish people directly. The U.S. and the White House would be the reason they are not doing it.”
Aware says more factors are in play. “Because they have to satisfy Iran and Iran is against the Kurdish people having the authority to rid of the Islamic State. What happens is the (support) gets sent to the Iraqi government who should give 40 to 50 percent to (the Peshmerga). We only get about two percent.”
Despite the lack of support, Aware says the Kurds are making gains against ISIS. “The Kurdish people took more territory from ISIS in the last month and a half, but no one knows what they are doing.”
Kurdistan has long been different from its counterparts when it comes to recognizing freedom. Plus Aware boldly declares what would happen if the Kurds were given full support to defend their liberties. “The Kurdish people are the only people in the Middle East who believe in democracy and the rights of religious people. We are protecting more Christians from ISIS than even European countries. We don’t ask for people to fight for us. We say, ‘If you arm us and within six months ISIS is not destroyed, we are not a Kurdish people.’ No one will take us up on that challenge.”
Despite the strong prediction of ISIS and their demise, there are decades of old wounds in this part of the world. Damage that could be repaired, but some will never allow for a healing process.
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