World

Disinformation campaign in full effect for Iraqi Kurdistan

Since the start of Iraq and its proxies occupation of Kirkuk, a city in southern Kurdistan or northern Iraq depending how you look at it, there has been an increasing number of falsified anti-Kurdish sentiments. It’s happening in the form of forged documents, false reports often based on rumors and sensationalism from local media outlets.

Letter to Kurdish residents by https://iraq.liveuamap.com/

In the village of Palkana, it was reported that the Iraqi forces had given residents three days to evacuate their homes permanently in order for resettlement by Arab communities. Prior to that a letter, appearing to be signed and produced by the Governor of Kirkuk on official letterhead, authorizing the eviction of Kurdish citizens from their Kirkuk homes went into circulation.

These rumors were proven to be false, but Facebook is ablaze with similar happenings circulating throughout the Kurdish community. So far the only solid information available on the Iraqi forces who hold Kirkuk is regarding their expected duties of disposing of improvised explosive devices and detaining Islamic State affiliates.

You've reached your daily free article limit.

Subscribe and support our veteran writing staff to continue reading.

Get Full Ad-Free Access For Just $0.50/Week

Enjoy unlimited digital access to our Military Culture, Defense, and Foreign Policy coverage content and support a veteran owned business. Already a subscriber?

Since the start of Iraq and its proxies occupation of Kirkuk, a city in southern Kurdistan or northern Iraq depending how you look at it, there has been an increasing number of falsified anti-Kurdish sentiments. It’s happening in the form of forged documents, false reports often based on rumors and sensationalism from local media outlets.

Letter to Kurdish residents by https://iraq.liveuamap.com/

In the village of Palkana, it was reported that the Iraqi forces had given residents three days to evacuate their homes permanently in order for resettlement by Arab communities. Prior to that a letter, appearing to be signed and produced by the Governor of Kirkuk on official letterhead, authorizing the eviction of Kurdish citizens from their Kirkuk homes went into circulation.

These rumors were proven to be false, but Facebook is ablaze with similar happenings circulating throughout the Kurdish community. So far the only solid information available on the Iraqi forces who hold Kirkuk is regarding their expected duties of disposing of improvised explosive devices and detaining Islamic State affiliates.

Forged Letter from the Governor of Kirkuk by https://iraq.liveuamap.com/

This trend is nothing new to wars and their aftermath, propaganda is probably one of the oldest forms of warfare. The Kurdish people are promoting the perpetuation of anti-Iraqi sentiments and hit the ground running with the slightest anti-Kurdish rumor but many simply seem to be neglecting to fact check in a day and age dominated by social media.

In contrast the Iraqi occupiers are playing it safe and slowly building their own stability in the region. Of course propaganda is a two-way street so it is impossible to say if they’re actually doing all the good that is being claimed, or embellishing their own accomplishments in turn. In both war and peace, rumors can take on a truth of their own.

 

Featured image courtesy of Iraqliveuamap.com

About Kurt T View All Posts

Spent 4 years with the United States Marine Corps and an additional 3 years with the Kurdish Peshmerga and Ukrainian Army.

COMMENTS

You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.

More from SOFREP

REAL EXPERTS.
REAL NEWS.

Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis.

TRY 14 DAYS FREE

Already a subscriber? Log In