Syria: Withdrawal of US Troops

Lord Bishop of Oxford Excerpts
Tuesday 8th October 2019

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bishop of Oxford Portrait Lord Harries of Pentregarth (CB)
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What is the United Kingdom Government’s long-term policy towards the Kurdish people? As we know, they were the one nation left after the First World War with no territory of their own. They are split among five nations, many in hostile environments. What is our long-term policy towards the Kurdish people, who have helped us so much in the fight against Daesh?

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Portrait Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
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Wherever the Kurdish community is, we have continued to campaign and advocate for its important inclusion in any future settlement, whether in Iraq or Syria, which have made, as we have seen, certain gains— although recent events in Iraq have caused concern. We continue to ensure that all minority communities, whatever country they are in, including the Kurdish community, continue to receive vital rights of representation and are fully engaged and involved in all processes. As for immediate support, as I have indicated, the SDF has been part of the global fight against Daesh and remains an important coalition partner.