IRAK ÇERKESLERİ - orsam

ORSAM
CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES
An Interview with Ahmad Katav, Head of
Al-Tadamun Society of Iraqi, Chechen,
Dagestani and Circassian Tribes
ORSAM: What can you tell about the situation
of Iraqi citizen North Caucasians during
the Saddam Period and after the Iraqi invasion
of the U.S.? Has there been any change
for North Caucasians after the Iraqi invasion
of the U.S.? If so, could you tell us about these
changes? What are the main problems of
North Caucasians in Iraq?
Ahmad Katav: In Iraq, North Caucasians
composed of Dagestanis, Chechens and Adyghes
are known as “Circassians”. The financial
situation of Circassians is generally at a medium
or high level. However, they are threatened
especially by Shia militias in terms of
security. For instance, a Circassian village was
completely destroyed in Diyala region, and
approximately 25 families were exiled. Our
two generals were assassinated in Baghdad.
However, they are in a good relationship with
other ethnic and religious groups of Iraq, especially
in Kirkuk. As a matter of fact, they
have strong bonds with most of the ethnic
groups. This is the current situation. However,
Circassians were known for preferring
military professions in Saddam period. In
fact, there were many high-ranking generals
in Iraqi army. Among them were found lieutenant
general, major general and many brigadier
generals and officers. Nevertheless, as
they were afraid of the tyrant regime during
the Saddam period, they could not tell their
real nicknames and that they were Circassian.
Only some of them carried the surname
“Dagestani”. On the other hand, they have important
positions in civil life. There are many
young judges and general directors among
them. However, they were forbidden to cooperate
such as forming a society, gathering
in special days or getting organized as Circassians
or North Caucasians. Major changes
took place after the Iraqi invasion of the U.S.
As the safety of the country was shaken, the
Circassian villages also had their share of this
situation. Many raids, assassinations, and arrests
took place. In addition, as Circassians,
we were deprived of all our rights as minority
due to the fact that the administration took
the control of Shiite, Arab and Kurdish parties.
For instance, we cannot work in gov-
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ORSAM
Report No: 134, November 2012