By Deniz Serinci

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - An increasing number of Western politicians support the Kurdistan Regional Government’s deployment of Peshmerga territories in Kirkuk outside its official borders, saying it is time to recognize Kurdish aspirations of independence as Iraq falls apart.

After the Iraqi army beat a retreat before an onslaught by insurgents led by the extremist Sunni Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) last week, the KRG moved Peshmerga forces into Kurdish-populated territories left abandoned by the military, including the key oil-city of Kirkuk.

The rebels have captured several key cities, and are locked in fighting with Iraqi forces as they close in on Baghdad.

Andrej Hunko, an MP from the German Left Party, told Rudaw the regions mainly populated by Kurds in Iraq should get Western support for far-reaching autonomy rights.

“It is understandable that the Kurdish government is defending territories against ISIS to protect the lives of the population and its right to autonomy,” he said.

Nikolaj Villumsen, a Danish MP and member of the European Council, supports the idea of Kurdish independence, and does not believe that neighboring countries have any right to interfere.

"For decades, Turkey and Iran suppressed their own Kurds, so they have no veto-right against the Iraqi Kurds’ decisions," he told Rudaw, urging the authorities to find a long-lasting and democratic solution in Kirkuk that includes all ethnic groups.

Kurdo Baksi, a Green Party politician in Sweden who was elected as an alternate to the European Parliament last month, said that Kurds should not have to pay the price of Iraqi instability.

“The Shiites and Sunnis will have a long war, and Kurds should not pay the price,” he said. “The best solution for Iraq is that the country splits in three states, Sunnistan, Shiastan and Kurdistan.”

Jim Karygiannis, a former Canadian MP and now executive director of G20 Human Rights which focuses on ethnic communities and religious minorities, has started a petition on its website in support of independence for Iraq’s estimated 5 million Kurds.

“Iraq is falling apart and it is time that the West recognizes Kurdistan as an independent country,” Karygiannis told Rudaw.

Dutch MP Tiny Knox, who is also a member of the Council of Europe, believes it is up to the citizens of Iraq, Kurds included, to decide upon the future of their country.

“But Kurds should act according to international and national rule of law and make no unilateral decisions regarding Kirkuk,” he cautioned.

Holger K. Nielsen, an MP in Denmark and until last year the foreign minister, said that Kurds should be supported as an important secular group in the Middle East.

"I have no doubt that it will lead to an independent state, but it is important not to hurry up the process. There should be an international understanding and recognition of a Kurdish state," he advised.

According to an MP of the Swedish Liberal Party, Fredrik Malm, the West should support Iraqi Kurds to survive as a secular state in an unstable Middle East.

“If Iraq risks falling apart and is drawn into a new long war, the Kurds can of course review their options, and I hope there will be an international acceptance for their decision,” he told Rudaw.

Jeppe Kofod, Danish member of the European Parliament, cautioned for the Kurds to tread carefully toward independence.

“A unilateral declaration of independence from the Kurdish side can prepare the ground for future conflicts in the region, since such a statement is unlikely to be recognized by the Iraqi government or surrounding countries,” he told Rudaw.

Aliza Marcus, an American expert and author of several books on the Kurds, said that Iraq’s Kurds are unlikely to declare independence now, because the ISIS takeover does not change the political calculation.

“If Kurds were to declare independence now, they would be accused of being disloyal and taking advantage of the ISIS catastrophe to benefit themselves. That would not win the Kurds any new friends or support in the region,” she said.

Marcus also cautioned that the Kurds would not receive any support in the region if they declare independence.

“Syria is a mess, Iran itself is a pariah state and Turkey isn’t in favor of an independent Kurdish state,” she noted. “Therefore, right now, the KRG doesn’t need to declare independence. It has what it needs to protect its interests and protect Kurdish citizens of the KRG.”

Rudaw