Local Officials Say Iraq’s Kakais, Fearing IS, Are Fleeing Their Villages – Voice of America
RIZGARI, IRAQ - What stood out about a seminar recently held in this northern Iraqi village was that it was largely attended by men wearing noticeably large mustaches.
The facial hair is a feature distinguishing pious followers of the Kakai, a small religious group that has in recent years become a top target for the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Iraq.
The seminar, titled Kakais in the time of Corona, was meant to shed light on the culture and history of the group, as well as the challenges they face in the predominantly Muslim nation.
Followers of the religion say their unique mustache style, which they keep for both traditional and religious reasons, hasin recent years meant certain death for their fellow men as IS used it to identify them.
The group, which believes in reincarnation, is estimated to have as many as 75,000 followers in Iraq.
Al-Qaida and Islamic State terror have taken the lives of 450 members of our people since they came to the area, Kwekha Aziz, a Kakai community leader, told VOA.
You can see all our martyrs buried in the graveyard over there. They hate our religion. They hate it that we dont fast or we dont pray like them," he added.
Most Kakais live in more than a dozen villages dotting oil-rich Kirkuk province, a part of the northern disputed territories where experts say the Iraqi government is struggling to contain a rising IS threat. That area is contested between Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in the north.
Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline.
Last year, a suspected IS attack left at least seven Kakai men dead near Iraqs northern border with Iran.
Kurdish officials say increased IS attacks and activities in the region have in recent days caused many Kakais to abandon their villages.
People in the area are panicking and many people in the predominantly Kakai villages have vacated their homes fearing [IS] attacks, Hiwar Rashid, a local Kurdish official in Kirkuk, said Tuesday in an interview with Iraqi Kurdish news site Bas News.
Last week, Sarbast Lazgin, deputy minister of the KRGs peshmerga forces in northern Iraq, told VOA the jihadists were already exploiting a security vacuum in the disputed territories, and he called for stronger cooperation between federal and regional security forces.
In 2015, the KRG created a military unit whose members were all Kakai followers to protect their own areas from IS. Local media reports say the unit has been severely weakened by partisan infighting between the dominant Kurdish parties.
Kakais also complain of lack of political representation in Iraq.
We dont have the size to be able to win parliamentary seats, and other political parties have not attempted to provide a quota for us, like they have done for other groups, activist Ziyad Kakai said.
While it might be easier for IS to recognize Kakai men, the religions female followers say they face their own unique challenges that go beyond terror threats in the conservative society they live in.
Kakai women have many grievances, Samira Kakai, a women's rights activist, told VOA.
They are not allowed [by their families] to go outside on their own. They are allowed to take pictures of themselves but cannot post them [online]. They are allowed to sing only in private, she added.
Kakais are also known as Yarsanis. Most of them identify as being ethnically Kurdish and speak both the Sorani and Gorani dialects of the Kurdish language.
Visit link:
Local Officials Say Iraq's Kakais, Fearing IS, Are Fleeing Their Villages - Voice of America
- Trump announces tariffs on six more countries including Philippines and Iraq - The Indian Express - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump announces new tariffs including for Iraq, Brazil and the Philippines - Al Jazeera - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Twelve Turkish soldiers killed by gas exposure during cave search in Iraq - Reuters - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- PKK Disarmament to Take a Few Months in Iraq, Turkey Ruling Party Says - U.S. News & World Report - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- America and Israels plan to destroy Iraq, Syria and Iran set the entire Middle East on fire - Analyst News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq: Protecting womens rights, reforming law - The Lutheran World Federation - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Harsanyi: Trump learned the lessons of Iraq - The Detroit News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- PKK disarmament to take a few months in Iraq, Turkey ruling party says - The Mighty 790 KFGO - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump hits Iraq with 30% tariffs as he releases 7 new letters - Global News - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Five Turkish soldiers killed by methane gas during northern Iraq cave search - France 24 - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Watch Trump Reveals New Batch of Tariffs From Iraq to Philippines - Bloomberg.com - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump slaps new tariffs on Sri Lanka, Iraq, 5 other countries with a warning: If you raise your - The Economic Times - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq committed to ending Kurdistan salary deadlock - Shafaq News - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump enforces new tariffs on Iraq, five other nations - Shafaq News - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq steers clear of Khor Abdullah crisis amid fears of Trumps reaction - The Arab Weekly - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Trump Slaps 30% Tariff On Iraq, Says Its Less Than What Is Needed - Stocktwits - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- From August 1, the United States will impose duties on imports from Algeria, Libya and Iraq. - - - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Kurdish PKK to hand over weapons in Iraq in peace process with Turkey - The Jerusalem Post - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Iraq Aims to Export Surplus Oil Products After Refinery Upgrades - Bloomberg - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Why Iran's Shah declined Iraq's Saddam Hussein's bid to kill Khomenei - The Jerusalem Post - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Iraq Lifts Oil Output by 80,000 bpd Across Three Key Fields - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Trump learned the lessons of Iraq - Temple Daily Telegram - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- UN Special Representative for Iraq and Head of UNAMI, Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan, visits Karbala Governorate [EN/AR] - ReliefWeb - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Turkey: Five soldiers killed by methane gas in Iraq cave search - The New Arab - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- I needed to leave Man United to grow: Zidane Iqbal on identity, Iraq and a new start in Utrecht - thenationalnews.com - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- Turkeys water policies leave Iraq parched and poised for unrest - The Arab Weekly - July 8th, 2025 [July 8th, 2025]
- The Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces is behind the drone attacks on Iraq - Yahoo - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Iraq, But Funny at Lookingglass Theatre | Weve Got Your Ticket - CBS News - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Turkey gives drought-stricken Iraq more water in boost to PM Sudani - AL-Monitor - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Is Kurdish Protection of Assyrians in North Iraq a Myth? - Assyrian International News Agency - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Eight OPEC+ alliance members including Iraq move toward output hike - Iraqi News - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq to hand over weapons in first step toward disarmament - AP News - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Reconstruction Firms Hear Plan for Rebuilding Southern Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Gates Vows to Focus on Iraq, Troop Welfare if Confirmed - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Corps' Command Change Marks Year Of Iraq Transition - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Iraqi Government Prepares to Take Control of Sons of Iraq Program - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Top NCOs Inform Soldiers in Iraq of Wartime Training Changes - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Operation New Town Molds Trust in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - On the Ground: Forces Build Cooperation, Security in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Sheik Meeting Leads to Information on al Qaeda in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - On the Ground: U.S. Forces Build Security at Sea, On Land in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Biden, Odierno Preside Over Naturalization Ceremony in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Marine Amputee Who Returned to Iraq Earns Fellowship - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Twins Serve Together in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Deployed Soldier Keeps Wheels Turning in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Face of Defense: Canadian-Born Soldier Serves as Sniper in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- How regional shifts may shape the future of the Iraq-Syria relationship - Amwaj.media - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- News - Hagel: All Assessments Needed for Full Picture in Iraq - DVIDS - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Sadr Links Election Participation to Militia Disarmament in Iraq - kurdistan24.net - July 4th, 2025 [July 4th, 2025]
- Refusing the leash: How Iraq shut its skies to Tel Aviv and held the line with Washington - thecradle.co - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- In Iraq, restored tomb of biblical prophet Nahum quietly attracts Jewish pilgrimage - The Times of Israel - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Rockets fired at northern Iraq airport, one hits house; two lightly wounded - The Times of Israel - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- United Nations in Iraq condemns attack in IDP camp in Duhok [EN/AR/KU] - ReliefWeb - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Iran, Iraq hold critical talks following delivery of Araghchis letter on regional security - Tehran Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Turkey to Increase Tigris and Euphrates Water Flow to Iraq Starting Wednesday - kurdistan24.net - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Turkey approves increased water flow to aid Iraq amid growing crisis - rudaw.net - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Iraq pilgrimages proceed by land due to flight restrictions - Tehran Times - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 'Oh, here we go': For Iraq veterans, bombing of Iran opens old wounds - San Antonio Express-News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Woman in Najaf Dies of Hemorrhagic Fever as Iraq's CCHF Cases Continue to Rise - kurdistan24.net - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Israel illegally used Iraq's airspace to attack Iran - Mehr News Agency - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Has the UK really learned the lessons of Iraq? Don't count on it - The New Arab - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Turkey hands over Babylonian and Akkadian clay tablets to Iraq - The Jerusalem Post - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- 'Iraq, But Funny': A new satire tracing 5 generations of Assyrian women hits the stage - FOX 32 Chicago - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Iraq calls on Sudan to cease fighting - Iraqi News - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Redefining and Strengthening the U.S.-Iraq Relationship Through Energy and Security - The Washington Institute - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Iraq revives bid to resume oil exports through Turkey - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Syrian authorities uncover mass grave near Iraq border - Shafaq News - - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 3 prominent ISIS terrorists eliminated in northern Iraq - Iraqi News - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Emirates extends flight suspension to Iran, Iraq routes to resume soon: What travelers need to know - Times of India - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Statement Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of IRAQ - - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- From Iraq to Iran: the US quest for Israeli military dominance and its fallout - South China Morning Post - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Israel-Iran war recalls the 2003 US invasion of Iraq a war my undergraduate students see as a relic of the past - The Conversation - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Trump is making US intelligence parrot his line on Iran - it echoes Bushs invasion of Iraq - The Guardian - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- David Harsanyi: Trump learned the lessons of Iraq - UnionLeader.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Texas Firm In Talks To Supply Iraq's First LNG Terminal - Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Assessing Trumps Claims That He Was Very Much Opposed to the Iraq War - The Dispatch - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Iraq War architect Condi Rice heaps praise on Trump admin for Iran strikes - The Independent - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- In Iran, we risk repeating the mistakes of Iraq 22 years later - The Boar - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Noors world collapsed when the US invaded Iraq. She has a message for Trump about Iran - SBS Australia - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Van Havel honored for heroic actions in skies of above Iraq - WTVB - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]