The reflections shared by Nawaf Haskan, an Ezidi based in Lincoln, offer an important perspective shaped by lived experience. His views do not represent all Ezidis, but they highlight concerns that deserve careful consideration as new military developments unfold in the region.
Haskan recalls the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 as a moment of hope. Like many Iraqis, he expected a transition toward stability, security, and improved living conditions. Instead, the years that followed brought instability and violence, culminating in the genocide against the Ezidi people by ISIS. His experience as an interpreter for the US military placed him close to these events, shaping how he understands similar situations today.
As the United States conducts airstrikes in Iran, Haskan draws a cautious parallel. While the removal or weakening of a regime may appear to offer a solution, he argues that it does not address deeper issues. According to him, it is far easier to dismantle a government than to eliminate the ideologies and conditions that fuel conflict.
From his perspective, the main risk lies in what follows military action. Power vacuums and weakened institutions can create conditions where extremist groups and instability thrive. In such environments, vulnerable groups—including Ezidis, Christians, and women—are often the first to suffer.
Haskan emphasizes that any intervention should be paired with a clear and sustained plan for long-term stability and security. Without this, he suggests, history risks repeating itself in different forms.
His viewpoint serves as a reminder that policy decisions are not only strategic calculations but also have human consequences. While opinions may differ, voices shaped by direct experience can contribute valuable insight into debates about conflict, intervention, and the future of the region.
