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SALT LAKE CITY — As the U.S. launches airstrikes in Iraq to try to weaken the Islamic State fighters, Kurdish-Americans with family in Iraqi-Kurdistan are fearful for their loved ones.
More than two dozen Kurdish-Americans living in Utah rallied for support and understanding today in front of the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building in Salt Lake City.
The Islamic State — formerly known as the ISIS in Iraq and Syria — stormed new towns Thursday in the north and routed a formidable Kurdish fighting force. The airstrikes today brought some relief and peace.
"We're doing everything we can to raise awareness and raise support," said Dilveen Merritt, who arrived in Utah in 1996 as an 11-year-old refugee.
"The airstrike is good. However, it is not slowing them down," she said.
The Islamic State fighters are terrorizing their families in Iraqi-Kurdistan.
"They're scared," Merritt said. "They're stuck inside. They can't go out."
Her husband, Blair Merritt, is a native Utahn. The couple married a year ago. But the Kurd's battle is his battle now, too.
"It means everything," he said. "This is my family."
They're pleading for weapons and ammunition from the U.S.
"There's people in Iraq that are in trouble right now," he said. "Aunts, uncles, cousins: people my age that don't have experience or training that are on the front lines fighting."
American officials have hinted they would send more military aid to Iraq if they choose a new leader to replace Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Kamal Bewar, who helped organize today's rally, fled to Utah in 1993. He worked for the U.S. government in Iraq from 2003 until 2005. He estimates there are 50 to 60 Kurdish families in Utah, and many of them are now U.S. citizens.
No matter where I go, I'm Kurdish. Kurdistan is home.
–Dilveen Merritt
Most of them came to Utah after they were chased out of the country by Saddam Hussein more than 17 years ago. Now, they want the U.S. to arm their countrymen so they can repel terrorist fighters in their home towns.
"The last couple days it's getting worse," Bewar said of the fighting. "No matter what happens, we will fight until we die."
Two of his brothers are in battle right now.
"I was constantly on the phone with them, and they were fighting," he said. "My brother said, 'Kamal, we have no ammunition. Our guns are outnumbered.’ ”
He says military aid given to the Maliki-controlled government does not make it to the Kurds.
"There's no way we can fight if we don't have any support."
So their hearts are heavy for their homeland as they await good news.
"No matter where I go, I'm Kurdish," said Dilveen Merritt. "Kurdistan is home."
Many of the Kurdish Americans are optimistic the U.S. will help their countrymen with arms. They'll keep a close eye in the weeks ahead as this conflict continues.
