Mr. Yonadam Kanna, Assyrian MP in Iraqi Parliament and the Secretary General of Zowaa, comments the decision of the Parliament in Baghdad of September 26 to refuse that the current Ninewa province be divided into several provinces. The decision is more a political message by Arab nationalists than a constitutional step. These nationalists are trying to keep a status quo for Ninewa province geografi. For example the former governor Atheel al-Nujayfi has an own militia of 2000 Sunni Arabs fighting along with Turkish forces in Baashiqa.
The plan to create an own province of the Nineveh Plains in accordance with the decision of the government back in Januari 2014, is not over by this decision of the Parliament, says Mr. Kanna.
As to the question which future status the Nineveh Plains will have, Mr. Kanna hopes the future of this rich area will be defined by its own habitants after the IS-occupation is over and when the residents have returned to their homes and feel safe. When the life will turn to normal, when people feel economic and social safety as well, then the will of the people will decide the fate of the region, not the Parliament decision, he adds. As an example he mentions the island of Åland between Sweden and Finland. Although the residents are speaking Swedish they want to belong to Finland. They are more comfortable with their local autonomi belonging to Finland, Mr. Kanna has got the answer when he asked them. The same can be applied to the residents of the Nineveh Plains, he says, but no referendum can be held when the displaced are living in barracks or outside the country.