Odyssey Notes
Tales, Wisdom & Misadventures of Leading an Outrageously Courageous Life
Want to Learn More about the Kurds and Kurdistan?
Today, the eyes of the entire world are now looking at the semi-autonomous region known as Kurdistan. The Kurds here have long sought independence from Iraq and over the last few decades - and with a little help from the US and the West - they have proven that they are more than capable of managing their own affairs.
Their determination to become a self-governing, peaceful, prosperous and tolerant democracy is a reality that is garnering well deserved international attention. Their fight against the infamous IS terrorist advance is also proving to the world the courage of the Peshmerga (Kurdish Army) forces despite being out-gunned and under-resourced.
ISIS, IRAQ & IRBIL - An Update from the Buxton Family
Since waking up we have been inundated by emails and messages of concern surrounding the terrible situation taking place here in Northern Iraq. We are so grateful for all of you that care deeply about our safety and are praying for us and the ISIS threat.
As we read and watch the news today we are - and have been ever since our arrival - profoundly saddened by the suffering, persecution and brutality that ISIS have been inflicting on innocent civilians here in Northern Iraq.
We are heartened by the news that today the United States will be taking humanitarian action now, in addition to military air strikes against ISIS should they continue an advance towards the city of Erbil.
This threat from ISIS is by no means a recent threat, it has been growing for quite some time now. Since controlling almost a third of Syria through their brutal jihadist campaign of killing and fear mongering they have now made significant gains in Iraq.
As of today they have taken control of the key cities of Fallujah, Tikrit & Mosul. In the process, millions of Iraqi & Syrian civilians have fled from their advance, the vast majority have taken refuge in the Kurdistan region of Iraq where we live.
Today ISIS and their absolute barbaric assault on Christian and Yezhidi minorities is making headlines. Their strict enforcement of Sharia law and the forced conversion of non-Muslims - or face certain death by execution - is filling up my Facebook feed, and quite possibly yours too.
It is just sickening to read all the reports, we just want ISIS and their jihadist advance to end. What is happening right now is nothing short of evil in every sense of the word.
As a family we have been watching things closely ever since we arrived here in Northern Iraq. In fact, we landed the very same day that Mosul fell to ISIS fighters, just 30 miles from the city of Erbil.
A Ramadan Way of Life
So much has happened here since my last blog post that I could have easily have written an entry every day, despite being sufficiently sleep deprived. As it stands it is 2am as I begin writing this update.. and so I will attempt to be brief.
A Surprisingly Hectic & Productive Day
On the last day before Ramadan fasting kicks in we managed to have one of the most productive work days setting up our house...!
What would you do for 30 liters of Fuel?
It’s hard to believe that fuel would be so scarce in such an oil rich region. With fighting in the south of Iraq continuing and Kurdistan's main provider of refined oil - the Baiji Oil Refinery - under attack, we are certainly feeling the pinch.
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Why not just hunker down and ride it out? Good point, Turkey has agreed to begin fulfilling Kurdistan’s fuel needs with shipments arriving as early as the end of the week. Only problem is that we need to urgently travel to Erbil to formally apply for our residency visas. That means we need enough fuel to get there and back, plus a little extra for driving around the city.
So, after getting word that a gas station had opened up for business in a town 20 minutes away, several of us jumped in our cars and raced through the gorge pass that takes you there as though we were in a presidential convoy.
For some it was a suicide mission, with only enough fuel to make it there - failure to find fuel and their car would be spending the night.
Good news, our communications proved reliable. The line was long, but it was moving ever so slowly. My prediction was a 2 hour wait… a long time in the searing heat, but bearable.
