Iraq restricts use of Turkmen language in Kirkuk

BAGHDAD (AA) – The Iraqi government on Wednesday decided to restrict the use of the Turkmen language in official correspondence in Kirkuk in northern Iraq.

According to a letter sent from the Prime Minister’s General Secretariat to Kirkuk province, only Arabic and Kurdish languages will be used in official correspondence in the city.

The decision immediately drew fire from Kirkuk’s Turkmens.

In a statement, the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to annul the decision to restrict the use of the Turkmen language in official correspondence.

Turkmen politicians also described the decision to restrict the use of the Turkmen language as unconstitutional and unacceptable.

* Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report