Iraqi families returning to post-Daesh Kirkuk: Governor

By Ali Mukarrem Garip

KIRKUK, Iraq (AA) - Within the past 10 days, 150 families have returned to Kirkuk's Hawija district, which was liberated from the Daesh terrorist group six months ago, Kirkuk Governor Rakan Saeed told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

According to Saeed, Daesh, which occupied Kirkuk's southern districts from 2014 to 2017, badly damaged public infrastructure in the region.

“We have used all means available to send displaced people back to their homes and have begun 292 separate investment projects,” he said.

“All the services needed for daily life -- including electricity, water and telephone lines -- are being provided,” Saeed added.

- Foreign aid

The governor urged international aid organizations to contribute to the region’s reconstruction, noting that Kirkuk's Hawija district -- along with the towns of Zab, Abbasi and Rasheed -- were in particular need of help.

“Since the government is still fighting the terrorists, it is having difficulty rebuilding damaged areas,” he said.

Stressing the need to offset the trauma suffered by local people -- especially the youth -- under Daesh's three-year reign of terror, he added: “We have begun creating job opportunities for young people and working to reconstitute the local agricultural sector.”

Iraqi forces liberated Hawija from Daesh -- along with four neighboring towns -- last October.