Iraqi police removing KRG flags in northern Kirkuk

Flags recently raised at buildings of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and along some streets

By Ali Mukarrem Garip and Mazin Majeed Asaad Baqal

KIRKUK, Iraq (AA) - Iraqi police have begun removing Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) flags in northern Kirkuk city, an official told Anadolu Agency early Wednesday.

Mervan al-Ani, an official from the Kirkuk provincial governor's office, said the office has instructed police to take down the flags, which were recently raised at buildings of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (KYB) and along some streets.

Ani said placing KRG flags on buildings and streets is "illegal".

"We do not want to live through political and social instability again in the city," he added.

In October 2017, Iraqi federal forces seized Kirkuk province from Kurdish Peshmerga forces loyal to northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous KRG.

Home to large Turkmen, Kurdish and Arab communities, Kirkuk is one of several parts of Iraq disputed between Baghdad and the Erbil-based KRG.

Kaynak: