Iraqi Turkmen leader urges peace, unity through 'certificate of honor' in Kirkuk

By Ali Makram Ghareeb

KIRKUK, Iraq (AA) – Hasan Turan, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF), made an appeal on Tuesday, urging all parties in Kirkuk to endorse a "certificate of honor" to preserve peace in the city.

In his remarks to the press, Turan highlighted that Kirkuk has enjoyed years of stability and urged the prevention of any tensions or escalation of conflicts.

Turan emphasized the need to put an end to indignation, stating, "All parties should come to the round table and collectively determine the city's present and future."

He called upon all political and community groups to sign the "certificate of honor" to safeguard coexistence, tranquility, and social harmony in Kirkuk.

Noting that the city has proven over the years that it cannot be governed by a unilateral administration, Turan advocated for the inclusion of all parties in the decision-making process.

Protests erupted in Kirkuk on Monday, following the deaths of four demonstrators and injuries to 15 others over the weekend.

The protests initially began in late August, triggered by a government decision to transfer control of the Kirkuk Operations Command headquarters to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The KDP argued that the building had previously been under their control and should be returned to the party.

The Peshmerga forces, affiliated with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), had taken over bases abandoned by the Iraqi army in Kirkuk after the emergence of the Daesh/ISIS terror group in 2014.

However, in 2017, Iraqi government forces reasserted control over Kirkuk, ending the Peshmerga presence in the city.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan