balance of power shifts in iraqs multiethnic kirkuk
Sunday 16 March 2025
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Balance of power shifts in Iraq's multi-ethnic Kirkuk

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleBalance of power shifts in Iraq's multi-ethnic Kirkuk

An Iraqi waves the Turkmen flag in Kirkuk to celebrate
Kirkuk - Muslimchronicle

With the return of Kirkuk to Iraqi control, the balance of power appears to have shifted between the ethnic communities in the Kurdish-majority city, to the delight of its Turkmen residents.

"Before we couldn't proudly declare that we are Turkmen, now our flag is flying over Kirkuk's citadel again," said Omar Najat, 23.

Three weeks before, the disputed city's Kurds were gleefully taking part in a Kurdish independence referendum in open defiance of Baghdad.

Today, the election posters have been torn down, as well as those of the September 25 referendum's chief advocate, Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani.

Huge Iraqi flags have been strung from palm trees and across buildings, although Kurdish flags have been left flying from lampposts.

In the Kurdish neighbourhood of Rahimawa, business has been slow for the few shops that have reopened such as tyre salesman Abu Sima, 36, as he awaits a return to normality.

His nephews and nieces had to wait for schools to reopen in the wake of the upheaval on Sunday as Iraqi forces entered the city.

In three days and with barely any resistance from Kurdish peshmerga fighters, Iraqi forces took control of the whole of the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, whose ownership has long been disputed between Baghdad and the autonomous Kurdish region in the north.

For fear of violence on Sunday, Abu Sima and his wife joined thousands of other families, mostly Kurds, in fleeing the city. But like most others, they have returned.

- 'We had to come back' -

"We had to come back because we, the Kurds, are the majority, we were the original residents of Kirkuk," he said.

In his fabrics store at the heart of the market in the shadow of the Ottoman-era citadel, Omar Najat couldn't agree less with that historical assessment.

"That there (the citadel) is Ottoman, Turkish, and Kirkuk is Iraqi Turkmen," he insisted.

"Now that Baghdad is in charge, we have security, not like before when we had another power in place," said the young man in skinny jeans and slim-fitting shirt.

He was referring to Kirkuk's governor Najm Eddine Karim who was fired by Baghdad for bringing the referendum to the province but refused to step down, until Iraqi security forces seized control of his office on Monday.

He had previously gone on television to urge Kurdish residents to take up arms to resist the entry of Iraqi forces into the city.

Near a central square where a giant blue Turkmen flag stamped with a crescent and star has been hoisted, Turkmen merchant Abu Hussein is a firm believer in the coexistence of Kirkuk's 800,000 residents.

The Kurds make up two-thirds of its population, 25 percent are Turkmen and the rest Arab Muslims and Christians.

Kirkuk is not one of the three provinces that have been part of the autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003 toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

It is in an area disputed between Baghdad and the Kurds who claim it is theirs historically, since Saddam's forces chased them out and replaced them with Arabs.

"We know how to live alongside each ether," said Abu Hussein, seated next to a Kurdish friend in traditional shalwar baggy trousers.

The Kurdish shopkeeper next door has an all-Arab workforce.

"It's not just the past year or two, we've all been living together for decades," said Abu Hussein, a 47-year spice seller.

"As for the politicians, that's something else," he said before slipping back inside his store.

For Mohammed Hamdani, a 55-year-old Sunni Arab, any blame lies on politicians in Baghdad and Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.

"They can't agree between themselves and it's us, ordinary people, who pay the price," said the Arab, wearing a yellow jalabiya robe and colourful prayer cap.

Hamdani's request is straightforward: "Whoever our leaders are, all we ask of them is one thing: that they give us security and the means to feed ourselves."

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

balance of power shifts in iraqs multiethnic kirkuk balance of power shifts in iraqs multiethnic kirkuk

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 11:30 2017 Saturday ,22 July

Saudi Arabia's KAUST ranked first among 50 leading

GMT 08:39 2012 Saturday ,04 February

More evidence that Apple is planning a connected TV

GMT 09:05 2017 Thursday ,20 April

Asia markets mostly higher but uncertainty prevails

GMT 18:41 2017 Monday ,06 February

US deploys destroyer off Yemen

GMT 07:33 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

Renewable energy projects discussed

GMT 12:35 2017 Thursday ,28 September

At least 14 dead as Rohingya boat capsizes off Bangladesh

GMT 08:08 2017 Wednesday ,27 December

Mai Seleim happy for participating with Adel Imam

GMT 17:40 2016 Monday ,28 March

Chinese president leaves for Czech visit

GMT 10:22 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

Airstrikes kill 6 militants in N. Afghan province

GMT 13:39 2017 Monday ,03 April

Saudi fatwa rules women can solemnize marriages

GMT 12:51 2017 Wednesday ,05 July

George keeps 'clear head' as Lions history beckons

GMT 10:14 2017 Monday ,18 December

Myanmar burnt Rohingya villages despite deal

GMT 19:13 2017 Sunday ,03 September

Diplomat underlines importance of visit

GMT 08:17 2017 Tuesday ,26 September

King Salman promotes 39 judges at Ministry of Justice

GMT 08:25 2017 Sunday ,03 December

La Rochelle wrest Top 14 leadership

GMT 11:07 2017 Thursday ,28 September

Iconic Playboy founder Hugh Hefner dies at 91

GMT 18:08 2017 Thursday ,07 December

Bahrain weather forecast
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle