Deputy PM: Using Military Against Kurds is a Dangerous Move

PUKMEDIA

Deputy PM Qubad Talabani.

Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), reaffirms support for Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk, emphasising that using the Iraqi military against the Kurdish farmers is a dangerous move that will jeopardise the coexistence in the province.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani said in a statement that despite the fact that the law to nullify the decisions of the defunct Ba'ath Revolutionary Command Council was passed less than a month ago, the military is being utilised against the original land owners in contravention of the constitution and the law.

"We have always worked and encouraged to boost the spirit of coexistence in Kirkuk; nevertheless, the use of the army and such behaviour is a dangerous move, and more violations of this sort would jeopardise the future of coexistence," he warned.

"We totally support the farmers and, with the collaboration of all parties in Kirkuk, will endeavour to resolve this matter and insist on legal penalties for violators and those who ordered the use of the military against the Kurdish farmers," he emphasised.

The Iraqi military in Sargaran district, Kirkuk province, violated the law passed by the Iraqi Parliament and the decision of the Iraqi Federal Court and forcibly prevented the Kurdish farmers from working in their  lands on Monday, 17 February 2025. The army attacked the Kurdish farmers.

"In addition to pulling my scarf, they beat me, so I will file a lawsuit against the force," said the farmer who was attacked on his tractor.

On 21 January 2025, the Iraqi parliament voted on the three controversial laws: Amending the personal status law, the law to cancel the decisions of the Ba'ath Revolutionary Command Council, and the general amnesty law. The law to cancel the decisions of the Ba'ath Revolutionary Command Council is very important for the Kurds, as thousands of Dunams of occupied lands in the disputed areas will be returned to their original owners. On 13 February 2025, the Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid approved the 3 laws.

Kirkuk is one of the territories disputed between the Iraqi Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, which are regions defined by Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution as being Arabised during the fallen Ba'ath regime's rule in the country.

Kurdish farmers in these regions often face threats of losing their regained agricultural land to resettled Arabs who took their lands during the Ba'ath regime's rule.



PUKMEDIA