ERBIL - The federal government issued a decree on Sunday to remove the head of Kirkuk Traffic Police Directorate, replacing him with another official.

Confirming to Kurdistan 24, Major Sherzad, former head of the department in the disputed Kurdish province of Kirkuk, pointed out that the decision was made by the Iraqi Interior Ministry, noting that he would stick to the decree even though he did not intend to leave his office, he said.

Sherzad was appointed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). However, it has not been clarified why the Kurdish official was removed.

Since last year's October events, in which the Iraqi army and pro-Iranian Shi'ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi overran the disputed Kurdish territories, over 50 Kurdish officials have been dismissed in the area.

Bas News