ERBIL — Iraqi security forces in the disputed Kurdish city of Kirkuk briefly arrested two young men on Tuesday for celebrating the Kurdistan Flag Day.

Every year on 17 December, Kurds around the world mark the Kurdistan Flag Day in special ceremonies.

According to a BasNews reporter, the young men had the Kurdistan flags on their motorcycles when the Iraqi security forces stopped them in Shoraw neighborhood of Kirkuk.

“They were taken under custody for three hours,” BasNews reporter said. “They were told that hosing Kurdistan flag in Kirkuk was not allowed.”

The same day, Kirkuk University authorities prevented the Kurdish students from celebrating Kurdistan Flag Day on campus.

Kurdistan Flag is recognized by the Iraqi Constitution. However, since October 2017 when the Iraqi army attacked the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk in retaliation for the “independence referendum”, restrictions for Kurds and their national symbols in Kirkuk are put in place.

BasNews