Barzani Urges Iraqi Prime Minister to Intervene and Calls for Peaceful Coexistence in Kirkuk

Prominent Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, who serves as the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), issued a resolute statement on Saturday condemning the use of violence against Kurdish protestors in Kirkuk, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable and will carry severe consequences.

In his statement, Barzani stated unequivocally, "Using violence and killing Kurdish protestors in the city of Kirkuk is completely unacceptable and will lead to very bad consequences. Shedding the blood of our people in Kirkuk will have a heavy price."

Masoud Barzani underlined the Kurdistan Region's longstanding desire for Kirkuk to be a symbol of harmony and peaceful coexistence among all of the city's diverse communities. This vision underscores the commitment to fostering unity and understanding among the city's residents.

Furthermore, Barzani called upon Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to take immediate action and intervene to halt the aggression and violence directed at Kurdish protestors in Kirkuk. His plea for intervention is seen as a call for safeguarding the rights and safety of the Kurdish population in the city.

Today, Kurdish residents of Kirkuk expressed their dissatisfaction with the continued closure of the road connecting Kirkuk and Erbil. Regrettably, during the protests, law enforcement reportedly resorted to lethal force to disperse the demonstrators, leading to the tragic loss of one life and causing injuries to five protestors.

The road closure was initiated by supporters of the pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi militia five days ago. This action was a response to the handover of headquarters belonging to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to the party itself. The KDP had suspended political activities in Kirkuk following the city's takeover by the Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi militia in 2017.

As tensions persist in Kirkuk, international observers closely monitor the situation, hoping for a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of all communities in the city. Masoud Barzani's call for restraint and dialogue echoes the collective desire for a future in which Kirkuk can once again be a beacon of coexistence and harmony.