Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has expressed strong disapproval of the recent decision by Iraq's Federal Supreme Court, which temporarily halted the implementation of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's directive to transfer the Joint Operations Command center in Kirkuk to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). In a statement made on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, Barzani characterized the court's ruling as a "farce," marking a significant turn in the ongoing tensions surrounding Kirkuk.

The decision by Prime Minister Sudani in August, which aimed to return control of the building to the KDP, had faced fierce opposition from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and their supporters. This opposition had culminated in sit-in protests near the Joint Operations Command headquarters in Kirkuk, effectively blocking a crucial highway linking Kirkuk to Erbil. These protests escalated into confrontations, resulting in casualties among Kurdish protestors, with reports confirming at least four fatalities and 14 injuries.

The closure of the highway had also taken a toll on the livelihoods of the local population, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of the political dispute.

As the political landscape in Iraq gears up for provincial elections scheduled for December, the situation in Kirkuk remains highly fluid and charged with political tensions. Kirkuk holds immense significance for Kurdish parties striving to regain political influence in the region, particularly in light of the events of 2017 when Kurdish forces were forcibly expelled from the city.

The recent decision by Iraq's Federal Supreme Court adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious issue, further intensifying the rivalry between various political factions and raising concerns about the potential for further unrest in the Kirkuk region. The coming months are poised to be critical in determining the course of events and the future political landscape of Kirkuk and the Kurdistan Region.