Tensions are on the rise in the Nouruz neighborhood of Kirkuk as reports confirm an ongoing crisis, with a significant Iraqi army presence attempting to forcibly relocate seven families of their relatives into homes belonging to Kurds. The situation has escalated, prompting legal intervention, as the dispute is elevated to the courts.

Kurdistan24's correspondent in Kirkuk, Soran Kamran, reports that the seven houses have not yet been returned to their rightful owners. The Iraqi military, accompanied by the police, is stationed in front of these homes, exacerbating tensions in the area. At the heart of the matter is the alleged attempt by the Iraqi army to expel Kurds from the neighborhood, which has been home to 120 Kurdish families since 2003.

Yesterday, on January 4, 2024, the Iraqi army made three arrests in the Nouruz neighborhood, detaining Kurdish citizens who resisted the army's attempt to seize their homes. The military justified its actions by claiming that these properties fell under the jurisdiction of the federal defense ministry. Raids on several Kurdish homes in Nouruz ensued, with residents asserting their ownership dating back 21 years.

Residents argue that the Iraqi army is deliberately creating problems in the neighborhood to force Kurdish families out. One resident firmly stated, "We will not vacate our homes in Kirkuk and allow them to be taken over, even if tanks roll over our bodies."

A released detainee recounted the army's threats involving intelligence agencies and highlighted the severe reaction faced by those resisting eviction.

Sources indicate that the military possesses an order from the Iraqi Defense Ministry to evacuate these houses. The substantial deployment of Iraqi military forces in the streets of Nouruz, Kirkuk, adds to the mounting tensions.

This development follows a series of events where Iraqi forces demanded residents to evacuate their homes, claiming they belonged to former Iraqi regime officers. Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Shakhwan Abdullah has engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, urging a swift resolution to the escalating crisis in Nouruz. The situation remains fluid, and the international community closely monitors the evolving developments in Kirkuk.