“The Iraqi government urges all the parties to respect the legal articles and sections of the Iraqi constitution. We also stress the national, ethnic, religious, and sectarian co-existence of the city and insist on dialogue and talks and reject this unilateral decision as we want the city to become an example of co-existence across Iraq and the region,” Abadi said in a press conference on Tuesday after a meeting of his Council of Ministers where the issue of raising the Kurdistan Region flag in Kirkuk was discussed.
He reiterated that Baghdad rejects what he called a unilateral decision made by the local Kirkuk government.
“The Council of Ministers expresses its insistence for the basis of protecting the unity of Iraq, its sovereignty, and togetherness. To fulfill these major ambitions, we take legal and constitutional measures.”
Saying that he has asked Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim to lower the flag, Abadi continued, “I know remorse from this decision is an unpleasant attitude and some people believe it will be an odd thing, but it is the other way around.”
According to Abadi, he told Karim: “I am the prime minister of all Iraqis and you are the governor of all the people of Kirkuk, it is not a success if you become biased in favor of a particular group and turn your back on other groups… There is now an opportunity to lower the flag because you raised it in the days of Newroz. The Newroz festival ended and you gained something in this national feast during which you raised a national flag, which is a very respectable act and we are proud of the Kurds who are a main part of Iraq.”
Noting that the nation’s various security forces, including the Iraqi army, Peshmerga, police, and Hashd al-Shaabi were working together to defeat ISIS, Abadi urged unity. “We need unity now more than ever,” he declared.
Kirkuk Provincial Council voted on Tuesday to reject Baghdad’s call to lower the Kurdish flag that has been hoisted over government buildings alongside the Iraqi banner.
Kirkuk authorities maintain that they are legally permitted to raise both flags as they are a disputed area as defined by the Iraqi constitution. Baghdad argues that, as a disputed area, they come under the administration of Baghdad and should only fly the Iraqi flag.
