ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdish blocs in the Iraqi parliament have called on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to take urgent steps to halt aggression against the properties of Kurdish residents of Tuz Khurmatu being done by Shiite militia groups.
“We are calling on the prime minister of Iraq to take urgent and just steps to help stop aggression against the properties of citizens in [Tuz Khurmatu] and bring those perpetrators who have done these acts to justice, especially in Tuz Khurmatu,” the Kurdish parliamentary blocs said in a published statement.
They also demanded all groups in the town be disarmed, except for the local police.
The Kurdish blocs also demanded “quick assessment” of the extent of the damage and work done to allow displaced people to return home – including offering compensation.
Co-existence in these areas faces a real threat, they stated, “because if civilians do not feel comfortable and are not sure about their dignity, lives and houses, they will not return to their places.”
The Kurdish parties also warned of the spread of “deadly diseases” among those families who are sheltering temporarily in places unsuitable to survive the winter.
“As a month has passed since the events, nothing has been done on the ground and no serious measures have been taken by the Iraqi government to help return hope for the Kurdish people and no investigation has been carried out against those who burned and blew up and looted their households, properties and shops.”
Iraqi forces, including the Hashd al-Shaabi, took over control of disputed areas in Kirkuk, Diyala, and Nineveh provinces since October 16 including Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Tuz Khurmatu, Makhmour, Zummar, and Shingal.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) warned at the time of the possibility of a humanitarian crisis if confrontation and insecurity escalate in the disputed areas, causing more people to flee their homes.
When clashes broke out after the federal forces' takeover, Abadi claimed only one "incident" had taken place, but it "did not lead to a confrontation."
“I warn, and I repeat my warning, any aggression against our citizens in Kirkuk, be it Kurds, Turkmen, Arab, or Christian, is an aggression against us... We will not allow this aggression.”
The United Nations and Human Rights Watch reported civilian deaths, looting, arson, and forced displacements, mainly of Kurds, in Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu.
A Kurdish MP in the Iraqi parliament, Aram Sheikh Mohammed, called on Abadi to deploy special forces of the Iraqi army to take control of Tuz in cooperation with local police in early November.
