Error occured during this request! Please try again later.
SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Kurds displaced from their homes in Tuz Khurmatu are doubtful that an investigative committee formed by the Iraqi parliament will be able to hold to account those who committed crimes against them.
"We have no hopes for the committee. Whatever committee has visited us has only given pledges. Everything in this Iraq has only become shiny words,” said ‘Govand,’ who preferred to remain anonymous.
On October 16 and the days after, when Iraqi forces and Hashd al-Shaabi militias took control of the disputed areas, Kurds in the diverse city of Tuz Khurmatu were targeted – their homes and businesses were burnt, looted, or confiscated.
The Kurdistan Region’s parliament has labeled it genocide.
The Iraqi parliament formed an investigative committee. Earlier this month, with Iraq’s Minister of Immigrants and the Displaced, visited the city to start their investigation.
The committee is composed of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen, to reflect the ethnic composition of the city. More than 181,000 people were displaced from Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu. Exact return figures are not readily available, as many live with host families in the Kurdistan Region and have not registered with the KRG or the UN migration agencies.
The displaced Kurds point the finger of blame at the Hashd al-Shaabi, especially Asaib Ahl al-Haq – one of the largest factions in the group.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq is headed by Qais al-Khazali, a figure known for his harsh anti-Western and anti-Persian Gulf state rhetoric.
"No, they won't take the criminals to the court,” said ‘Drust,’ who argued that Iraq is ruled by Shiites, and the groups who perpetuated the crimes were Shiites, so they won’t hold themselves accountable.
Another IDP expressed a lack of trust in the Iraqi judicial system.
"No. Because in this Iraq, the rule of law is not sovereign. Law has become like a fish net. It only captures the small, not the big. I don't ever believe in these committees,” Jwamer lamented.
The IDPs, however, collectively agreed that the internal situation of the town is stable now that Iraq’s Rapid Forces Division have taken security matters into their hands and have a watchful eye over the Hashd .
They revealed that the Iraqi Security Forces allow people with families into Tuz more easily than a person who goes to the city as a single individual because the families aren’t typically required to present documents.
The IDPs said there are ISIS movements around the town in addition to the Shiite paramilitaries.
Darawan added that Kurds in Tuz have painted "Shiite Turkmen" on their homes to prevent their homes being confiscated or attacked up to this day, and that some homes are occupied by Hashed militias and officials.
However, they all agreed that the Kurds won’t have the same strong posture like before, and that disrespecting Kurdish symbols has become a daily phenomenon.
"We were the government in Tuz prior to October 16. You don't dare to go back in Kurdish clothes or with the Kurdish flag now,” Darawan said.
The Kurds won’t go back until Kurdish security forces are able to provide safety.
"Never. Even if you go back you won't have the same posture like before. You won't be able to hoist the Kurdistan flag. Even if you go back you won't have any authority,” Jwamer posited. "It is a very widespread phenomenon to disrespect the Kurdish flag, Kurdish clothes.”
Tuz Khurmatu, in Saladin province, is a disputed or Kurdistani area. It is claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad.
Iraq will hold provincial elections on May 12. People from Saladin will send 12 representatives to the Iraqi parliament.
Related: Tuz Khurmatu IDPs want to vote for Kurdish parties – albeit begrudgingly
"We have no hopes for the committee. Whatever committee has visited us has only given pledges. Everything in this Iraq has only become shiny words,” said ‘Govand,’ who preferred to remain anonymous.
On October 16 and the days after, when Iraqi forces and Hashd al-Shaabi militias took control of the disputed areas, Kurds in the diverse city of Tuz Khurmatu were targeted – their homes and businesses were burnt, looted, or confiscated.
The Kurdistan Region’s parliament has labeled it genocide.
The Iraqi parliament formed an investigative committee. Earlier this month, with Iraq’s Minister of Immigrants and the Displaced, visited the city to start their investigation.
The committee is composed of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen, to reflect the ethnic composition of the city. More than 181,000 people were displaced from Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu. Exact return figures are not readily available, as many live with host families in the Kurdistan Region and have not registered with the KRG or the UN migration agencies.
The displaced Kurds point the finger of blame at the Hashd al-Shaabi, especially Asaib Ahl al-Haq – one of the largest factions in the group.
Asaib Ahl al-Haq is headed by Qais al-Khazali, a figure known for his harsh anti-Western and anti-Persian Gulf state rhetoric.
"No, they won't take the criminals to the court,” said ‘Drust,’ who argued that Iraq is ruled by Shiites, and the groups who perpetuated the crimes were Shiites, so they won’t hold themselves accountable.
Another IDP expressed a lack of trust in the Iraqi judicial system.
"No. Because in this Iraq, the rule of law is not sovereign. Law has become like a fish net. It only captures the small, not the big. I don't ever believe in these committees,” Jwamer lamented.
The IDPs, however, collectively agreed that the internal situation of the town is stable now that Iraq’s Rapid Forces Division have taken security matters into their hands and have a watchful eye over the Hashd .
They revealed that the Iraqi Security Forces allow people with families into Tuz more easily than a person who goes to the city as a single individual because the families aren’t typically required to present documents.
The IDPs said there are ISIS movements around the town in addition to the Shiite paramilitaries.
Darawan added that Kurds in Tuz have painted "Shiite Turkmen" on their homes to prevent their homes being confiscated or attacked up to this day, and that some homes are occupied by Hashed militias and officials.
However, they all agreed that the Kurds won’t have the same strong posture like before, and that disrespecting Kurdish symbols has become a daily phenomenon.
"We were the government in Tuz prior to October 16. You don't dare to go back in Kurdish clothes or with the Kurdish flag now,” Darawan said.
The Kurds won’t go back until Kurdish security forces are able to provide safety.
"Never. Even if you go back you won't have the same posture like before. You won't be able to hoist the Kurdistan flag. Even if you go back you won't have any authority,” Jwamer posited. "It is a very widespread phenomenon to disrespect the Kurdish flag, Kurdish clothes.”
Tuz Khurmatu, in Saladin province, is a disputed or Kurdistani area. It is claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad.
Iraq will hold provincial elections on May 12. People from Saladin will send 12 representatives to the Iraqi parliament.
Related: Tuz Khurmatu IDPs want to vote for Kurdish parties – albeit begrudgingly
Comments
Rudaw moderates all comments submitted on our website. We welcome comments which are relevant to the article and encourage further discussion about the issues that matter to you. We also welcome constructive criticism about Rudaw.
To be approved for publication, however, your comments must meet our community guidelines.
We will not tolerate the following: profanity, threats, personal attacks, vulgarity, abuse (such as sexism, racism, homophobia or xenophobia), or commercial or personal promotion.
Comments that do not meet our guidelines will be rejected. Comments are not edited – they are either approved or rejected.
Post a comment