The Iraqi government has removed Kurdish officials from local government and security positions in the disputed areas, replacing them with Arabs and Turkmen.
Most government positions in Kirkuk had been occupied by Kurds.
On October 16, 2017, the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi forces returned to Kirkuk, Jalawla, Khanaqin, Makhmur, and Shingal, which are defined as disputed areas in the Iraqi constitution. Kurds consider them Kurdistani areas outside the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)’s remit.
The Iraqi government began removing Kurdish officials soon after the takeover. The first position to change hands was Kirkuk governor. Up to 50 Kurdish officials have since been removed from their posts.
The withdrawal of Peshmerga forces from the disputed areas has created security gaps, which are being exploited by ISIS remnants.
“People now want the Peshmerga to return. They consider the Peshmerga more important than positions of power,” said Samir Mohammed, head of the Khanaqin town council.
“People have forgotten about posts previously occupied by Kurds because they are having a bitter life due to the absence of the Peshmerga,” he added.
Following the events of October 16, councilors of towns of Qaratapa, Jalawla, and Mandali were removed. The Iraqi government was gentler on Kurdish officials in Khanaqin – possibly because they are mostly Shiites.
Meanwhile in Makhmour, Rizgar Ismael, the town’s mayor, has flatly denied any Kurdish officials had been removed.
Shingal, Sinune, and Giruzer have all seen new appointments. Hashd al-Shaabi, a majority Shiite paramilitia, appointed three officials to run government affairs in these towns. The Mosul governor and provincial council, however, continue to deal with the removed officials – not the Hashd appointees.
Mahma Khalil, mayor of Shingal, said he is the legitimate official in his town and that Nineveh provincial council and the governor deal with him.
The three Hashd appointees are Yazidi Kurds associated with Hashd.
“We do our work daily. Last month, 33 provincial council members called on the governor to make a decision so that we return to our places,” Khalil added.
A secret interior ministry order – number 17240 – was allegedly issued on February 18, 2018 commanding authorities reappoint positions in Kirkuk.
The order bears the signature of Dr Aqil Mahmud Khaz Ali, the Iraqi deputy interior minister. The order led to the removal of some Kurdish officials from their positions.
Brigadier General Khatab Omar, director of police in Kirkuk province, and Colonel Afrasyaw Kamil, police spokesperson, were allowed to remain in their positions.
“Nowadays, Baath party laws have returned to Kirkuk,” Ahmad Askari, member of Kirkuk provincial council, told Rudaw.
“Neither the constitution nor the law has value in Kirkuk. They can do anything they want. They refill these positions with Arabs and Turkmen because they see that the KDP and PUK officials are not returning to the city. But they also remove Kurds who are still there in their positions,” he added.
Askari said it is not only KDP officials who do not want to return to their positions in Kirkuk.
“There are even PUK officials who have not returned. Kirkuk’s health director is PUK and he has not returned. That is why an Arab national has been put in his place,” he said.
Amir Khwakaram, mayor of Daquq, who has also been removed from his position, said he was removed for raising the Kurdish flag and participating in the Kurdish independence referendum.
In Saladin province too, Hashd al-Shaabi removed the Kurdish mayor of Tuz Khurmatu and replaced him with a Turkmen.
“In the absence of Peshmerga forces there, we can do nothing, and no one would listen to us,” the removed mayor of Daquq said.
