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Kirkuk
- In a press conference, the acting governor of Kirkuk, Rakan Al Jabouri, acknowledged that Kirkuk needs two more military divisions for the western and southern parts of the province, due to security issues. Since October 16, 2017, Kirkuk’s security has deteriorated dramatically. Al Jabouri also said that the recent floodings in Erbil ended in Kirkuk but “wiped out” Da’esh hideouts near Wadi al Shai area. However, according to the department of agriculture, nearly 231 dunams (58 Acres) of farmland has been damaged by flooding in Kirkuk’s Pirde (Altun Kopri) district. Losses are estimated at one billion Iraqi dinars, over 150 farms damaged.
- On Thursday, December 23th, Turkey’s ambassador to Iraq, Ali Rıza Güney, visited Kirkuk and held a meeting in the Turkmen Front headquarters, including meeting the acting governor al Jabouri. Observers criticized al Jabouri for attending a meeting inside the Turkmen Front building as the Turkish ambassador should have visited the governorate first. Photos showed al Jabouri on the side of the meeting, against the protocols. Turkey has been backing the Turkmen Front since its establishment in 1997.
- The Iraqi Sunni leader and current Speaker of the Parliament Mohammed al Halbousi, held two meetings with the Turkish-backed Turkmen Front to bring the party into his coalition before talks of a new government formation. According to sources, al Halbousi promised to pressure his ally, Kirkuk’s acting governor, to grant the Turkmen Front new posts in the administration if they would join his coalition. Al Halbousi led a Sunni list, al Taqaddum, in the recent parliamentary elections and aimed to win back the Speaker’s position in the next government. No official statement has been released yet since the meetings took place.
- The Iraqi Interior Ministry said it detained five Da’esh terrorists, including a physician’s assistant from the health department who treated wounded terrorists.
- Kirkuk’s police announced the arrest of a “main” drug dealing group consisting of eleven members, including four members from Baghdad. Kirkuk has become the main route for drug dealers since October 16, 2017, and Iranian-backed militias are accused of involvement.
- On Monday, December 20th, Iraq’s National Oil Company announced the renovation of ten oil fields in Kirkuk by the National Drilling Company. The project aims to increase oil production in the province, it has completed its work on the field “39 Khabaza.”
- After a lawsuit by the Iranian-backed militias, Kirkuk court sentenced a former Kurdish lawmaker Mohammed Osman “suspended” six months in prison based on “clean criminal records.” Osman was charged with “smearing” the Popular Mobilization Units (PMF) after holding a press conference as a lawmaker on October 16, 2017, addressing the atrocities committed against the Kurds.
- On Tuesday, December 21st, locals in the Quds neighborhood protested against Kirkuk’s administration for demolishing several homes that were built illegally. The protestors camped in tents and threatened to “expand” their protest. Under the current acting administration, thousands of homes have been constructed illegally in the southern part of the province since October 16, 2017.
Khanaqin
- The Diyala Operation Command warned of Da’esh increasing their attacks and taking advantage of the rainy season and bad weather, similar to those faced in Iraq last week. The command gave an order to “strengthen” the military posts in the region. In Kifri district, the Peshmerga forces discovered a mass grave belonging to the Iraqi security forces, killed in 2018 near Qarah Tapah town.
Makhmour
- On Sunday, December 19, Da’esh terrorists attacked two Iraqi army’s posts near the Makhmour district, resulting in the injury of a soldier after nearly an hour of fire exchange. The recent attack is the first after several joint security operations took place between the Iraqi army and the Peshmerga forces after deadly attacks in early December on both forces.
Shingal (Sinjar)
- Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhimi’s office announced the allocation of 28billion Iraqi dinar (19.1 million USD) to Shingal’s reconstruction. According to Kadhimi’s decree, Nineveh’s governor Ali al Jabouri will lead the reconstruction committee, focusing on roads and healthcare. However, Vian Dakheel, the Yazidi lawmaker, criticized the decision and said, “What is surprising is the decision to form a committee for the reconstruction in light of the presence of armed parties and factions, others coming from outside the borders, and an illegitimate local administration.” Separately, Kadhimi also appointed Iraq’s interior minister Othman al Ghanmi to conduct investigations for the region’s protests on December 12th after Turkish airstrikes.
- The Mayor of Shingal, Mehma Khalil, bashed officials from the Iraqi ministry of displacement and migration, for failing to provide fuel and new tents for the displaced Yazidis. In his press release, Khalil said 60% of the families that have returned to Shingal have yet to receive compensation which prevents the population from returning to their homes.