On April 21, Arab settlers attacked Kurdish residents in Palkana village in the Dibis district of Kirkuk. The attacks aimed to confiscate and occupy Kurdish homes and land, part of the Iraqi government’s Arabization policy imposed on Kurds. This brutal behavior of these bandits has been carried out with the support of the Iraqi authorities, including Iranian-backed militias, the Iraqi army, and the imposed local administration by Baghdad on the Kurds of Kirkuk. These acts echo those of the former Iraqi regime led by the dictator Saddam Hussein.
I strongly condemn these attacks which injured more than ten Kurdish citizens who honorably defended their homes and land.
I would like to remind everyone that this recent assault on Kurds in Kirkuk and other similar attacks in recent years are the result of the betrayal of October 16, 2017 when certain elements in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) cooperated with Iran and the Iraqi government, allowing Iranian-backed militias and Iraqi forces to enter and occupy Kirkuk, committing atrocities against Kurdish population. Unfortunately, those who committed treason still have not been brought to justice.
Finally, I call on the Kurdish representation in Baghdad including the President of the Republic, the deputy speaker of parliament, Justice Minister and Kurdish lawmakers to remember their duties and service of the Kurdish people throughout Kurdistan.
Sierwan Najmaldin Karim
President,
Washington Kurdish Institute
April 22, 2023