BAGHDAD: Iraqi security forces have been mobilized in the northern oil city of Kirkuk to prevent further violence following a deadly clash between ethnic groups that left four protesters dead. The clashes erupted after days of tensions.
Amir Shwani, the spokesperson for Kirkuk police, said in a statement that a curfew has been lifted, allowing vehicular movement to return to normal in the city on Sunday. However, in a precautionary measure, additional troops have been deployed on the streets to “prevent violence and protect civilians,” he emphasized.
The source of the dispute revolves around a building in Kirkuk, formerly the headquarters of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), but subsequently repurposed as an Iraqi army base since 2017.
Military Helicopters Patrolling Over Kirkuk City
Reports indicate that military helicopters have been patrolling over the city, further underscoring the heightened security posture in Kirkuk.
Shwani confirmed that the violent clashes had resulted in the tragic loss of four lives, with an additional 15 individuals sustaining injuries. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that police have made several detentions of individuals who participated in the confrontations, although police authorities have yet to comment on these reported arrests.
Kirkuk, an oil-rich province situated in northern Iraq, is situated along the volatile boundary lines between the Kurdish autonomous region and areas controlled by Iraq’s central government. It has endured a history of some of the most intense post-ISIS violence in the country.
