Kirkuk: The Arab Opinion Council in Kirkuk has demanded that the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) issue an apology and work towards the release of Arabs who have been disappeared or detained in Erbil prisons.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Council’s demand follows the reopening of the Kirkuk-Garmian office of the KDP, which had been closed for eight years following the events of October 2017, known as the Imposition of Law Operation. During this operation, Iraqi federal forces took control of Kirkuk, leading to heightened tensions in the region. The Council emphasized that the KDP should learn from past events and avoid reverting to its previous policies.

The Arab Opinion Council has also called for the release of Arabs who were allegedly kidnapped during the KDP’s previous presence in the governorate before the Imposition of Law Operation. It urged that these individuals be handed over to Iraqi courts for the proper consideration of their cases.

Additionally, the Council urged the leadership of the KDP to apologize for its past policies and to commit to not repeating them. It emphasized the need for opening a new chapter focused on promoting peaceful coexistence among the different components of society. The Council also highlighted the importance of affirming Kirkuk’s Iraqi identity and its affiliation with the federal government.