KIRKUK: The Iraqi Turkmen Front has called upon Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to implement decisive measures to enhance security in Kirkuk Governorate. This plea comes amidst escalating violence and threats targeting the Turkmen community, with demands for federal intervention to ensure protection and stability in the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Hassan Turan, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, highlighted a series of security breaches in Kirkuk that have specifically impacted the Turkmen community. In a press conference, Turan detailed incidents beginning with the assassination of Ahmed Taher on March 3, 2023, followed by a fire in the Grand Market in May, linked to the PKK and associated parties. He underscored a more recent attack on October 5, when Saygin Hajer Oglu, head of the Turkmen House, was injured by an explosive device, resulting in the loss of his leg.

Turan further reported an attack on October 18, when gunmen stormed the home of the brother of the general manag
er of Turkmen Eli TV, threatening and assaulting the family. These events, Turan argued, signify a concerted effort to silence Turkmen voices and destabilize the region. He urged the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to take control of Kirkuk, expel non-federal forces, and ensure media protection, particularly for Turkmen outlets.