President Masoud Barzani Urges Inclusivity in Building Kirkuk Future
Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), has emphasized the need for inclusivity in building the future of the disputed Kurdish city of Kirkuk.
The Kurdish leader received representatives of different communities from Kirkuk on Thursday to discuss recent events in the province.
He stressed that the city of Kirkuk is a place of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and religious communities, read a statement released by the Barzani Headquarters yesterday.
He called for all parties to be allowed to take part in the management of the city and in building its future. President Barzani reiterated the need to resolve disagreements in the city through dialogue and within the framework of the country's constitution and laws.
Last week, members of the Kurdish community in Kirkuk city staged peaceful protests, calling for the reopening of the road connecting the city to Erbil. The road had been blocked the week prior by supporters of the pro-Iran Hashd al-Shaabi militia in response to the recent transfer of Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) headquarters in Kirkuk back to the party.
In a report, Human Rights Watch verified that during recent protests in the disputed Kurdish city of Kirkuk, Iraqi security forces opened fire on demonstrators without giving prior notice, leading to the loss of at least four Kurdish lives and injuries to 16 others.
