LAST NEWS ABOUT KIRKUK/ KURDISTAN

[Anthea]

Land return law finalized within 2 days

The land restitution law recently ratified by the Iraqi presidency that seeks to return properties confiscated under the Baath regime to its original owners is set to be implemented imminently as all obstacles have been addressed, Iraq’s second deputy parliament speaker said on Monday

“I spoke with the justice minister three days ago, and the Official Gazette will publish it. When it is implemented, the first step will be to cancel the contracts for Arab settlers, and the government will take measures to return the lands,” Shakhawan Abdullah told Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda in Washington.

The Iraqi parliament in January passed amendments to three controversial laws demanded by the Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds. The laws in question were general amnesty, personal status, and a bill proposed by the federal government aimed at returning land confiscated under the Baath regime to its original owners.

The land restitution law, a key Kurdish demand, aims to return properties to their original Kurdish and Turkmen owners. These lands were taken from them and given to Arab settlers by the Baath Revolutionary Command Council decades ago

“The law will be published within the next two days and there are no longer any obstacles to its implementation,” Abdullah said.

Last week, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court dismissed an appeal challenging the validity of the voting procedures and paved the way for President Abdul Latif Rashid to ratify the laws.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/17022025

[Anthea]

Kurdish bloc of Iraqi parliament

gathers with Kirkuk farmers

A delegation from the Kurdish blocs in the Iraqi parliament visited villages northwest of Kirkuk province on Tuesday to express solidarity with Kurdish farmers who were forcibly prevented from accessing their confiscated lands the previous day

The delegation included representatives from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the Kurdistan Islamic Union, the Justice Group, the Kurdistan Communist Party, and the New Generation blocs in the Iraqi Parliament.

“We strongly condemn the unjustified attack on Kurdish farmers in Shinagha [village] and Sargaran [subdistrict] yesterday by a group of Iraqi army personnel, who prevented them from cultivating their lands which they inherited from their ancestors,” the Kurdish lawmakers told reporters on Tuesday.

Tensions in the regions northwest of Kirkuk escalated on Monday when Iraqi security forces blocked Kurdish farmers from accessing their farmland. Raw footage filmed by Rudaw showed Iraqi army and anti-riot forces clashing with civilians. In one instance, an Iraqi security officer is seen as trying to forcibly remove a local from his tractor.

The lawmakers emphasized that the forced prevention of Kurdish farmers from entering their lands “is a clear violation of the [Iraqi] constitution, applicable laws and human rights standards.”

The recent clashes come despite recent advancements in Iraq’s legislature, including the passage of the Property Restitution Law last month, which notably went into effect on Tuesday.

The law aims to return lands seized, in Kirkuk and other disputed areas, during the Baath era to their original Kurdish and Turkmen owners. These lands were previously given to Arab settlers, a tactic believed to have been part of the Baathist regime’s efforts to alter the demographic makeup in disputed regions.

The lawmakers argued that the Iraqi forces’ actions contradict the recently-passed land restitution law, which guarantees citizens the right to work on their lands without restrictions.

The Kurdish blocs also called on the Iraqi political forces to take a “clear and firm position” on these violations and to address the incident responsibly, stressing that such violations “pose a direct threat to peace and societal stability in Kirkuk.” They also emphasized they will be resorting to all constitutional and legal means to follow up on this issue.

This is not the first such incident. In November, Iraqi armed forces also blocked farmers from preparing their fields for the winter season. At that time, Kurdish farmers accused Arab settlers of preventing them from accessing their lands.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/180220254

[Anthea]

Recent violations against

Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani presided over a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, with Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani in attendance, according to an official statement from the KRG

At the outset, Prime Minister Barzani addressed recent violations against indigenous Kurdish farmers in the villages of Sargaran district, Kirkuk province. Condemning the reported incidents of rape and obstruction, he stated, “This behavior is unconstitutional, illegal, and unacceptable. We oppose all forms of oppression against farmers who are the rightful owners of their land and must have the right to freely cultivate and use their property, as well as that of their ancestors.”

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the prime minister emphasized that all obstacles faced by farmers should be removed in accordance with Law No. 3 of 2025, recently passed by the Iraqi House of Representatives. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the lands are returned to their rightful owners through legal channels

The meeting also covered the KRG delegation’s recent participation in the World Government Summit in Dubai, held from February 11th to 13th. The high-level delegation, led by Prime Minister Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Talabani, engaged in discussions on governance, economic development, and cooperation with international partners.

In the second segment of the meeting, a joint committee report between the KRG and the Federal Government was presented. The report focused on regulatory quality control measures and the classification of contractors, with relevant ministries outlining their recommendations for improvements in these sectors.

Additionally, Acting Minister of Natural Resources Kamal Mohammad Salih provided an update on a joint meeting held in Erbil regarding the implementation of Law No. 5 of 2025, the first amendment to the federal budget law concerning oil exports

The Council of Ministers reaffirmed its support for the implementation of the amendment to Article 12 of the Federal Budget Law and reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s demand for the resumption of oil exports.

Officials highlighted that the ongoing halt in oil exports since March 2023 has resulted in billions of dollars in lost revenue for Iraq. To expedite a resolution, the Council instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources to collaborate closely with the Federal Ministry of Oil to finalize procedures and mechanisms for the immediate resumption of oil exports.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/82 ... -in-kirkuk

[Anthea]

Farmers Must Access Ancestral Lands

Kurdistan Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Wednesday chaired a cabinet meeting to discuss various topics, including the situation of Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk, who have faced aggressive military action by the Iraqi army

During the meeting, the Council of Ministers denounced recent aggression against Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk’s Sargaran town and called the acts unconstitutional and illegal. It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting landowners’ rights.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting alongside Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, PM Barzani stressed that indigenous farmers must be allowed to cultivate their ancestral lands without interference. “We oppose all forms of oppression against farmers, who are the rightful owners of their lands,” he said.

The prime minister reiterated the KRG’s commitment to enforcing Law No. 3 of 2025, which repeals Ba’ath-era land confiscation policies and mandates the return of seized properties. He called for an end to obstacles preventing farmers from reclaiming their land.

[Anthea]

We Never Left Kirkuk
The KDP Has Always Been Here

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In an address, Fazil Mirani, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Politburo’s Administrative Body, declared during the reopening of the KDP’s Kirkuk-Garmiyan organizational office that the party never abandoned Kirkuk—even during the city’s most turbulent times

His remarks underscored the party’s long-standing presence and commitment to the diverse communities of Kirkuk and to the broader Kurdish national cause.

“We did not return to Kirkuk—because we never left,” Mirani proclaimed, drawing resounding applause. “The KDP has always been in Kirkuk, and we continue to be here. We must look at ourselves through the eyes of the people, not only politically but also in terms of administration and national responsibility.”

The ceremony, held on Saturday at the newly reopened office on Arafah Street, marked the KDP’s formal return to Kirkuk after an eight-year hiatus following the October 16, 2017 events. Yet, for Mirani, the party’s essence and presence never departed—only its physical offices did.

Mirani used the occasion to reflect on the deep roots of Kurdish identity in Kirkuk. He emphasized that Kurdish nationalism, a pillar of the KDP’s vision, is not merely tied to party structures but lives on through the people’s growing awareness and sense of belonging. “Inside the Kurdistan Region, we speak of party activity,” he said, “but outside it, our discourse is national.”

He urged political actors to focus on the substance of governance, rather than superficial optics. “We must judge ourselves based on the essence of our actions, not just their surface. We must be accountable to our people—politically, administratively, and nationally.”

Highlighting the KDP’s historical and military role in defending Kirkuk, Mirani recalled how the province turned to President Masoud Barzani and the Peshmerga during the fight against ISIS. “When ISIS threatened Kirkuk, it was the people of this province who called on President Barzani to send Peshmerga forces. They defended Kirkuk all the way until the battle for Mosul,” he noted.

He took a critical tone when addressing attempts to marginalize the Kurdish presence in Kirkuk, warning that some political actors are building influence on the back of Kurdish fragility. “Those who think themselves powerful today are standing on the fragility of the Kurds. If they were truly strong, they wouldn’t need to violate the constitution or monopolize salaries and food distribution,” he said pointedly

Must be referring to the TRAITOR Bafel Talabani

Mirani also offered a message of self-reflection to the Kurdish political establishment. “We must ask ourselves why our rights are being denied. Why have we succeeded in some areas? We often focus on the outcomes but ignore the underlying causes. We must understand the roots, not just the results.”

In a stirring conclusion, he stressed the KDP’s dedication to unity, reconciliation, and internal accountability. “We believe in returning to ourselves, because unity and reconciliation are essential to rebuilding Kurdish strength and revitalizing the parliament and government of the Kurdistan Region. Only then can we bring back those who have turned away from the alliance.”

The reopening of the Kirkuk-Garmiyan Office—attended by senior party leaders and local supporters—was more than a symbolic gesture. It was a reaffirmation of the KDP’s enduring role in Kirkuk and its ongoing mission to promote national unity, constitutional rights, and inclusive governance in one of Iraq’s most contested and culturally rich regions.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... zil-mirani

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Kurdish Defiance Turns to
Victory in Kirkuk Land Case

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a landmark decision underscoring the complex and often fraught dynamics of land ownership in Kurdistani territories that are outside the Kurdistan Region’s administrative control, the Court of Dibis District in Kirkuk Province issued a ruling on Sunday affirming the rightful ownership of a contested plot of land by three Kurdish farmers from the village of Shenagha in the Sargaran subdistrict

The case had drawn significant local attention, stemming from a legal complaint lodged four months earlier by Arab settlers who alleged that the farmers had illegally seized the land.

The dispute, rooted in longstanding tensions over property rights and demographic engineering, saw the Kurdish farmers detained for several days by local Kirkuk authorities before being released on bail. However, following a thorough legal review and presentation of key evidence, the court concluded that the land indeed belongs to the Kurdish claimants.

Youssef Hassan Shawani, a volunteer lawyer representing the farmers, confirmed the outcome in a statement to Kurdistan24. “The court reviewed all the evidence and testimonies and ruled in favor of the Kurdish farmers,” he stated. “Witness accounts and land documents clearly demonstrated that they had legitimate ownership, while the Arab plaintiffs were found to have registered the land illegally.”

Shawani further noted that the Arab individuals who filed the lawsuit were not original inhabitants of Kirkuk, adding weight to allegations that they were part of a broader trend of post-2003 Arab settlement aimed at altering the region’s demographic composition.

The ruling has been hailed as a significant victory for Kurdish residents in the area, many of whom have faced legal and physical pressure amid ongoing disputes over land once confiscated under Saddam Hussein’s Arabization policies. Although some of that land has since been returned to its original owners, unresolved property claims continue to stoke tensions between communities.

This ruling also comes against a tense backdrop in the same village. As previously reported by Kurdistan24, tensions escalated in February when the Iraqi army attempted to forcibly prevent Kurdish farmers in Shenagha from accessing and cultivating their land.

Visual documentation captured by Kurdistan24 showed Iraqi soldiers confronting unarmed farmers, with one widely shared video showing a soldier attempting to drag a farmer off his tractor. The farmer defiantly responded, “Even if I die, I will not get down from the tractor!” — a moment that quickly became emblematic of the farmers’ resilience.

In response to the Iraqi army’s intervention, the Kurdistan Region’s leadership, including President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, condemned the actions as unconstitutional and reminiscent of the Ba’ath-era injustices.

President Barzani, in a powerful statement, warned that such behavior evokes “painful memories of the Anfal campaign and chemical attacks.” The Kurdistan Region Presidency and the KRG Prime Minister's Office also issued statements condemning the military interference and calling for immediate accountability

Amid the military escalation back in February, Kurdish farmers in Shenagha issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Iraqi army to withdraw from the village, vowing to resume cultivation even if it meant risking their lives. Local and national leaders rallied to their defense, with Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Shakhawan Abdullah relaying President Barzani’s support directly to the affected farmers.

Mohammed Ismail, a representative of the Sargaran farmers, had earlier highlighted the difficult conditions faced by local agricultural workers. “Restrictions imposed by military forces have made farming increasingly difficult,” he told Kurdistan24. “This ruling is a step in the right direction, but the broader environment remains hostile and uncertain.”

The broader implications of the Shenagha standoff and subsequent court ruling cannot be overstated. As Kurdistan24 previously reported, the Iraqi Parliament recently passed a bill aimed at returning lands confiscated under Ba’athist policies to their rightful Kurdish owners—a significant step toward reversing decades of demographic manipulation. Yet, as recent events demonstrate, legal reforms alone are insufficient without enforcement and institutional restraint.

The court’s decision is expected to set an important legal precedent for future land disputes in Kirkuk and other disputed areas. It also underscores the critical need for continued vigilance, media scrutiny, and legal advocacy in ensuring justice for communities historically marginalized by state policies.

While the case may be closed in court, the larger question of land justice in Kirkuk remains unresolved, with many Kurdish families still seeking restitution for lands lost during decades of forced displacement and demographic manipulation. Kurdistan24 remains committed to reporting these developments and giving voice to the communities on the front lines of this enduring struggle.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/83 ... -land-case

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Iraqi defense ministry sues Kirkuk Kurdish

farmer over insult allegation

Iraq’s defense ministry has filed a lawsuit against a Kurdish farmer in Kirkuk, who went viral for being pulled off his tractor, for allegedly insulting the Iraqi army, his lawyer said on Monday

Farmer Mohammed Amin, who is also the head of the farmers’ defense committee in Kirkuk’s northwestern Sargaran district, was forcefully pulled from his tractor by his scarf during a confrontation with the Iraqi army in mid-February. He was detained and later released on bail.

“The Iraqi defense ministry has officially filed a complaint against Mohammed Amin, claiming that he threw stones at soldiers and insulted the army,” his lawyer, Bashdar Hassan, told Rudaw.

“What is being claimed has no factual or legal basis,” Hassan added.

In February, tensions escalated in Sargaran when Iraqi security forces barred Kurdish farmers from accessing lands previously confiscated under the Baath regime.

Footage filmed by Rudaw showed Iraqi army and anti-riot forces clashing with residents of Shanagha village as they attempted to enter their farmland. In one scene, a security officer is seen trying to forcibly remove Amin from his tractor, pulling him by the scarf.

The farmer has given his statement at the local court and police station and is now awaiting the judge's decision on whether he will be released or remain in detention, according to Hassan.

The soldier who pulled Amin by his scarf also filed a complaint against him. Hassan said that the defense ministry has submitted a separate complaint in addition to the soldier’s.

Following the incident, Amin filed a complaint against the soldier, who was detained for several days before being released.

The crackdown on farmers drew sharp reactions from officials in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, prompting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani to task a special committee with probing the incident.

The Kurdistan Region Presidency at the time slammed the Iraqi forces’ crackdown on Kurdish farmers as “completely rejected and unacceptable.”

The Iraqi presidency in mid-February ratified the land restitution law aimed at returning lands confiscated under the Baath regime to their original owners.

The law pertains to 300,000 dunams of land belonging to Kurdish and Turkmen owners in Kirkuk and other disputed areas. The Sargaran sub-district includes 42 villages, five of which are at the center of the dispute.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/050520251