Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Kirkuk MP in the Iraqi Parliament Mihemed Hecî Osman responded to Erdoğan’s comments that Kurds “have no right there, they are in an occupying position”. Mihemed Hecî Osman spoke to the ANF about Erdoğan’s comments and said: “These are the first words of malign intent. If they are considering an invasion, here we are, they are welcome.”

“ERDOĞAN SHOULD LOOK UP IRAQ’S HISTORY”

Osman stated that in order to understand the reality of Kirkuk better, one needs to look at history, and added that Kurds have come up in first place in all elections held in Iraq. Osman said: “For a long time now, Erdoğan and Erdoğanists have been trying to push Kurds out of Kirkuk like former regimes of Iraq did. But the former regimes in Iraq failed, and became fugitives themselves, having to leave Kirkuk in the end. In 1921, so since the founding of Iraq, in all elections Kurds have come up in first place in Kirkuk. During the republic, during the kingdom, during coups and during the Saddam era. In elections from the 1930’s and 40’s until the Saddam coup, Kurds had the highest percentage of the vote.”

SEAT DISTRIBUTION IN THE IRAQI PARLIAMENT

Osman also spoke about the current representation in Kirkuk and said: “After Saddam’s exiles, when we returned to Kirkuk in 2003, this situation stayed the same. Right now, Kirkuk has 13 seats in the Iraqi parliament. One of these goes to the Syriacs with the quota. From the remaining 12, 8 belong to the Kurds. This is evidence, these are documents.”

“HERE WE ARE, HE IS WELCOME”

Osman addressed Erdoğan and asked, “How can a man who calls himself a ‘world leader’ lie like this? How can he feel this is appropriate for himself?” Osman continued: “If this is what is called politics, it’s not. These words serve only one goal: To invade Kirkuk. To confiscate the riches of Kirkuk. There is no other interpretation. These are the first words of malign intent. But if they do have such an idea, here we are. As long as there is one last Kurd left, we won’t give up Kirkuk. It is our ancestors’ land.”

ONLY WAY OUT FOR OUR PEOPLE: NATIONAL UNITY

Iraqi Parliament MP Mihemed Hecî Osman stated that Erdoğan’s true face has been exposed in Northern Kurdistan and added: “Any Kurdish political forces or parties who still have hopes for Erdoğan should see his true intention already. This man is the enemy of Kurds and Kurdistan. He can’t be a friend. What else is needed to see this fact? The events in Northern Kurdistan are out there for all to see. Erdoğan is responsible for these. If he can, he will do the same in Southern Kurdistan. In the face of all these, our people have only one way out, and that is national unity.

WHAT DID ERDOĞAN SAY ABOUT KIRKUK?

Erdoğan spoke on the plane on his way back from Iran and said the following about Kirkuk:

“The Kurds have no legal claim there. Actually their position right now is that of the invader. They have power, and they have always had the aspiration to enter Kirkuk using that power. But right now, the central government will take the necessary steps for Kirkuk. Our meetings continue with Iraq and Iran. Whatever the necessary steps are, they will be taken. We will step in for Kirkuk and for Mosul.”