The PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) Politburo issued a statement on the developments in Tuz Khurmatu, taken over by the Iraqi army and the Hashd al-Shaabi in their reserve, with the burning of homes and shops, abductions and murders, and the feeding of chauvinism.

The statement said: “The Tuz Khurmatu district has come face to face with the chauvinist and sectarian grudge of some radical armed groups. These groups in question want to push their power under the name of Shiism.”

“THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES PUSHED OUT OF THEIR HOMES”

The statement continued:

“As noted by the United Nations (UN) and human rights organizations, after the calamity of October 16, Tuz Khurmatu, Kirkuk and other provinces came face to face with sectarian grudges more often, thousands of families were pushed out of their homes, hundreds of Kurdish houses were looted, set on fire and otherwise damaged. Dozens of civilian Kurds were martyred. And, some citizens cannot be heard from. Over two thousand Kurdish homes have been set on fire in the region.

The whole world knows that there is a map for the sectarian control from Tuz Khurmatu to Amirli, Suleyman Beg and Yengice after the war against ISIS.

But now, the region and the Kurds are coming face to face with the chauvinistic and sectarian grudge of a radical armed group that wants to impose themselves in the name of Shiism.

WARNING THAT “IT COULD LEAD TO GENOCIDE”

If the UN, the Iraqi government and parliament, and the US don’t intervene with the situation urgently, the sectarian fire could lead to a genocide for the Kurds in the disputed areas.”

DEMANDS

The PUK issued the following demands:

“- Rush to the aid of the people of Tuz Khurmatu under duress.

- A committee should be formed from the Iraqi Parliament to reveal the crimes that have been committed. The government should be given notice to prevent further crime, to punish the criminals and to compensate the victims.

- Kurdish politicians, officials and MPs should not meet with criminal armed group officials.

The PUK stresses once more to the people of Kurdistan that the union has objected to various armed groups entering Tuz Khurmatu. We have spent efforts for the armed groups to go back. But those who trade in blood and tears increase their insistence on invasion and killing.

Since October 16, we have helped the people of Tuz Khurmatu who have sought refuge in Germiyan, Sulaymaniyah, Chamchamal and other areas. The PUK still considers itself the true protector of the people of Tuz Khurmatu. In this context, the PUK will do anything to serve them throughout the world, in Iraq and in Kurdistan and have them return home.”