Kirkuk’s politicians: We demand the Turkish Ambassador be tried

Kirkuk’s political circles are protesting the Turkish Ambassador Fatih Yildiz’s comments about Kirkuk that reflect their aims for an invasion, “Kirkuk is our ancestral land”.

Turkish Ambassador to Baghdad Fatih Yildiz, who observed the Eid prayer in Kirkuk, said Kirkuk is their “ancestral land”. The Central Iraqi Government or the Regional Kurdish Administration did not react to these comments, but Kirkuk’s political circles condemn the silence of the central and local governments’ regarding Yildiz’s comments that show a desire to invade Kirkuk.

Political circles spoke to the ANF and said an investigation should be launched against Yildiz.

“THIS MEANS AN INVASION”

Popular Democracy Front Executive Council Member Zamo Kerkûkî spoke about the matter and said that the ambassador’s comments exposed a desire they have to invade Kirkuk. Kerkûkî added that the visit to the Turkmen forces shows their intention to rid the Kurds of influence in Kirkuk.

Goran Movement’s Kirkuk representative Mihemed Golderi said Yildiz’s comments are concerning, that Turkey aims to revive the invasion period of old and that they see Kirkuk as their property.

“SILENCE ENCOURAGES THEM”

Golderi stated that Yildiz was encouraged to make these comments by the silence of political parties and stressed that if there had been the courage to remove Turkish soldiers from Southern Kurdistan, these comments wouldn’t have been made, and that this discourse on Kirkuk today can be repeated tomorrow for Mosul and Baghdad.

“SHOULD BE TRIED”

PUK’s Kirkuk Representative Mela Mehmûd said Fatih Yildiz’s comments constitute crimes as cited in the constitution and laws, and that Yildiz should be put on trial by Iraq.

“IRAQ SHOULD SHOW SERIOUS REACTION”

Tevgera Azadî Kurdistan Diplomacy Officer for Kirkuk Hisên Kerküki said Turkish Ambassador Fatih Yildiz is engaged in espionage and not diplomatic activity in Hewlêr, and added that the Iraqi government should show a serious stance against Turkish invasionism.