After the decision by governor Najmaldin Karim, Kirkuk resident are also set to vote in the independence referendum for Southern Kurdistan scheduled for September 25. Although Kirkuk is a Kurdish majority city, the city is also home to significant Turkmen and Sunni Arab population. Therefore the decision to participate in the referendum caused high tensions in the city.

Kirkuk’s Security Committee decided to ban all propaganda activities related to the controversial referendum at night-time.

The committee said that there is a high security situation in Kirkuk and in order to prevent attacks and provocations the propaganda activities are banned at night-time.

The Committee’s decision followed the killing of a pro-independence Kurdish youth in front of Iraqi Turkmen Front main office in Kirkuk city Monday night. The slain Kurdish youth Raid Ebdulqadir Ebdurrahman was in a convoy touring the city to support pro-independence campaign.

Eye witnesses said gunman stationed  in Iraqi Turkmen Front building opened fire on the convoy.