Iraq’s territories, which are disputed by both Baghdad and Erbil have long been a primary source of contention between Kurds and the Iraqi federal government. Among these territories, Kirkuk is most important one and both Baghdad and Erbil have locked horn over it. The oil-rich Kirkuk province lies outside of the official borders of the Kurd’s semi-autonomous territory and is home to Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen and Christians. The province has one of the biggest oil fields of Iraq, Baba Gurgur. Different ethnic groups like Kurds, Arab, Turkmen and Assyrians have conflicting claims on this city and all have their historical accounts and memories to strengthen their claims. The Turkmen of Iraq consider Kirkuk as their cultural capital as it was ruled by Seljuk Turks for many years and Assyrians see Kirkuk as their ancient capital of Arrapha. Kurds, on the other hand, refer to Kirkuk city as their “Jerusalem”, the city they lost and aspire to get back. Moreover, historically Kirkuk was also a point of intersection for Ottoman, Persian, and independent Kurdish tribal interests and influences. Kirkuk has always been a multi-ethnic vibrant city but now it has turned into one of the most significant unresolved issues in the Middle East.
The Kirkuk province always showcased Iraqi diversity. Now, however, it has become a ticking time bomb which can explode into a violent sectarian civil war. Violent clashes between Turkmen and Kurds have already started taking place in Kirkuk. Kurds are also very determined to include Kirkuk in Kurdistan. Tamr Hussein, a Kurdish journalist based in Erbil said Kurds will never give up Kirkuk and they are ready to defend the city against any attack. Moreover, Hussein added that if Baghdad wishes to mobilize forces to retake Kirkuk by force then the Peshmerga will respond appropriately. In the past Kirkuk was primarily a Kurdish city but as a result of the “Arabization” policy of Ba’athist regime the demography of the city changed drastically. The process of Arabization included uprooting native Kurds and the settlement of a large number of Arab families from other parts of Iraq in their place by providing large financial and economic incentives. But since the fall of Ba’athist regime Kurds have returned in good numbers, and in recent years they have consolidated control over Kirkuk. As Turkmen and Arabs are disputing the Kurdish claim over the city, a prominent challenge for Kurdish security forces has emerged from shia militias like- Hashd al-Shaabi and the Badr Brigade. These militias have a strong presence in Shiite areas in the south of Kirkuk and in the TuzKhormato area in the neighbouring Salahuddin province.
The growing threat of armed conflict and communal violence between different ethnic groups of Kirkuk suggests that it is high time for a mediated solution
The growing threat of armed conflict and communal violence between different ethnic groups of Kirkuk suggests that it is high time for a mediated solution. First of all, the Kurdistan Regional Government which controls the city needs to build confidence between Kirkuk’s minority communities. This can be achieved by providing assurance that all ethnic communities will be treated fairly and will get a fixed number of parliamentary seats and their cultural and educational rights will be protected. Every stakeholder should understand that the Kirkuk issue must be resolved through an amicable political process and not through use of force and coercion. And for any political solution to be successful, strong political will is needed. Compromises and concessions will have to be made by all parties. Even the special status for Kirkuk within Kurdistan, like what Quebec has in Canada can be considered. In the meantime, until there is a permanent settlement between Erbil and Baghdad over the future of Kirkuk, An interconnected approach to resources can be adopted similar to the Jordan-Israel water pipeline which will be mutually beneficial. Moreover, Kurdish and Iraqi authorities should realise that without resolving the issue of disputed territories and most notably Kirkuk, it will be near impossible for Erbil and Baghdad to have a stable relationship going forward. For Kurds, Kirkuk is not only a prized possession which can make them economically successful through its huge hydro carbon deposit but it is also a time-bomb containing a variety of diverse factors and conflicting interests that can explode at any time and destroy Kurdish aspirations for independence.
The Author is a columnist for the Middle-East and Af-Pak region and Editor of geo-political news agency Viewsaround. He can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, October 8th 2017.