KHANAQIN, Kurdistan Region – The people of Khanaqin staged a general strike in a bid to send a message both to the Iraqi government and the KRG that they want the return of Kurdish security forces to their town amid deteriorating security.

Insecurity has increased in Khanaqin, including kidnapping and a reported three bombings in the last ten days alone. 

"Today, a general strike is staged in Khanaqin. It has been organized by some civil society activists and journalists. The general strike is against the deteriorating security situation of Khanaqin," Amir, an activist, told Rudaw.

Shops were closed as were government and party offices. 

The head of Khanaqin’s police conceded security is a problem. 

“The police have less power. They are in control only in the towns of Qoratu and Maydan,” said Brig. Gen. Azad Hisa Abdulrahman.

“The control of the security situation is about to be lost. That is why people are calling for the return of Peshmerga,” he added. 

Amir explained that their strike is a message to both the Kurdistan leadership and the Iraqi government. 

“We hope for the security file to be handled jointly,” he said. 

The city of Khanaqin, which has a majority Kurdish population, is located within the disputed areas of northern Diyala province, 240 kilometres southeast of Erbil. 

It came under Iraqi control last October when federal forces took over the disputed areas. 

The town is known for its Kurdish nationalism. 

Amir said that tens of Kurds have left their villages in the area because of insecurity. 

Kurds have complained that they have been subject to abuse and discrimination by Iraqi and Hashd al-Shaabi forces in the disputed areas. ISIS cells are also active in the area.

"Based on the previous experience of Peshmerga and Asayesh [Kurdish security] being in Khanaqin, we saw stability with our own eyes. There were no issues or problems in our town," Sarwar, an activist and journalist, told Rudaw.

Their message is directed at both the federal and regional governments, calling on them to form a joint command to handle security, Sarawar added. 

"This is a message to those who were saying they were establishing stability and security. No, they ruined security and stability," said a protester. 

"From October 16 onwards, security no longer exists. People now don't dare to go outside. We used to stay out during the night in Khanaqin," he said, adding they would be thankful if Peshmerga return.

"From the day the Peshmerga and Asayesh went away, stability and security ceased to exist," he said.

Under Article 140 of the constitution, the disputed areas are to be jointly administered by Erbil and Baghdad. The passage has never been instituted. 
Photos: Hawkar Yassin/Rudaw