PUK counterterror head asks KRG to investigate Kirkuk events
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Lahur Talabany, the head of PUK’s counterterrorism forces, wrote a letter to KRG prime minister requesting for the October 16 events in Kirkurk be fully investigated.
“After the referendum and the October 16 incidents, unfortunately without investigations or a follow-up, certain parties accused some individuals and parties of treason,” reads to letter addressed to KRG Prime Minister.
On October 16 and the following day, Kirkuk, Makhmour, Shingal and other disputed territories administrated by the Kurdistan Regional Government were controlled by Iraqi forces supported by Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitaries without a real fight.
Lahur Talabany and Bafel Talabani, who is a son of late PUK founder Jalal Talabani, were accused of being the culprits behind a deal to withdraw from the city.
Both have denied involvement with Bafel Talabani calling on the KRG to open an investigation in late-October 2017.
“The Region’s president then should have directly formed an investigative committee,” Lahur Talabany added, saying that this was not done during the former presidency of Masoud Barzani, so it is currently the task of the prime minister, who is currently the commander in chief of armed forces.
Bafel Talabani refused to lay blame solely on the Barzani-dominated leadership of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
Lahur Talabany asked that no one be spared in the investigation, and for the results to be disclosed.
“After the referendum and the October 16 incidents, unfortunately without investigations or a follow-up, certain parties accused some individuals and parties of treason,” reads to letter addressed to KRG Prime Minister.
On October 16 and the following day, Kirkuk, Makhmour, Shingal and other disputed territories administrated by the Kurdistan Regional Government were controlled by Iraqi forces supported by Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitaries without a real fight.
Lahur Talabany and Bafel Talabani, who is a son of late PUK founder Jalal Talabani, were accused of being the culprits behind a deal to withdraw from the city.
Both have denied involvement with Bafel Talabani calling on the KRG to open an investigation in late-October 2017.
“The Region’s president then should have directly formed an investigative committee,” Lahur Talabany added, saying that this was not done during the former presidency of Masoud Barzani, so it is currently the task of the prime minister, who is currently the commander in chief of armed forces.
Bafel Talabani refused to lay blame solely on the Barzani-dominated leadership of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
“I am asking you for the sake of revealing the truth and providing a clear picture to the people of Kurdistan, for a supreme committee be formed for investigations to undercover the truth behind the reasons of the withdrawal of Peshmerga forces from Tuz Khurmatu [all the way] to Shingal,” the letter dated March 7, but first seen by Rudaw on Sunday, further reads.
Lahur Talabany asked that no one be spared in the investigation, and for the results to be disclosed.
Kosrat Rasul, the acting head of the PUK, had called some in his own party “apostates” for the Kirkuk withdrawal.
The PUK is yet to set a date for their next congress where a leader to replace Jalal Talabani would be picked.
Kirkuk is a disputed or Kurdistani area claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad.