Kurds forced out of Kirkuk village: locals

PALKANA, Iraq — Kurds in the Kirkuk village of Palkana have been told to leave after a joint force of Popular Mobilization (PMF, or Hashd al Shaabi) and Iraqi army troops arrived on Monday, according to locals. 

Villagers told Rudaw that Kurdish inhabitants were given a 48-hour notice to leave their homes on Monday. 

One local said a deputy PMF officer threatened to arrest him if he doesn’t leave.

“A large number of vehicles surrounded my house, and they asked for a house registration document. I told them that we do not have a registration document. He said “fine” but gave me a two-day deadline to leave. He threatened to arrest me if I do not leave,” said Waleed Omar. 

Three residents who have already pledged to remain in their homes have reportedly been arrested.  

“One of the Hashd members pointed a gun at people and wanted to attack them… they stayed in the house for a night and burned the sofa and other furniture,” said Halmat Jawhar. 

Palkana is located in Sargaran subdistrict, west of Kirkuk. 

Kurdish families have left the village due to ongoing Arabization, with 11 Arab families said to have been granted land through the process. 

Land disputes between Kurds and Arabs is a recurring problem in Kirkuk province, where Kurdish farmers have also complained of land theft and takeover.