In line with Turkish interests in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has formed an agreement with the Turkmen Front (ITC) and a faction of the Arabs regarding the administration of Kirkuk province.
Seven months after the Iraqi provincial council elections, internal disputes among Kurdish parties in Kirkuk, coupled with the KDP’s alignment with Turkey’s interests, have prevented political forces from agreeing on the election of a new governor for Kirkuk.
A faction of the Arab community led by Rakan Jabouri, along with the Turkmen Front, convened in Erbil (Hewlêr) at the invitation of the KDP in response to the ongoing political deadlock. As a result, some Arab groups in Kirkuk have withdrawn from their coalition with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
Shirzad Sarmad, the PUK’s electoral officer in Kirkuk, stated that despite the party’s efforts to reach a consensus with the political groups in the region, certain actions have hindered the attainment of a comprehensive agreement.
Former Turkmen Front (ITC) leader Arshad Salehi told Al-Sumaria News that talks are ongoing to establish an understanding between Turkmens, Arabs, Kurds and political leaders for joint administration of Kirkuk. Though a coalition has not yet been finalised, there is a possibility that an agreement could be reached in the coming days. Salehi also confirmed that the ITC has formed an alliance with the Arabs and the KDP to manage the city of Kirkuk. Local sources report that the KDP and the Turkmen Front have agreed that the position of Kirkuk governor will rotate between the two parties, with a Turkmen holding the position for the first two years.
Despite the Kurds being in the majority in Kirkuk, in opposition to the wishes of the Kurdish majority who could otherwise have secured a Kurdish governorship, the KDP has aligned with the Turkmen party ITC, alienating the PUK, who hold five of the seven Kurdish seats in the city’s assembly. The rivalry between the KDP and the PUK has weakened the Kurdish position in Kirkuk’s political landscape in recent years.
Observers of Iraqi Kurdish affairs believe that the KDP’s actions align with the strategy of Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, aimed at diminishing the influence of the PUK and bolstering the Turkmen presence in the KRI as part of Turkey’s broader regional plans.
