Kurdistan Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadi) has praised the election of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) Rêbwar Taha as the new Governor of Kirkuk, describing it as a significant victory for the will of the local people. In a written statement released on Saturday, the movement stated, “The will of the people of Kirkuk has once again achieved victory, and the conspirators along with their allies have been defeated.”
The statement emphasised the strategic importance of Kirkuk, a city with a diverse population and significant geopolitical value in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Tevgera Azadi expressed confidence that the new administration under Governor Rêbwar Taha would promote coexistence among Kirkuk’s various communities, ensuring stability and unity.
“Kirkuk has always been a target for external forces, particularly the chauvinist Turkish and Arab states, which have sought to destabilise the city and create chaos,” the statement read. “The Turkish state, in particular, has made multiple unlawful and illegitimate attempts to interfere in Kirkuk, often under the guise of protecting the Turkmen population, to sow discord among nations.”
Tevgera Azadi also criticised the aftermath of the controversial Barzani family-led Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) referendum, which they claimed plunged Kirkuk into further crises and conflicts. “The authoritarian policies have left Kurdish regions vulnerable to external interference, with Turkey deepening the crises,” the statement noted.
The movement expressed unwavering support for the “Kirkuk Power and Will Alliance”, emphasising a commitment to helping Kirkuk transition from a state of crisis and service deficiencies to a democratic administration that serves all its people. “We hope to see the establishment of a meaningful, unified, cultural and democratic life in Kirkuk. We are optimistic that the people of Kirkuk will receive the services they deserve, and that stability and unity will be restored, preventing further conspiracies, external interventions, and corruption,” Tevgera Azadi stated.
Tevgera Azadi’s statement comes in the context of a broader struggle for influence in Kirkuk, a city of strategic importance in Iraq. The election of Rêbwar Taha follows months of intense political manoeuvring, with Turkey and its allies, including the KDP, attempting to shift control away from the PUK. Despite these efforts, the PUK emerged victorious in the December 2023 provincial elections, securing a majority of seats in the Kirkuk Provincial Council. The subsequent election of Taha as governor marks a significant setback for Turkish and KDP ambitions, reinforcing Kirkuk’s status as a predominantly Kurdish city with governance aligned with the interests of its diverse population.
