Turkey Protests the Raising of the Kurdistan Region Flag on Government Buildings in Kirkuk

On Wednesday, April 9, Turkey expressed its opposition to the raising of the Kurdistan Region flag over government buildings in the city of Kirkuk, Iraq, warning against "unilateral actions." According to a report from the French news agency on Tuesday (April 8), the provincial council of the oil-rich Kirkuk province approved the installation of the Kurdistan Region flag on top of government buildings in the area. Najm al-Din Karim, the governor of Kirkuk, told reporters that the city's council voted in favor of the proposal to raise the Kurdistan Region flag alongside the Iraqi flag on government buildings. However, this decision was only approved with the support of 25 council members, as 16 other members, who are Arabs and Turkmen, did not participate in the vote. Mr. Karim stated that those who did not participate in the vote are also our brothers, and although the majority supported this decision, we will strive to strengthen our relations with the opposing members as well. Following the news, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told a state television network, "First of all, changing the demographic composition of the region is not the right thing to do, and putting others in a fait accompli situation and taking unilateral steps will not yield any benefits." He added that "we support the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria." Meanwhile, the United Nations has also warned that the local authorities' decision to raise the Kurdistan flag above the ancient citadel of Kirkuk could ignite tensions. The organization described the Kirkuk council's action as a "potential danger to the coordination and peaceful coexistence of the ethnic and religious groups residing in Kirkuk, who consider this city their home and want to live together." Kirkuk is located in a disputed area between the Iraqi government and the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government. Since the Iraqi government became embroiled with the Islamic State (ISIS) forces in 2014, Iraqi Kurds have increased their influence over Kirkuk and have nearly taken control of the city. The southwest of Kirkuk, including the Hawija area, was under ISIS control for more than two and a half years. Various religious and ethnic groups, including Arabs and Turkmen, live in Kirkuk, who oppose the Kirkuk provincial council's action.