Crisis Centre: 170,000 displaced after Iraqi, PMF offensive in Kirkuk area

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) - Some 170,00 civilians are displaced as a result of Iraqi offensive on Kirkuk areas, Joint Crisis Coordination Centre (JCCC) reported on Saturday.

"Indiscriminate violence, torture, looting, burning civilians’ homes and properties, especially the Kurdish people in these areas," has made civilians escape in droves, JCCC said.

The group reports that 168,372 civilians have been displaced from Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Khurmatu, Zummar, and Rabea to Kurdistan Region.

Among them 84,000 arrived in Erbil, 78,372 in Slemani and 6000 in Duhok and Zakho from Zummar and Rabea.

Multiple offensives to Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Khurmatu, Prde and other areas during the last four days have resulted in dire humanitarian consequences and mass waves of displacement.

While a large number of the displaced are hosted by friends, family or the communities at large, a significant number have sheltered in unfinished buildings and public places and camps.

"They are living in a very difficult situation and need urgent humanitarian assistance including food, water, milk, diapers, clothes, shoes, blankets, kerosene for heating, shelter as well as medical aids," JCCC reported.

Crisis Centre is a supervised by the KRG Ministry of Interior.

Iraqi forces and the Hashd al-Shaabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), seized a large part of the disputed territories in the latest measure taken by the Federal Government of Iraq in retaliation for the vote.

Officials in Kurdistan and abroad have called for military actions to end and for all sides to engage in a dialogue to address unresolved issues.

“Concerned security agencies need to address the situation as soon as possible to allow displaced families to return home,” Minister of Displacement and Migration Jassim Mohammed Al-Jaaf said.