Turkmens call for creation of brigade in Kirkuk following IS attack

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – A Turkmen party leader on Saturday called on the federal government of Iraq to create a brigadier to protect Kirkuk Turkmens following the recent Islamic State (IS) attack on the province.

The head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front Arshad Salehi said in a press statement the Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi had marginalized Turkmen people from the political process in the country.

Additionally, he noted Abadi did not pay attention to Turkmen requests, and failed to protect the group from terrorist attacks.

Salehi asked Abadi to create a special brigadier in the Iraqi army for Turkmen in Kirkuk to protect them from insurgent attacks.

Moreover, the party leader mentioned the presence of an Iraqi brigade in the province might be sensitive for some political parties, but it would eventually secure the area from IS attacks.

On Oct. 20, IS attacked Kirkuk and temporarily controlled some buildings in different areas before Kurdish security forces defeated them. According to Kirkuk security, 99 people were killed and 250 wounded in the attack.

The Turkmen leader noted IS’ recent attack on Kirkuk was repelled, but future attacks may be larger-scaled.

Salehi claimed the security and police forces in the province are weak and would not be able to defeat IS in the future.

Administration and security officials in the province have repeatedly stated Kirkuk security, police, and Peshmerga are capable of protecting the area without support from other forces.

In June 2014, IS attacked northern Iraq and controlled large swaths of territory.

Following the insurgents’ attack, the Iraqi army and police forces in Kirkuk failed to defend the area and retreated.

Since then, Kurdish security and Peshmerga forces have been in charge of protecting Kirkuk.

The province is home to over 500,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who fled from other parts of Iraq due to the threat of IS.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany