UN confirms destruction of Kurdish properties in Khurmatu

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Saturday confirmed the reports of destruction and burning of the Kurdish houses, shops and other properties in the town of Khurmatu.

In a statement, UNAMI revealed the results of its teams’ investigation of reports of houses being demolished, in particular, the homes of people who fled the town due to clashes that erupted in Khurmatu on October 16 and 17 when Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi took over the area.

"Teams from UNAMI conducted monitoring missions to Khurmatu where they observed destroyed homes and businesses in several Kurdish neighborhoods in the wake of the transfer of security authority in the area in October,” the statement said.

On Oct.16, Iraqi forces along with Iranian-backed Shia Hashd al-Shaabi militias took over Kirkuk Province and other disputed territories, including the town of Khurmatu.

The attack led to the displacement of 180,000 people in the affected areas--roughly 70,000 of whom were from Khurmatu--who feared abuse and violence at the hand of the militia.

Since then, “UNAMI has received a number of allegations of human rights abuses and violations, in particular with regards to civilian casualties and two allegations of sexual violence,” the statement added, stating that “these incidents are still being investigated.”

According to the UNAMI findings, the destruction and looting occurred after the Kurdish inhabitants left the city, most of whom have not returned yet.

Two UNAMI teams undertook monitoring missions in Khurmatu on 7 and 14 December to assess allegations concerning property damage.

The statement said that UNAMI received an analysis of satellite imagery of the primarily Kurdish quarters of Jumhori and Jamila prior to and after the violence but the images did not document all the damage.

“The imagery indicated that at least 29 buildings had been destroyed in Jumhori and 11 in Jamila. During the visit, the UNAMI team observed approximately 100 shops burnt or damaged along the main market road in Jumhori, many of which could not be observed in the satellite imagery,” the statement explained.

The UNAMI team observed approximately 30 homes that were burnt or damaged. Five houses were demolished in Jamila and one in Jumhori, said the statement.

The group added that it was difficult to spot looted buildings since some of the houses were not accessible. As such they could not confirm if the number of the affected houses were higher or lower than the reported number. 

The UN Mission in Iraq has received reports about a significantly higher number of houses being demolished.

Editing by Sam A.