Iraqi Turkmen Front Leader Resigns Amid Internal Disputes, New Chairman Appointed
Sources told Kurdistan24 that Turan’s resignation was closely tied to internal disagreements and mounting tensions between rival blocs inside the party’s leadership structure.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Hasan Turan, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF), officially announced his resignation on Sunday, April 13, 2025, paving the way for the election of a new leader, Mohammad Semaan Kanani, by the party’s political bureau, according to Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s state-run news outlet.
In a statement released by the party’s media office and obtained by Kurdistan24, the political bureau of the ITF convened on Sunday to accept Turan’s resignation and immediately appointed Mohammad Semaan Kanani as the new leader. According to the statement, "the move is aimed at recalibrating the party’s leadership in preparation for upcoming political challenges and to better advocate for the rights of the Turkmen community in Iraq."
The political bureau emphasized that "the decision was made in the spirit of unity, aiming to bridge growing internal rifts and restore coherence among various factions within the party." Sources told Kurdistan24 that Turan’s resignation was closely tied to internal disagreements and mounting tensions between rival blocs inside the party’s leadership structure.
In his official resignation letter, Turan expressed hope for the success of his successor, stating, “I present my resignation from the leadership of the ITF with the hope that my successor will succeed and that I will remain a supporter of the cause.” He further pledged to continue defending Turkmen's rights and the unity of Iraq, affirming his commitment to the party’s foundational principles.
“I vow to remain a loyal soldier in defense of the Turkmen cause and will continue to uphold the unity of our nation,” Turan said.
The ITF has long represented the political interests of the Turkmen minority, particularly in the contested province of Kirkuk and other mixed areas across northern Iraq. The group has faced internal fragmentation in recent years due to ideological and strategic differences, especially regarding its stance on Kurdish and Arab political forces, Turkey’s involvement in the region, and policies on autonomy and ethnic representation.
Hasan Turan, a veteran Turkmen politician and former member of Iraq’s parliament, took over the leadership in 2021 after the passing of former leader Ershad Salihi. His tenure has seen the Turkmen Front navigating a turbulent political landscape, marked by shifting alliances, disputed territorial claims, and security challenges involving regional and local actors.
The appointment of Mohammad Semaan Kanani marks a critical transition for the party as it seeks to reassert its role ahead of Iraq’s upcoming national elections scheduled for November 2025.
