Fourth Kurdish protester killed in Kirkuk, allegedly for carrying Kurdistan flag

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A fourth protester has succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead on Sunday morning in Kirkuk. 

The protester has been identified as Hussein Sabir, 49, and his relatives stated that he was shot merely because he carried a Kurdistan flag.

Sabir's brother confirmed to Kurdistan 24 that he was killed by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

In regards to Sabir's killing, Kurdistan 24 has contacted the Kirkuk police directorate, but has not received a response.

Moreover, in response to the Iraqi security forces' attack on Kurdish protesters, senior Kurdistan Region officials have collectively condemned the violence against the Kurds.

On Saturday, Kurds were protesting the closure of the Kirkuk-Erbil road by the PMF after the latter opposed the handover of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) headquarters on Aug. 28, as mandated by Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani.

Following the military takeover of Kirkuk by the Iranian-backed Shiite militia forces and Iraqi military on Oct. 16, 2017, the KDP has ceased all its operations in the province in protest of the PMF attacks on the oil-rich province.

The party’s headquarters and offices have since been occupied by Iraqi forces. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had recently notified those forces that they should hand over the buildings to the KDP ahead of the provincial elections on Dec. 18, 2023.

Members of the militia forces have been protesting in front of what is used by the KDP headquarters in Kirkuk since last week against the decision, calling for not allowing the party to return.

The party’s main headquarters, which used to serve as its Kirkuk leadership office, is currently used by the Kirkuk Joint Operations Command Center. It was previously the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Services headquarters for a brief period.