هەواڵ
The position of governor of Kirkuk will be handed over to the Turkmen component as part of a prior political agreement. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Rashid Hotel agreement on forming the local government of Kirkuk, which includes rotating the governorship every two years.
بڵاوکراوەتەوە لە : 14 نیسان 2026
قەبارەی دەقەکان
قەبارەی دەقەکان
The PUK announced it will transfer the governorship to the Turkmen side after completing its two-year term.
Turkey and Turkmen political forces have reportedly secured agreement from Arab parties for the Turkmen to assume the post for the remaining period (less than two years).
In Baghdad, Bafel Talabani, leader of the PUK, met with Mohammed Samaan Agha, head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front.
Discussions focused on Iraq’s internal situation and the need to keep Iraq away from conflicts. On the same day, the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad met with Mohammed al-Halbousi, leader of the Taqaddum Party, which represents a major Arab political bloc in Kirkuk.
According to reports, the political movements are linked to implementing the Kirkuk local government formation agreement signed in August 2024 at Rashid Hotel in Baghdad.
The Kurdish governor Rebwar Taha (PUK) has completed his two-year term. The governorship is now expected to be transferred to Turkmen and Arab components, starting with the Turkmen.
A PUK source stated that the party is committed to the agreement to build trust for future political deals.
The PUK believes the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is unlikely to cooperate in political processes.
Therefore, it seeks to maintain strong alliances with its partners across Iraq.
Although the governorship is technically considered an Arab entitlement, particularly for the Taqaddum Party led by Mohammed al-Halbousi:Halbousi has agreed to give up the position in favor of the Turkmen.
Halbousi’s office confirmed that he met with the Turkish ambassador in Baghdad. The ambassador requested that the governorship be granted to the Turkmen and Halbousi approved the request.
The move reflects a power-sharing arrangement among Kirkuk’s main ethnic groups (Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen), with the governorship rotating according to political agreements to maintain balance in the province.
