A senior delegation from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) met with the Iraqi Turkmen Front in Kirkuk to discuss power-sharing, local governance, and political representation in the diverse and contested province.
Both sides focused on reaching a local agreement without interference from Baghdad. They strongly rejected centralized decisions, referring to Iraq’s federal approach as the “al-Rashid Hotel government.” The term signaled their opposition to policies crafted in Baghdad without input from Kirkuk’s residents.
Leaders from both parties insisted that Kirkuk’s future must be determined by its own people. They called for rebuilding trust between Erbil and Baghdad through cooperation, mutual respect, and shared interests.
Mehmet Seman Aga, head of the Turkmen Front, declared that the Turkmen would not accept being pushed aside in national politics. He emphasized unity and insisted on equal political participation in shaping the country’s direction.
Kirkuk, located 300 kilometers north of Baghdad, remains one of the most sensitive areas in the region. Its population includes Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs, and Christians. The province’s rich oil fields have long made it a focal point for political disputes and ethnic tensions.