Kirkuk faces ongoing disputes over the return of confiscated lands to Kurdish and Turkmen owners. A law meant to repeal old Ba’athist decrees passed some time ago. However, authorities have not yet put it into action. This delay has kept around 350,000 dunams of land out of the hands of its rightful owners.
Many farmers have waited decades for justice. Their lands were seized during the Ba’athist era, leaving them without their primary source of income. Although the law offers a legal path for restitution, its lack of enforcement prolongs the hardship for thousands of families.
Local leaders stress that returning the land could revive agriculture in Kirkuk. It would also restore livelihoods and strengthen trust between communities. The stalled process, however, continues to fuel frustration and suspicion among affected groups.
In addition, unresolved land disputes increase tensions in an already sensitive region. Without decisive action, the opportunity to heal old wounds may slip away. Political disagreements over the law’s implementation remain one of the main obstacles.
For now, the owners wait while their lands remain under different control. Kirkuk’s path to fair resolution depends on urgent enforcement and cooperation among all parties.