Latest news with #IraqiTurkmenFront
Shafaq News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkmen say it's their turn: Push for province status in Iraq
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, Mohammed Semaan, called on Iraq's federal government and parliament to grant provincial status to the districts of Tal Afar and Tuz Khurmatu. He described the move as a key component of the Turkmen political agenda and a necessary step toward administrative justice. 'The demand was rooted in the Turkmen community's long history of political exclusion and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism,' he added, arguing that granting province status to the two districts would mirror the Iraqi parliament's recent decision to recognize Halabja as the country's 19th province. 'This is not merely an administrative adjustment—it is about recognizing the suffering and contributions of the Turkmen people, who have consistently stood for Iraq's sovereignty and unity,' Semaan said. He added that Tal Afar and Tuz Khurmatu have long been deprived of basic development and equitable governance, and called on all political blocs and parliamentarians to support what he described as a constitutional and national entitlement. The proposal aligns with Iraq's broader efforts to promote administrative decentralization and devolve greater authority to local governments. Semaan said elevating Tal Afar and Tuz Khurmatu to provinces would help correct longstanding imbalances in representation and public service delivery. The demand also reflects growing momentum among minority groups for greater political recognition following the parliamentary vote on Monday to designate Halabja—long treated as a district within al-Sulaymaniyah province—as an independent province. That vote followed years of delays due to political disputes.
Rudaw Net
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi parliament passes bill to make Halabja the 19th province
Also in Iraq Iraqi strike kills suspected ISIS members in Salahaddin Numerous Anfal victims believed to be buried in Kirkuk cemetery Graves of Anfal victims discovered in Kirkuk cemetery: Activists Hassan Turan resigns as Iraqi Turkmen Front leader A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's parliament on Monday passed a long-awaited bill recognizing Halabja as the country's 19th province. The Iraqi legislature convened on Monday with the attendance of 178 lawmakers and passed a bill to make Halabja the fourth province of Kurdistan Region and the country's 19th. The vote came after months of delay. In December 2013, the Iraqi Council of Ministers approved a proposal to make Halabja the country's 19th province, separating it from Sulaimani province. However, political tensions between Erbil and Baghdad, as well as disputes among Sunni and Shiite lawmakers, have delayed the bill's passage for over a decade. The Kurdistan Region's Council of Ministers declared Halabja a province in 2014, making it the Region's fourth. Four years later, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior formally recognized Halabja's provincial status, but the Iraqi parliament was yet to ratify the decision. Halabja stands out as a symbol of Kurdish suffering and resilience. On March 16, 1988, near the end of the eight-year Iran-Iraq War, the forces of toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein attacked Halabja with chemical weapons. The attack killed at least 5,000 people - mostly women and children - and injured thousands more. The Halabja chemical attack was part of the Baath regime's broader Anfal campaign in which more than 182,000 Kurds were killed. It remains as one of the darkest chapters in modern Iraqi history. This is a developing story...
Shafaq News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Hassan Turan steps down as head of Iraqi ITF
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF), Hassan Turan, announced his resignation, ending his tenure as leader of the political bloc representing the country's Turkmen minority. In a statement, Turan wished his successor success in this responsibility, pledging to continue 'defending the Turkmen cause, upholding Iraqi unity, and remaining committed to the principles of the ITF,' without specifying the reasons behind his resignation. Earlier this month, sources revealed to Shafaq News that Turan had intended to resign, with Mohammad Semaan or another member of the Front likely to be nominated as his successor. Turan assumed the role on March 28, 2021, succeeding Arshad al-Salihi, who stepped down to focus on broader political and negotiation efforts on behalf of the Turkmen community.
Shafaq News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Turkmen Front Leader set to resign: Arshad al-Salihi to head election list
Shafaq News/ Hassan Turan, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, is planning to submit his resignation from the position, a political source in Kirkuk revealed on Thursday. The source also noted that Turan's successor would be selected, with potential candidates including Mohammad Samaan and another member of the Iraqi Turkmen Front. He added that a delegation from the Turkmen Front will visit Ankara to discuss the developments within the political group. Additionally, the source confirmed that Arshad al-Salihi, the current Iraqi parliament member and head of the Human Rights Committee, will lead the Turkmen Front's list in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The decision will be finalized once internal arrangements within the Iraqi Turkmen Front are completed.
Shafaq News
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Leader Barzani, ITF discuss pathways to cooperation in Kirkuk
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani met with Hasan Turan, head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF), to discuss political cooperation among parties in Kirkuk. Held at Salahuddin Resort in Erbil, the Kurdistan Region's capital, the meeting addressed Iraq's political landscape and developments in Kirkuk, according to a statement. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between political factions in the province to enhance coexistence, ensure stability, and improve public services.
