the aftermath of shifting territorial control in iraq has been marked by significant ethnic friction, particularly in regions like tuz khurmatu. following an order from iraqi prime minister haider al-abadi to transfer authority over disputed areas from peshmerga fighters to iraqi federal forces, the process, while largely uneventful elsewhere, ignited localized confrontations in tuz khurmatu.
these clashes involved peshmerga forces and iraqi government troops, who were supported by turkmen units integrated into the popular mobilisation forces (pmf).
the human cost of these escalations has been severe, with thousands of residents reportedly losing their homes, livelihoods, and all their possessions.
there is a pressing need for prompt and impartial investigations into these alleged violations. human rights organizations have highlighted that the recent attacks predominantly targeted kurdish individuals. conversely, some turkmen residents have asserted that they were the initial targets of aggression from the peshmerga.
according to a police report compiled by nidham fadhil, kurdish armed groups reportedly fired mortars into turkmen-populated neighborhoods, resulting in ten fatalities.
mohammed koja, an advisor to the saladin provisional council president, stated that members of his turkmen community have experienced killings, kidnappings, and the destruction of their homes by bombing and arson over the past fourteen years.
reports also indicate grievances from arab residents who claim to have faced discrimination from kurdish authorities.
however, instances of conflict have also been noted between arab and turkmen communities. ali al-hussainy, the vice-chairman of the tuz khurmatu council, recounted that his own residence was destroyed by mortar fire originating from the pkk and peshmerga.
the differing perspectives on safety are stark: while kurdish residents expressed feelings of insecurity after the withdrawal of the peshmerga, their turkmen neighbors reported a heightened sense of safety.
intriguingly, the period of muharram, a time of solemn observance for shia muslims commemorating the martyrdom of imam hussain, saw celebrations among many shia turkmen residents in the town this year.
in a display of cultural pride, turkmen residents performed a traditional song, adapting its lyrics to reflect their current context.
the widespread displacement and loss experienced by thousands, who have lost their homes and belongings, underscore the critical requirement for action. impartial inquiries into these violations must be initiated without delay, ensuring that victims receive comprehensive reparations and that those responsible are held accountable.
detailed accounts of the conflict and displacement
between october 18th and 23rd, amnesty international conducted extensive interviews with 42 individuals displaced from tuz khurmatu.
their investigation also included the analysis of satellite imagery of the city, alongside the meticulous examination and verification of photographs and videos. these visual materials, provided by residents, documented extensive damage to residential properties and civilian infrastructure attributed to acts of arson and looting.
residents interviewed by amnesty international described intense fighting that erupted shortly after midnight on october 16th.
the majority of interviewed civilians reported fleeing the city in the early morning hours, between 2 am and 6 am, as a direct consequence of the hostilities. the united nations assistance mission for iraq (unami) informed amnesty international that an estimated 35,000 civilians had been forced to evacuate tuz khurmatu since october 16th.
one individual shared a harrowing account of witnessing the destruction: "i fell over from the shock of the heat, and i almost fainted.
my house was beautiful — it had two storeys. i loved that house. and i saw some houses that had been exploded. they were completely collapsed." additional witness testimonies included reports of receiving threatening messages or phone calls from their turkmen neighbors, adding a layer of psychological distress to the physical violence.
those who managed brief returns to the city described witnessing widespread destruction in the al-jumhuriya and hai jamila neighborhoods, areas predominantly inhabited by kurds.
amnesty international successfully authenticated photographic and video evidence received from witnesses, which clearly depicted the damage inflicted upon civilian residences and property through looting and arson within tuz khurmatu.
residents who remained in the city, as well as those who had fled and subsequently attempted to return, provided accounts detailing the involvement of iraqi government forces, elements of the popular mobilization units (pmu), turkmen fighters, and turkmen civilians in widespread acts of arson, looting, and the demolition of homes belonging to civilians.
patterns of destruction and accusations
acts of burning, looting, and demolition
the accounts consistently describe a pattern of destruction involving burning, looting, and the demolition of houses.
perpetrators were reportedly taking anything of value before setting fire to homes.
one witness elaborated on the process: "they took anything valuable or worth something. then they set fire to a blanket and threw it into the house. the fire is [then] lit, and the whole house catches fire. they leave it to burn. i saw trucks and lorries [driven by] the pmu and turkmen."
another testimony highlighted the ethnic dimension of the looting: "the turkmen are pmu anyway.
they would take kitchen counters, fridges, stoves — whatever they can. i want kurds to buy things, because in the end it will be left behind for me." residents reported that the weaponry employed in the densely populated urban environment included mortars, rpgs, dshk heavy machine guns, and kalashnikov assault rifles, indicating a high level of armaments used in the conflict.
interviewees speaking with amnesty international were unable to definitively attribute the attacks they endured to either kurdish or iraqi government forces.
however, in several documented instances, amnesty international recorded evidence of indiscriminate firing directed at crowds of kurdish residents attempting to flee the city.
personal testimonies of fear and escape
the chaos and terror experienced by civilians are vividly captured in personal accounts.
one individual recounted the terrifying moments of escape: "it was about 2 am and very dark. the children started screaming and i screamed too. everyone was on the street. people were running and in their cars. it was so dusty." these narratives underscore the profound fear and disorientation experienced by those caught in the crossfire.