Ethnic minorities claim Kurdish hegemony

Kurds are trampling on the rights of other ethnic groups in a bid for complete power over northern Iraq, a Kirkuk politician has claimed.

Majid Ezat Joma, of the Turkoman Front, warned sectarian tensions were simmering dangerously in the city.

"Every group is trying to expand its power here," he told Gulf News.

"Kurds say Kirkuk is part of Kurdistan but we say it isn't. Maybe by strength they can make a situation that seems favourable to them, but it will only be temporary after that there will be problems."

Kirkuk contains a mix of mainly Kurdish, Arab and Turkomen residents but no census has been conducted and exact population figures remain a source of deep controversy.

Although Kurds and Turkomen both insist they make up the majority, Kurdish political and military power has enabled them to assume the dominant role.

Joma accused Kurds of trying to boost their numbers by importing families from other areas under the pretense they had been exiled under Saddam Hussain. He also accused them of stealing land by building homes illegally on vacant plots.

He said: "Unfortunately the Kurds have not just been taking back areas that were stolen from them by the Baath regime. They are taking more the Kurds have now taken land that is not theirs just as in the past Arabs stole land from them."

"It used to be the Arabs in control. Now Saddam Has gone and the Kurdish groups get to decide on everything. The Turkomen have no opportunity. At the moment it is we who are suffering."

An official working for Kirkuk's governor confirmed illegal settlement by Kurds was rife in the city. He spoke on condition of anonymity.