President Barzani Condemns Killing of Kurdish Journalist in Kirkuk

President Barzani condemned the murder of the Kurdish journalist Arkan Sharif by the Hashd al-Shaabi militias on October 30 in Kirkuk.

The Iranian-controlled Shi’ite militias of Hashd al-Shaabi murdered on Monday the Kurdish journalist in Hafta Ghaz village in Daquq district, southern Kirkuk.

Arkan Sharif was working for the Erbil-based Kurdish channel Kurdistan TV.

President Barzani released a statement on November 1 to decry the brutal crime committed by the militias against the Kurdish civilian.

“Murdering journalist Arkan Sharif is a vivid example of that chauvinist culture which has imposed itself on Kurdistan areas outside the KRG’s administration unlawfully and by the proliferation of weapons,” Barzani said.

President Barzani noted that such mentality never believes in freedom of expression and life of the people.

“These forces which have imposed themselves on the area unlawfully and unconstitutionally are responsible for the death of Arkan Sharif and harming people,” the statement reads.

He sent condolences to the family of the Kurdish journalist and all the journalists in Kurdistan Region.

The Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias, heavily equipped with US-provided weapons, launched on October 16 a large-scale military assault on Kurdistan Region’s disputed areas. The offensive led to a humanitarian crisis, displacement of over 160,000 people, and destruction of hundreds of civilian houses.

The Kurdish journalist was among the displaced civilians who later returned home after Iraq claimed that the city was secure and no one would be harmed.

On Tuesday, October 31, another Kurdish civilian was found brutally murdered in central Kirkuk.

The rate of crimes, particularly homicide, has been on the rise since the Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias have taken control of the city.