At a Glance

• Kurdish parties in Khanaqin backed a suspension of planned public demonstrations.
• A delegation will meet Iraq's President and top officials to present demands.
• Parties warned that ignoring Article 140 constitutional rights poses severe danger. 
• Tensions surged after Diyala’s Provincial Council unilaterally detached Gulala from Khanaqin District.

The Kurdistani Parties in Khanaqin backed a temporary halt to local protests due to security concerns and called for the immediate release of all detainees, stressing that violating Article 140 "poses a major danger."

---

Key Statement and Focus Area

• The Kurdistani Parties in Khanaqin stated, "We declare our full support for the statement issued by the supervisory committee of the Khanaqin popular rally regarding the temporary suspension of the demonstration, until a representative delegation from Khanaqin arrives in Baghdad and meets with the Honorable President of the Republic and senior officials to convey the legitimate demands of the people of the region."
• The parties demanded the immediate release of all detainees, calling for the “cancellation of arrest warrants for political figures, activists, and youth, as their participation was solely an expression of constitutional demands through peaceful and civil means.”

---

The Kurdistani Parties in Khanaqin issued a joint statement on Monday addressing the "Proud and striving masses of Khanaqin, Jalawla, Saadiya, Mandali, Qaratapa, and Jabara."

The parties stated that the decision to suspend the demonstration was made exclusively to safeguard the stability, property, and lives of local citizens.

The statement noted that verified information indicated local security measures and protection frameworks for the rally were inadequate and failed to provide sufficient safety assurances.

“Your immense enthusiasm to protect the Kurdish identity of the region has sent a clear message to all sides that violating Article 140 and ignoring constitutional rights pose a major danger,” the parties affirmed.

The factions urged Iraq’s four presidencies and Kurdish representatives in Baghdad to respond immediately to the legitimate demands of the local population.

The Kurdistani parties also thanked the resilient population of Khanaqin and Diyala for their high sense of responsibility, reinforcing the factions' commitment to utilizing all constitutional, legal, and civil avenues to defend their rights.

“Preserving the stability of our weary city and protecting your proud lives remain our top priorities, which is why we request that you respond to the decision of the rally's supervisory committee and adhere to the suspension of activities,” the statement concluded.

FYI

A demonstration was scheduled to take place in Khanaqin today to demand the implementation of Article 140, but to prevent the protest, a number of activists have been detained by Iraqi forces since yesterday. 

The protests came after Omar al-Karawi, Head of the Diyala Provincial Council, turned the sub-district of Gulala (Jalawla) into a district under Diyala Governorate on February 19, removing it from Khanaqin District.

Meanwhile, Fahmi Burhan, head of the General Board for Kurdistani Areas Outside the Region, a body of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), stated that the decision of the Diyala Provincial Council is unconstitutional and political.

Burhan highlighted that the KRG Council of Ministers must take a stand on it due to the demographic changes that have occurred in the region.

Khanaqin is a strategic disputed territory whose governance is subject to Article 140 of the constitution, a legal roadmap designed to settle its administrative status following historical demographic changes.

Dive Deeper: Handpicked Stories for You

Follow Channel8 for continuous updates:

Khanaqin Secures New Passport Office and Identity Freeze Resolution 

KRG Denounces Federal Decision to Reclassify Gulala as Unconstitutional, Vows to Oppose

Khanaqin Residents Continue Nationwide Strike and Protest Against Federal Decision