At a Glance

• The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office formed a special investigative committee to probe the anti-ISIS operation in Pirde following the deaths of two Kurdish youth.
• Provincial leadership called for transparent investigation findings, legal compensation for the victims' families, and systemic accountability for civilian lives.

Kirkuk’s First Deputy Governor announced that a special investigative committee has been established regarding the Pirde clashes which resulted in the deaths of two Kurdish civilians.

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Key Statements and Focus 

• Rebwar Taha told Channel8 that “a special investigative committee” has been established by the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office to probe the Pirde incident.
• The Deputy Chairman of the Kirkuk Provincial Council stated in his letter to the Iraqi Prime Minister, “We urge you to establish a special investigative committee regarding the Pirde incident to listen to eyewitnesses, review the evidence, and hear from the victims' families. Subsequently, the findings of the investigation must be released transparently to the public.”

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Following Sunday's clashes between the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) and an ISIS militant in Pirde, and the subsequent announcement of another martyred Kurdish youth today, Deputy Chairman Nashat Shahwez stated that the incident demands an official clarification to ensure transparency for both the victims' families and the public.

In his official letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, Shahwez demanded a formal clarification from Baghdad to provide complete transparency regarding the operational details and precise civilian casualties for both the victims' families and the public.

He emphasized that citizens have a right to comprehensive answers regarding how the confrontation began, the circumstances surrounding the military action, and the specific measures taken to protect civilian lives.

“While fighting terrorism is a duty and the security forces command our respect, protecting the lives of citizens remains the primary responsibility of the state, and the law stands above all,” he added.

The official called on Ali Zaidi to establish a special investigative committee regarding the Pirde incident to listen to eyewitnesses, review the evidence, and hear from the victims' families. Subsequently, the findings of the investigation must be released transparently to the public.

“We demand that the families of the victims be legally compensated. Kirkuk is not a battleground for bloodshed, and the lives of its children are a trust borne by the state,” he stressed.

The official called on Ali Faleh al-Zaidi to establish a special investigative committee regarding the Pirde incident to interview eyewitnesses, review the evidence, and consult the victims' families. He emphasized that the subsequent findings of the investigation must be released transparently to the public.

FYI

Clashes broke out between an ISIS militant and Iraqi forces in Pirde on September 27, resulting in several civilian casualties, including 14-year-old Murad Zana.

Following the incident, the discovery of another victim, 15-year-old Muhammed Hemin, fueled deep concern among local residents after it was revealed he had been mistakenly included in the initial enemy casualty count in place of a surviving militant.

In response, Hemin’s family urged Kurdish political parties to intervene and protect their rights, while Rebwar Taha called on Baghdad to ensure those responsible for indiscriminate firing face immediate legal accountability.

Meanwhile, Aso Mamand, head of the PUK’s organizations in Kirkuk-Saladin, expressed deep concern over the fact that security forces had initially denied having the missing teenager in custody prior to the discovery of his body today.

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