At a Glance

• Channel8 investigative reporting reveals that a high-ranking officer and five soldiers from the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service's Kirkuk regiment have been sentenced to five years in prison.
• The penalties follow a formal investigation into the September 27 incident in Pirde, where security forces opened fire on a local market during clashes with ISIS militants, resulting in the tragic deaths of two young Kurdish men.
• The findings were delivered via a committee established by the Prime Minister's office following intense public backlash.
• The fatal incident sparked widespread protests in Kirkuk and Pirde, with residents temporarily blocking the main Erbil-Kirkuk highway to demand accountability.

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In response to widespread public outrage and demands for justice, official military and governmental bodies have concluded their inquiries into a deadly security operation in the sub-district of Pirde.

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Investigation Findings and Disciplinary Actions

• Sentencing and Negligence: According to Channel8 sources, the investigative committee found the personnel culpable of operational negligence during the anti-ISIS engagement, resulting in five-year sentences for the senior officer and five enlisted members.
• Public and Community Fallout: The accidental shooting during the counter-terrorism raid drew immediate condemnation, leading local residents to stage demonstrations and block vital transit routes connecting Erbil and Kirkuk until authorities committed to a transparent review.

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Channel8's journalistic investigation followed an operation conducted last week by the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service against three ISIS militants in Pirde.

FYI

The high-intensity confrontation broke out on September 27th, in the evening, within a central market area in Pirde of Kirkuk Governorate.

Murad Zana, 14, and Muhammed Hemin, 15, both the only children of their respective families, were martyred following clashes between the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service and ISIS militants.

The body of the missing youth, who was inside the market when the fighting began, was officially turned over to his grieving family members later.

During an interview with Channel8, Iraqi lawmaker Mazin Gharib warned that a massive 168-kilometer security vacuum in Kirkuk has allowed ISIS militants to reorganize and establish safe havens.

Consequently, he urged immediate coordination between Erbil and Baghdad to deploy joint military brigades and secure the vulnerable region.

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