Türkiye voices concerns over Iraq census and its impact on Kirkuk’s demographics

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli expressed concern over population shifts in Kirkuk ahead of Iraq’s long-awaited census, emphasizing the impact on Turkmen and Arab communities in the region.

Keceli addressed the issue in a statement posted on X, a social media platform, stating that the movements have prompted “justified concerns” among Iraq’s Turkmen and Arab populations, despite the census not collecting data on ethnic backgrounds.

“These irregularities could lead to the inclusion of non-Kirkuk residents in the city’s population count, which would undoubtedly affect future elections,” Keceli warned, adding that Türkiye is closely monitoring reports of mass arrivals from the Kurdish region of Iraq into Kirkuk.

The spokesperson reiterated Türkiye’s longstanding support for Iraq’s Turkmen community, describing them as a “bridge of friendship” between the two countries. “We have always stood by our Turkmen kin with all our institutions, safeguarding their rights and interests,” Keceli stated.

Concerns over demographic changes

Keceli highlighted the sensitive demographic makeup of Kirkuk, where Turkmens have historically constituted a significant population. “Our primary expectation and sensitivity regarding Kirkuk is that the demographic structure, which has been shaped over centuries, must not be altered,” he said.

The census, Iraq’s first in decades, has been marred by reports of Kurdish populations from the Kurdish region (KRG) moving into Kirkuk. Keceli stressed that such developments could undermine the region’s stability and create further grievances.

“We expect Iraqi authorities to ensure that our Turkmen kin, who have endured countless atrocities and oppression over the past century, are not subjected to further injustices due to these developments,” Keceli added.

Key priorities in bilateral relations

Keceli emphasized that the security and well-being of the Turkmen community remain a priority in Türkiye’s relations with Iraq. He called on Iraqi authorities to prevent actions that could disrupt the region’s demographic balance, ensuring that Kirkuk’s diverse population continues to coexist peacefully based on mutual agreement among its ethnic groups.

The remarks underscore Türkiye’s strategic interest in Kirkuk, a city with a complex history of ethnic tensions, particularly between Turkmen, Arabs, and Kurds. With the census underway, developments in the region are likely to remain a focal point for both domestic and regional stakeholders.