Turkmens in Iraq’s Altunköprü district have blocked the Kirkuk-Erbil highway amid ongoing protests over lack of representation in local government. Demonstrators oppose the recent appointment of a municipality manager not from the district and demand inclusion in administrative roles, which they say have excluded Turkmens for two years.
Zeki İbrahim of the Iraqi Turkmen Front stated, “All three key positions—Municipality Manager, District Manager and Police Chief—are held by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. We demand at least one be given to Turkmens.” A sit-in protest continues, despite promises by the Kirkuk Provincial Council to assign deputy positions to Turkmens. Protesters vow to maintain their action until all demands are met.