Violence Surges in Contested City of Kirkuk

[Barrett808]

Violence Surges in Contested City of Kirkuk
Sunni Arab insurgents are believed responsible for attacks targeting Kurds in northern Iraq. Turkmens feel they are caught in the crossfire.
By Ali Windawi and Julian E. Barnes, Special to The Times

KIRKUK, Iraq — A surge in violence in this oil-rich city divided among Kurds, Sunni Arabs and Turkmens vying for power has alarmed Iraqi officials amid intensifying sectarian warfare in central and southern Iraq.

Kirkuk has been contested ground since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, when Kurds displaced by Saddam Hussein and previous Sunni Arab-dominated governments began returning to their former homes.

Sunni Arab political leaders believe the Kurds are trying to push them out of the northern city and intend to annex it to the Kurdish region of Iraq.

...

So far this month, at least 84 people have been killed in Kirkuk and surrounding areas.

A new report by the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank, calls on the international community to step in to resolve the "mounting tensions" in Kirkuk or risk full military conflict in the city.

(more)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-kirkuk20jul20,1,1406442.story

[goforit]

1. So, is Bush gonna "let them have at it"?

Oh well.

[Gloria]

2. This has been a potential powder keg right from the getgo....

There are lots of refugees from other parts of Iraq coming in, as well as the problems of the Turkmen and at least two Kurdish parties with an uneasy relationship.