(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) IRBIL, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- The United Nations in Iraq on Thursday expressed concern at reports about destroying and ransacking houses and stores in the city and region of Kirkuk.
The UN mission in Iraq said in a statement that it had received reports about arson of 150 houses, in Tuz Khurmatu, by armed groups on October 16-17. Eleven of these houses belonged to Kurdish families and leaders of Kurdish parties.
Offices of Turkmen parties were also attacked in the region of Kirkuk.
Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, acknowledging that violent attacks have happened by radical elements, have dispatched army troops to restore law and order to Tuz Khurmato, according to the UN mission statement.
The UN mission has urged the Iraqi Government to take all necessary measures to stop such abusive acts, safeguard the civilians and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Iraqi Ministry of Immigration has acknowledged that tens of thousands of civilians in Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmato have been forced to flee their homes.
A secession referendum held by Iraqi Kurds on September 25 has resulted in serious tensions between the Kurds and Iraqi Government, which dispatched the regular troops to Kirkuk and halted air flight with the Kurdish region. (end) sbr.rk
MENAFN1910201700710000ID1095969926
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.