PUK denies role in fire at Iraqi Kurdistan markets

SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,—The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has denied any involvement in the recent fires in Erbil, Duhok, and Kirkuk, despite statements by Iraqi Kurdistan region interior ministry KDP official earlier on Monday alleging that two people linked to the PUK party were arrested for arson.

PUK spokesperson Saadi Ahmed Pira addressed reporters on Monday, emphasizing their focus on parliamentary election preparation and coordination rather than any involvement in the fires.

He firmly denied the accusations against the PUK.

Pira acknowledged that one of the arrested individuals might have had previous connections with the PUK but clarified that he was not affiliated with the party at the time of the alleged crimes.

Pira also accused Hemin Mirany, chief of staff to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s interior ministry and a member of the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which belongs to the Barzani clan, of intentionally implicating the PUK to influence the ongoing election campaign.

Regarding statements made by Mirany, who claimed that two of the suspects arrested in collaboration with Iraq’s interior ministry had ties to the PUK, with one linked to the party’s Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG), Pira suggested that these allegations were politically motivated.

Muqdad Meeri, spokesperson for Iraq’s interior ministry, asserted that the PKK, a banned organization, was responsible for the fires, aiming to destabilize commercial interests and security in Iraqi Kurdistan, possibly targeting Turkey. Meeri estimated the damages caused by the fires at approximately $300 million.

The PKK has denied any involvement in the fires and urged Baghdad to identify the true perpetrators.

The Barzani clan, who rule Iraqi Kurdistan, have strong connections with the Turkish government. Turkey is a crucial ally for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in terms of oil, economics, and politics, and is also firmly against the PKK.

Earlier incidents included fires at Erbil’s Langa bazaar and Duhok’s Chale bazaar in April, which authorities suspected to be deliberate acts of arson.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, there isn’t a single unified region. It’s split both politically and geographically. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by the Barzani clan, holds sway over Erbil and Duhok governorates. Meanwhile, Sulaimani is under the control of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), led by the Talabani family.