Kurdistan Patriotic Union clarifies Khanaqin remarks, party and local officials say

DIYALA, Iraq — A representative of the Kurdistan Patriotic Union (PUK) said remarks by the party's official in Khanaqin had been misunderstood, reaffirming the party's commitment to Iraq's unity and its opposition to discrimination among communities in the district. Evsul Mahdawi, a member of the Diyala Provincial Council and the PUK's council representative, said Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution is treated as a special case handled by a designated committee. He noted that Kurdish, Arab and Turkmen residents live together in the area and that the party has apologized for the recent remarks. Mahdawi added that the statement was not directed at any specific community but was meant to apply only to those who enter Khanaqin in violation of established rules. Khanaqin District Governor Jawad Faydullah said municipal procedures have been referred to the relevant authorities and decisions are being issued in line with the law. He added that the situation in the district is stable, detainees have been released, and there are no arrest warrants against activists, young people or political figures.