In recent years, Kirkuk has faced multiple security challenges due to ethnic, sectarian, and political conflicts in the region. Historically, Kirkuk has been a point of contention between Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen, which has led to repeated security tensions. However, the security situation in Kirkuk has seen some improvement in recent years, especially after the Iraqi government regained control of the city from the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2017. Despite this improvement, security tensions remain due to ongoing national and political conflicts in the area. Security forces are working to curb violations and impose calm, but there are clandestine gangs operating to undermine the stability of the city.
A New Security Incident
On Friday, the provincial police command announced the arrest of those involved in the shooting incident against a rapid response patrol within half an hour. The command stated in a statement that "at 7:00 AM, while rapid response patrols were patrolling public roads, they noticed three individuals stealing from a store. When they attempted to stop them, they opened fire on the patrol, resulting in the martyrdom of one member of the patrol and the injury of another."
The statement added that "all patrols were put on alert, descriptions of the motorcycle were disseminated, and it was pursued by one of the patrols, leading to the arrest of the perpetrators after one was injured within half an hour." It also noted that "an investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances of the incident."
According to a security source, the incident occurred near the Workers' Square close to the Al-Harj Market in the Qorya area in central Kirkuk, where a rapid response patrol was fired upon by armed assailants on a motorcycle when they attempted to stop them. The source added that the deceased officer was identified as Ali Arkan, a new recruit in the rapid response police. The body was transferred to the forensic department, and the injured individual was taken to the hospital for treatment, with the police launching an investigation into the incident.
