In Pictures

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In Pictures: Tension in Kirkuk

While people continue their day to day business an atmosphere of tension lies over Kirkuk.

Turkmen militiamen gather at the headquarters of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) in Kirkuk. The head of the ITF, Arshad Salihi, announced the mobilisation of Turkmen militia in response to the ongoing crisis in Iraq.
By Jacob Russell
Published On 18 Jun 2014

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The city of Kirkuk in northern Iraq used to lie in the zone disputed by Baghdad and the Kurdish authorities. One week ago it fell entirely under Kurdish control when, on June 12, the Iraqi army abandoned their bases and posts. They left in the face of rapid gains by the Sunni fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and the Kurdish Peshmerga forces immediately consolidated their control.

Iraqi army bases were stripped and looted of anything of value and Kurdish officials could scarcely hide their satisfaction at finally being in full control of Kirkuk.

Now the city is relatively calm but tense. The Iraqi Turkmen Front recently announced the mobilisation of a militia to protect their interests, both against ISIL but also against Kurdish expansion. The black market trade in weapons is thriving with traders openly selling weapons many of which were reportedly taken from Iraqi army bases.

People are glad that the Peshmerga are present and seem capable of defending them against the advances of ISIL but also unsure of what is next for Kirkuk, a city in which violence never feels far away.

Salihi said that if the Kurdish forces didn(***)t return control of Kirkuk to the Iraqi government at some point, the Turkmen community would have to "fight back".
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A Kurdish Peshmerga walks past graffiti on the wall of an Iraqi army base outside Kirkuk. The graffiti reads: "We will not leave Kirkuk."
The base was abandoned by Iraqi troops and taken over by the Peshmerga in the face of rapid gains by ISIL.
Minorities such as the Turkmen do not necessarily trust the Kurdish authorities who are now completely in control of Kirkuk. Ethnic tension has long been present in the city.
The Turkmen in particular feel that their interests will not be looked after by the Kurdish authorities.
More people dressed in civilian clothes and carrying arms can be seen on the streets in Kirkuk.
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Gun sellers and buyers pictured in the unofficial gun market in Kirkuk. While it could not be confirmed, many reported that guns looted from Iraqi army bases are entering the black market.
The market was busy and trading occurred openly in front of Kurdish security forces.
Many people cite the illegal weapons trade that goes on in full view of police and security forces as evidence that they are not interested in maintaining law and order.
Arshad Salihi (L) head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) speaks to an adviser about developments in the town of Tal Afar at the ITF(***)s headquarters in Kirkuk.
In this photo taken prior to the current conflict between the Iraqi government and ISIL, police patrol the ancient citadel of Kirkuk.