Peshmerga Ministry condemns assault on Kurdish youth over flag in Tuz Khurmatu

SALAH AL-DIN — The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs on Tuesday condemned an incident in which several Iraqi soldiers assaulted a Kurdish civilian in Khurmatu district for carrying the Kurdistan flag, calling the act a violation of human rights and constitutional protections.

A video circulating on social media appeared to show an Iraqi security member in Khurmatu striking a Kurdish youth, with a voice in the background saying the attack occurred because the man was carrying the Kurdistan flag.

“We strongly condemn the inappropriate behavior of those Iraqi army soldiers in Khurmatu who attacked a young Kurd simply because he was holding the Kurdistan flag,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry described the assault as “a clear violation of basic human rights,” adding that “the Kurdistan flag is a symbol of identity and pride for the Kurdish people, officially recognized under Iraq’s federal and democratic constitution.” It added, “No one should be subjected to violence or assault for raising it.”

The ministry urged Iraqi legal and military authorities to “take swift measures and conduct a serious investigation into the incident,” saying those responsible “must be brought to justice to prevent such acts from recurring, as they harm peaceful coexistence in these regions.”

The Kurdistan flag is recognized as an official and lawful symbol under Iraq’s 2005 constitution. Article 117 affirms the Kurdistan Region as a “permanent and official federal region,” and the Kurdistan Parliament has formally adopted the flag, granting it legal status throughout Iraq.