Official blames Baghdad anti-Kurdish policy in Kirkuk

There are reports that Kurds in the province are under pressure after October 16, 2017 when Kurdish forces of Peshmerga left the disputed regions that both Baghdad and Erbil claim jurisdiction over.
Meanwhile recent reports stated five Kurdish officials have been sacked in the province and have been replaced by Arabs.
Askeri confirmed to Kurdpress that a number of Kurdish officials have been sacked as the governor of Kirkuk has changed and the governorate is inactive, adding that officials in the province are putting Kurds under pressure to make them to leave Kirkuk.
He further said that officias in Kirkuk are against Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution which backs a referendum to decide he fate if the province, warning the plicies endangers security of the province.
Askeri warned Kirkuk is insecure and it is very likely that forces from.Kirkuk could be deployed to Iraq centra and southern provinces that are straggling insecurity and instability due to anti-government protests.
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