The Arabization of Kirkuk After October 16, 2017: An Old Policy with a New Face

Kirkuk: Between Identity and the Struggle Against Arabization
The changes that occurred following the events of October 2017 in Kirkuk were not merely military developments. Rather, they marked the beginning of a new phase that once again transformed the issue of Kirkuk into a struggle between identity and power. Throughout history, Kirkuk has not only been an economically important region, but also a city repeatedly subjected to attempts aimed at Arabization and altering the demographic balance among its various communities.

During the era of Saddam Hussein's regime, the policy of Arabization was implemented systematically. Kurdish residents were forcibly expelled from their homes, while Arab families were resettled in their place and granted extensive rights and privileges. This process was not simply a demographic shift; it was an attempt to reshape the identity of the city itself.

After 2003, there was hope that this issue could be resolved through the Iraqi Constitution, particularly Article 140, which calls for "normalization" and the restoration of the rights of the indigenous Kurdish population of the province. Unfortunately, this article has never been fully implemented, and to this day, it has not been applied as intended.

The Situation in Kirkuk After 2017
Following October 2017, the situation in Kirkuk changed once again. According to many Kurdish perspectives, a new form of Arabization emerged. Dozens of families from southern Iraq were reportedly settled in the area through political parties and armed militia groups affiliated with Iran. After what many Kurds describe as the "great betrayal" of October 2017, several administrative positions previously held by Kurds were removed from their control, and Arabs and Turkmens were appointed in their place.

Undoubtedly, these efforts to weaken the Kurdish role within state institutions, combined with the return of certain Arab families through what critics describe as illegal means, formed part of a broader new process. This is not only a national issue but also a matter of justice. The return of any family should take place within the framework of the law and should be balanced with the return of more than 20,000 Kurdish families who were displaced following the 1975 setback and forced to relocate to Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah. Their rights must likewise be protected. Otherwise, the process risks becoming a form of Arabization implemented without official declaration.

Key Measures to Prevent Demographic Change
The issue of preventing Arabization in Kirkuk and other areas of Kurdistan is not solely a question of identity. It is also a political, legal, and demographic issue:

• First: Kurds must remain united. Internal divisions, alongside the efforts of those who oppose Kurdish aspirations, have become one of the strongest factors facilitating the continuation of the Arabization project.
• Second: Greater support must be given to legal mechanisms, particularly the implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which provides a framework for resolving the status of Kirkuk and other disputed territories.
• Third: The Kurdish population in these areas must be encouraged to return and be provided with material and public-service support. Depopulation creates conditions that facilitate demographic change.
• Fourth: Promoting national awareness and protecting Kurdish language and culture are essential. Arabization is not only about changing ownership of land; it is also about transforming identity.
• Fifth: Active diplomatic efforts are needed to bring this issue to the attention of the international community and to generate pressure on the parties that, according to critics, are advancing the Arabization project.

Conclusion
In any case, if the Kurds fail to preserve internal unity, strengthen their position, and develop a clear and effective strategy, Arabization will undoubtedly continue. However, unity, adherence to the law, and public awareness can serve as powerful tools in preventing the success of that project.