Escalation Between the KDP and PUK Deepens Amid Allegations
Diyar Harki – Founder of KurdFile
The Kurdistan Democratic Party has failed to pursue any meaningful resolution with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) following the recent escalations, allowing tensions to intensify rather than de-escalate.
Nechirvan, the individual at the center of these allegations, was previously a PUK candidate in the last two elections for both the Iraqi Parliament and the Kurdistan Parliament, though he did not secure a seat. He currently serves as head of the PUK’s Khabat committee. This development raises a pressing political question: will Bafel Talabani respond with reciprocal measures against a KDP cadre, further widening the divide?
The KDP has not presented objective, independently verifiable evidence to substantiate the testimony reportedly obtained under torture. The visual material circulated as “evidence” had already been publicly available on social media, where Nechirvan appeared speaking to PUK media in his capacity as a citizen. Allegations have also emerged that explosives and heavy weaponry were planted in homes in Lajan village — a claim that gained traction after the sudden mass displacement of villagers disrupted the situation.
KDP-affiliated media later asserted that Nechirvan was the individual seen in an image carrying a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG), yet no transparent verification process accompanied this claim. The political implications now shift to the PUK’s leadership: how will they respond to what is widely viewed as a provocative escalation? Will Bafel Talabani publicly challenge what are described as fabrications, or will party cadres become bargaining chips in broader disputes with the Barzani leadership? Likewise, what position will Jauhar Harki take in response to these allegations?
Notably, Nechirvan is officially referred to as a suspect rather than a convicted individual, underscoring that no fair and transparent judicial process has concluded. Footage circulating online appears to show visible signs of physical trauma. If accurate, such imagery raises serious concerns regarding due process and the treatment of detainees.
At stake is more than a single case. The manner in which political disputes are handled — whether through institutions and law or through coercion and media warfare — will shape the trajectory of governance and public trust in the Kurdistan Region.
Author Profile
- Diyar Harki is an independent investigative journalist and human rights advocate. As a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), he focuses on exposing corruption and human rights abuses in Kurdistan and Iraq. He voluntarily contributes to Kurdfile Media.
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