Why is Jawhar Agha Harki Being Accused?

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Diyar Harki – Founder of KurdFile

From his youth until recently, Jawhar Agha Harki could not be brought to heel; he did not sell himself for financial gain and remained largely neutral. For a period, he established an Iraqi political party, though he was not successful in the realm of partisan politics. Following several meetings with Masoud Barzani the leader of the KDP and then-President of the Region regarding the rights and demands of the Harky people concerning their villages, particularly in the Badinan region, no agreement was reached.

To my knowledge, Jawhar Agha demanded the restitution of Harky properties and assets that had been seized following the spring of 1991, which were subsequently occupied by members of other tribes.

After a long period of silence, Jawhar Harki established a rapport with the PUK through Lahur Jangi in early 2021, relocating to Sulaymaniyah for this purpose. Following the fallout between Lahur and Bafel, Jawhar aligned with the ruling faction and continued working with Bafel on Harky tribal affairs. He fielded a candidate for parliament in the last two elections, though they failed to secure the necessary votes on both occasions.

The most significant obstacle facing Jawhar Harki is the restriction on his entry into the Yellow Zone (KDP-controlled territory). He faces criticism for not returning to be amongst his people, choosing instead to conduct tribal and political affairs from a distance. In response, Jawhar Harky asserts that his life is not safe under KDP rule because he has refused to be subjugated by the Barzanis or bow to them.

The Events of Lajan and Jawhar Harki

Undoubtedly, PUK media channels influenced the events in Lajan; however, it cannot be said that their impact was solely negative. It is multifaceted. Without media presence, KDP-led killings as well as PUK-led killings would not be easily restrained. Furthermore, the PUK channels contributed to public outrage, particularly today, as they had the courage to broadcast the footage. This protected the people from the foul schemes of Rebar Barzani and forced a change in his rhetoric, despite his threats of yesterday.

Did the PUK have a hand in these events through Jawhar Agha?

I consider it unlikely that Jawhar had any direct involvement. What exists is a political stance; as a tribal leader, he has voiced his grievances and protests through PUK and Baghdad-based channels. At present, that is the extent of his capability.

In my view, the KDP’s attempt to link the Khor Mor incidents and the PMF to Lanaz and the local villagers who have been protesting continuously for nearly a year with clear, unchanging demands is farcical.

However, both the KDP and PUK tend to manufacture larger crises during times of instability to swallow up genuine grievances and suppress public anger and dissatisfaction.

The broader picture is clear: the Barzanis have long-standing, deep-seated issues with the Harky tribe. To this end, they have worked in dozens of ways to divide the Harky people by creating minor chieftains, leaders, commanders, and sheikhs, enriching some cadres and bribing others. The same occurs within the PUK. The Harky tribe, once an influential force, has been fractured into several factions, each entrenched against the other. This has guaranteed the security of the Barzanis, allowing them to exploit the tribe for their own objectives.

It would be advisable for Jawhar Harki to review his steps, distance himself from the Talabani and Barzani family, and move closer to his people. Only then will his influence be felt, and he will find it far easier to seize the initiative on the streets in several strategic areas of Kurdistan whenever he chooses.

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Diyar Harki: 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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