Curfew in Kirkuk: What sparked clashes between Kurds and Arabs in Iraq, resulting in 3 fatalities? How did the violence erupt?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Kirkuk, a northern Iraqi city, following violent confrontations between rival demonstrations by Kurdish and Arab residents. The clashes have prompted Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to order extensive security operations in the affected areas.

Prime Minister's Call for Calm

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, in a statement from his office on Saturday, imposed the curfew in Kirkuk and called for all parties to play their part in preventing further strife and ensuring security, stability, and order in Kirkuk Governorate.

Deadly Confrontations

At least three civilians were killed, and sixteen people sustained injuries during the unrest, as confirmed by a local official. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear. According to Ziad Khalaf, the director of the local health authority, the injured individuals suffered wounds from bullets, stones, or glass. Among the injured, a member of the security forces was also reported.

The reason behind violent clashes in Iraq’s Kirkuk

Tensions had been simmering for nearly a week in Kirkuk, a historically disputed region between the federal government in Baghdad and authorities in the semi-autonomous Kurdish north. The focal point of these tensions revolved around the occupation of a building that previously served as the Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) headquarters. The Iraqi army has used this building as a base since 2017.

While the central government had intended to return the building to the KDP as a gesture of goodwill, Arab and Turkmen opponents established a protest camp outside the premises, contesting the handover.

How did the violence erupt?

The violence erupted when a group of Kurdish protesters approached the camp, as reported by officials. Police at