Following the end of his visit to Kirkuk, the Co-Leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Talabani, issued a statement, saying “Kirkuk to us is the Jerusalem of Kurdistan,”

“Kirkuk to us is the Jerusalem of Kurdistan, the green citadel of coexistence and brotherhood among all the authentic ethnicities of the city.” Bafel Talabani said in his official Facebook account.

He added, “PUK, as a party complied with Mam Jalal’s path, will stand beside Kirkukis. Now and in the future, with the same spirit of working, we will proceed the holy path and will not give up.”

Regarding the coexistence in the city, Talabani said, “We believe in peace, coexistence and brotherhood, but the oppression being applied over the Kirkukis are reaching a point that cannot be accepted,” adding “We extend the hand of brotherhood to all nations, ethnicities and religions, we believe in coexistence and partnership, but will not give up from our national rights.”

(PUKNOW)