The process of turning Qaratapa to a district is progressing, with government offices being separated from Khanaqin district and directly connected to Baquba, the center of Diyal province. Meanwhile, the Kurds are seeking a legal way to halt the change through the courts.
The Kurds believe the Arabs are trying to minimialize Khanaqin and consider it more political than administrative step for upcoming elections.
Recently, as part of the steps to establish Qaratapa as a district, the education department has been shifted from a small part of Khanaqin to the General Directorate of Education, now under provincial administration.
This move followed the Baghdad Administrative Court's dismissal of a complaint filed by Susan Mansour, a Kurdish/Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) lawmaker, citing a missed deadline for filing.
"I have filed a complaint against the planning minister, the governor, and the speaker of the Diyala provincial council. We will not stay silent as there have been numerous legal and administrative violations," Mansour, an Iraqi parliamentarian from Diyala, informed KirkukNow.
On December 31, 2024, the Diyala provincial council decided to elevate Qaratapa, Jalaoula, and Bani Saad to districts. However, the debate, particularly concerning Qaratapa, continued for months until the Iraqi Ministry of Planning issued an administrative decree on July 2, 2025, officially establishing Qaratapa as a district with defined boundaries and Jabara as part of it.
On July 26, 2013, Qaratapa was formally declared a district, and the mayor assumed office in the mayoralty/district office building.
In mid-September, the Baghdad Administrative Court rejected the Kurdish MP's complaint, stating it was filed 30 days after Qaratapa's districtization. Despite this, a lawyer from the same party has taken the case to
the High Administrative Court and previously lodged a complaint with the governor of Diyala, awaiting a response.
Qaratapa was a sub-district in the Khanaqin district of Diyala province, with a population of 50,000 residing in 10 neighborhoods and surrounding villages. The population is a mix of Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen.
The Taqadum coalition representative in the Diyala provincial council, supporting Qaratapa's districtization, affirmed that they will proceed with all legal procedures despite the protests.
"The transition of Qaratapa sub-district to an independent district will bring various benefits to the region, notably a more autonomous administrative structure allowing better resource management and quicker local decision-making," said Nafia al-Jibouri, the representative of Qaratapa in Diyala provincial council, stated.
"It will also expand government service offices such as courts, real estate registration, traffic, civil status, and other institutions within the district, making it easier for citizens to access services without going to Khanaqin," he added.
The Kurds held significant administrative positions in Qaratapa until 2017, including the sub-district mayor role. However, due to the aftermath of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq KRI referendum and other conflicts, these positions are no longer held by Kurds.
Qaratapa is severely underdeveloped and does not warrant district status according to Maysar Zubaidi, a local activist.
It does not deserve even a sub-district title
"The change of Qaratapa from a sub-district to a district is purely political and for election purposes, serving the interests of a specific party," Zubaidi expressed.
He believes the town is still so marginalized and deprived of services, "it does not deserve even a sub-district title, not a district, so first should be developed and rebuilt and then raise the administrative level.”
For example, there is no hospital in Karatapa and only a health center. He believes that “the current mentality and lack of justice and equality is bad for the future of coexistence and stability in the city.”
Kurdish parties in Khanaqin protested the districtization of Qaratapa on July 8, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Akbar Haider, head of the 15th branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Khanaqin, criticized the districtization, viewing it as a move
to weaken Khanaqin politically and economically by separating Qaratapa and Jabara.
The parties have formed a legal committee to challenge the decision.
The Diyala provincial council sent a letter to the Ministry of Planning on July 20, requesting a halt to Qaratapa's districtization pending further investigation, but the procedures remain ongoing.
Aws Ibrahim, the sole Kurdish member of the Diyala provincial council, believes Qaratapa does not meet the requirements for district status.
He also noted that Qaratapa and Jabara, covered by Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution, should not undergo changes until the article is fully implemented.
In March 2025, the provincial council questioned Omar Krui, the council speaker, and later voted for no confidence due to alleged dishonest answers.
Nafia al-Jibouri anticipates legal or administrative obstacles for Qaratapa but vows to ensure continuity despite the council's request to suspend districtization procedures.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has referred the districtization issue to the Erbil Council of Ministers, citing violations of Article 140 and potential demographic impacts.
Mansour criticized the transfer of Koks sub-district to Qaratapa, arguing it is illegal as it belongs to the KRG. Qaratapa, in her view, does not meet the necessary criteria for district status.
The Kurds have one parliamentarian and one provincial council member in Diyala, with the PUK participating in the local administration alongside Arab parties. Up today, only the posts of mayor of Khanaqin and director of Saadiyah sub-district have been decided.
