Shop owners in Majidiya Market, one of Kirkuk's oldest commercial centers, have refused to leave their businesses, accusing the Kirkuk Investment Commission of working with a private investor to remove them from the market.
The Commission, however, insists that the traders had previously agreed to relocate and signed formal commitments with the investor.
Representing around 120 families, the shop owners held a press conference on Tuesday, June 30, where they accused the head of the Kirkuk Investment Commission and the brother of a former Kirkuk governor of coordinating efforts to evict them through what they described as a joint agreement.
"Our lease contracts were canceled, and our shops were handed over to an investor for redevelopment," said Hussein Ali, one of the market's traders. "Police regularly visit our shops and demand that we leave."
According to Kirkuk Investment Commission Chairman Diler Zaidan, the traders agreed in 2023 to vacate the market temporarily to allow the redevelopment project to proceed. Under the agreement, shop owners would either regain their businesses after construction was completed or, if they did not receive a replacement shop, receive financial compensation equal to four months' rent to help them lease another commercial space.
The traders now reject that arrangement, questioning why the investment project was awarded to the brother of former Kirkuk Governor Rakan Saeed. They argue that the investment license was granted while Rakan Saeed was still serving as governor.
"The investor obtained this project because of his brother, with the approval of the head of the Investment Commission," said Kamran, another shop owner. "We believe there is cooperation between them."
The traders called on Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to intervene and investigate what they describe as irregularities within the Kirkuk Investment Commission.
Their demands come as the Iraqi government continues a nationwide anti-corruption campaign targeting officials accused of financial misconduct. Although many of the traders had previously signed written commitments related to the redevelopment project, they now hope that the government's anti-corruption efforts will lead to the cancellation of the investment contract.
The northern, oil-rich, multi-ethnic Kirkuk Province, home to more than 2.34 million people, remains one of Iraq’s disputed territories between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Its future status is tied to Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which outlines a process involving normalization, census-taking, and public referendums.
Responding to the allegations, Zaidan told KirkukNow via WhatsApp that approximately 20 shop owners signed agreements with the investor in 2023 after the governor declined to renew their lease contracts.
"These properties belong to the government," Zaidan added. "The Investment Commission issued operating licenses on the condition that shop owners would receive stores in the new development at the same rental rate and without paying any advance fees. Those who are not allocated shops will receive compensation equivalent to four months' rent to secure premises elsewhere."
Zaidan also stressed that the redevelopment project is proceeding through legal channels.
"These are government-owned properties, and no individual has the authority to stop the project," he said. "The occupants have not paid rent since 2023, and their continued use of the properties is considered a legal violation."
