Tuz Khurmatu, 56 miles south of the city of Kirkuk, is mainly populated by Kurds and Turkmen. Local Turkmen have reacted angrily with some talking of taking the law into their own hands. Mohamed Albayati, Turkmen MP in the Iraqi parliament, issued a statement accusing the local mayor and security apparatus of failing to protect his community. He said that, due to sectarian tensions with Sunnis who control the town, Shia Turkmen are arming to defend themselves.
This latest outrage should be another nail in the coffin of the Maliki government. In December, according to official statistics at least 208 Iraqi civilians, soldiers and police officials were killed in terror attacks. In terms of its record of providing security, for most people this government might as well not exist.
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