ERBIL — A Kurdish political activist, formerly an advisor to Qubad Talabani on Anfal affairs, has revealed that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has reached an agreement with pro-Iranian militia groups to execute approximately 11,000 Sunni prisoners, with the Iraqi president expected to issue the execution decrees.
Taymour Abdullah Ahmed, known as Taymouri Anfal and the sole survivor of the infamous Anfal campaign, stated on his official Facebook page that despite warnings from the international community for the PUK not to align itself with Shia militias against the Sunni community, Iraqi President Latif Rashid has signed off on the execution of 680 Sunni citizens sentenced to death in various Iraqi prisons at the request of Shia militias.
"This is a dangerous new development that will create problems for the Kurds, as Latif Rashid is a Kurd and holds that position," warned Taymour.
The activist noted that the Sunni prisoners at risk of execution include those arrested by Iraqi Shia authorities in the past, charged with various offenses, and sentenced to death. However, to carry out the sentences, the Iraqi President must issue a special decree.
Among the 680 people sentenced to death are tribal leaders, religious teachers, muftis, doctors, and civilians. Taymour added that all of them received political punishment for refusing to support Shia policies in Iraq.
Neither the Iraqi presidency nor the PUK has commented on these claims, although on October 17th, the Iraqi presidency denied that the president issued a decree for the mass execution of prisoners.
Three bills are currently being discussed in the Iraqi parliament, each supported by one community and opposed by another. These include a law for a general amnesty, which the Sunni community demands but the Shia community rejects; an amendment to the Personal Status Law, which is sought by the Shia but opposed by most other communities; and a law to annul the decisions of the Revolutionary Leadership Council, which would allow for the return of occupied Kurdish property in Kirkuk and surrounding areas—an action opposed by Sunni nationalists.
Observers believe that implementing the mass death penalty will lead Sunnis to abandon the amnesty law, as those advocating for their release may not survive. In this scenario, the passage of the bills favored by the Kurds and Shia could be jeopardized.