ERBIL — Residents of Palkana village in Kirkuk have accused the Iraqi army of threatening to imprison them and preventing their return to their homes, even as they attempt to participate in Iraq’s census process.

Several residents told Kurdistan 24 that they were denied access to their village, where many have not resided since the events of October 16, 2017. The Iraqi army reportedly allowed the families a brief window to evacuate but has otherwise barred them from staying or registering for the census.

"We are about 30 families who came to the village to register ourselves for the census, but the army prevents us from returning to our houses, which are now occupied," one resident told the report. "They only gave us a few hours to leave the village."

Another villager alleged that the army has issued threats of imprisonment should they persist in their efforts to remain. "We insist on staying in the village because it is our home, and we must register here," he said.

The residents have called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Kirkuk’s local administration to intervene and stop the Iraqi army’s involvement in the census process.

The tensions in Palkana are part of broader disputes in disputed territories such as Kirkuk, where Kurdish residents have faced restrictions since the federal government took control of the area following the Kurdish independence referendum in 2017.

In recent years, Kurdish farmers in the region have also accused the Iraqi army of blocking access to their agricultural lands during harvest season. These incidents have sparked widespread concern and drawn appeals to officials, including the KRG, the Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, and the Iraqi Prime Minister, for resolution.

The village residents hope for swift action to address their grievances and ensure their participation in Iraq’s census process without further obstruction.