The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern on Friday over the movement of Kurdish populations from the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to Iraq’s northern Kirkuk province as part of the country’s first nationwide population census in 37 years.

In a statement on X, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli noted that while the census does not collect data on ethnic origins, the intensified migration has alarmed Iraqi Turkmen and Arab communities.

“Although no data on ethnic origins has been collected in the said census, the intense population movement has understandably caused concern among Iraqi Turkmen and Arab communities,” Keceli stated.

He warned that the irregular movement of individuals not originally from Kirkuk into the province’s population could significantly alter its demographic balance, particularly influencing future elections.

“Our primary expectation and sensitivity regarding Kirkuk is that the historical demographic structure of the province is not tampered with, and that the people of Kirkuk continue to live in a manner agreed upon by the original components of the province,” Keceli emphasized, urging Iraqi authorities to address the situation and protect the rights of Turkmen, who have faced historical atrocities.

Iraq initiated its long-awaited national census on Wednesday, including the KRG. The exercise, delayed for decades due to instability following the 2003 US invasion, is expected to play a critical role in determining the national budget, development projects, and parliamentary seat allocation.