The Iraqi army's recent move to reclaim the old Tobzawa camp in Kirkuk has ignited a contentious situation, raising concerns of displacing over a thousand families who hold property deeds to the land.

The camp, which once bore slogans from the Ba'athist regime and served as a gathering point for victims of the Anfal campaign, is now at the center of a dispute between the military and local residents.

In the last few days, a unit from the 11th Division of the Iraqi army has been deployed to the site, demanding that residents vacate the area. Ahmed Suleiman, a Tobzawa resident, conveyed the army's initial promises, stating, "They initially told us, 'We will come and become your neighbors,' but then they said, 'Prepare to leave here after it becomes a military camp.'"

Tensions have escalated, with Kurdish residents from Tobzawa protesting the army's attempt to reclaim the camp. They report that 15 military vehicles, armed with heavy weaponry, have been dispatched to the site with the intent of transforming it into a military base, leading to the potential displacement of over 1,000 families.

Shirzad Mohammed, another Tobzawa resident, expressed the sentiments of the community, stating, "This is not the first time, nor the second, and it will not be the last. They will return and want to rebuild the place and make it a camp again."

In response to the escalating situation, Sattar Nuri, a representative of Tobzawa farmers, called on Kurdish authorities to intervene urgently and at the highest levels. He suggested a solution by converting the camp into a museum.

The Tobzawa camp, established in 1987, has a dark history, having displaced the village's inhabitants. Local citizens now allege that there is an ongoing plot against them. Parts of the camp were later repurposed as a base for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) following the events of October 16, 2017. Additionally, a memorial stands on the site, honoring the victims of the Anfal campaign, with their families gathering there annually for commemoration.

Organizations dedicated to addressing the legacy of the Anfal campaign have also voiced their opposition to this latest attempt by the Iraqi army.

Kamal Dizayee, who lost 71 family members during the Anfal campaign and was previously imprisoned in the camp, is now an activist advocating for the rights of Anfal victims. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "It is the responsibility of Kurdish officials to work on transferring the ownership of the Tobzawa camp from the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to the village of Tobzawa, compensating Tobzawa, and keeping the camp while establishing a memorial in it."

Tobzawa, situated south of Kirkuk, represents the last remaining Kurdish area in the region. The dispute over the camp's future raises significant concerns about the stability and rights of the local Kurdish population, with protests continuing as residents demand their voices be heard.