Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior denied reports of the arrest of over 320 officers and personnel from security checkpoints in Kirkuk, including the head of checkpoints and posts, for unknown reasons.

In a statement, the ministry refuted social media reports linking the arrests to the population census that began on Wednesday, November 20.

"This issue is unrelated to the population census; it stems from organizational, administrative, and some investigative matters…We investigated 18 officers and personnel, detaining those involved in financial corruption at the checkpoints,” the ministry clarified.

The ministry further affirmed that "officers and personnel at Kirkuk's security checkpoints continue their duties as usual, following established procedures," and rejected any accusations, reserving “the right to take legal action against those attempting to distort the facts or interfere with the ministry’s legal and administrative work."

Earlier today, a security source reported that the Ministry of Interior released 300 officers and personnel detained and interrogated in Baghdad over security checkpoint operations in the province.

The source added, "The ministry retained 20 officers and personnel for further investigation, while the 300 released returned to Kirkuk and their work sites after questioning."

On Wednesday, the Iraqi Turkmen Front urged the Minister of Interior to urgently investigate the police chief of Kirkuk over the arrest of the head of Kirkuk's security checkpoints and 320 officers and personnel from checkpoints near Erbil and Al-Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, one day before the national population census.