Arabisation could lead to more violence in Iraq

Human Rights Watch reports that the forced displacement of Kurds, Turkmen and Assyrians for years could lead to an outbreak of violence in northern Iraq:

The report says the authorities' failure to resolve property disputes in northern Iraq threatens to undermine security there.

In rural areas, it says many Arabs are now living in overcrowded conditions in public or military buildings.

Large numbers of them fled their homes before the end of last year's war; others were allegedly evicted by returning Kurds.

Meanwhile many Kurds remain displaced. Some say they cannot afford to reoccupy or rebuild their former homes, while Kurds who have returned to the city of Kirkuk but have no claim to property there often end up living in wretched conditions.