Iraqi Turkmen

The Iraqi Turkmens, also referred to as Iraqi Turks, are the third largest ethnic group in Iraq. Their traditional homeland is in northern Iraq, mainly Kirkuk and Nineveh provinces, with Kirkuk considered by them as their capital. They have close cultural ties with Turkey, and are closely related to Syrian Turkmen. Iraqi Turkmens in Iraq do not identify with the traditionally-nomadic Turkmens of Central Asia.