"The Identity of Kirkuk -1-
Kirkuk is one of the oldest cities in Iraq. There is very little information about its history before Islam. It is mostly known after the Abbasis. The city has had a specific identity for more than a thousand years.
A Short Glance at the History of the City
The historical sources indicate that Abbasi Caliph Mu’tasım formed a troop of Turkish guardsmen in 835 AD and this troop gradually shouldered more responsibilities in the government1. Therefore, it is possible to say that Turks started to settle down in Kirkuk after 8352. The Caliph invited Tugrul Bey, the ruler of the Seljuks, to Baghdad in order to end the pressure of Buveyhis on the Abbasis. Tugrul Bey entered Iraq in 10
55 with his army that was composed of mostly Oghuz Turks. Tugrul Beg set up a military dominance and controlled the public security in the area3. Kirkuk had remained under the control of the Great Seljuk Empire for 63 years. The Iraqi Seljuks came into power in 1118; however, they were able to control Kirkuk for only 12 years."
More:JTW News - The Identity of Kirkuk -1-