[6][7] It is under de facto administration by Kurdistan Region, but remains a disputed area claimed by the central government.

[17] In 1921, the town was included in the plans of Winston Churchill in creating an independent Kurdistan which would work as a bulwark against Turkey.

[23] In October 1991, heavy fighting took place between Iraqi forces and Peshmerga after the former had started shelling the town indiscriminately, prompting about 1,000 Kurds to flee toward Sulaymaniyah.

[24][25] Iraqi forces would ultimately fail at recapturing the town[26] and Kifri would be included in the autonomous Kurdistan Region when established in May 1992, despite being part of Diyala Governorate.

[29] In September 2005, residents of Kifri demanded to be reincorporated into Kirkuk Governorate to reverse the Arabization policy of 1976.

[30] In July 2020, Iraqi and Kurdish forces agreed to jointly run the area south of the town despite recurring tensions.

[32] In the 19th century, Claudius Rich found artefacts at the site dating to the Sasanian and Middle Assyrian periods, including a fortified complex, jar and vessel.