PM Abadi: Whoever attacks Iraqi troops, will not be safe

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has warned against targeting or opening fire against federal troops at disputed regions, warning that whoever violates will not be safe.

During the weekly press conference held in Baghdad on Tuesday, Abadi said, “Kurdistan’s authorities suspended the negotiations between the military federal and Kurdish delegations and conditioned a political agreement to resume the talks.”

Abadi said would “lead to conflicts between federal and Peshmerga troops.”

He also accused the region’s authorities of reinforcing troops.

“Any force or authority that targets Iraqi troops will not be safe in Iraq,” Abadi threatened.

Tension occurred between Baghdad and Erbil in the wake of the independence referendum held in September by Kurdistan Regional Government, when 92 percent voted for independence from Iraq. Baghdad rejected the vote and replied with retaking territories where sovereignty is disputed with Erbil, including oil facilities.

Walid al-Helli, who is Abadi’s advisor, said on Monday that Iraqi government will impose its control on the border crossings that are out of its control, even if by force. He added that 29 crossing are out of the federal government’s control.

This came after Hadi al-Ameri, secretary-general of Badr Organization, ruled out on Friday possibilities that Iraqi federal troops attack the kurdish Peshmerga at the disputed regions in Nineveh and Kirkuk.