Armed attack launched against Iraqi troops in Kirkuk
Iraqi forces in Kirkuk
“The attack against the Iraqi army occurred near Klousi village,” the source told Baghdad Today. “Deployed troops responded strongly.”
Earlier this month, the Kurdish Peshmerga Ministry has said that the Iraqi federal and paramilitary troops are rallying in south of Sulaimaniya, describing the step as dangerous one that does not helping de-escalation.
Last month, the ministry indicated being informed about the PMFs movements in Altun Kupri. Peshmerga commander Kamal Kirkuki said in remarks to Voice of America that PMFs moved on from Kirkuk toward Altun Kupri, located near Erbil.
Iraqi government forces approached the southern borders of Erbil, capital of semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, shortly after engaging in clashes with the region’s forces in Qushtapa and Altun Kupri in northern Kirkuk in October. The troops took over Kirkuk from Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, fulfilling instructions previously made by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to retake areas where sovereignty is disputed with Kurdistan Region’s Government
Baghdad had declared intentions to retake areas disputed on with Erbil following the Kurdistan Region’s vote for independence from Iraq in September, urging Peshmerga to cooperate with federal troops.