Iraq army seize Kirkuk area, Peshmerga say 26 fighters killed in 4 days
Iraqi forces in Kirkuk
Kirkuk (IraqiNews.com) Iraq’s military command said Friday it totally took over an area north of Kirkuk following reported clashes with Kurdish Peshmerga troops, further establishing its influence in the disputed province.
The Defense Ministry’s War Media Cell said Counter-Terrorism Service, Federal Police and Popular Mobilization forces took over Alton Kobri area, on the Kirkuk-Erbil road.
“The town is under the control of our federal forces,” read the WMC statement.
The development came as news reports told of an exchange of artillery fire between Peshmerga and security forces at the area.
Meanwhile, Alghad Press quoted a senior Peshmerga commander saying in a press statement in Kirkuk that the force had lost 26 of its fighters during encounters over the past four days.
Iraqi troops, backed by Popular Mobilization Forces, took over Kirkuk province from Kurdish Peshmerga fighters on Tuesday, fulfilling instructions made earlier by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to retake areas where sovereignty is disputed with Kurdistan Region’s Government. Abadi has ordered to evacuate all armed groups except for local police forces.
PMF spokesman, Ahmed al-Assadi, said Thursday mobilization forces withdrew from all positions to outside Kirkuk, leaving security duties to local police.
The Iraqi military command said it became in control over all of the province’s oil fields, military bases and government facilities. The military takeover came after Kurdistan voted in September to secede from Iraq. Iraqi officials have frequently reiterated they would proceed until federal government control is fully re-established in disputed territories.