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Iraqi Military Advances in Kirkuk, Captures Key Positions from Kurdish Forces

Iraqi Military Advances in Kirkuk, Captures Key Positions from Kurdish Forces
folder_openMiddle East... access_time6 years ago
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In a new advancement, Iraqi troops have captured several key Kurdish Peshmerga-controlled positions near Kirkuk and continue to advance, according to the Iraqi military. Earlier, troops deployed to secure Kirkuk clashed with Kurds in the disputed area.

Iraqi Military Advances in Kirkuk, Captures Key Positions from Kurdish Forces

The Iraqi armed forces gained control of roads and infrastructure near Kirkuk from Kurdish fighters, including the North Gas Company station, a nearby oil processing plant, and the industrial district south of the city. The military also captured Kirkuk's K-1 Air Base from Kurdish forces, a military statement says, according to Reuters.

"Forces are continuing to advance," the Iraqi military said in a statement on Monday, as cited by Reuters.

Following the clashes between the Peshmerga [military force of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan] and Iraqi government troops supported by the People's Mobilization Forces PMF]- a state-loyal umbrella organization composed of 40 militias - civilians blocked roads inside Kirkuk to prevent Peshmerga military vehicles from retreating, according to Rudaw.

Early Monday morning, Iraqi government troops alongside the Poular Mobilization Forces started advancing towards the Peshmerga frontlines from Taza, just south of the city of Kirkuk.

The troops were ordered to "impose security in Kirkuk in cooperation with Kurdish Peshmerga," Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on live television. Under the orders, the army should "secure bases [and] federal installations in Kirkuk province." The troops were also advised "to cooperate with Peshmerga and avoid confrontations, and to protect all civilians."

Iraqi state TV reported that Counter-Terrorism Service, the federal government and the 9th division of the Iraqi Army, have already secured "large areas" without any resistance from the Kurdish command.

Kurdish news channel, Rudaw, however, reports that clashes between Kurdish and government-led forces have erupted on the Taza Khurmatu front.

Iraqi security sources told Reuters that gunfire was heard in Kirkuk while the Peshmerga were urging the locals to resist. Kurdish sources meanwhile told the agency that clashes took place in the industrial zone of Kirkuk, while an artillery exchange took place south of the city.

As tensions rise the US Department of Defense urged "all sides to avoid additional escalatory actions."

Earlier, the Kurdistan Security Council stated that Baghdad is trying to secure the K-1 military base, the Kirkuk airport and the oilfields which are under the control of the Kurdish fighters.

The Kurdish leadership said on Saturday that they would not comply and leave all of the outposts mentioned in a list of demands, provincial Governor Najmaldin Karim told reporters.

"The places that they have demanded, as mentioned in those points, have so far all been rejected," Karim was quoted as saying by Rudaw.

However, ahead of the deadline Kurdish forces have voluntarily left Bashir and Taza, but remained at Kirkuk airport and K-1 military base, which are now the primary targets for Baghdad.

Tensions between Baghdad and the regional Kurdish government have been tense in the wake of Kurdistan's independence referendum late last month where some 92.7 percent of voters chose to leave Iraq.

Baghdad immediately denounced the move as "unconstitutional." Turkey, Iran and Syria also expressed their opposition to the creation of an independent Kurdistan over concerns that it may spur separatist sentiment in their own Kurdish-populated areas.

Ahead of the launch of the military operation, the Iraqi government accused Kurdish authorities of harboring Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party in Kirkuk, calling it "a declaration of war against other Iraqis and legal security forces."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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