The Iraqi army has reached centre of provincial capital Kirkuk on its major offensive in Kurdish-dominated north of country. Within a few hours, it had taken on important targets such as North Oil company’s military airport and field. Subsequently, special units n conquered building of Kurdish Regional government – largely uncontested, as news agency Reuters and German press agency, citing local security circles and residents of city, report.
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According to Reuters, Iraqi anti-terrorist force has moved to CTS with about ten military vehicles and moved to city centre position. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered Iraqi flag to be hoisted in Kirkuk and or Kurdish areas. According to army, Iraqi troops are now controlling large areas around millions of cities, including a natural gas plant and a power plant.
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The offensive is most severe reaction of government in Baghdad to independence referendum in Kurdish region and in Kirkuk. A clear majority for a detachment from Iraq had been expressed on 25 September.
Iraq’s prime Minister al-Abadi called on Kurdish Peshmerga fighters to become part of Iraqi armed forces in a declaration read on state television. It was his “constitutional duty” to ensure security and enforce authority of central government. He urged all citizens to cooperate with army and to be “vigilant”.
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In fact, town and nearby oil fields have been controlled by Kurds since 2014. Their fighters had taken over region shortly before Iraqi army had fled militia of so-called “Islamic State” (IS). As a result, Kurds also controlled North Oil company, one of country’s two largest companies. Now Iraqi central government wants to reclaim sovereignty over territory.
“Coordinated movements, no attacks”
The US, who had armed both Iraqi army and Peshmerga for anti-war battle with weapons, called on both sides to avoid furr escalation. An offensive did not want to confirm Pentagon, but spoke of a “misunderstanding”. They observe military vehicles on both sides and believe that y are “coordinated movements, not attacks,” it was said in a statement. “Two elements tried to connect with each or under limited visual conditions.”
Similarly harmless were Iraqi military representatives who spoke of an almost unresisting advance. Representatives of Kurds, on or hand, reported battles mainly in south of city. A health service representative spoke of ten deaths and 27 injured fighters in Dschadschamal region. Dozens of peshmerga would still be missing. Two deaths were reported from Tus Chormatu. The peshmerga threatened that Iraqi government would pay a high price for offensive.
Bundeswehr interrupts Ausbildungsmissoin
In view of renewed tensions, Bundeswehr interrupted its training mission in region. The formation of Kurdish Peshmerga was provisionally suspended for German soldiers due to unclear situation on Friday evening, said a spokesman for Defense Ministry on Monday evening. At time, Bundeswehr learned about first Iraqi troop movements.
The protection of soldiers has increased priority, it was said from ministry. There is no knowledge of what is happening, but media reports on situation have been noted. No German soldiers were stationed in Kirkuk itself. In coordination with Allies of coalition against IS, one now wants to probe situation.
Kurds ask us for help
There have been conflicts between Kurds and Arabs in norrn Iraqi province for decades. The main points of controversy are six oil fields, which produce 340,000 barrels per day and which have secured good revenue for Kurdish Regional government – also for a separate state that leadership intends to establish in area controlled by it.
This will not only prevent government in Baghdad, but also its allies in Turkey and Iran. Both of Iraq’s neighbours have mselves large Kurdish minorities and fear Nachahmereffekte, should Iraqi Kurds prevail with ir secessionist aspirations. According to eyewitness witnesses, governments in Tehran and Ankara also support current offensive of Iraqi army. Thus, re were skirmishes between peshmerga and a Shiite militia trained and armed by Iran.
The representative of Kurdish Regional government in Washington, Bajan Sami Rahman, called US via Twitter to perceive ir leadership role. Furr destabilization of region and a next war must be prevented.
