KHURMATU, Kurdistan Region –A Peshmerga force that was sent to Khurmatu has been withdrawn and another Kurdish force called “The Black Force” was deployed to Kirkuk Province's southern city of Khurmatu to try and quash ethno-sectarian tensions there. The Peshmerga commander says they are authorized to send any forces to solve problems there. “We temporarily deployed to Khurmatu. We are in a position to deploy our forces to anywhere if the need arises,” the Peshmerga's commander Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa told Rudaw. “The Black force” has been deployed to the city to resolve conflicts between the Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen there. "We the Black Force have came here to provide security to this city and prevent local conflicts,” said Qader Hussein, Deputy Commander of The Black Force. “We are here to protect this city. We will not accept violence from any quarter. We will arrest anyone who tries to make trouble. “ Khurmatu has seen violence between Shiite militia and Sunni Arabs in recent months. The Mayor of the city, Shalal Abdul, told Rudaw that he believes that the presence of The Black Force could help contain these tensions.
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