ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Shiite militia forces have detained 175 people in just three days in Khurmatu south of Kirkuk. However, these Shiite forces, also called Hashd al-Shaabi, have planted explosives to blame them on Sunnis in those areas, Kurdish and Sunni security forces allege.
There are some Kurdish residents among the 175 detainees. Some 134 of them have recently been released, but the fate of the other 41 is still unknown. Authorities in Khurmatu have asked Shiite clerics to play their role in normalizing the situation inside the city.
The Shiite militias on the other hand claim they are protectors of the city, denying reports of kidnapping and killing residents. They blame ISIS for the explosions.
Many Iraqi Mobilization Forces have been spread across the city, while Kurdish forces are on alert outside Khurmatu, insisting they are not looking for military confrontation with the Shiites.
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