Shiite militia clashes with locals in Salahaddin town
TUZ KHURMATU, Salahaddin province - A clash between the Shiite militia Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilization Units, and residents of the town of Tuz Khurmatu has left at least two civilians and one militia member injured, a security official told Rudaw.
“A Turkmen security official from the Iraqi army has tried to calm the situation. He held a meeting with representative from Kurdish protesters and Hashd al-Shaabi militias to work out the problems,” said Farouq Ahmed, a Tuz Khurmatu security official on Friday.
“Although the weapons and troops from both sides have yet to be withdrawn, but the situation has calmed down. We expect the tension to be over soon,” he added.
The Hashd al-Shaabi, who rose up last year to battle ISIS in different parts of Iraq, entered the town of Tuz Khurmatu and sparked tensions by allegedly taking control of several vehicles from a local factory.
Tuz Khurmatu is a disputed area in Salahaddin province with a mixed population of Turkmens, Kurds and Arabs.
The city is believed to be the headquarters of Hashd al-Shaabi forces in the area.
“A Turkmen security official from the Iraqi army has tried to calm the situation. He held a meeting with representative from Kurdish protesters and Hashd al-Shaabi militias to work out the problems,” said Farouq Ahmed, a Tuz Khurmatu security official on Friday.
“Although the weapons and troops from both sides have yet to be withdrawn, but the situation has calmed down. We expect the tension to be over soon,” he added.
The Hashd al-Shaabi, who rose up last year to battle ISIS in different parts of Iraq, entered the town of Tuz Khurmatu and sparked tensions by allegedly taking control of several vehicles from a local factory.
Tuz Khurmatu is a disputed area in Salahaddin province with a mixed population of Turkmens, Kurds and Arabs.
The city is believed to be the headquarters of Hashd al-Shaabi forces in the area.