Five Peshmerga dead in Khurmatu fighting

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The death toll for Peshmerga soldiers fighting against the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi militia rose to five in fighting in Khurmatu, with the eight Shiite fighters also killed, a Rudaw reporter said on Sunday.

According to Hiwa Hussamaddin , the Rudaw correspondent on the scene, the Peshmerga and Shiite militia had reached a truce by Sunday afternoon, and were in talks to solidify a ceasefire.

Earlier, a Peshmerga source had said that one civilian was among the dead, in clashes that erupted Saturday night.

Earlier Sunday, a Peshmerga force entered Khurmatu, targeting the Shiite fighters with heavy weapons and closing all main roads to stop the militia from bringing in reinforcements.

Khurmatu is located on the main highway that connects the Kurdistan Region to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.