ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdish Peshmerga forces denied an Iraqi army unit access to a Kirkuk town on Tuesday, saying that their presence to increase safety in the area is unnecessary.
A unit from Kirkuk's Operation Command of the Iraqi army planned to visit Qara Hanjir town 25 km east of Kirkuk on Tuesday afternoon, but were denied entry by Kurdish Peshmerga forces who partially control the town.
Kirkuk province is a disputed territory claimed by both the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government.
The Kirkuk Operation Command was planning to visit the area to asses the possibilities of conducting military activities as part of ongoing attempts to boost security in a region targeted by remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS).
“We denied access to them to visit the areas under Peshmerga forces in Qara Hanjir town, and informed them that those areas are under Peshmerga forces control, and [there is] no need for other security units to be stationed there, or even visit them,” Peshmerga forces Brigadier Rebwar Ali told Rudaw on Tuesday.
He added that there were no clashes between the forces and relations are “normal”.
“The areas under Peshmerga control in Qara Hanjir area are safe, and Peshmerga forces are in full control of the security and stability of the area,” Ali added.
ISIS took control of large swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory in 2014. The group was declared defeated in Iraq in December 2017 after losing control of its previously conquered territory, but continues to maintain an active presence in the country.
ISIS sleeper cells have carried out hit-and-run attacks against security forces, abductions of civilians and officials, and bombings in populated areas.
The absence of both Iraqi and Kurdish patrols in certain disputed border areas and the Kurdish forces’ lack of heavy weapons are said to be key reasons behind the recent uptick in ISIS attacks.
The terror group has continued to reestablish and expand its command and control structure in Iraq, according to a report from the Pentagon Inspector General.
"ISIS in Iraq conducted both attacks of opportunity, such as improvised bombs and hit-and-run attacks, and attacks designed to intimidate or gain influence, such as assassinations, kidnappings, and sniper attacks,” the report read, citing the Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), a multinational force which leads the fight against ISIS.
After the Iraqi armed forces fled the advancing Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014 and Kurdish Peshmerga forces stepped in to defend Kirkuk, the city fell under the control of the KRG. Iraqi forces then drove the Peshmerga out of Kirkuk in October 2017 in the wake of the Kurdish independence referendum.
With additional reporting by Hardi Muhammed
