LAST NEWS ABOUT KIRKUK/ KURDISTAN

[Piling]

Iraq and proxies Iran militias launched an attack against Kirkuk.

Some Peshmerga units loyal to Talabani family withdraw without fighting from their position, after an obvious agreement with Iraq. A betrayal of a part of PUK, which split that party : Talabani widows and sons, vs Kosrat Rasul and other PUK officials.

Will Iraqis enter in Kirkuk ?

This is a special thread devoted to the last news of the front. Post all informations you got about the Kirkuk front.

Statement from Kurdistan Region Security Council :

https://twitter.com/KRSCPress/status/919783475087101952

[Anthea]

Iraqi forces, Shiite militia engage in fighting with Peshmerga south of Kirkuk

9:11 a.m.


Iraq claims it controls key infrastructure in Kirkuk

Iraq’s Joint Command has said that they have taken control of several key positions, including important infrastructure as part of its operation “to impose security in Kirkuk.”

It said that they are now in control of Kahlid Bridge, the road between Riyadh and Maktab Khalid, Maryam Beg Bridge and the road between Rashad and Maryam Beg, towards the Tikrit intersection.

Thee industrial zones, Tarklan, and Baiji town have also came under its control since Sunday night, the statement continued.

It added that the key Gas installation, the Kirkuk power plant, and a refinery near the Gas installation are among those places it took from the Kurdish security forces, and that their advances are continuing.


Rudaw cannot independently verify any of the above claims. The Kurdish Peshmerga, however, confirmed that they have left Tal Alwad, and Taza Khurmatu, in the early hours of the morning.

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9:00 a.m.



Colonel Kawa Mala Parwez, the director of Asayesh or security forces in Tuz Khurmatu has said that the Hashd al-Shaabi forces have entered Kurdish neighborhoods of the town due to the retreat of some Peshmerga forces.

“We are defending. But unfortunately, some Peshmerga forces have retreated. This has made it possible for the Hashd al-Shaabi forces to enter Kurdish neighborhoods of Tuz Khurmatu,” he said.

After issuing threats for several days, the Hashd al-Shaabi forces attacked the Peshmerga lines on several fronts in south Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu. Some forces affiliated with the PUK have pulled out without fighting. Peshmerga reinforcements and scores of civilians from Erbil, Duhok and Sulaimani traveled to Kirkuk to assist.

“Iraqi and the Hashd al-Shaabi forces who are associated with Iran attacked the Peshmerga south of Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu on several fronts, using Humvees and American weapons. The Peshmerga forces responded to them and destroyed five American Humvees,” the Kurdistan Region’s Security Council said in a statement about the attacks.

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8:50 a.m.


A significant amount of Peshmerga forces from Erbil have been brought in to Kirkuk as reinforcements to the existing forces fighting against advancing Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi armed forces, a source told Rudaw

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7:49 a.m.


KRG Security Council: Peshmerga detsroys US weapons used by Iraqi forces


Kurdistan Security Council has said in a statement that "Peshmerga Forces have destroyed at least five US Humvees used by PMF [Popular Mobilization Forces.]"

The following is the full text of the statement.

"At approximately 2330hrs Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces advanced from Taza Khormatu in South Kirkuk in a major, multi-pronged operation intended to enter the city and take over K1 abase and oil fields.

At approximately 0230hrs they attacked Peshmerga Forces from two fronts in the Taza-Kirkuk intersection and Maryam Bag bridge, both in South of Kirkuk, using US military equipment, including Abrams tanks and Humvees.

Significant Forces have also been deployed to Maktab Khalid intersection in South West of Kirkuk as part of the operation.

Peshmerga Forces have destroyed at least five US Humvees used by PMF. Peshmerga will continue to defend Kurdistan, its people and interests. This was an unprovoked attack following days of Iraqi military deployments to Kurdistan’s borders"

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7:16v a.m.



Iraqi forces, Shiite militia engage in fighting with Peshmerga south of Kirkuk



KIRKUK, Kurdistan Region – The Iraqi forces and mainly Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi have started to move towards the Peshmerga controlled areas south and west of Kirkuk Monday night, Iraqi and Kurdish officials have said.

Clashes erupted on the Taza Khurmatu front, south of Kirkuk, a Peshmerga commander told Rudaw, with both sides exchanging fire involving heavy weaponry.



Peshmerga forces have left their positions in Tal Alwad, southwest of Kirkuk without any fighting, and Taza Khurmatu, south of Kirkuk after fierce fighting, Rudaw's reporters said.



A Peshmerga unit is now being deployed back to Tal Alwad.



Hemin Hawrami, senior assistant to the Kurdish President Masoud Barzani, said that the Peshmerga left the two positions due to "internal issues" between the officials of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK], the dominant party in Kirkuk with own security forces and Peshmerga. He also claimed that there were some “ambiguous dealings,” that resulted in the withdrawal.

He said that only the forces under the command of Kurdistan’s Vice President Kosrat Rasul fought against the Iraqi forces.



Some Peshmerga fighters, and civilians who took up arms say that they were betrayed by some of the Peshmerga commanders who ordered the troops to abandon their posts.

Although some of the Peshmerga interviewed by Rudaw initially refused to withdraw, but they eventually did.







Kamil Salayi, Kirkuk mayor, told Rudaw that the situation is now calm in Taza Khurmatu. He said it was the Iraqi forces who first initiated the clashes there.



Peshmerga claim that they destroyed four Iraqi vehicles. A Kurdish official said that they have pushed back Iraqi forces twice since the fighting began between the two sides in Taza Khurmatu.



Shalal Abdul, mayor of Khurmatu, some 75 km south of Kirkuk, told Rudaw that while they chose to not to return fire from the Shite Hashd al-Shaabi on previous days, they have chosen on Monday to fight back when the two sides exchanged fire.




The objectives for the Iraqi advances are the K-1 military base, the Kirkuk airport and the oil fields that are under Kurdish control south and west of Kirkuk, the Kurdistan Security Council stated.

Lt. Col. Salah al-Kinani of the Iraqi army’s 9th armored division told Reuters that they are on the move with the aim to control the K-1 military airbase.



Kurdish President Masoud Barzani, also commander-in-chief of all Kurdish armed forces, has ordered all Peshmerga units to not initiate a war with the Iraqi forces, but if attacked, then they are given “green light to use every power” to fight against the advancing forces, Hemin Hawrami, a senior assistant to President Barzani said.



Kurdistan’s Vice President Kosrat Rasul issued a statement, saying that they are entitled to the right to self-defense.

“It is unfortunate that the Iraqi forces and the Hashd al-Shaabi intend to attack Kirkuk. We want to reassure everyone that that we and the brave Peshmerga are in Kirkuk and will defend it. Though we do not want to initiate war, but we will defend ourselves with high morale and will not allow Kirkuk be attacked. We demand the brave and strong people of Kirkuk to help the police and security forces inside the city to better protect the situation in the city.”



The Pentagon has called on the Iraqi and Kurdish forces to "avoid escalatory actions,” and instead seek dialogue.

"We oppose violence from any party, and urge against destabilizing actions that distract from the fight against ISIS and further undermine Iraq's stability," Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Seal said, Reuters reported.

"We continue to support a unified Iraq," she said. "Despite the Kurdistan Regional Government's unfortunate decision to pursue a unilateral referendum, dialogue remains the best option to defuse ongoing tensions and longstanding issues, in accordance with the Iraqi constitution.



The US State Department told Rudaw that they are monitoring the situation in Kirkuk closely and are “very concerned by reports of a confrontation. We are engaged with all parties in Iraq to de-escalate tension.”

“We support the peaceful exercise of joint GOI [Government of Iraq]-KRG [Kurdistan Regional Government] authority in all disputed areas.”

Iraqi state TV claimed that the US-trained Counter Terrorism Service, the federal government, and the 9th division of the Iraqi army, have taken control of “large areas” without any confrontations, something denied by Wasta Rasul and Kamal Kirkuki, two Peshmerga commanders.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has instructed the Iraqi forces who are advancing on Kirkuk based on his orders to “protect all the people of Kirkuk,” Iraqi state TV quoted him as saying.
Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim, who visited some of the civilians who have taken up arms to defend the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, said that the Peshmerga are prepared to defend the province. He also called on all able-bodied people who have their own weapons to take up arms against the Iraqi forces.

live updates on Rudaw

http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/151020177

[Anthea]

10:00 a.m.


Peshmerg and Colaition meet in Erbil to discuss Kirkuk crisis


The Kurdish Peshmerga and the US-led Global Coalition are having a meeting in Erbil as the Iraqi and Kurdish security forces have been engaged in fighting south and west of Kirkuk since midnight on Sunday, Halgurd Hikmat, the Peshmerga spokesperson said.

He said that the Kurdistan Region has deployed further troops to the oil-rich Kirkuk, about 100 km south of Erbil.

The Global Coalition said earlier in the day that they are “closely monitoring [situation] near Kirkuk,” and that they urge all sides to avoid “escalatory actions.

Colonel Ryan Dillon, spokesman for coalition stated that the main focus should be the fight against the ISIS group.

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9:33 a.m.



Armed and unarmed civilians have blocked the main roads inside Kirkuk, preventing Peshmerga military vehicles from retreating the battlefield after clashes erupted with Iraqi army and Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi forces at dawn on Monday.

[Piling]

Iraqi tanks entered in South Kirkuk and civilians are fleeing. Seems that the city will be lost soon.

[Benny]

Apparently the oil fields are now in the hands of Iraqi forces:

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/15/middl ... index.html

/B

[dyaoko]

John McCain "“The United States provided equipment and training to the Government of Iraq to fight ISIS and secure itself from external threats—not to attack elements of one of its own regional governments, which is a longstanding and valuable partner of the United States. Make no mistake, there will be severe consequences if we continue to see American equipment misused in this way."


https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/in ... 7FF2362A75

[dyaoko]

Seth J. Frantzman

Understanding US policy on Iraq today:
https://www.facebook.com/sfrantzman/pos ... 1232330145

1. Oppose independence for Kurds.
2. Oppose Kurds even voting for independence.
3. Claim Kurdish voting distracts from war on ISIS.
4. Claim it's not the "right time" for independence.
5. Claim Kurdish aspirations harm Iraq "unity" and "stability."
6. Deny that Iraq is sending armored columns of US-trained forces, with US-made vehicles, with US-supplied weapons, to attack Kirkuk.
7. Ignore Iranian-backed Shia militias working with Iraqi army which US trains and arms.
8. After Iraqi forces attack Kurds, condemn Kurdish referendum again and express "concern" about escalation on "both sides."
9. Don't say anything about US weapons, US-trained Iraqi units, US vehicles being used against US-allies, the Kurdish Peshmerga.
10. Label Iranian IRGC a terrorist organization, while working with units that work with IRGC-Quds Force against Kurds.
11. Work with groups who express hatred for America, while condemning Kurds who express support for America.

Hmmm...

[dyaoko]

Ten Peshmergas were behaded by Iranian-backed Shia Militias supplied by US-weapons. Donald J Trump just announced he wont take side in Peshmerga fight against Iranian-backed Shia Militias. I feel more sorry for America than for Kurdistan. we are used to massacare. America is getting used to having no principles and values and loyalty. we will survive !

https://www.facebook.com/RojBasKurdista ... nref=story

[dyaoko]

I feel more sorry for America than for Kurds being massacred. a country without principles and values and any sort of loyalty.

https://twitter.com/KurdistanRojBas/sta ... 5160235011

[dyaoko]

Rudaw’s war reporter Hunar Ahmed attempts to help civilians attacked by Hashd al-Shaabi

https://twitter.com/RudawEnglish/status ... 2813832193

[Anthea]

KURDISTAN'S REWARD

For helping Iraq fight against ISIS

For allowing countless THOUSANDS of Iraqi Arabs to take shelter from ISIS in Kurdistan

For allowing Iraq to benefit from Kurdish oil

DEATH

[Anthea]

The world has sat back and allowed Iraq to steal Kirkuk from Kurds AGAIN

Saddam drove Kurds from Kirkuk and paid Arabs to move into Kirkuk and take over Kurdish homes, lands and businesses

Many Kurds are still trying to reclaim their stolen property

As Iraqis are driving Kurds from their rightful homes in Kirkuk, perhaps it is time to throw the Arabs out of Kurdistan

[dyaoko]

1.Kurds need a new political party without any connection/consideration to USA, Iran, Turkey and Iraq. a Party that only cares about liberation of Kurdistan, our connections to USA, Iran, Turkey has tied our hands and they are not reliable friends. we need to ditch them start fresh, make a new party depending on neither Iran nor turkey nor USA



https://twitter.com/KurdistanRojBas/sta ... 2373131264

[Anthea]

U.S. Raises Alarm as Iraq Army Seizes Oil-Rich Kirkuk From Kurds

President Donald Trump signaled increasing U.S. alarm about the situation in northern Iraq after forces loyal to Baghdad seized the headquarters of Kirkuk’s provincial administration on Monday, threatening to escalate tensions over Kurdish autonomy and pushing oil prices higher.

“We’re not taking sides, but we don’t like the fact that they’re clashing,” Trump told reporters at the White House Monday. “We’ve had, for many years, a very good relationship with the Kurds, as you know. And we’ve also been on the side of Iraq, even though we should have never been in there in the first place. But we’re not taking sides in that battle.”

On their way toward Kirkuk, the Iraqi army and its allied militias had taken oil fields, a refinery and military base from Kurdish control, according to state-run Iraqiya television. Some Kurdish fighters -- known as the peshmerga -- were reported to have withdrawn from their positions in coordination with the Iraqi troops, rather than defend them.

The flare-up follows a referendum last month in which Iraqi Kurds voted for independence, a move denounced by officials in Baghdad as well as in Turkey, Syria and Iran, which all have their own restive Kurdish populations. The Kurds, spread across those four countries, rank as the world’s largest ethnic group without a state of their own.

Please follow link below to full Bloomberg report:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... ver-kirkuk

[Anthea]

If Trump Wants to Confront Iran, He Should Start in Kirkuk

The president talks a big game about standing up to Iran — but will he do anything about Iranian-backed militias attacking America's staunchest allies?

When decertifying the Iran nuclear deal last week, U.S. President Donald Trump cited Tehran’s destabilizing role in the Middle East as a reason for his decision. Just days later, as if to confirm Trump’s argument, Iraqi Shiite militias aligned with Iran launched an offensive on the Kurdish Peshmerga in the oil-rich, disputed territory of Kirkuk. Trump now has an opportunity to prove that his rhetoric on Iran is more than just grandstanding, and that he is serious about confronting what he described as Iranian attempts to sow “conflict, terror and turmoil” across the Middle East.

Since 2014, Iranian-backed Shiite militias have filled much of the vacuum left by the collapse of the Iraqi army. As part of a broader umbrella militia organization known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), they have played a central role in the war against the Islamic State, which is why the United States has generally been content to appease and placate them. But for too long, Washington has turned a blind eye to the way these militias threaten Iraq’s stability, by engaging in sectarian atrocities, participating in the deaths of thousands of Americans (and Iraqis), and infiltrating the Iraqi political system.

That should end now. As the dust settles from the war against the Islamic State, the United States can no longer sit on the fence. The Shiite militias have many Iraqi rivals — not just the Kurdish Peshmerga, but also Arab Sunnis and moderate Shiite factions, tribes, and clerics who do not wish to see Iraq fall further into Iran’s orbit of influence — who deserve America’s support, not least because they support an Iraqi political order that is ultimately in America’s own interests.

Over the past 24 hours, Iran-aligned militias retook Kirkuk alongside Iraqi security forces. Even some of the Iraqi government forces are in reality under the sway of these militias: The Interior Ministry’s emergency response division, for instance, is dominated and controlled by the Badr Brigade, which was established by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war. Badr’s head, Hadi al-Ameri, and the U.S.-designated terrorist Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the head of the Iran-sponsored Kataib Hezbollah militia, lowered Kurdistan’s flag today at Kirkuk’s provincial council.

The Kurdish defeat in Kirkuk was also defeat for the United States:

But Washington can recover and regain its foothold in Iraq. It needs to establish red lines in the region that Tehran is not allowed to cross, under the threat of U.S. intervention against its proxies and interests, and under the threat that it may provide Kurdish forces with the weapons and training to act as an effective counterweight to Iranian power. With or without U.S. support, the Kurds will continue the fight for Kirkuk: The disputed city is to Iraqi Kurds what the holy city of Najaf is to Iraqi Shiites. The United States must reconcile this goal with its own policy of containing Iran, as well as facilitate a process of dialogue and reconciliation in the aftermath of the Kirkuk conflict and the Kurdish independence referendum, lest it continue to leave that process to its enemies in the region.

Most of all, the United States must look at the big picture in the Middle East. A political order is emerging from the ruins of war in Syria and Iraq, and America’s enemies are claiming their stake in the future of the region. The Kurdistan Regional Government is doing the same, holding a referendum on independence three weeks ago against Washington’s wishes. However, what is unfolding in Iraq and the Middle East today is much bigger than Kurdish independence — it will determine not just the geopolitics of the region in the coming decades but also whether events will unfold in a way that favors the interests of the United States and its allies.

When the United States pulls out of the Middle East, its enemies end up filling the vacuum. That’s what happened in 2011, when Iran saw its influence skyrocket in Baghdad after the U.S. troop withdrawal. Tehran not only gained a greater stake in Iraq – it gained a free hand to extend its resources and proxies into the ensuing civil war in Syria, where Tehran has secured the survival of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Iran’s investment in armed proxies across the Arab world has paid dividends. While many actors were ill-prepared for the emerging regional order, in which armed groups have in some places supplanted partly collapsed states, Iran has decades’ worth of experience on its side. Proxy warfare has been its stock in trade: Lebanon’s Hezbollah has played a decisive role in Syria since it captured the strategic town of Qusayr in 2013, and Iraqi Shiite militias have flooded Syria to fight alongside the regime, many of them battle-hardened from their decade-long experience of fighting American and British personnel in Iraq.

In northern Iraq, however, the United States has an opportunity to level the playing field. The Peshmerga dominated Kirkuk because the Iraqi army collapsed and withdrew from the province in 2014, when the Islamic State launched its offensive. If the oil-rich territory had remained under Kurdish control, it would have dramatically altered the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil at a time when Baghdad’s Shiite political class already faces a crisis of authority spurred by lack of jobs, services, and security. For Iran, an emboldened Kurdistan is tantamount to a stronger United States, which is in the process of building permanent military bases in Kurdistan. Kirkuk also lies in the vicinity of Tal Afar, where Iran’s proxies have consolidated their position during the course of the war on the Islamic State and which constitutes an important transit point for reinforcing fighters and supplies in Syria.

It’s time to end the impunity with which Iraqi Shiite militias and their patrons have acted in Iraq since the U.S. withdrawal. At the very least, these groups should be made to consider America’s position in their calculations. The political and symbolic importance of a U.S. presence in Iraq should not be understated — and it will be all the more powerful if it is backed up by the possibility of coercive measures used to enforce bright red lines that Iran and its allies are not allowed to cross in Iraq.

http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/10/16/if- ... in-kirkuk/