KURDISTAN

Latest News

• HPG statement on guerrillas executed in Muğla 

  Six guerrillas of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG) lost their lives as a result of “betrayal” in the western province of Muğla two weeks ago.
• KRG decides to negotiate with Baghdad government 

  In a Statement, the Government of Southern Kurdistan announced it will return to Baghdad and initiate talks within Iraqi constitutional framework.
• PUK’s latest statement on the attacks against Kirkuk 

  Hakan Fidan, Undersecretary of Turkey’s secret intelligence MIT, and Qasem Soleimani, Commander of the Iranian Qods Forces, took part in the operation of the Iraqi army and the Hashd al-Shaabi forces against Kirkuk, PUK Spokesperson Sadi Ehmed Pire said.
• Protestors set Iraqi Turkmen Front’s building on fire  

  A group of youths in Pirdê town near Kirkuk, set Iraqi Turkmen Front’s local office on fire, Roj News Agency reported.
• Hashd al-Shaabi retreats from Kirkuk city centre 

  Hashd al-Shaabi forces retreated from Kirkuk city centre and handed over security to the Iraqi army and federal police, locals report.
• US withdraws its troops in Makhmur to Hewler 

  The US troops stationed in Makhmur have also retreated after Hashd al-Shaabi took the control of the town from peshmerga forces.
• One killed as ISIS attacks Kakai villages in Dakuk 

  ISIS gangs attacked two Kakai villages in south of Kirkuk Wednesday evening, two days after Hashd al-Shaabi took control of the area from Kurdish forces.
• Kurds’ homes evacuated in Kirkuk 

  The Iraqi army and forces allied to them have been attacking Southern Kurdistan, and have been reportedly evacuating homes in Kurdish neighborhoods.
• KDP turns over their territories to Hashd al-Shaabi 

  KDP has turned over their territories to Hashd al-Shaabi without any clashes in most areas.
• PUK security targeted in Kirkuk 

  PUK Kirkuk Official Aso Muhammed, who arrived in the city to attend the meeting to be held after the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi took over Kirkuk, was not allowed into the meeting. Later on, the PUK’s security buildings in Kirkuk were targeted.
• KCK: Problems in Iraq should be solved through democratization 

  KCK: As the Kurdish Freedom Movement, like we said before the start of conflict in Kirkuk, our approach bases on the resolution of all problems in Iraq through dialogue and democratization. We will be preserving the same approach from now on, too.
• Border gates between Bashur and Rojhilat given to Hashd al-Shaabi 

  The border gates between Southern Kurdistan and Eastern Kurdistan are among the places turned over to the Hashd al-Shaabi forces.
• YBŞ: Only the Êzidî people have a say in the future of Shengal 

  The YBŞ Command stated that they will defend the will of the people at all costs, saying; ““Only the free will of the Êzidî people has a say in the future of Shengal. We will defend this will at any cost tomorrow like we did yesterday.”
• HPG statement on Kirkuk incidents 

  HPG Makhmour - Kirkuk Command released a statement regarding the events in Kirkuk which was fully invaded by Hashd al-Shaabi militia and Iraqi army on Monday.
• House raids in Kirkuk after Hashd al-Shaabi invasion 

  Hashd al-Shaabi forces have raided houses in Hesen, Rehimava and Kerema neighbourhoods of Kirkuk.
• Turkish army stuck in Xeregol: 18 dead 

  The Turkish army launched an operation the other day on the Xeregol hill in Southern Kurdistan along the direction of Çukurca. In separate actions, 29 soldiers were killed there yesterday and 18 were killed today.
• Peshmerga Commander: We have started to withdraw from Bashiqa 

  Peshmerga 112nd Brigade Commander Şefîq Çavşîn stated that the Hashd al-Shaabi forces have set out for Bashiqa and the peshmerga have started the withdrawal.
• Images from the defense line built in Kirkuk yesterday 

  During the attempt of the Iraqi forces and Hashd al-Shaabi to invade Kirkuk yesterday, guerrilla forces, supported by some peshmergas and armed civilians, built up a line of defense in order to resist.
• Jalawla and Khanaqin also handed over 

  Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi forces have entered Jalawla and Khanaqin where KDP abandoned their positions.
• Latest in Shengal and Makhmur 

  KDP forces have turned over Shengal and Makhmur to Hashd al-Shaabi forces as well, after Kirkuk. Reports say KDP has reached a deal with Baghdad to withdraw to the 2003 borders.
• Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) Commander: We will defend our land 

  YBŞ Commander Dijwar Feqir said, “We are the children of these lands. We have protected our home and our blood has been spilled. We will protect this place.”
• KDP withdraws from Germian as well 

  KDP’s peshmerga forces have withdrawn from the Germian region after withdrawing from Kirkuk, Makmur and Shengal.
• KDP withdraws its forces from Sinjar 

  Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) withdrew its peshmerga forces from Sinjar and left its positions to Hashd al-Shaabi militia.
• Turkish jets bomb Medya Defense Zones 

  Turkish warplanes are bombing Xeregol region of Medya Defense Zones.
• Senior PUK official calls for Barzani to resign over Kirkuk 

  Lahor Şêx Cengi, a senior Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) official called for Barzani to resign after the invasion of Kirkuk by forces loyal to the Baghdad government.