KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) Leader Masoud Barzani issued an admission/statement on the operation the Hashd al-Shaabi and the Iraqi army carried out on October 16 on Kirkuk and neighboring residential areas.

Barzani spoke about how Kirkuk and various residential areas were handed over to the Hashd al-Shaabi and the Iraqi army. Barzani said he worked to ensure the peshmerga didn’t fight and that they handed over the invaded areas “peacefully”.

Barzani attempted to explain the invasion of Kirkuk and its surroundings, and said that he personally worked to ensure the peshmerga didn’t show resistance. Barzani said the areas in question were handed over to the Hashd al-Shaabi and the Iraqi army “peacefully”.

KDP Leader Masoud Barzani’s statement is as follows:

“The Iraqi army and the Hashdis in particular attacked with no bounds. We worked to ensure the peshmerga didn’t resist or fight. The areas in question have been turned over peacefully.”

Masoud Barzani claimed the peshmerga didn’t resist to avoid bloodshed.

The Iraqi army and the Hashd al-Shaabi forces had attacked Kirkuk and other residential areas that make up 40% of Southern Kurdistan’s territory on October 16 and the KDP and PUK forces had withdrawn without resistance.

Peshmerga officials had announced that they received orders to not engage in conflict from above.