After the Federal Kurdistan Government refused to hand over Fays Khabur village, Hashd al-Shaabi launched an operation and attacked peshmerga forces.

Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi army attacked peshmerga positions with artillery in Zumar province, the Kurdish administration said.

Fays Khabur is on the border with Turkey. If Hashd al-Shaabi captures the village, Baghdad will take control of a border crossing with Turkey for the first time since 2003.

Iraqi government launched an assault against Kurdish region after the September 25 independence referendum. The forces loyal to Baghdad captured Kirkuk, Makhmur, Zumar and Sinjar since.

Iraqi government also took control of the border crossing between Iraq and Iran.

Apart from Fays Khabur, Iraq demands transfer of Khabur border crossing and Arbil International Airport to the central government. Baghdad also wants the control of all oil fields in Kurdistan region.