Following the attack of the Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi forces on Kirkuk, HPG and YJA Star guerrillas have started to form a line of defense to protect the people in the city center. The guerrillas are accompanied by some volunteering local people who have taken up arms to defend their land.

People’s Defence Forces (HPG) Forces Command in Kirkuk called on all those who want to defend Kirkuk to join them in their emplacements against Iraq’s attack on the city.

The statement by HPG’s command centre in Kirkuk said that guerrillas formed a defence line inside the city. Hundreds of Kirkuk’s residents joined the guerrillas with their weapons to fight against Hashd al-Shaabi and the Iraqi army.

Local sources say that the peshmerga forces have retreated from some areas west of Kirkuk after clashes. Some peshmergas and Hashd al-Shaabi members have been killed during clashes, according to initial reports coming through.