Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Secretary General Primary Deputy Kosret Resûl Eli stated that the Iraqi army and the Hashd al-Shaabi want to attack Kirkuk and added: “We will not attack in any way. We do not want to lead a war, but we will defend ourselves.”

Kosret Resûl called on the people of Kirkuk to help the security forces and said: “Only this way can we defend Kirkuk city center better.”

PUK Secretary General Kosret Resûl Elî is in Kirkuk along with a peshmerga force.