The Turkish state has been using the Turkmen Front to escalate tensions, especially in Kirkuk. It is a well-known fact that the Turkmen Front, a racist paramilitary group, is trained and armed by the Turkish state.

According to RojNews, Erşed Salihi, former head of the Turkmen Front and also known for his hatred towards the Kurds, made provocative statements after the clashes that broke out in Baghdad.

In a latest video, Salihi is seen to have gathered Hashdi Turkmen members and some members of the Iraqi army around him, flinging down a challenge and uttering threats in Kirkuk.

“Let the friends of these heroes cheer up and the enemies fear. Kirkuk is safe under the control of the Kirkuk Defence Forces. Kirkuk will be under our control during these conflicts in Iraq,” Salihi said.

Analysts fear that the threat of Salihi, who has no military responsibility whatsoever, might trigger a new conflict in Iraq, especially against the Kurds.