Parliamentary power: Kurds did not provide a convincing justification for non-commitment to pay oil money

[DinarThug]

http://www.almaalomah.com/2017.....12/244512/

Can the center's government recover oil money Barzani fled ?

19:33 - 12/10/2017

 

 

The economic expert, Daoud Abdul Zair, on Thursday, the possibility of paying the salaries of employees of the northern provinces through the recovery of oil money smuggled by the outgoing government of the province in isolation from the company Sumo National, while noting the possibility of Iraq to recover the money through international cooperation.

"The Iraqi government has the possibility to calculate the quantities issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government finished its mandate outside the national company Sumo," Abdul Zair said in a statement to the Agency. "Iraq can be coordinated with the Turkish side, especially in view of its opposition to the referendum."

"It is also possible to calculate the quantities exported based on the prevailing prices in the market at the time of export and liquidation, and the pursuit of these funds in foreign banks and recover them and pay salaries owed to employees of the region."

The Kurdistan Regional Government announced on Wednesday its readiness to disclose oil export funds, indicating that it is working with two of the world's most important companies to control and audit, which is reviewing the current and past accounts.

[blueskyline]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2017/10/13/iraq-launches-operation-to-retake-disputed-kirkuk-province-from-krg/amp......

Iraq launches operation to retake disputed Kirkuk province from KRG

•  
•  
•  

• FRENCH PRESS AGENCY - AFP, ISTANBUL
• Oct 13, 2017

Iraq launches operation to retake disputed Kirkuk province from KRG

Iraqi army launched an operation Friday to retake disputed Kirkuk province from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a top general said.

[gregp]

Interesting. Coming from the army that once turned and ran.  Could this be smoke? Who knows. 

Thanks. 

[yota691]

Urgent: General Command of Peshmerga forces: There was no fighting in Kirkuk

Urgent: General Command of Peshmerga forces: There was no fighting in Kirkuk

[yota691]

1 hour ago, gregp said:

Interesting. Coming from the army that once turned and ran.  Could this be smoke? Who knows. 

I say smoke, Abadi did say that the end year everyone would be Happy. Seem Abadi is relentless on removing ISIS from every inch of the territory. IMO and GM DV   

[yota691]

A commander in the Peshmerga: Iraqi forces gave us two hours to hand over Kirkuk, but we refused

 

 Since 2017-10-13 at 12:53 (Baghdad time)

Baghdad Mawazine News

A commander in the Peshmerga forces, on Friday, that the Iraqi federal forces gave us two hours to hand over Kirkuk, but we refused.

"Our withdrawal from areas in Kirkuk came to prevent clashes and defend the province of Kirkuk and the Iraqi forces gave us two hours to hand over Kirkuk, but we refused," Sky News quoted a Peshmerga commander as saying.

Interior Minister Qassim al-Araji said on Friday that there were no military operations in the Kirkuk district.

He explained in a press statement today that "what happened today is the process of redeployment of the federal forces after the end of the presence of Daqash in the cut to reach what we were before 9 June 2014."

[yota691]

A wing of the National Kurdistan handed over a number of areas in the vicinity of Kirkuk to the militia of the crowd

Under a secret agreement between the two sides ...

 

 Rawezh Muhamad

 13/10/2017 - 12:15

 

 

 

 

 According to information received by Basnews on Friday, a faction of the Patriotic Unionist Party handed over a number of areas in the vicinity of Kirkuk to the militia of the crowd.

This information revealed that the agreement was secretly under the supervision of the influential wing of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and that the forces of the party withdrew overnight without fighting from a line of 15-18 kilometers and a depth of 4 kilometers extends from the area of Tuzkurmato to the area of Khalid's office Kirkuk) and left it to the militia of the crowd.

According to the information available (Basnoyz), the leader of the Patriotic Patriotic and Sta Rasul is the supervisor of that axis and is a follower of the influential wing in the party.  

Pavel Talabani, the son of former party secretary-general Jalal Talabani, issued a statement on Thursday on the situation in Kirkuk, which had signals of such an agreement.

This comes in conjunction with Iraqi groups, including the militias of the crowd in the vicinity of Kirkuk, areas of Taza Khormato and the village of Bashir (south of Kirkuk) with the aim of launching an attack on the city.

The Iraqi rallies come despite statements by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abbadi on Thursday, in which he said that the army "will not fight" a war against citizens in Kurdistan.

The tens of thousands of Peshmerga fighters from the special brigades and elite forces have reached the borders of the city of Kirkuk to defend them in the event of any threat. 

[gregp]

44 minutes ago, yota691 said:

I say smoke, Abadi did say that the end year everyone would be Happy. Seem Abadi is relentless on removing ISIS from every inch of the territory. IMO and GM DV   

 

Agreed. Peshmerga hand in hand with Iraqi army. GM, thanks

[yota691]

A leader in the Peshmerga forces: No location of the Peshmerga forces was handed over to the popular crowd or the Iraqi forces

By Ziad al-Haidari one hour ago

Commander of the 70 forces of the Ministry of Peshmerga Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa

URGENT - 

 The commander of the 70 forces of the Peshmerga Ministry, Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, said on Friday that no Sattar or Peshmerga positions had been handed over to the popular crowd or the Iraqi forces, and that the Peshmerga had left some areas of "no military importance". 

"The Peshmerga forces were able to liberate some areas from the grip of calling the terrorist while he entered Kirkuk at the time and built some barriers to confront and prevent him from attacking the industrial facilities and the people of Kirkuk," Sheikh Mustafa told a news conference attended by the Rwandao media network. 

He added, "The Peshmerga forces and according to a tactical military plan has withdrawn from these sites to their original sites only."

"We do not want war or fighting, because we stood together with the Iraqi forces in the face of an oppressive organization, but we will not be silent if some parties try to attack us, and we pledge to the people of Kirkuk that we will defend them for the last drop of our blood," the commander of the 70 forces of the Peshmerga.

[yota691]

Deputy: Iraqi forces moved to restore the wells of Kirkuk and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan asked to wait

 

Friday, October 13,

 

 

Alsumaria News / Baghdad ,  said MP from the coalition of state law , Jassim Mohammed Jaafar , said Friday that troops from the anti - terrorism device and the popular crowd moved to restore the federal government 's control over oil fields by Kirkuk , adding that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan ( PUK ) demanded yesterday the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Haider al - Abadi To delay the commencement of such operations.  Jafar said in an interview with Alsumaria's News, he said that " the fight against terrorism , a popular crowd and forces they move toward re - federal government control over oil wells in Kirkuk after the takeover by the Peshmerga forces during the entry of terrorist factions Daesh to Iraq"Mibna that" the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan yesterday demanded the commander-in-chief of the armed forces Haider Abadi to wait in the beginning of the re-control of oil wells. "   He added that "as for the presidency of the Kurdistan region or someone Massoud Barzani, we did not have the information confirmed on this matter," stressing that "the Iraqi forces advanced towards the oil wells in Kirkuk are large forces and do not believe that the Peshmerga fortifications in case you want to address it will stand before it, We also believe that logic must be withdrawn. "  Jaafar stressed that "the talk of the Kurdish politicians about repelling attacks by the Peshmerga for the popular crowd is pure slander and there is no movement of the popular crowd outside the framework of joint leadership, and what is simply happening is that after the headquarters of the Dawa Party in Kirkuk armed attack, The air did not get any collision with the Peshmerga forces or other. " A number of Arab and international media reported earlier on Friday that Iraqi forces carried out military operations in areas south of Kirkuk to control the areas, but the Joint Operations Command quickly denied the news, warning of legal action against attempts to "confuse" Public opinion and agitation ".

[The Englishman]

ABADI SAYS REPORTS OF ATTACKS ON KURDS HAVE ‘DEPLORABLE AGENDA BEHIND IT’

 

23 mins ago

Views 511

 

 

SULAIMANI – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said reports of attacks against Kurds have a “deplorable agenda behind it”.

“Our armed forces cannot and will not attack our citizens, whether Arab or Kurd. The fake news being spread has a deplorable agenda behind it,” Abadi tweeted on Friday (October 13).

Abadi said the government of Iraq does not want a Kurdish-Arab conflict in the country, adding there will be no war against the Iraqi citizens.

The General Command of the Peshmerga Forces said on Friday that Hashid al-Shaabi and part of the Iraqi army began movements on Thursday night to attack areas under the control of the Peshmerga forces around Kirkuk.

Peshmerga commander Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa told reporters that the Iraqi army gave the Peshmerga forces two hours to hand over Kirkuk to the army on Thursday night, adding the Iraqi forces intended to attack Kirkuk.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command denied the launch of any operation against the Peshmerga forces in south of Kirkuk.

The command said the operation in south of Kirkuk was to search and clear the areas controlled from the Islamic State (ISIS) militants. 

The Kurdish authorities accused the Iraqi government of massing forces in readiness for an offensive to seize Kurdish-held oil fields around Kirkuk, as tensions soar after a vote for independence last month.

They accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) -- paramilitary units dominated by Iran-trained Shia militia -- of massing fighters in two mainly Shia Turkmen areas south of Kirkuk in a bid to provoke a confrontation.

(NRT)

[Butifldrm]

Thousands of Kurdish troops sent to Kirkuk to face 'Iraqi threat'

•  

•  Our Foreign Staff 

13 OCTOBER 2017 • 11:33AM

Kurdish authorities have sent thousands more troops to the oil region of Kirkuk to confront "threats" from Iraq's central government, the vice president of the autonomous Kurdistan region said on Friday.

Tens of thousands of Kurdish soldiers were already stationed there and another 6,000 have arrived since Thursday, Kosrat Rasul said, amid mounting tensions between the northern territory and Baghdad.

Iraq's government has taken a series of measures to isolate the region since Kurds held a Sept 25 referendum on independence, including banning international flights from going there and calling for a halt to its crude oil sales.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has repeatedly said he has no plans to go further and actually attack the territory.

But the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s Security Council expressed alarm late on Thursday at what it said was a significant Iraqi military build-up south of Kirkuk "including tanks, artillery, Humvees and mortars".

Damaged buildings are seen as Iraqi army's operation towards the town center of Hawija continues in Kirkuk, Iraq on October 10, 2017 CREDIT: ANADOLU

"Tens of thousands of Kurdish Peshmerga and security forces are already stationed in and around Kirkuk," Rasul said on Kurdish TV channel Rudaw. "At least 6,000 additional Peshmerga were deployed since Thursday night to face the Iraqi forces' threat."

The Kurds have repeatedly called for negotiations following the referendum in which an overwhelming majority voted for independence.

Kurdish Peshmerga moved into Kirkuk when the army collapsed in the face of Islamic State in 2014, preventing the region's oil fields from falling in the hands of the militants. 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/13/iraq-army-launches-operation-retake-kirkuk-kurdish-authorities/

[DinarDavo]

I just don't know anymore.....

[yota691]

 

Details of the withdrawal of the Peshmerga and the deployment of Iraqi forces south of Kirkuk

© REUTERS / Goran Tomasevic

ARAB WORLD

13:44 13.10.2017(Updated 14:00 13.10.2017)

The head of the security committee in the Taza district, Ali Musa Yadkar, told the correspondent "Sputnik" in Iraq, Friday (October 13), details of the military operations of Iraqi forces, in the south of Kirkuk, north of Baghdad.

 

© REUTERS / STRINGER

Iraqi forces deny launching military operations south of Kirkuk

Yadkar explained that the military deployment of the Iraqi army, the rapid response and the popular mobilization is not in the center of Taza, south of Kirkuk, but on its southern side from the outskirts of Hawija, and the districts of Rashad and Riyadh.

 

Yadkar added that the military deployment of the forces is to clear the remaining villages on both sides of the sleeper cells to organize the terrorist "da'ash" and liberate the remaining villages in full.

Yadkar says that some of the villages of the Hawija parties are still not fully insured, and have elements of the "Da'ash" terrorist.

Yadkar confirmed the withdrawal of a full brigade of the Peshmerga from its security points in the south of Taza, at 4 am Friday, towards the north of the area about 10 km.

He pointed out that the withdrawal of the Peshmerga is tactical, and perhaps by agreement with the Iraqi forces, because there was no problem or armed clash between the two sides, pointing to the withdrawal of another brigade, the "Dokan Brigade" of the road between the city of Tikrit, Salah ad Din province, Kirkuk, .

In the opinion of Yadkar, at the end of his speech, the return of the Peshmerga forces to the places they withdrew from, are subject to agreement between the federal government and the Kurdistan region.

Earlier in the day, the Joint Operations Command denied the launch of a military operation in the south of Kirkuk, disputed between the center and the Kurdistan region, according to our correspondent.

In a statement obtained by Sputnik, the operations command said it denied reports by some media about the launch of a military operation south of Kirkuk, north of Baghdad, confirming that the forces were still conducting the clearance operations in the liberated areas of the terrorist "Da'ash".

The command added that the forces are conducting searches and holding in the liberated areas, warning the media, which is trying to confuse public opinion and impede legal action against them.

At the end of the statement, the leadership called on everyone to be careful and take news from their official sources.

The Secretary-General of the Peshmerga Ministry of the Kurdistan region, Jabbar al-Yawar, in an exclusive statement to "Sputnik" on Thursday, October 12, that coordination continues with the federal forces and the health or presence of any military clash.

Al-Yawar explained that the Peshmerga is present in all the "disputed areas between the center and the Kurdistan region", which were liberated from the control of the terrorist "da'ash" and until now the normal relations between our forces and the federal forces.

"There are ongoing contacts between the Peshmerga commanders, the federal army and police, the popular crowd, senior officers of the Peshmerga defense ministry, and others from the Peshmerga, in the federal defense," Yawar said.

"There is a joint coordination center between the federal forces and our forces, based in Erbil and managed by a lieutenant of the Iraqi Army's" Corner Team "and other officers of the various federal forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, during his presiding over a broad meeting in Anbar province, on Thursday:

We will not use our army against our people or fight a war against our Kurdish and other citizens. It is our duty to preserve the unity of the country, the implementation of the constitution, the protection of citizens and national wealth.

On Thursday (October 5th), Iraqi forces announced the liberation of Hawija from the hands of the terrorist organization Da'ash. The organization's control in Iraq is limited to the Qa'im and Rawa courts.

[Butifldrm]

Peshmerga Command: ‘foreign-backed' Iraqi army, Shiite forces prepare to attack Kirkuk

By Rudaw 42 minutes ago

The recent tension has surfaced when the Kurdistan Region held a vote on independence on September 25, including in Kirkuk that is part of the disputed or Kurdistani areas claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad. Photo: social media

Following a meeting of the Kurdish Peshmerga commanders south of Kirkuk, Shiekh Jaafar, a senior Kurdish Peshmerga commander, told reporters that the Iraqi forces had issued “threats” Thursday night and demanded the Peshmerga to return back to the so-called Green Line that used to separate the Iraqi and Peshmerga forces before the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
 
He said the Iraqi forces that also included the Iranian-backed mainly Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi were among those forces who wanted to make advances into the Kurdish-controlled areas, such as some oil wells, and the Kirkuk airport.
 
The Iraqi forces set the Peshmerga about two hours to leave their posts south of Kirkuk, Jaafar said, something vehemently rejected by the commander of the southern Kirkuk, Wasta Rasul.
 
The Kurdish Peshmerga had studied and assessed the capability of the Peshmerga positions near Kirkuk about 15 days ago, the commander said, adding that they came to the conclusion that some of the positions, that were initially set for the fight against ISIS were regarded weak that cannot stand a potential military aggression by the Iraqi forces. He said therefore they decided to withdraw from some of these areas to where they believe the line of defense can be well protected with minimum loss of lives.
 
The abandoned positions were regarded as “failed lines” where it would have put the lives of the Peshmerga fighters unnecessarily at risk, the commander said. 
 
He added that Kurdish Peshmerga were able to “prevent them [Iraqi forces] from implementing their plan,” that they set themselves to be carried out within hours Thursday night.
 
“The Peshmerga are now stationed in key positions,” Jaafar said, referring to positions and areas that they believe are vital with regard to defending the province of Kirkuk. 
 
“We promise the people of Kirkuk, and this area, that the Peshmerga forces will be their defenders. We will fight to the last person and will not allow the enemy to enter any of these areas,” the Kurdish commander vowed, while standing next to other Peshmerga commanders. 
 
Kurdistan’s Security Council, that heads the Kurdish intelligence and security services, said in a tweet on Friday that the Peshmerga forces “must be in highest state of readiness to defend people and land of Kurdistan and retaliate against all threats [and] attacks.”
 
It said Thursday night that the advancing Iraqi forces, including the Hashd al-Shaabi, were armed with “tanks, artillery, Humvees and mortars.”
 
The Security Council added last night that they had intelligence that the Iraqi forces who were only 3 km away from the Peshmerga positions had the intention to takeover nearby oil fields, airport and military bases.”
 
Kurdistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani said Friday that the “Iraqi military moves on Kirkuk will lead to a devastating conflict. Wisdom must prevail, advances must cease [and] dialogue must begin.”

---

12:43 p.m. 

 

The Peshmerga General Command has said that the Iraqi army and its allied mainly Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi have been preparing to attack areas outside the oil-rich city of Kirkuk since Thursday night with “foreign backing.”

It carries "dangerous indications for war and aggression against Kurdistan,” the Peshmerga Command said in a statement Friday morning.

It said that while they call for a peaceful solution to the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, they warn the international community and the US-led Global Coalition that they believe the current situation points to a “big catastrophe” if the war breaks out.

It said that Peshmerga “will strongly defend the people of Kurdistan, and will not allow the Kurdistan be treated with the languages of forces and threats.”

 

Security officials have told Rudaw that they withdrew from some positions south of Kirkuk voluntarily to strengthen their lines of defense against any potential advances by the Iraqi army and the Hashd al-Shaabi.

Iraq’s Joint of Command has denied that it launched an operation south of Kirkuk. It said they are still clearing the liberated areas they took from the ISIS militants as part of their Hawija operation that concluded earlier this week.

 

The Pshmerga command said there are dangerous indications for an imminent attack on Kurdistan. 

 

“Last night, the Hashd al-Shaabi forces and some of the forces of the Iraqi army have started some movements and preparations to attack the Peshmerga-controlled areas, in particular around Kirkuk. These movements come after foreign  encouragement and backing, and also following the threatening remarks by a number of Iraqi  military and political officials against the people of Kurdistan that carry dangerous indications for war and aggression against Kurdistan ,” the statement by the Peshmerga commander said.

“We inform the international community, and the Coalition that this difficult situation will lead to a big catastrophe,” it said, adding that they should convince Baghdad to choose dialogue over threats.

“We are against war and bloodshed,” the statement continued.”

It said the Peshmerga forces should be on alert to respond to any military aggression against Kurdistan.

 

Lieutenant General Jamal Imniki, the Chief of General Staff of the Peshmerga forces is now holding a meeting with Peshmerga commanders south of Kirkuk.

The meeting includes all Kurdish commanders for all Kirkuk fronts.

 

 

Hemin Hawrami, senior assistant to the Kurdish president Masoud Barzani, said the Iraqi forces “galvanized by regional support...wanted to to launch attack last night to control part of kirkuk, oil fields [and]  airport.”

 

 Follow

Hemin Hawrami @heminhawrami

Peshemge general command : PMF & part of Iraqi forces galvanaized by regional support, wanted to launch attack last night to control part of kirkuk, oil fields & airport. We call upon Iraq Gov to have dialogue not war. Peshmerge ordered to respond strongly for any aggression

4:33 AM - Oct 13, 2017

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---

09:52 a.m. 

 

Kurdish VP deploys 6k Peshmerga to Kirkuk

 

Kurdistan’s Vice President Kosrat Rasul has deployed at least 6,000 Kurdish Peshmerga to the oil-rich and diverse province of Kirkuk since Thursday night to face what he described as “threats” from the Iraqi forces to attack Peshmerga-controlled areas.

 

The new deployment is in addition to tens of thousands of Kurdish Peshmerga and security forces who are already stationed in and around Kirkuk.

 

“There are threats by the Iraqi army that has deployed forces near Kirkuk supposedly to attack Kirkuk. But I don’t believe it will be easy for them to do that,” Rasul, also a veteran Peshmerga commander told Rudaw while in Kirkuk.

 

He is commanding various Kurdish forces in the province. 

 

“We do not want war, and we seek to solve problems through dialogue,” the Kurdish commander said.

 

“We are not afraid of anyone’s threats, because the Peshmerga, as it is evident from it is name, means dying for victory.”

 

The latest tension has surfaced when the Kurdistan Region held a vote on independence on September 25, including in Kirkuk that is part of the disputed or Kurdistani areas claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad. 

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi stated on Thursday that “We will not use our army against our people or fight a war against our Kurdish and other citizens,” after the Kurdish Security Council had issued a warning a day before that the Iraqi forces, and the Iranian-backed mainly Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi were preparing for a “major attack” on Kurdistan.

 

A prominent Shiite commander, however, told Rudaw Thursday that they were on alert to launch an attack, if asked by PM Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces.

 

VP Rasul said that the Iraqi forces should understand that the Iraqi army since the 1970s has always tried to bring the Kurdish territories under their control, but have failed, as they will this time.

 

He said they call on the international community “to interfere” in order to prevent a war between the two armies.

 

Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim, whose official position is no longer recognized by the Iraqi government since its parliament voted to remove him last month, visited some of the neighborhoods and Peshmerga positions in Kirkuk, to convey messages of reassurance to the people that the Peshmerga will be there to defend them, if attacked.

 

He told reporters in the early hours of Friday morning that Iraq should realize that the people of Kirkuk foiled an ISIS major attack on Kirkuk last year this month when they attacked the city from multiple positions, but were taken by surprise by the people of Kirkuk and the security forces. He predicted the same for a potential Iraqi attack. 

 

“We do not want war, never wanted it. But every time our people were attacked, we resisted the enemy and defended our land,” Governor Karim said. 

 

He said the latest deployment of forces, and the threats to do so, proves that the Iraqi army and its allied forces have always wanted to return back to the Kurdish-controlled areas after the defeat of ISIS.

 

The Kurdish Peshmerga moved to most of the areas it is now in control of in Kirkuk after the Iraqi army failed to defend the areas and withdrew from their position when the ISIS group attacked much of Iraq’s northern territories, including Kirkuk. The Kurdish forces have since defended the province, including its oil wells.

 

Kaka Hama, another veteran Peshmerga commander, has also deployed his forces to Kirkuk. He also said that the Iraqi forces are making movements in the area. 

 

“There is some level of preparation [by the Iraqi forces], they have deployed some forces to certain areas, such as in Bashir,” Mohammadi Haji Mahmud or Kaka Hama old Rudaw, making reference to the Hashd-controlled Bashir located south of Kirkuk

 

He said that they are ready to defend Kirkuk and “every inch of Kurdistan...with our own blood.”

 

Brett McGurk, the US Special Presidential Envoy to the war on ISIS, said in a tweet Thursday evening that the Iraqi forces were heading from Kirkuk areas to Anbar, western Iraq, to drive out the ISIS militants near the Syrian border, after the liberation of Hawija, about 55 km southwest of Kirkuk.
 
“Iraqi forces today shifting [En Masse] from the Hawija front to west Anbar to liberate Rawa, Qaim and secure Iraq's borders with Syria,” McGurk said.
 
Also on Thursday, Sirwan Barzani, the commander of the Makhmur-Gwer front, told Rudaw that the temporary base given to the US army in Makhmur to support the Iraqi-led Hawija operation has been handed over to the Kurdish Peshmerga since the operation has successfully concluded.
 
Chief US Defense Department spokesperson, Dana White, told reporters Thursday that they are aware of reports of the tension between the Iraqi and Kurdish forces. But she said the issue did not feature in the talks between the US State Department and Kurdish officials.

She said that as the US they call on all parties to get back to business of defeating ISIS.

“We would encourage all parties to come to a resolution, a political resolution,” White said when asked about the Kirkuk situation by Rudaw’s correspondent Namo Abdullah. 

 

http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/13102017

[Half Crazy Runner]

2 hours ago, gregp said:

 

Agreed. Peshmerga hand in hand with Iraqi army. GM, thanks

 

Sure sounds that way!

[tigergorzow]

Exclusive: IMIS storms Peshmerga's checkpoints in Kirkuk

October 13 2017 06:52 PM

Breaking

 

 

Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) stormed two checkpoints affiliated to Kurdistan's Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk, well-informed sources in Kirkuk who requested anonymity told The Baghdad Post on Friday.

The terrorists militias break into the checkpoints without any resistance from the Peshmerga, the sources said, adding that the easy way in which the militias entered the checkpoints asserts that the Peshmerga forces are pulling the militias into a trap.

The sources did not mention if the Iraqi forces had attacked the Peshmerga checkpoints along with IMIS but said that they are expected to attack the Peshmerga in the upcoming few hours.

 

Commander of Quds Force, affiliated to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),  Major general Qasem Soleimani had gave the militias the green light to attack Kirkuk, the sources revealed.

 

More details will be provided soon.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18214/Exclusive-IMIS-storms-Peshmerga-s-checkpoints-in-Kirkuk

[tigergorzow]

IMIS, Iraqi forces seek to seize Kirkuk's resources – Barzani adviser

October 13 2017 05:05 PM

IMIS, Iraqi forces seek to seize Kirkuk's resources – Barzani adviser

Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani's Political Adviser Hemin Hawrami revealed on Friday that the Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) and Iraqi forces, are marching towards Kirkuk to seize its resources and riches.

He added that IMIS and the Iraqi forces want to seize Kirkuk's oil well and its airport.

Hawrami urged the Iraqi leadership to resort to dialogue and abandon any wars and clashes, noting that Peshmerga forces will retaliate against any aggression against it.

Hawrami's comments come amid tensions between Baghdad and Erbil after Kurdistan's leadership carried out an independence referendum on 25th of September that included the oil rich Kirkuk governorate.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18210/IMIS-Iraqi-forces-seek-to-seize-Kirkuk-s-resources-Barzani-adviser

[markb57]

so, basically, Iran is attacking Iraq. great another war.....

[tigergorzow]

US troops withdraw from military base in Kurdistan's Makhmur town

October 13 2017 03:19 PM

US troops withdraw from military base in Kurdistan's Makhmur town

 

US troops have fully withdrawn from the military base in Makhmur town in Kurdistan's Erbil governorate, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) regulatory official Rashad Kalali said Friday.

He added that the US troops were using this base to fight ISIS in Nineveh and Hawija areas. 

These troops are gathering in Biji district in Salahuddin governorate, Kalali asserted, confirming that Kurdistan Region is free from any US soldier. 

It is worth mentioning that the US-led coalition is helping and supporting Iraqi forces to oust ISIS from Iraq.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18204/US-troops-withdraw-from-military-base-in-Kurdistan-s-Makhmur-town

[tigergorzow]

KIU: Baghdad seeks to break Kurds by sending troops to Kirkuk

October 13 2017 04:35 PM

KIU: Baghdad seeks to break Kurds will by sending troops to Kirkuk

 

 

Baghdad is seeking to break the will of the Kurdish people by sending its troops to Kirkuk governorate, Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) Spokesman Hadi Ali said.

In a statement, Ali said that solutions for any crisis come through dialogue, noting that Baghdad looks at Peshmerga as a foreign force and that was apparent in its mobilization for its forces to clash with Peshmerga, stressing that Peshmerga had a great role in fighting ISIS, side by side with the Iraq force, along with opening Kurdish cities for thevdisplaced civilians and providing them with food and shelter.

He added that the oil wells and borders issues will not be solved by a show a force, but with the law and constitution.

Ali asserted that Kirkuk is safe in the hands of Peshmerga, noting that the governorate rarely witness any security breaches.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18207/KIU-Baghdad-seeks-to-break-Kurds-by-sending-troops-to-Kirkuk

[tigergorzow]

US delegation in Baghdad to discuss local, regional situations

October 13 2017 02:14 PM

US delegation to discuss Erbil-Baghdad crisis

 

 

A US delegation arrived in Baghdad on Thursday to negotiate with the Iraqi government on the local and regional situations, officials said on Friday. 

 

They noted that the delegation’s visit is part of strenuous efforts to give a clearer picture on the situation in Iraq to US research centers that are specialized in the geopolitics of the Middle East and Iran.

 

The delegation is composed of researchers and thinkers from the most prominent think tanks in the US, they pointed out. 

 

They also said that he received members of the delegation to know their viewpoints on issues facing Iraq, including terrorism and Erbil-Baghdad crisis.

 

The delegation has sought Iraq’s opinion regarding Iran nuclear deal prior to White House decision on its fate of the deal. US President Donald Trump has called “worst deal ever negotiated”. 

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18201/US-delegation-in-Baghdad-to-discuss-local-regional-situations

[tigergorzow]

Iraq Joint Ops Command denies Kirkuk offensive

October 13 2017 01:34 PM

Breaking

Iraq's Joint Operations Command denies the Iraqi army has launched an offensive in southern Kirkuk. 

 

This announcement comes after press reports and security sources confirmed to the Baghdad Post that Iraqi army, along with Iran-allied IMIS militias had mobilized to invade Kirkuk. 

 

High-level Kurdish officials announced they were leading volunteers to defend Kirkuk. 

 

Relations between Baghdad and Erbil witnessed tension after the Sept. 25th independence referendum that won an overwhelming YES for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan. 

 

The oil-rich Kirkuk was included in the referendum. 

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18197/Iraq-Joint-Ops-Command-denies-Kirkuk-offensive

[tigergorzow]

Int’l community urged to stop imminent war between army, Peshmerga

October 13 2017 12:29 PM

Peshmerga forces

Kurdistan Region Vice President Kosrat Rasul called on the international community on Friday to interfere to thwart the Iraqi Army and Iranian militias from invading Kirkuk. 

Rasul confirmed that Kurds are “not afraid of threats”. 

Rasul who arrived in Kirkuk Thursday night, said that the Iraqi government continues to issue threats and send its forces to areas near Kirkuk.

Issues will not be solved by threats or the use of force, he noted. 

 

We are with resolving issues justly and through dialogue between concerned parties, he added.

Earlier on Friday, it was reported that Rasul is leading a military force of 6,000 Peshmerga soldiers to defend Kirkuk against any military attack. 

Kurdistan Security Council said on Friday that the Iraqi Army and Iranian Militias in Iraq and Syria (IMIS) mobilized their forces near Kirkuk city and Tuz Khomarto city in Salahuddin Governorate, located 55 miles south of Kirkuk. 

Tensions between Erbil and the federal government have escalated since the Iraqi Kurds overwhelmingly voted for independence in a referendum last month.

Kirkuk has emerged as a flashpoint in the crisis as it is claimed by both sides.

 

http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18193/Int-l-community-urged-to-stop-imminent-war-between-army-Peshmerga

[boosterbglee]

We really don't know what's going on .......I can't fathom they would finish one war and start another....they must have a huge war chest of other countries money!