Multiple reports suggest that the skirmishes between Iraqi forces and Kurds has started as the control of KirKuk’s oil fields is now being contested.
#UPDATE Clashes between Iraqi, Kurdish troops close to Kirkuk city https://t.co/E1qDXmdr3i pic.twitter.com/WlbMyRDddW
— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 16, 2017
Last week both Baghdad and Kurdistan Regional government start moving forces to Kirkuk for an imminent showdown. Initially both sides showed restraint but the language has evolved quite quickly.
The Kurdistan Regional Government released a statement saying “Prime Minister al-Abadi has threatened Peshmerga Forces to not intercept or block Iraqi armed forces in the so-called disputed territories. We declare to the world that after these threats, all fault will lay with Prime Minister al-Abadi as commander of the armed forces of Iraq in case any security disruptions occur in these safe and secure areas and Prime Minister al-Abadi’s statements regarding the deployment of Iraqi armed forces on the borders and in the cities are unconstitutional.”
News from Iraq is no better with tweets like :
Commander-in-Chief @HaiderAlAbadi has instructed Iraqi Army, Federal Police, CTS to secure bases & federal installations in Kirkuk province
— Government of Iraq (@IraqiGovt) October 15, 2017
The Baghdad based government has also suggested that Peshmerga in Kirkuk comprise of Turkish PKK
The National Security Council: The militias in Kirkuk belong to political parties from outside the province, including the Turkish PKK.
— Government of Iraq (@IraqiGovt) October 15, 2017
As noted earlier the war against Pehmerga in Kirkuk can quickly become a war against all of Kurds in what they call as the greater Kurdistan region.
With things moving quickly only US has influence to stop the tanks in their movement. It can easily ask (read force) Baghdad to sit with its Kurdistan counterparts and sort out a deal. However with President Trumps preoccupation with Fake News, NFL, Mayors of Hurricane hit cities and ‘the wall’ lives of allies may not find enough importance to be saved from each other
