Iraq, Oct. 16, 2017 – Military clashes and artillery fire exchange were reported between Iraqi government forces and KRG Peshmerga in the early hours of Monday Oct. 24, in the areas around Kirkuk. Simultaneously, a statement by the Iraqi PM called for the establishment of security in the city “in cooperation with the Peshmerga” forces, according to reports by AFP and Associated Press news agencies.

Meanwhile, Roodaw, a KRG official website, reported that militants from the “Popular Mobilization Forces” (Hashd al-Sha’abi), affiliated with the Iranian regime, have attacked various areas of the Iraqi Kurdish region on several fronts.

The Kurdistan Security Council’s announcement said: “Iraqi forces supporting the Iranian regime attacked Kurdish forces on several fronts using US military equipment”, quoted Roodaw. Five American made Humvees, used by the Iranian regime’s supporters in the Kirkuk attack, were destroyed.

Furthermore, at least seven “Hashd al-Sha’abi” militants were killed in Kirkuk’s Al-Sana’i region in a clash between the two sides, following an escalation of tensions between “Hashd al-Sha’abi” forces and Peshmerga forces, Euro News reported.

Meanwhile, Iraqi forces took control of the city of Toskhormatu and its surrounding areas in the Salah al-Din province, and the Iraqi anti-terrorism forces dominated the south entrance of Kirkuk, reported Al-Hadath.

The Iranian regime’s official TV station also announced the progress and control of Iraqi forces over Kirkuk’s oil fields. “Hashd al-Sha’abi and the Iraqi Army forces are stationed in areas overlooking the new district of Kirkuk and are ready for any unexpected incident”, according to the IRGC news agency.

Subsequently, Reuters reported that Iraqi forces had seized the North Oil Company and AFP reported no conflict inside the city of Kirkuk.

In the afternoon, Al Jazeera, and various news agencies and news websites announced the seizure of the Kirkuk governorate office by the Iraqi Federal Police without any clashes.

The Kurdish PM’s office accused some PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) members of betrayal, reported al-Arabiya al-Hadath TV station. The Kurdish PM’s office also accused the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps) for commanding this operation.

Since the onset of the conflict, Washington has urged all parties to stop military operations in Kirkuk. The US embassy in Baghdad has consistently called for an immediate stop to military operations in Kirkuk.

It is worth noting that Ghassem Soleimani, the high commander of the terrorist Quds forces, has been in Baghdad and Sulaimaniyah during recent days, and has orchestrated the attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, the terrorist Quds forces and “Hashd al-Sha’abi” forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan.

“Iraqi authorities are exercising control over the city of Kirkuk and government institutions in the province and have shared the administration there with PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) headed by Jalal Talabani’s son, reported al-Arabiya based on local and security sources.