The Kurdistan Region's representative for the Joint Operations Command, Abdulkhaliq Talaat, told Voice of America (VOA) on Monday, April 26, that the federal government is responsible for normalizing the security situation in Shingal.
Baghdad and Erbil signed a security and stability agreement, the Shingal Agreement, in October 2020, focusing on reconciliation through security and administrative changes.
According to the agreement, "all armed groups" must leave the town, and a new local Iraqi force should take over- something that has not been implemented fully yet.
The KRG has blamed the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters for exerting control over the town through the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS). YBS denies links to the PKK.
Talaat said that neither the PKK fighters nor other unlawful forces had left the town yet, so the agreement has not been implemented.
He added that the Iraqi government would have to force the armed groups to leave the town if they did not do so willingly.
On 18 April, at least two Iraqi officers, two YBS members and a civilian were wounded in a clash between the Iraqi and YBS forces in Shingal.
Talaat said Baghdad also needs to appoint a new mayor and take control of the town's administration – none of which have happened yet.
On the question of possible Turkey's military incursion into Shingal, Talaat said that "I do not think that would happen", as Iraqi forces are stationed in and around the town.
Talaat repeated what other KRG officials have said on Turkey's attacks on the PKK bases in the Kurdistan Region that the PKK must leave.
He said the PKK "should take its fight somewhere else" away from the Kurdistan Region.
The PKK has blamed the KDP for supporting Turkey in its recent attack on its bases and threatened the KDP with the consequences of spreading the conflict further into the Kurdistan Region if that support continues.
Turkey began its cross-border offensive known as "Operation Claw Lock" against the PKK on Monday, April 18.
KDP has close ties to Turkey.
Reporter's code: 50101