Iraqi forces took control of Kirkuk on October 16, 2017, when the forces seized the control of the province from Peshmerga forces of Kurdistan Region which held a referendum of independence on September 25 that years; a referendum that Baghdad and neighboring states expressed opposition to it.

According to Kurdistan 24, Nouri Muhhamad Ali, the commander of the Kurdish forces in the western Kirkuk axis, Peshmerga forces of Kirkuk called for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from the province and called for the implementation Article 140 and the return of Peshmerga forces to Kirkuk.

The KDP official further added that Peshmerga is the defender of Kirkuk and not only the Kurds but also all ethnics in Kirkuk should demand the return of the Kurdish forces and the forces who are not aware with the situation in the province withdraw.

Reporter’s code: 50101