Kirkuk Joint Operations Commander Saad Harbiya said the new plan would be implemented in the coming months, NRT reported.

“Our forces have been increased to protect Kirkuk, particularly southwestern Kirkuk,” he added.

The members of the forces include federal police, counterterrorism forces, and Brigade 61, according to Harbiya.

Regarding the inclusion of the Peshmerga in the plan, the commander said it was a political issue and therefore the Kurdish armed forces were not in the new security plan.

“All the security forces, Hashd al-Shaabi, and Hashd al-Ashaeree [local tribes] will be under the orders of the Joint Operations Command.”

Iraqi forces alongside Hashd al-Shaabi retook Kirkuk and other disputed areas from Kurdish forces in mid-October 2017 in the wake of Kurdistan independence referendum.

Reporter’s code: 50101