Speaking to Alquds Alarabi newspaper, Saad al-Hadithi, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, stressed that the federal government in Baghdad “hasn’t yet taken a decision or agreed with Peshmerga forces to deploy them again in the disputed areas, which were taken over by Iraqi troops last October.”

According to Iraqi News the spokesman pointed out “The redeployment decision can only be taken by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.”

Last week, the Kurdish Peshmerga Ministry denied news on return of the troops to the disputed regions, stressing refusal of side agreements that take place in this regard without involving it.

Iraqi forces took over several Kurdish areas in mid October in response to a referendum Kurdistan Region held in September for independence from Iraq.

Kurds voted overwhelmingly to break away from Iraq in a referendum held on Sept. 25, defying the central government in Baghdad.

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