Karim told Rudaw in an interview that all reports and remarks over the return of the Kurdish forces are far from being true and are fake and false.

He underscored that the remarks are trying to play with people’s feeling ahead of Iraq elections and no deal has been made between Baghdad and Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, in this regard, adding that Iraq would not pressure Peshmerga to leave the province if it had accepted the forces.

Karim called on political parties not to use the issue of the return of the Kurdish forces to Kirkuk for the interests of the parties.

He, however, revealed that U.S. officials have held meeting with him to find out the details of the October 16, 2017 events.

Reporter’s code: 50101