Speaking to reporters, Ma’an Sa’di, commander of law-enforcement units within the counter-terrorism forces, said that Peshmerga forces would not be allowed to go back to Kirkuk.

On 16th October last year, the Iraqi army and Shi’ite Hashd al-Shaabi militia groups overrun the Peshmerga forces in Kirkuk and other disputed territories.

Concerning the preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election in Kirkuk, Sa’di said that the Iraqi ground forces, air power together with the US-led Coalition have already devised a security plan to protect the polling stations on May 12.

Reporter’s code: 50101