The Iraqi disputed regions are claimed to be controlled by Erbil government and Baghdad. The regions fell into the control of Peshmerga after the Islamic State (IS) controlled a large part of Iraq but after the decline of the IS and months after the independence referendum of Kurdistan Region on September 25, 2017, the Iraqi army retook the control of the region without any Peshmerga resistance.

The regions are being controlled by the Iraqi army but there are speculations that the Kurdish Peshmerga will return to the regions. Iraqi political and military officials have repeatedly refuted the claims.

Mamozini who acted as a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in Nainawa province told Kurdpress that the IS moves are increasing in the province as Mosul, the center of the province, is under the IS control at nights and the militants kill people and sabotage their belongings.

The official added that the rift between Iraqi forces in the province is the main reason behind the IS power as the terrorist organizations is not and has never been a powerful organization but makes use of the rift among the Iraqi army, federal police and Hashid al-Shaabi militia.

The politician stated developments have been made in the talks between the Iraqi army and Peshmerga forces over the return of the Kurdish forces into the disputed regions that the two sides claim authority over, expressing his optimism over the return of the Kurdish forces into the region.

There were the least amount of bombings and clashes in the disputed regions when they were under the control of Peshmerga.

Reporter’s code: 50101