A statement issued by the Security Information Center on Monday, July 2, said that "the security situation in the province of Kirkuk and the disputed areas are the responsibility of the Iraqi federal forces and the security forces [have] full control over those areas and does not involve the Coalition forces in this regard.”

According to NRT the statement added that "the security forces have put in place integrated plans to control security and promote stability in Kirkuk and other Iraqi provinces, and [strenuous] intelligence efforts by the security services to eliminate the sleeper terrorist cells and criminal elements [are ongoing].”

It pointed out that "public opinion has noted that there is a great appreciation of the security forces and their achievements by the people of Kirkuk.”

Reporter’s code: 50101