BBC: Kirkuk: Iraqi forces seize largest oilfields near city
Iraqi government forces have taken control of the two largest oilfields near the disputed city of Kirkuk after Kurdish forces left the area.
Iraqi troops began a takeover of Kirkuk on Monday.
The actions come three weeks after a Kurdish referendum on independence, which was declared illegitimate by the central Iraqi government.
Voters in the Kurdish autonomous region and Kurdish-held areas overwhelmingly backed secession.
On Tuesday, Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani released a statement calling for peace and pledging to keep working towards independence.
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WNU Editor: Iraqi forces and Shiite militias continue to take territory that Kurdish forces have been present in since the Iraqi Army fled when Islamic State Forces began their offensive 3 years ago .... Iraqi forces drive Kurdish fighters out of town of Sinjar (The Guardian). The U.S. has issued a warning .... Pentagon says Iraqi train-and-equip mission could end if attacks on Kurds continue (Defense News), but President Trump has made it clear that the U.S. is not going to take sides .... Trump Says He Won't Take Sides As Iraqi Forces Oust Kurds From Kirkuk (Radio Free Europe).
More News On Iraqi Forces Continuing To Retake Territory From Kurdish Forces
Iraqi forces take control of all oil fields operated by state-owned North Oil in Kirkuk -- Reuters
Iraq forces take two key Kirkuk oil field from Kurds -- AFP
Kurdish forces pullout from Khanaqin area on Iraq-Iran border, security sources say -- Reuters
Baghdad: Iraqi forces in full control of Kirkuk -- Al Jazeera
Iraqis seize military base, oil field from Kurdish forces near contested Kirkuk -- Washington Post
Iraqi forces take Kirkuk, lower Kurdistan flag -- RUDAW
US military rushes to defuse looming crisis in Kirkuk after Iraqi army advances -- The Guardian
1 comment:
The real problem will develop if/when Iragi forces try to move into Kurdistan proper. The Kurds are smart not to resist the Iraqis until then. Otherwise they will be seen as "conquerors" of Iraqi territory and not "defenders" of Kurdish independence.
I find it interesting that the Turks have been slowly aligning themselves with the Shiites and Iranians of late. I wonder how the Arabs feel about that? Will the Arabs care if the Turks move into Iraq to fight alongside the Iranians against the Kurds? Will a Turkish/Iranian alliance be seen as threatening to anybody?
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