KIRKUK –Tension between the Iraqi central government and the Federal Kurdistan administration started during the independence referendum has turned into clashes in Kirkuk. Violent clashes broke out between the Hashd al-Shaabi and the peshmergas are going on. The people flocked to the defense positions of HPG and YJA Star.

 

The tension between the Iraqi army and peshmerga forces started during the independence referendum turned into armed clashes last night at around 2:30 a.m. The Hashd al-Shaabi forces attacked the peshmerga forces in Tazexurmatu. The peshmerga forces responded immediately to the attack that started at around 02:30 a.m.

 

101st Peshmerga Battalion began to shell the positions of the Hashd al-Shaabi forces by using tanks and artillery. Anti-terrorist forces, special units of the Peshmerga forces, also arrived in Kirkuk.

 

Gunshots are reported from Duzxurmatu district of Selahaddin city. The Hashd al-Shaabi forces are opening fire on the offices of the YNK, KDP and the Communist Parties of Kurdistan.

 

Colonel Salar Teymur, one of the commanders of the peshmerga, has announced that Iraqi forces and Hashd al-Shaabi forces opened fire on the positions near Tazehurmatu town in the south of Kirkuk. Salar Teymur said that the Iraqi forces opened fire on them with heavy weapons, and the Peshmerga responded them and the clashes were going on.

 

HPG and YJA Star form defense positions

 

After the attacks of the Hashd al-Shaabi forces on Kirkuk, HPG and YJA Star members have formed defense line along with the volunteers to protect the people in the city center. Thousands of people have flocked to the positions of the HPG and YJA Star. Peshmergas, who don’t leave Kirkuk, are also deploying on this line.