“We are alarmed by significant Iraqi military and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) build up in Bashir and Taz in South of Kirkuk, including tanks, heavy artillery, humvees and mortars. These forces are approximately 3 kilometers from Peshmerga front line positions. Intelligence shows intention to takeover nearby oil fields, airport and military base,” says an official Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) press release.
“We call on the Iraqi Government to stop the PMF aggression in Kirkuk and North Mosul. This reckless, provocative move follows Iraq’s air embargo suspending international flights and other measures amounting to collective punishment on the people of Kurdistan,” the official statement continues.
