KURDISTAN

Latest News

• HPG statement on Kirkuk incidents 

  HPG Makhmour - Kirkuk Command released a statement regarding the events in Kirkuk which was fully invaded by Hashd al-Shaabi militia and Iraqi army on Monday.
• House raids in Kirkuk after Hashd al-Shaabi invasion 

  Hashd al-Shaabi forces have raided houses in Hesen, Rehimava and Kerema neighbourhoods of Kirkuk.
• Turkish army stuck in Xeregol: 18 dead 

  The Turkish army launched an operation the other day on the Xeregol hill in Southern Kurdistan along the direction of Çukurca. In separate actions, 29 soldiers were killed there yesterday and 18 were killed today.
• Peshmerga Commander: We have started to withdraw from Bashiqa 

  Peshmerga 112nd Brigade Commander Şefîq Çavşîn stated that the Hashd al-Shaabi forces have set out for Bashiqa and the peshmerga have started the withdrawal.
• Images from the defense line built in Kirkuk yesterday 

  During the attempt of the Iraqi forces and Hashd al-Shaabi to invade Kirkuk yesterday, guerrilla forces, supported by some peshmergas and armed civilians, built up a line of defense in order to resist.
• Jalawla and Khanaqin also handed over 

  Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi forces have entered Jalawla and Khanaqin where KDP abandoned their positions.
• Latest in Shengal and Makhmur 

  KDP forces have turned over Shengal and Makhmur to Hashd al-Shaabi forces as well, after Kirkuk. Reports say KDP has reached a deal with Baghdad to withdraw to the 2003 borders.
• Shengal Resistance Units (YBŞ) Commander: We will defend our land 

  YBŞ Commander Dijwar Feqir said, “We are the children of these lands. We have protected our home and our blood has been spilled. We will protect this place.”
• KDP withdraws from Germian as well 

  KDP’s peshmerga forces have withdrawn from the Germian region after withdrawing from Kirkuk, Makmur and Shengal.
• KDP withdraws its forces from Sinjar 

  Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) withdrew its peshmerga forces from Sinjar and left its positions to Hashd al-Shaabi militia.
• Turkish jets bomb Medya Defense Zones 

  Turkish warplanes are bombing Xeregol region of Medya Defense Zones.
• Senior PUK official calls for Barzani to resign over Kirkuk 

  Lahor Şêx Cengi, a senior Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) official called for Barzani to resign after the invasion of Kirkuk by forces loyal to the Baghdad government.
• HPG statement on Kirkuk 

  HPG stated that guerrilla forces have taken up positions and formed a line of defense in and around Kirkuk city center.
• Hashd al-Shaabi fully invades Kirkuk 

  The Iraqi army and Hashd al-Shaabi forces have taken control over the whole of Kirkuk.
• Hashd al-Shaabi invades 70% of Kirkuk 

  Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi army forces are attacking Kirkuk since last night. While peshmerga forces have completely withdrawn from Kirkuk, guerrillas remain in the city, 70 percent of which has been invaded by Hashd al-Shaabi.
• Latest in Kirkuk: Peshmerga abandoned city, guerrilla resisting 

  Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraqi army forces have been attacking Kirkuk since last night. Peshmerga forces have completely withdrawn from Kirkuk while the guerrilla resists in the city. Clashes are reportedly spreading in the vicinity of Hewlêr Road - Rahimava.
• Clashes between guerrillas and Hashd al-Shaabi in Kirkuk 

  Fierce clashes are taking place between Hashd al-Shaabi and HPG’s guerrillas forces that have formed a line of defense together with former peshmergas in Kirkuk.
• Turkish army crossing the border hit hard by guerrillas 

  17 Turkish soldiers lost their lives when an IED detonated during the Turkish army’s air landing of troops in the Xeregol area of Southern Kurdistan by the Çukurca direction in the morning hours.
• PUK’s Kosret Resûl: We will defend Kirkuk 

  Kosret Resûl stated that the Iraqi army and the Hashd al-Shaabi want to attack Kirkuk and added: “We do not want to lead a war, but we will defend ourselves.”
• People and peshmergas call Kirkuk’s people to guerrilla positions 

  People of Kirkuk and former peshmergas who joined HPG-YJA Star guerrillas in Kirkuk called upon the people to take their place in the defence of Kirkuk in the guerrillas’ positions.
• People, guerrilla and peshmerga shoulder to shoulder in Kirkuk 

  Thousands have flocked to the guerrilla defense positions formed against the Hashd al-Shaabi attack in Kirkuk. Peshmergas who haven’t left Kirkuk are also taking positions with the guerrilla.
• Latest in Kirkuk: All main roads closed 

  Guerrilla forces, volunteer fighters from the residents and peshmergas who haven’t left the city closed off main roads in the city in response to the attacks launched against Kirkuk.
• HPG issues a call to ‘defend Kirkuk’ 

  HPG and YJA Star guerrillas called on all Kurds to defend Kirkuk and said: “If you want to participate in the defence of Kirkuk, join us in our emplacement.”
• Clashes erupt in Kirkuk after attack by Iraqi forces 

  Iraqi army and forces loyal to Iraqi government attacked Kurdish positions and started moving on Kirkuk on early Monday morning.
• More people in Amed under threat of losing their homes 

  Sıdıka Alkan is 90 years old. She lives alone in Fiskaya neighbourhood of Amed. Her house is under the risk of demolition by the Turkish authorities as AKP government is pushing “urban progress” plans in the city.